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Best Monopod for Sports Photography (Top 5 Picks)

We all already know that there is an enormous number of types of photography, and I bet you definitely have heard about sports photography, because who didn’t right?

When shooting sports photography you want to bring the best of it, but it is a little bit hard because there s a lot of movement and you don’t want to deliver blurry pictures. If you are a sports mom who just chose her favorite camera and the lenses that you need for Sports Photography what you need now is a Monopod!

First of all, I would like to tell you what a monopod is! A monopod based on the formation of its name is one-legged support for your camera! It is a sturdy camera accessory that in a way helps while supporting your cameras. Many types of monopods can be used while taking Sports Photography, but still, after very deep research, I was able to find some of the best ones. I know that some of you might say why not a tripod? I know that tripods are cool, but monopods will do the job quite well too. However, you will be able to find an answer to the question “why not a tripod?” at the end of the article!

In this article, you will be able to find the best monopod for sports photography, and there will be included the top five picks so that you can choose easily!

A Quick Look at My Favorite Monopods for Sports

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Value
Benro Aluminum 3 Series

Benro Aluminum 3 Series

10
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Best Budget
Amazon Basics 67-Inch

Amazon Basics 67-Inch

9
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Most Versatile
Vanguard VEO 2S AM

Vanguard VEO 2S AM

8.6
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Best Runner-Up
Neewer Carbon Fiber Monopod

Neewer Carbon Fiber Monopod

8.5
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Best Overall
Manfrotto 290

Manfrotto 290

8.6
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Key Takeaways

  • A monopod is the most helpful camera accessory in sports photography.
    The best material that is found in a monopod is carbon fiber, and it is the most durable as well.
    If you think about every feature that monopods have, the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber 4-Section Monopod tops the list.
    Some monopods are really expensive, but we have the Amazon Basics 67-Inch Monopod as a super-affordable one.

Without further ado, let’s get this article started!

The Top Five Best Monopods for Sports Photography

5. Benro Aluminum 3 Series Flip-Lock Monopod – Best Value

What I Like

  • Well Build Quality
  • Portable
  • Quite Stable

What I Don’t Like

  • Expensive for Some

Benro is a brand that works only with camera accessories in general. That’s why it is a well-known company that never disappoints. It has many fans around the world, and they say that once you use a Benro product, you always use a Benro product. Since Benro’s most famous motto is Let’s Go, let’s go into deeper details about the monopod that I chose!

Based on the full body of this monopod, it measures 61 x 2 x 2 inches when fully extended, but still, it is portable as well because it can be collapsed on 21.3 inches. The material that it is mostly made of just as seen in the name is aluminum, which stands as one of the most used materials for monopods and tripods too! The weight of this monopod is 2.1lbs, but still, that doesn’t mean that it cannot support more, it can support up to 39.7lbs.

At the bottom of this monopod, are placed three feet, which make it stand securely anywhere you want. The stability of this monopod comes from the locks that are found on the three feet that I mentioned. Once they are securely tightened, you will notice that they don’t move in any way. The locks aren’t the only things that help this monopod! You will find a mounting quick-release plate as well, in which you can easily put your camera.

Why should you buy it?

The material is mainly made of, just as seen in the name, aluminum, which stands as one of the most used materials for monopods and the most durable.

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4. Amazon Basics 67-Inch Monopod – Best Budget

What I Like

  • Lightweight
  • Rubber Feet for Stability
  • Cushion Grip
  • Affordable

What I Don’t Like

  • No Quick-Release Plate

Everybody once in a lifetime has heard about Amazon Basics, it is a private label from Amazon itself; which brings more than great products and they include whatever thing you need. Here goes the Amazon Basics 67-Inch Monopod which is one of the best ones, based on the usage while in sports photography.

The material that this monopod is made of also includes aluminum and it is considered a long-lasting product that definitely stays with you for a lifetime. As per the measurements this monopod when it is fully extended measures 67 inches but it is as well foldable and can be collapsed on 21.45 inches. When it comes to the weight, it is 15.7 ounces but still, it can carry cameras or equipment that weigh approximately 6.6 pounds.

Going down at the feet of this monopod, it includes four of them in order to deliver great stability in general. The feet include non-skid rubber which is mostly used to prevent movement, or unwanted movement, of the monopod. However, the monopod doesn’t own a quick-release plate but it owns a screw that you should use in order to put your camera on it. When in use, you can hold the monopod by using the cushion grip which doesn’t bother you in any way.

Why should you buy it?

This monopod is lightweight and affordable, so if you buy it, it won’t take much weight in your bag and won’t cost much.

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3. Vanguard VEO 2S AM-264TR Monopod – Most Versatile

What I Like

  • Super Versatile
  • Adjustable
  • Foldable Feet

What I Don’t Like

  • Pricey

Moving on, I chose a Vanguard product. The Vanguard VEO 2S AM-264TR monopod is that monopod that you can use for almost everything! DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, and even smartphones. It is considered one of the most versatile monopods that you can ever find, plus it is the newest one from the company.

Since design and build is the most important part of monopods I would go directly at them. This monopod when fully extended measures 64 inches, and when collapsed, it goes down to 21.5 inches. Based on the collapsed size the monopod can accompany you wherever you go since it is portable. The portability is also related to the weight of this monopod, it weighs 1.96 pounds, but however, it can hold up to 13.2 pounds. When it comes to the material that this monopod is made of there’s also included aluminium that besides being portable, makes it durable as well.

The monopod allows adjustments in many ways. It owns an angle adjustment system that is placed at the base of the monopod which is placed above the feet. While we are there, the feet are fully foldable and they include 4 sections at the end. A speciality that this monopod owns is that it owns a smartphone holder in which you can easily use your smartphone, even just for a selfie.

Why should you buy it?

This monopod is super versatile and adjustable so you won’t be making a mistake if you decide to purchase this monopod.

 

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2. Neewer Carbon Fiber Monopod – Best Runner-Up

What I Like

  • Adjustable in Many Ways
  • Carbon Fibre – Super Durable
  • Affordable

What I Don’t Like

  • Cannot be Held with two Hands – Designed to be used only with one

Here goes Neewer as one of the most important names when choosing a camera accessory, monopods, and tripods. I would like to mention that this monopod is one of the most usable ones for anything. What surprised me the most, was that the removable leg of it is, which is used by people as an alpenstock! Who would have thought!

Directly getting into the design, this monopod totally differs from the ones that I already mentioned above. On this monopod’s build is included carbon fibre material. It is known as one of the strongest and the best materials that can be used in these types of accessories. That can only tell one thing, this monopod is super strong! As for the dimensions, the monopod when extended measures 64.2 inches and it is as well collapsible, and once you fold it, it measures 18.9 inches. The weight, on the other hand, is 0.75 pounds, however, it can hold up the weight on up to 11.02 pounds.

This monopod from Neewer is fully ergonomic. The 5 legs that are found at the bottom part, keep the camera safe once put on anywhere you want, and they also include a removable non-slip rubber that can be used based on where and what you are shooting. There’s also found a non-slip foam handgrip and a wrist strap so you can hold it better when in use.

Why should you buy it?

This monopod is known as one of the strongest and the best materials that can be used in these types of accessories.

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1. Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber 4-Section Monopod – Best Overall

What I Like

  • Super Strong and Durable
  • Combination of Carbon Fibre and Aluminium
  • Adjustable and Steady
  • Wrist Strap and Rubber Legs

What I Don’t Like

  • Expensive for a Monopod

Last but not least, here goes a Manfrotto monopod. Some of you may already know who Manfrotto is, but still, I want to tell you that it is the best brand when it comes to choosing monopods and tripods in general. The monopods that Manfrotto brings to the table are more than great, just as the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber that I chose. Let’s dive deeper into the details!

Design-wise, this monopod is a good-looking one that besides helping with the stability of your camera during sports photography, it will look like it deserves to be on a sports field! However, the monopod can be extended and collapsed as well. When it is fully extended it goes up to measure 59.4 inches, while when folded or collapsed it measures 19.29 inches, a quite big difference. It is made of the immersive carbon fibre material that makes this monopod definitely usable for a long period of time. The weight of this monopod is 1.1 pounds, while its capability of holding goes up to 11 pounds!

Going down at the legs of this monopod, on them, you will encounter aluminum material, which is attached to the leg locks. Those locks will help this monopod stay steadily when in usage and they don’t allow movement in any way. There are also placed rubber leg warmers, and a wrist strap so that you can have control while holding it in your hand.

Why should you buy it?

 The monopods that Manfrotto brings to the table are more than great, just as the Manfrotto 290 Carbon Fiber.

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Buying Guide

For some people, buying a tripod would be an easy job, however, there are people that don’t know what are the most important things and what should they look for before purchasing a monopod, in this case, the best monopod for sports photography! Here is the list of the most important things that you should consider (buying guide):

Strength

As already mentioned, in the whole article, the monopod is an accessory that would help us support the camera that we are using. In order to support something, you should be pretty strong, right? Well, that’s why the strength of a monopod is one of the most important things! It is very important to know how much weight the monopod that you are purchasing can handle. By that, you will know if it can support your camera, let it be big or small.

Stability

What can come after the strength, besides the stability? Once you notice, that the monopod that you are about to buy, can deal with your camera’s weight, the next thing to look for is of course stability. Nobody wants a monopod that would shake your camera, plus the reason that you buy a monopod is the stability itself. If the monopod isn’t stable enough, then it is nothing!

Height

Every monopod should be adjustable when it comes to the height part! That’s a thing that you always should consider and remember. Even though you choose the height before being it, you definitely should know how can it be adjusted, for example: how much can it be extended. However, the best height that you can choose for a monopod is based on your height. That means that measurements are very much needed!

Why not a Tripod? Monopod vs Tripod

I know that tripods are quite popular accessories when it comes to cameras and I know that they are great, however, personally, I haven’t seen any tripods on sports fields. An example of this question is crowded places. On a sports field you will be surrounded by lots of people, and you in a way have limited space, on which you can use a camera accessory; especially tripods that should be opened wide enough in order to work properly. With a monopod, you will be freer when it comes to space since it only has one leg and it can be put directly in front of you without bothering anybody that could be next to you.
An important piece of information about this issue is that some sporting events do not allow tripods to be used!

Another good example of this is that monopods are way more versatile and can be moved, and carried around easily. You can move as much as the job requires you to do so, while a tripod it is of course the best in case you are standing still.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a monopod?

Monopods are camera accessories that have a single leg support and can still be used in any way. It is known as the camera accessory, which is the most versatile and will help you bring the best out of any type of photography, especially sports.

Why do I need a monopod for sports photography?

During sports photography, you will notice that it will ease your job in many ways and the first thing that should be known is that the places are quite crowded during sports. A monopod doesn’t take much space, and besides everything, it will stay stable enough to help you capture the best pictures.

What is the best material for a monopod?

Many different materials are used in monopods, but the main ones remain aluminum and carbon fiber. Every monopod made from these two materials will be the best.

Final Thoughts

As we came at the end of this article, I would really like to mention that all the monopods that I chose are really one of a kind! They all firstly provide stability which is one of the most important things, and then they deliver to us all specific features.

If you are looking to shoot yourself while skiing or skateboarding, then you should get a camera for skateboarding videos instead.

I hope that this article will help you find the best monopod for sports photography.

Further Reading

I would like to relate this section to the one mentioned above, monopod vs tripod. I know that these two things are the most famous and the most important things when it comes to stability and space while using a camera, especially during sports photography.

However, I would also like to mention that if you already own any type of camera, you can find out about the tripods that work perfectly with it, when checking these articles: