Finding a tripod is the easiest thing in the world, but finding a tripod with a specific price tag becomes one of the hardest things to do.
Well, that’s why I am here for! In this article, you will be able to find some of the best tripods under $200. Don’t worry, they are all in very good condition, and they do the job perfectly fine. Most important of everything, they all have very affordable price tags.
Without further ado, let’s get to the list!
A Quick Look at My Favorite Tripods Under $200
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Budget  | 10 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best for Capacity  | 9 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best for Nikon Cameras  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Runner-Up  | 8.5 | Check Price On Amazon | |
Best Overall  | 8.6 | Check Price On Amazon |
Key Takeaways
- Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 is the best overall tripod that you can get on a budget of $200.
- If you happen to own a Nikon Camera, then Nikon Compact Outdoor Tripod is the most suitable tripod for you.
- The weight of the tripod matters a lot, especially for travelers.
The Top Five Best Tripods Under $200
5. Amazon Basics 50-inch – Best Budget
What I Like
- Best budget
- Lightweight
- Rubber feet
What I Don’t Like
- Poorly made
As the first tripod to open this article I’ve chosen one from Amazon Basics. Just as listed, it is one of the cheapest tripods that you find on the market.
The whole body of this tripod measures 16.73 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches and its weight is 1.25 pounds. When it comes to the material that this tripod is made of, it mostly includes aluminum.
Most of the tripods are adjustable when it comes to height. This Amazon Basics tripod is fully extended, it has a maximum height of 50 inches (1 meter) and also, and you can collapse it and it measures only 16.5 inches (40-41 cm).
The capacity of any tripod is important too! This tripod, even though lightweight, can hold a weight of up to 4.4 pounds. The tripod head of this tripod is a 3 way tripod head which makes everything much easier.
In order to mount a camera on this compact tripod, you should use the quick-releasable plate that is found on top of the tripod. It accepts any camera but still, it would be definitely better if you use DSLR cameras. I am not a huge fan of the ball head of this tripod though.
On the top right part, you will find a handle in order to control the movements, and on the feet of the tripod are placed locks for tightening. The tripod won’t slip either, because it has rubber feet. For the price, it’s definitely one of my favorite tripods, because it has a pretty advanced tripod head, is very sturdy and gets the job done well.
If you’re looking for the best tripod that is cheap and can get the job done, this lightweight tripod will serve you well.
Why should you buy it?
This tripod won’t slip and has rubber feet, and as such, it is the most practical tripod you can get.
4. Neewer 77-Inch Tripod – Best for Capacity
What I Like
- Capacity
- Compatible
What I Don’t Like
- Flip locks very weak
Neewer is a very famous brand when it comes to camera accessories in general. They bring some of the most amazing tripods to the market.
This tripod is a quite strong one made of aluminum. The measurements of this tripod are 20.67 x 5.12 x 4.96 inches and it weighs about 3.12 pounds. It has a maximum load capacity of 8 kilograms, which is more than enough for any camera.
It has an interesting design, and it includes a combination of red and black colors.
When fully extended, this tripods maximum height measures 77 inches (1.9 meters), and when it is folded it measures 19 inches (48 cm).
When it comes to the capacity of holding or carrying, this tripod can hold up to about 17.6 pounds. It is a quite durable one.
This tripod also owns a quick-releasable plate. It makes the mounting of the camera very easy to be done and what’s special is that this tripod is compatible with different cameras and also camcorders.
The ball head of this versatile tripod is pretty interesting. It has a 360 degree ball head that is pretty advanced and can help you get advanced shots. What i loved the most about this tripod is that it has a bubble level indicator on its ball head, and that will help you achieve accurate alignment of the tripod, so you can get the perfect shots. The ball head is perfect in every way possible.
On the feet of this versatile tripod, we find the flips locks system that is used to adjust the height. There’s also rubber on the tripod’s feet and it cannot slip in any way. Definitely the best tripod in its category.
Why should you buy it?
This tripod has a bubble level indicator on its ball head, and that will help you achieve accurate alignment of the tripod, so you can get the perfect shots.
3. Nikon Compact Outdoor Tripod – Best for Nikon Cameras
What I Like
- Designed specifically for Nikon
- Flexible
What I Don’t Like
- Load Capacity
Hence the name, this tripod is one of the greatest ones when it comes to its compatibility with many different Nikon cameras in general. That’s basically the fact why I listed it as the best for Nikon cameras.
This Nikon tripod is very compact. It is again made of aluminum alloy, and it is a very strong one. The measurements are 17.9 x 3.5 x 3.4 inches and it weighs 2.3 pounds.
The extended version of this tripod measures 49.61 inches (1 meter) and when it is fully collapsed it measures 15.75 inches (40 cm).
While in use on this tripod you can add whatever you want unless they don’t weigh more than 5.5 pounds. This is not this tripods maximum load capacity, but Nikon recommends to not go over this number.
What i like the most on this tripod is its quick release plate. Its quick release plate is really easy to use and gets the job done well.
The mounting of the camera on this tripod can also happen again by a quick-releasable plate. Even though a bit smaller than the other tripods mentioned above, the plate accepts quite well any camera. What deserves to be mentioned is that this tripod can be moved at 360 degrees.
When it comes to the locks, this tripod owns ABS locks, and they fully secure the tripod. There’s no movement of any kind because it is very strong.
Why should you buy it?
When it comes to its compatibility, this tripod goes with many different Nikon cameras in general, so you have found your tripod if you own a Nikon camera.
2. K&F Concept TM2515T1 – Best Runner-Up
What I Like
- Can handle a lot
- Practical
What I Don’t Like
- Ball head is too loose
K&F Concept is one of the most famous brands when it comes to tripods, plus if we add the fact that the TM2515T1 is the company’s most amazing tripod, the conclusion is that it is amazing!
Starting with its design, this tripod under 200 has a very interesting look. It comes in a combination of black and orange colors, and it totally differs from the normal tripods that we are used to seeing. The measurements are 17.52 x 5.28 x 5.24 inches when it is collapsed, and when extended it goes up to 67 inches.
As for the tripod’s weight, it weighs around 3.63 pounds. However, it is a tripod that can handle a lot more. Its load capacity is 22.04 pounds, meaning that you can carry on it many different things. This load capacity is pretty impressive to be honest, and i think that it’s hard to beat in this price range.
It also has a quick release plate which makes attaching and removing the camera an easy process.
In order to mount a camera on this tripod, you should again use a quick releasable plate, because it has one too. In general, it is a flexible one. Having a 360 degree ball head, it is able to rotate at any angle that you want without any problem. However, i personally think that the ball head could of have been a bit sturdier. I feel like the ball head wobbles a bit when you place a heavier camera on it.
The locking system that is found on this tripod fully contains pieces of metal, and it is one of the strongest ones. The feet also have rubber pieces included for no slipping and staying strong in any place.
Why should you buy it?
This tripod fully contains pieces of metal, and it is one of the strongest ones and most durable ones.
1. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 – Best Overall
What I Like
- Compatible
- Included the MACC system
What I Don’t Like
- Nothing at all
Here goes the last tripod that stays as the best overall. I listed it like that because it is one of the most used among any other. It is compatible with many different devices. You can use whatever you want, mirrorless, DSLR, and any type of camcorder.
This tripod measures 30.7 x 5.1 x 4.7 inches and weighs 5.37 pounds. This is an aluminum tripod. It is made of aluminum alloy and it is considered one of the strongest tripods that you can find. It is really unbreakable.
When fully extended, this tripod measures 68.2 inches (172 cm), and when it is fully folded it measures 28.2 inches (71 cm). It has aluminum alloy tripod legs, which means that it is pretty sturdy.
This tripod comes in carbon fiber variant and an aluminum variant. Both have their pros and cons, but if you can afford it, i would definitely go with the carbon fiber variant.
The maximum load capacity of the Vanguard tripod is 15.4 pounds and it is a quite high-rise number. That is related to the fact that on this tripod you can add any device.
Just as the one mentioned above, this one has an SBH-100 ball head too. The ball head allows rotation in 360 degrees. There’s also included the MACC system, which means multi-angle central column, and it allows you to move the central column from 0 to 180 degrees.
The locks of this tripod under 200 include an ISSL (instant swivel stop and lock) system that secures the camera in the best way possible. It definitely is a very high quality tripod. Both the carbon fiber and aluminum variants are great and fully worth the price!
For the price, it’s definitely the best tripod under 200.
Why should you buy it?
On this tripod, you can add any device, so this tripod is one of the most versatile ones.
Buying Guide on Choosing the Best Tripod Under $200
If any camera tripod just caught your eye by having an amazing design, don’t let it be like that! You should always know that there are some things that deserve to be considered before choosing the best tripod under $200! Those things include:
Height
The maximum height of a camera tripod stands as one of the most important things that should be considered! Why? Well, because it shows how much of a scene can a tripod capture regarding the height.
Every tripod has an adjustable height, and basically, that’s what you should look for! If a tripod cannot be adjusted, then it is nothing. You may find yourself in different places and because your camera tripod isn’t adjustable you may be losing capturing some amazing pictures.
Weight/Capacity
When it comes to weight it is mostly related to travelers. The photographers who travel a lot! You should consider a lighter tripod so that it can accompany you wherever you may go.
The weight is also included the capacity of the tripod. As you can notice, in all the tripods that I mentioned above I mentioned their weight capacity. On the weight capacity is included the camera that you will be using and many different accessories that you carry around with it. Weight capacity is a very important issue.
Built Quality/Material
You must have heard that tripods come mostly made of two materials, aluminum, and carbon fiber. In general, they are both great materials that make a tripod a super long-lasting camera accessory, but still, it is up to you when it comes to the choice. If you have no idea, then I would advise you to check out my article regarding Aluminum VS Carbon Fiber Tripods and find the differences.
A carbon fiber tripod is better in many ways when compared to an aluminum tripod, because carbon fiber tripods are sturdier, lighter in weight and more durable. However, carbon fiber tripods are usually more expensive when compared to aluminum.
Stability
If you are buying a tripod, you know what you’re buying it for. Basically, to hold your camera stable in a place instead of holding it in your hands. That makes stability one of the most important things that should be considered before buying a camera tripod.
If your tripod is not stable enough to stay in its place and hold your camera stable enough to not destroy your pictures with blur, then that tripod is the best to go for.
The material of the tripod legs plays a huge role in the stability of your camera tripod.
Compatibility
Buying a tripod and noticing that your camera won’t stay on it is the most frustrating thing that can happen to someone. That’s why you should always see if the tripod that you are about to buy accepts it.
The price range is very important too, but since in this article we have a specific price range, I think I can leave it unmentioned.
Ball Head
The ball head of the tripod is one of the most important pieces of the tripod. Most advanced tripods have 360 degree rotating ball heads with fancy features like bubble level indicators. Most high-end tripods have high-end ball heads, so you get what you pay for.
FAQ About Tripods In General
What are tripods?
A tripod is an accessory that simply put, is a stand, in which you put the camera and freely move around.
The name tripod comes from tri-meaning three, and pod-meaning a stand.
What are tripods used for?
As mentioned above, a tripod is a stand, and basically, it is used in order to hold your camera in place. When you use a tripod you will notice that there’s no vibration or blur in your pictures.
Do I need a tripod?
Well, if you are a traveler and a photographer of outdoor life in general, I would really advise you to get a tripod since it is necessary. However, if you don’t deal with outdoor photography, you don’t really need one but nowadays almost every photographer has one. You may want to consider based on the type of photography that is your job.
Are there specific tripods for specific cameras?
In the buying guide above, I mentioned that compatibility is one of the main things that you should consider. So, not every tripod can work perfectly with any camera. Be careful of this fact! But, there are some tripods that are called universal tripods and they do work with anything you want.
Can I use a tripod to stable my phone?
Of course, you can! If you notice that your tripod has a special place for your smartphone, you are more than free to use it. It holds the phone pretty well in fact.
Final Thoughts
Here we came at the end of this article. All of the tripods that I mentioned do the job pretty fine.
As some of you may already know, a tripod’s main jobs are to be lightweight, to own an adjustable height, and the main one, stability.
As I mentioned at the beginning, finding a tripod is easy, but when there’s the price tag listed and a specific budget, it becomes a bit hard. Anyways, I tried to find and listed some of the best tripods that are on the market, and all of them come at different prices, all under $200.
I really hope that this article will help you find the best tripod under $200!
Further Reading
Tripods are very important tools, and they are everywhere! There’s not one photographer or videographer that doesn’t know the value of using a tripod.
A geared tripod head is also a great addition to your arsenal, so if you have the money for it, i’d recommend you get one.
There are many different tripods to choose from, for example, you can find some of the most amazing tripods for Canon EOS RP of course if you own a Canon EOS RP camera, or if you want to shoot over-head shots, then a tripod for over-head photography will be suitable for you.
Since I mentioned a Nikon tripod above, I would like to introduce you to the most prominent tripods for Nikon D3500 if you are a Nikon lover.
Now, if your budget choice isn’t under $200, but instead it is lower, you can check out some tripods under $100.
Camera Tester & Reviewer
I spend most of my time taking photos & videos of everything in sight. Yes, I am a stock photographer and I’ve probably taken more than 700,000 photos so far.
