Best Gimbal for Smartphone 2021: Enhance Your Mobile Photography

In the ever-evolving world of mobile photography, capturing stunning images and videos has never been easier. However, ensuring that your shots are smooth and blur-free can be a challenge. The solution? A gimbal. In 2021, the demand for smartphone gimbals has surged, helping creators, vloggers, and casual users achieve professional-looking footage. This article delves into the best gimbals you can buy this year, exploring their features, pros, and cons.

Understanding Gimbals: The Basics

Before diving into our top picks, it's essential to understand what a gimbal is and how it works. Gimbals are stabilization devices designed to eliminate unwanted movements and vibrations when capturing video. They allow for smooth panning, tilting, and rolling, ensuring that your footage remains steady even when your hands are not.

Top Picks for 2021

1. DJI OM 4

The DJI OM 4 is an excellent choice for smartphone enthusiasts looking for a versatile and user-friendly gimbal. With a weight of just 390 grams, it’s lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for on-the-go shooting. Its magnetic phone clamp allows for quick attachment and detachment, while the 3-axis stabilization mechanism ensures smooth video capture.

Key Features:

• Intelligent shooting modes including ActiveTrack 3.0 and Gesture Control
• Battery life up to 15 hours
• Supports a range of smartphone sizes and weights

Pros: Easy to set up, robust stabilization, great app features.

Cons: Slightly limited weight capacity compared to competitors.

2. Zhiyun Smooth 4

If you're looking for an advanced gimbal with extensive control features, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a fantastic option. This gimbal is packed with professional-grade features while remaining relatively affordable. The Smooth 4 offers a focus pull and zoom capability, which adds an extra layer of creativity to your shots.

Key Features:

• Quick control panel for easy shooting adjustments
• Object tracking and time-lapse settings
• Battery that lasts up to 12 hours

Pros: Versatile control options, excellent build quality, budget-friendly.

Cons: Steeper learning curve for beginners.

3. Moza Mini-MI

The Moza Mini-MI stands out by offering wireless phone charging while in use. This feature is incredibly convenient, especially during long shooting sessions. The Mini-MI is quite compact and can even support small DSLR cameras, giving it additional versatility.

Key Features:

• Wireless charging capabilities
• Multiple shooting modes including Inception and FPV mode
• Compact and lightweight design

Pros: Unique wireless charging, excellent stabilization, compact size.

Cons: The app can be somewhat buggy at times.

4. FeiyuTech Vimble 2

The FeiyuTech Vimble 2 offers a unique twist: an extendable selfie stick feature. This gimbal is perfect for vloggers who want to take high-quality self-recorded footage without sacrificing stability. Its ergonomic design and various shooting modes make it a user-friendly option.

Key Features:

• Extendable arm for extra reach
• Multiple shooting modes including panoramic and time-lapse
• Easy to use app for iOS and Android

Pros: Versatile shooting options, unique extendable design.

Cons: Build could feel less sturdy compared to metal gimbals.

5. Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus

The Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus is another budget-friendly gimbal that doesn't compromise on features. It’s ideal for beginners and non-professionals looking for a solid stabilization solution. The gimbal offers various modes like inception, follow, and others, which help in creating dynamic shots easily.

Key Features:

• Smartphone-compatible and suitable for action cameras
• Battery life of up to 12 hours
• Multiple modes for creative shooting

Pros: Affordable, good battery life, simple to operate.

Cons: Build quality could use improvement.

Why You Need a Gimbal

Investing in a gimbal opens up a world of possibilities for anyone passionate about capturing video. Here are some reasons you should consider adding a gimbal to your gear:

• Smooth Shots: Gimbals effectively eliminate shake, giving your videos a professional feel.
• Dynamic Movements: Capture various angles and movements that would be impossible with handheld shooting.
• Creativity: Utilize creative shooting modes to elevate your storytelling.
• User-Friendly: Many gimbals come with companion apps, making it easy to manage features and settings.

Tips for Using Your Gimbal

To maximize the use of your gimbal, consider the following tips:

• Balance your smartphone properly on the gimbal before shooting to avoid strain on the motors.
• Experiment with different modes to find what works best for the type of content you’re producing.
• Practice panning and tilting to master smooth movements.
• Utilize the gimbal’s app to access exclusive features and settings for more complex shots.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right gimbal can significantly enhance your mobile photography and videography experience. With the options available in 2021, you can find a gimbal that suits your style, budget, and technical expertise. Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker or just want to take better videos on your next adventure, investing in a high-quality smartphone gimbal will elevate your content creation game to the next level.