When I started vlogging during the COVID-19 lockdown, I went through a few different tripod and monopod options before landing on a setup I actually liked. Here are the three I ended up using, and why.
1. Manfrotto Pixi Plus — my first mini tripod
This was the first tripod I bought for vlogging, paired with my Canon crop body camera. I still love it — solid build quality, compact, and just a genuinely well-made little tripod. If you’re just starting out and need something reliable for a single main camera setup, this is a great starting point.
2. Jmary MT-25 — flexible tripod with a mobile adapter
After a few videos, I felt like I needed a second camera angle — so I started using my phone as a secondary camera. For that, I needed a mobile adapter I could mount on a light stand. I found the Jmary MT-25 at a local camera shop, and it came bundled with a mobile adapter included.
My tip here: instead of buying just a standalone mobile adapter, look for a budget flexible mini tripod like the MT-25 that includes one in the package — you end up with a spare tripod for your bag at no extra cost.
3. Yunteng VCT-288 — lightweight monopod with a built-in fluid head
This one came out of research into B-roll panning shots. I was looking at fluid head tripod options when I came across the Yunteng VCT-288 — a lightweight monopod that already has its own fluid head module built in. It was priced well compared to other monopods I looked at, and I liked that it served two purposes: the fluid head lets me do simple B-roll panning shots, and being an extendable monopod, it’s genuinely useful for solo outdoor video work where a full tripod is too bulky to carry around.
Which one should you get?
If you’re just starting out with one main camera, the Manfrotto Pixi Plus is a safe, reliable pick. If you’re adding a second phone-based angle, look for a flexible tripod like the MT-25 that bundles a mobile adapter. And if B-roll and solo outdoor shooting are part of your workflow, the Yunteng VCT-288’s built-in fluid head makes it worth the upgrade over a basic monopod.