Any expert with the camera will tell you how important a tripod is. It is vital to stabilize your camera or phone, so your shots can come out clear, and the more high-definition and crystal-clear video equipment gets, the easier it is to catch mistakes like a little shake.
A tripod is used to iron out such mistakes. Also, if you happen to have a particularly heavy camera, you need a tripod to manage and distribute the weight so that you can focus on the shot. But you also need a tripod that's light-weight enough for you to lug around along with all your camera equipment.
However, even if you're not a pro photographer, you might want a tripod to play around with; if you're starting out making videos and reels on places like Youtube and Instagram, it can be a helpful thing to have. Or you might want a fancy tripod for travel photos or taking selfies; it's really up to you.
But a tripod can come at a pretty high price tag, and that's definitely not possible for everyone to afford. You can still get some pretty good ones at reasonable prices, though, so let's look at some of the best tripods under 200.
10 BEST TRIPODS UNDER 200 review
1) MAGNUS VT-4000 - BEST FLUID HEAD TRIPOD
At roughly the $160 mark, this is one of the best tripods under 200 that money can buy. It's made of aluminum, which is a good choice for beginners and will guarantee you a great deal of support. The two-way fluid head on the tripod system will prevent any sudden movements, and you get a smooth pan and tilt range as well.
This tripod will work with several kinds of cameras as it comes with the standard screws for mounting the device, and it'll be very valuable to videographers who want to capture smooth, sharp footage. You'll be pretty satisfied with this if you're a beginner, and you can use it for short film projects. Even pros can use it for weddings and other fancy events, and it's particularly good with panning.
The feet are retractable, and they also lock in place, so you don't have to worry about any slippage. The whole system comes in a carrying case, and it isn't the lightest piece of kit, but it's manageable to carry, and it really does the job very well. It's not cheaply-made by any means, so you're guaranteed durability with this, and it'll hold up the weight, no matter what conditions you're shooting in.
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2) HEAVY DUTY - BEST PROFESSIONAL TRIPOD
This is one of the best tripods under 200, and it's particularly good for DSLRs, but it can work with any equipment that has a ¼" screw. This is professional equipment because it can handle a lot of weight, and the aluminum-alloy make really ensures that this tripod will last you a while. The Fluid Head can rotate 360°, and panning is very smooth as a result.
The mid-level spreader on the system is efficient because it deals with any unevenness you might experience while shooting outside, particularly, and the rubber mats keep the whole thing still and firmly rooted to the ground. The flip-lock system makes setup very quick, so if you're going from one shoot to another, this won't be a huge chore to keep setting up. It also comes in a useful carrying case, but the tripod's weight can get a bit too much when you're walking long distances. But it's manageable to carry around at shorter distances.
The mounting platform also comes equipped with a safety button, so you can use that to prevent any accidents ruining your expensive devices. All in all, this is a quality piece of equipment at roughly $140, and you'll get a lot of use out of it.
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3) VILTROX VX-18M - BEST TRIPOD FOR HEAVY LENSES
This tripod from Viltrox looks pretty professional and is largely made of metal and rubber, so it does have a bit of heft. This is one of the best tripods under 200 because it can hold a lot, so you can really load up your equipment and not worry about the tripod collapsing and damaging your priceless gear.
The tripod has a 360°pan range for smooth footage, and the 3-section aluminum legs even out the weight capably as well as keeping things very still and stable. You can also adjust the height when you're shooting, and the footpads are in a rubberized horseshoe shape so that they don't slip. Whether you're shooting indoors or on rough, uneven ground outside, you're good to go.
The camera plate has a quick-release function and is compatible with ¼" and ⅜" camera screws, so you can mount a lot of different types of cameras and camcorders, even if they're on the heavier side. The tripod doesn't adjust aside from the height, but it's still a very good piece of equipment to have as part of your kit, and of course, you can use your phone with it, too, as long as you use the right amount as well.
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4) GEEKOTO 72 INCHES - BEST TRIPOD FOR DSLR
Geek to offers a pretty polished and well-constructed tripod model that has a slightly premium look for the low price you pay. This is a best tripods under 200 and highly compatible with ¼" and ⅜" screws, so you can use it for everything from DSLRs to camera sliders. It's largely made of aluminum, and the three legs have rubber buckles for locking and also rubberized feet to provide a good, solid grip when you're shooting.
This tripod is ideal for video, with 360° panning to capture several angles and scenes as you shoot, but you can also use it for photography, of course. It works very well on uneven ground, but you can just as easily use it for fashion shoots or weddings. The carrying capacity is also quite good, so this is quite a reliable piece of equipment to have.
The height adjustability is a major plus because it can be adjusted from 53" to 72", with a very effective twist-lock button to keep everything in place and assure you a steady shooting experience. This is one of the cheaper tripods on this list, so you should definitely take advantage if you're looking for a budget buy.
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5) NEEWER CARBON FIBER - BEST TRIPOD MONOPOD COMBO
Of course, Neewer is a big name when it comes to video equipment, and they make some of the best tripods under 200. The biggest USP for this model is that it's largely made of carbon fiber and at a very good price too. Carbon fiber tripods are probably the ones that will last the longest, and they're much lighter than normal plastic or metal tripods.
This is particularly important to consider if you film or shoot video on a regular basis and you need a piece of equipment that can meet the demands of such heavy use. The central column of this tripod from Neewer can be rotated horizontally or vertically to facilitate several kinds of shoots. The legs have sponge grips to prevent any kind of slippage when you mount your equipment, and the construction of this piece of tech is definitely a huge bonus.
The four legs of the tripod can be adjusted, and one leg can be removed as well in case you're in need of a monopod. The ¼" screw on the QR plate means it's compatible with a lot of cameras, but does well with DSLRs particularly. When folded up the entire tripod is 24.6", and therefore can be carried around.
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6) K&F CONCEPT TM2515T1
K&F Concept has a handy tripod that can also convert to a monopod. With a strong centralizing force provided by the 25mm (diameter) aluminum tube, this is one of the best tripods under 200 and will definitely hold up to anything you throw at it. Also, the black and orange color adds a bit of flair to the design (most tripods are generally in black only).
The ball head allows you to make 360° rotations and you can take beautiful panoramic shots outdoors, as well as do macro shooting and low angle shots due to the transverse central column. This is a pretty popular piece of equipment in the tripod market, and it's no surprise why.
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7) ANDOER PROFESSIONAL VIDEO TRIPOD SYSTEM
At a bit over the $100 mark, this is quite a bargain from Andoer. The ball head and release plate have ⅜" and ¼" screws, respectively, so you can mount a lot of equipment on this because of its high compatibility.
The height adjustment is very easy to manage, so you can shoot at eye level, and at its smallest size, the tripod is 80cm and can be folded up and carried around in the case that is provided. This is a solid tripod system and comes with lifetime support, which is not bad for the price tag at all.
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8) SIRUI AM-025K ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON FIBER TRAVEL TRIPOD WITH BALL HEAD
Although this is best tripods under 200, this tripod is made of carbon fiber which will ensure its durability. So if you're looking to upgrade to a slightly more premium tripod, this is a great bet, and the twist leg locks make height adjustments a cinch. Due to its make, this tripod is also quite easy to carry around from shoot to shoot, and it's easily compatible with a lot of cameras.
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9) DAVIS & SANFORD PROVISTA 7518 TRIPOD WITH FM18 HEAD
The Provista 7518 model is one of the best tripods under 200 largely made of aluminum, with a black anodized finish. The FM18 fluid head (which is detachable) makes panning up to 360° a total breeze, and you can also tilt up and down (90° either way). There are also two removable panhandles, which are very convenient, and can also be adjusted.
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10) CAYER BF10L PROFESSIONAL VIDEO TRIPOD KIT
Finally, Cayer has a very good tripod that is primarily for video, with an ergonomic setup that makes it very easy to use, even for beginners. The quick-snap locks make it a very smooth process, and the twin leg setup also features a mid-spreader which is adjustable to build a strong and stable base for your expensive gear. This is great for working on rough or uneven terrain as well.
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Conclusion
By now, you've got an idea of what the most well-known video equipment brands out there are selling when it comes to the bebest tripods under 200. This list will be useful for beginners who need to buy tripods on a budget, but even if you're a pro, you may very well need a stand-by tripod to see you through some more grueling shoots.
Besides, a lot of the tripods on this list would stand up well to ones that cost a great deal, and they come at a much lower price. So if you're an aspiring videographer, you should get shopping!
I’m Peter, a freelance writer, researcher and part of the EnterTheUnderWorld team. Writing intrigues me a lot and it is also fun. I believe that I am good at researching different varieties of products from different categories. My aim is to help people who are looking for any product under a specified budget. So you can find different articles covered under varied budgets on this website. All the products are tested and used by me so that I can write the review precisely.