Best GorillaPod Alternatives
Table of Contents
The Gorillapod is one of the most popular tripods stands available in the market. It is also incredibly unique when you consider the fact that the Gorillapod is made from flexible legs that you can adjust according to your liking.
It remains comfortably in the user’s hands and allows you to shoot videos or take photographs with considerable ease. The Gorillapod is an excellent choice for people who like to make vlogs and need a decent tripod.
It also has an excellent form factor and the grip is quite solid, so you don’t have to worry about the camera slipping out of your hands.
The Gorillapod is a great choice for people who are interested in a decent and reliable solution for their tripod needs. However, the Gorillapod is not the only choice.
There are other solutions available in the market, such as Switch-pod, Monster-pod, Manfrotto Large Pocket Tripod, Pod Bean Bag, Fat Gecko Triple Mount, UltraPod II, Slik Mini Tabletop Tripod and the Pocket Tripod Pro Let’s review them.
Top 9 Mini Tripods Like
the GorillaPod
1. SwitchPod
The SwitchPod is a minimalistic handheld tripod that is compatible and works with almost any camera that you can think of. It can connect to a mobile phone or a DSLR according to your requirements and it makes video shooting incredibly simple. It’s incredibly lightweight and compact when folded, so you won’t have much of a problem at all.
Cost
The SwitchPod retails for $99.99 through the company often provides discounts, with the price dropping down to $93.09 as well.
Features
The SwitchPod has built-in finger grooves that make it incredibly easy to hold anywhere on the neck. There’s a tiny tightening knob that allows you to switch cameras as quickly as you’d like. The camera also has non-slip feet that keep it firmly in position wherever you place it.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- High-quality build
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Not suitable for heavier cameras
2. SteadePod
The SteadePod is quite different from a conventional tripod. However, it is an essential tool for camera stabilization. The unit can be screwed into the camera’s tripod bush. Then, all you have to do is press on the footpad and pull out the string according to the length you require. You can then slow shutter speeds accordingly.
Cost
The SteadePod retails for around $29.99, whereas in the UK it costs 24.99 GBP.
Features
There’s a three-position switch that controls the cord cable, and an L-shaped attachment on which you must stand to give it the pull against tension. The tripod bush is based on a swivel mount and you can attach it accordingly. Fairly decent all around, but not a direct replacement.
Pros
- Works as advertised
- Similar to conventional DIY measuring tapes
Cons
- Build quality could be better
- Not a direct tripod replacement
3. MonsterPod
The MonsterPod is another phenomenal choice that is not a tripod, it’s a mount. It’s made of a viscoelastic polymer that allows you to stick it to any surface that you want. There’s a small tripod mount at the top where you can screw your camera in place.
Cost
The MonsterPod costs $29.95 and is affordably priced.
Features
The MonsterPod is made of viscoelastic polymer so it can easily deform and then reform. It’s basically a large disk of viscoelastic polymer that can stick to any surface you can think of.
Pros
- Strong adhesion
- Made of durable polymer
Cons
- Case costs $10 extra
- Not a direct replacement
4. Manfrotto Large Pocket Tripod
The Manfrotto Large Pocket Tripod is capable of supporting cameras of up to 3.3 lb. It has a maximum height of 1.6” and you can use it to take photos with long exposure or with a self-timer.
Cost
The Manfrotto Large Pocket Tripod retails for $34.88 at most retailers, so it’s fairly affordable.
Features
The Manfrotto Large Pocket Tripod has independently led adjustments, thus allowing you to keep your camera on uneven and different surfaces. The tripod also has non-slip rubberized feet that prevent it from slipping once it has been positioned.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact and easy to use
Cons
- Not as sturdy
- Not suitable for carrying in hand
5. Pod Bean Bag
The Pod Bean Bag is a literal bean bag designed for cameras. It has a small camera screw that you can fix in your tripod screw-hole on the camera. It’s designed to offer limited support to the camera so you can place it on different surfaces.
Cost
The Pod Bean Bag retails for $48.
Features
Has a built-in ¼” camera mount and also offers comfortable bean bag support to prevent your camera from getting scratched when you place it on different surfaces.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Made from high-quality materials
Cons
- Not suitable in rough conditions
- Overpriced
6. Fat Gecko Triple Suction Mount
The Fat Gecko Camera Mount is a suction mount that you can install on any surface and then fix your camera to. It can mount on any smooth and nonporous surface with ease.
Cost
The Fat Gecko retails for $92.60 when discounted. It originally costs $109.95.
Features
The Fat Gecko offers support for cameras of up to 12 lbs., so you can easily connect it to virtually any kind of camera you want with relative ease. It’s made from incredibly high-quality materials and the robust build quality makes it a strong choice. It also offers 360-degree tilt and rotation, and the rugged construction further allows you to fix the camera in different kinds of environments without having to worry about damage.
Pros
- Incredible build quality
- Very strong adhesion
- Sticks to any surface
Cons
- High prices
- Can’t be used as a tripod replacement
7. UltraPod II
The UltraPod II is an excellent camera tripod that is not only lightweight but also works like a charm. It does everything that it is designed to do. It comes with a Velcro cinch strap so you can easily secure it to any surface with considerable ease.
Cost
The UltraPod II costs a mere $19, making it one of the most affordable camera mounts on the market.
Features
The Ultrapod II is made from durable materials and has coated feet that prevent damage when kept on rugged surfaces. The UltraPod II also features a unique ball and screw mount that allows it to be adjusted and used in a variety of different positions. It’s a fairly decent device for the price you pay.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Affordably priced
- Good build quality
Cons
- No finger grooves
- Material seems to shake a bit
8. SLIK Mini Tabletop Tripod
The SLIK Mini Tabletop Tripod comes with a small ball head that allows you to position the camera any way you want. For vertical photography, you can also tilt the camera platform a full 90 degrees in any direction.
Cost
The SLIK Mini Tabletop Tripod retails for $35, although it’s often discounted with the price falling to $29.99.
Features
The SLIK Mini Tabletop Tripod might not give you a lot of grips, but it’s designed for use on a tripod, and it works wonders there. It can be extended according to your requirements and you can always make adjustments based on your requirements. It’s a great choice all around.
Pros
- Supports heavy cameras
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- No-textured grip
- There are better options available
9. Pocket Tripod
Pocket Tripod Pro by Geometrical is a small, lightweight tripod that works with phones, GoPros, and compact cameras. Flexible, yet sturdy, it has a Carbon Fiber and Plastic construction and can be folded up to fit in your pocket.
Cost
The current price of the Pocket Tripod Pro is $45
Features:
The tripod has two leg sections that can be extended and are locked in place with a twist-lock mechanism that is easy to use. Adapters connect to the carbon fiber legs via precise radial rails. These rails rotate fluidly to keep your mobile device steady at any set tilt angle.
In terms of weight, the tripod weighs less than 2.9 pounds, so it’s relatively lightweight and easy to use. There is no perfect wallet, but any wallet that is designed to accommodate credit cards is ideal.
Pros
- It is relatively lightweight and easy to carry around
- The Pocket Tripod PRO converts into a fully adjustable tripod with a simple twist and flip
Cons
- It’s quite expensive
- It lacks durability and it’s very flimsy