Best of
The Best Gimbals (2027)
The best gimbals for 2027 ranked on stabilisation, payload, tracking and battery. Whether you need a camera gimbal stabiliser for mirrorless video, a compact gimbal stabilizer for your phone, or a pocket gimbal camera, these picks cover every gimbal for camera and phone at every level.
The short answer
For phones in 2027, buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 6; iPhone-first creators should consider the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro. For a complete pocket camera, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 stands alone. For mirrorless video, professionals should buy the DJI RS 4 and travellers the DJI RS 3 Mini.
Our top picks at a glance
- DJI Osmo Mobile 6The benchmark phone gimbal with ActiveTrack and a built-in extension rod.Best phone gimbal overall
- DJI Osmo Pocket 3A 1-inch sensor pocket camera on a 3-axis gimbal, no phone needed.Best pocket camera gimbal
- Zhiyun Smooth 5SA pro-style phone gimbal with orthogonal 3-axis design and fill light support.Best phone gimbal for filmmakers
- Hohem iSteady M6 KitA phone gimbal with a detachable AI vision sensor that tracks in any app.Best tracking for any app
- Insta360 Flow 2 ProThe pocketable AI gimbal with Apple DockKit tracking and a selfie stick inside.Best for iPhone creators
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Walking and talking-head footage becomes dramatically smoother versus handheld or phone OIS alone
- Subject tracking lets solo creators film themselves without a camera operator
- Quick setup on the newest folding phone gimbals means they get used daily, not just on shoots
- Native vertical shooting on recent DJI models removed a hated rebalancing chore for social video
- Pocket 3 owners praise leaving the phone free for calls, notes and a second angle
Common complaints
- Balancing a camera gimbal the first few times is fiddly and poorly explained by most brands
- App dependence frustrates phone gimbal owners when an OS update breaks features
- Heavy phone plus case combinations can exceed compact gimbal comfort zones in wind
- Small detachable parts, AI trackers and magnetic clamps, are commonly lost
- Rated battery life assumes a perfectly balanced load; real-world runtime is shorter
The picks, ranked
| # | Product | Award | Compatibility | Stabilisation | Battery | Extension / weight | Folded size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DJI Osmo Mobile 6 | Best phone gimbal overall | Phones 62 to 84 mm wide, up to 290 g plus accessories | 3-axis, ActiveTrack 6.0 | Approx. 6.5 hours, USB-C, 1000 mAh Li-Po | Built-in 215 mm extension rod, gimbal approx. 309 g | 189 x 84.5 x 44 mm |
| 2 | DJI Osmo Pocket 3 | Best pocket camera gimbal | - | - | Approx. 166 min at 1080p, fast charge to 80% in 16 min | - | - |
| 3 | Zhiyun Smooth 5S | Best phone gimbal for filmmakers | Large smartphones, payload approx. 300 g class | 3-axis orthogonal design, 360-degree vortex mode | Up to approx. 25 hours rated, USB-C PD fast charge | - | - |
| 4 | Hohem iSteady M6 Kit | Best tracking for any app | Phones up to approx. 340 g payload | 3-axis iSteady 7.0, 360-degree pan | Up to approx. 18 hours, reverse charging for phones | - | - |
| 5 | Insta360 Flow 2 Pro | Best for iPhone creators | Phones 64 to 84 mm wide, 130 to 300 g | 3-axis, Deep Track 4.0 | Approx. 10 hours, USB-C, can charge phone | - | - |
| 6 | DJI RS 4 | Best camera gimbal overall | - | 3-axis, 4th-gen RS stabilisation algorithm | BG21 grip, approx. 12 hours, 18W fast charge | - | - |
| 7 | DJI RS 3 Mini | Best travel camera gimbal | - | 3-axis, 3rd-gen RS stabilisation | Built-in, approx. 10 hours, USB-C | - | - |
| 8 | Zhiyun Crane M3S | Best for compact vlogging kits | - | 3-axis with upgraded motors over Crane M3 | Up to approx. 7.5 hours, USB-C PD fast charge | - | - |
| 9 | FeiyuTech SCORP-C | Best value camera gimbal | - | 3-axis with anti-shake algorithm | Approx. 13 hours rated, USB-C fast charge | - | - |
| 10 | DJI RS 4 Mini Combo | Best compact camera gimbal | - | 3-axis, third-generation RS stabilisation | Approx. 13 hours rated | - | - |
Best phone gimbal overall
DJI Osmo Mobile 6
The benchmark phone gimbal with ActiveTrack and a built-in extension rod.
The Osmo Mobile 6 is the phone gimbal to default to: ActiveTrack 6.0 that survives occlusions, an extension rod and tripod built in, and unfold-to-shoot speed that means you actually use it. For daily phone content it has the fewest friction points of any pick here.
Strengths
- ActiveTrack 6.0 holds subjects through brief occlusions reliably
- Built-in extension rod and tripod in one folding body
- Quick unfold-to-shoot wake for fast setup
- Side wheel controls focus and zoom smoothly in DJI Mimo
Limitations
- Full feature set depends on the DJI Mimo app rather than the native camera app
- No built-in AI vision sensor, so gesture framing is phone-camera dependent
- Extension rod adds flex if fully extended in wind
| Compatibility | Phones 62 to 84 mm wide, up to 290 g plus accessories |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, ActiveTrack 6.0 |
| Battery | Approx. 6.5 hours, USB-C, 1000 mAh Li-Po |
| Extension / weight | Built-in 215 mm extension rod, gimbal approx. 309 g |
| Folded size | 189 x 84.5 x 44 mm |
Best for: Solo phone creators who want reliable tracking and fast setup for daily content.
Skip if: You use a very heavy phone with a large case; check clamp and payload fit first.
Best pocket camera gimbal
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
A 1-inch sensor pocket camera on a 3-axis gimbal, no phone needed.
The Pocket 3 is in a class of one: a 1-inch sensor camera stabilised by its own gimbal, shooting 4K/120 with face tracking and a rotating screen. Vloggers who want to leave the phone free, or the phone camera is not good enough, should start and end their search here.
Strengths
- 1-inch CMOS records 4K/120fps with strong low-light performance
- 2-inch rotating touchscreen switches vertical and horizontal instantly
- ActiveTrack 6.0 and face tracking built into the camera itself
- Full-pixel fast focusing and 10-bit D-Log M for colour grading
Limitations
- Fixed 20 mm equiv. lens, so framing flexibility comes from moving, not zooming
- Gimbal head is delicate compared with a phone clamp; it needs its case
- Premium price buys a camera, so it overlaps a phone upgrade budget
| Sensor | 1-inch CMOS, 9.4 MP effective stills |
|---|---|
| Video | 4K up to 120fps, 10-bit D-Log M and HLG |
| Lens / screen | 20 mm equiv. f/2.0, 2-inch rotatable OLED touchscreen |
| Battery | Approx. 166 min at 1080p, fast charge to 80% in 16 min |
| Weight | 179 g |
Best for: Vloggers who want the best pocket image quality and zero setup friction.
Skip if: You already shoot on a flagship phone and only need stabilisation, not a second camera.
Best phone gimbal for filmmakers
Zhiyun Smooth 5S
A pro-style phone gimbal with orthogonal 3-axis design and fill light support.
The Smooth 5S trades pocketability for freedom: its orthogonal axes never block each other, so low angles, vortex spins and Dutch tilts that folding gimbals physically cannot reach are routine. Phone filmmakers who mount lenses and lights will value its motors and control wheel.
Strengths
- Orthogonal 3-axis structure allows unrestricted low and Dutch angles
- Professional control wheel for focus and zoom plus a full button layout
- Strong motors handle heavier phones and add-on lenses
- Long battery life suits full shoot days
Limitations
- Larger and heavier than foldable phone gimbals
- ZY Cami app experience trails DJI Mimo in polish
- Learning curve is steeper for casual users
| Compatibility | Large smartphones, payload approx. 300 g class |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis orthogonal design, 360-degree vortex mode |
| Battery | Up to approx. 25 hours rated, USB-C PD fast charge |
| Lighting | Magnetic fill light support, up to 2 lights on Pro kit |
| Weight | Approx. 615 g |
Best for: Phone filmmakers who want full 360-degree axis freedom and manual-feel controls.
Skip if: You prioritise pocket size; the Smooth 5S is larger than folding rivals.
Best tracking for any app
Hohem iSteady M6 Kit
A phone gimbal with a detachable AI vision sensor that tracks in any app.
The M6 Kit's detachable AI vision sensor is the cheat code for streamers: it tracks your face inside TikTok, Zoom, the native camera, anything, because it watches you itself instead of relying on app software. Add the OLED status screen and 360-degree pan and it is the livestreamer's pick.
Strengths
- Magnetic AI vision sensor tracks faces and bodies in any camera app, no Bluetooth needed
- OLED display shows gimbal and tracking status at a glance
- 360-degree infinite pan rotation for creative moves
- Strong payload handles big phones with cases and accessories
Limitations
- AI tracker is a small detachable part that is easy to misplace
- Hohem Joy app is less refined than DJI and Insta360 equivalents
- Heavier than the lightest folding gimbals
| Compatibility | Phones up to approx. 340 g payload |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis iSteady 7.0, 360-degree pan |
| Tracking | Detachable magnetic AI vision sensor with gesture control |
| Battery | Up to approx. 18 hours, reverse charging for phones |
| Weight | Approx. 551 g |
Best for: Livestreamers and teachers who need tracking inside third-party and native apps.
Skip if: You dislike modular accessories; the AI tracker is a separate magnetic piece to manage.
Best for iPhone creators
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
The pocketable AI gimbal with Apple DockKit tracking and a selfie stick inside.
With Apple DockKit, the Flow 2 Pro tracks subjects inside the iPhone native camera and hundreds of apps, a trick no rival matches on iOS. It folds smallest here, hides a selfie stick and tripod, and its group tracking suits family and travel creators.
Strengths
- Apple DockKit support enables subject tracking in the iPhone native camera and 200-plus apps
- AI tracking with person re-identification and group tracking
- Built-in selfie stick, tripod and power bank in a folding body
- Free Tilt mode and 360-degree pan tracking for dynamic shots
Limitations
- Best tracking experience is iPhone-centric via DockKit
- Small body motors work harder with the heaviest Pro Max phones and cases
- Insta360 app required for firmware updates and advanced modes
| Compatibility | Phones 64 to 84 mm wide, 130 to 300 g |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, Deep Track 4.0 |
| Battery | Approx. 10 hours, USB-C, can charge phone |
| Built-ins | 290 mm selfie stick, tripod, 182 mm folded length |
| Weight | Approx. 357 g including battery |
Best for: iPhone creators and solo travellers who want tracking in the native camera app.
Skip if: You are an Android-first shooter who needs every DockKit feature to carry over.
Best camera gimbal overall
DJI RS 4
The 3 kg payload workhorse for mirrorless video professionals.
The RS 4 is the professional default for mirrorless video: 3 kg payload for full-frame zooms, second-generation native vertical shooting, slick Teflon-coated balancing and the deepest camera-control ecosystem. Working videographers buy time and reliability here, not just stabilisation.
Strengths
- 3 kg payload covers full-frame bodies with 24-70mm f/2.8 zooms
- Second-generation native vertical shooting with no extra brackets
- Teflon-coated axes balance faster and move more smoothly
- RSA communication and Bluetooth shutter control across major camera brands
Limitations
- Overkill and overweight for APS-C travel kits
- Best accessories cost extra
- Requires proper balancing skill to deliver its stabilisation quality
| Payload | 3 kg tested payload |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, 4th-gen RS stabilisation algorithm |
| Battery | BG21 grip, approx. 12 hours, 18W fast charge |
| Weight | Approx. 1,066 g gimbal only |
| Screen | 1.8-inch OLED touchscreen, auto-lock |
Best for: Videographers running full-frame mirrorless bodies with fast zooms all day.
Skip if: You travel ultralight; the RS 3 Mini carries smaller kits at half the weight.
Best travel camera gimbal
DJI RS 3 Mini
A 795 g travel gimbal that still carries a full-frame body and zoom.
At 795 g the RS 3 Mini carries in a sling what used to need a hard case, yet still handles a full-frame body with a standard zoom inside its tested range. For travel, wedding second-shooter and social-first work, it is the camera gimbal most creators should buy.
Strengths
- 795 g body is half the carry of full-size RS gimbals
- Native vertical plate for social video without rebalancing accessories
- Bluetooth shutter control and 1.4-inch touchscreen in a mini body
- Handles a full-frame body with a 24-70mm in its tested payload range
Limitations
- 2 kg tested payload leaves less headroom than the RS 4
- Smaller motors are less forgiving of sloppy balancing
- No swappable high-capacity grip ecosystem like the RS 4 line
| Payload | 0.4 to 2 kg tested range |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, 3rd-gen RS stabilisation |
| Battery | Built-in, approx. 10 hours, USB-C |
| Weight | 795 g in vertical mode, 850 g horizontal |
| Screen | 1.4-inch colour touchscreen |
Best for: Travelling creators with APS-C or compact full-frame kits who pack light.
Skip if: You run heavy cine zooms or stacked accessories beyond its 2 kg comfort zone.
Best for compact vlogging kits
Zhiyun Crane M3S
A compact camera gimbal with a built-in fill light and quick-release ease.
The Crane M3S pairs a compact frame with a genuinely useful built-in fill light and a quick-release that makes solo vlogging setups fast. With compact mirrorless and fast primes it is the most personable camera gimbal here: small, bright and quick.
Strengths
- Built-in fill light with colour temperature control
- Quick-release plate speeds camera swaps and rebalancing
- 1.22-inch touchscreen and wireless Bluetooth shutter control
- Compact folded footprint suits everyday camera bags
Limitations
- Payload suits compact kits, not full-frame bodies with heavy f/2.8 zooms
- Fill light drains battery faster when used continuously
- Arm clearance limits some lens and body combinations
| Payload | Approx. 1,050 g class for compact mirrorless kits |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis with upgraded motors over Crane M3 |
| Battery | Up to approx. 7.5 hours, USB-C PD fast charge |
| Lighting | Built-in fill light, adjustable colour temperature |
| Weight | Approx. 705 g |
Best for: Vloggers with compact mirrorless or premium compact cameras who shoot solo.
Skip if: You mount long telephoto zooms; the compact frame clears short lenses best.
Best value camera gimbal
FeiyuTech SCORP-C
A 2.5 kg payload camera gimbal with an integrated handle and underslung ease.
The SCORP-C delivers 2.5 kg of payload, an integrated underslung-friendly handle and a long battery day at a price well under the DJI equivalents. First-time camera gimbal buyers who want full-size capability without the flagship bill should start here.
Strengths
- 2.5 kg payload covers most mirrorless plus zoom combinations
- Integrated handle makes underslung low shots natural
- Touchscreen and joystick layout is approachable for first gimbal owners
- Strong value per kilogram of payload in the camera gimbal class
Limitations
- App and firmware ecosystem is less polished than DJI Ronin
- Heavier than travel-minimal rivals at about 1.18 kg
- Accessory ecosystem is smaller than DJI and Zhiyun
| Payload | 2.5 kg maximum |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis with anti-shake algorithm |
| Battery | Approx. 13 hours rated, USB-C fast charge |
| Weight | Approx. 1,180 g |
| Display | 0.96-inch touchscreen |
Best for: Mirrorless shooters who want an affordable full-size gimbal with a comfortable grip.
Skip if: You want the deepest camera-control integration; DJI leads on native Bluetooth control.
Best compact camera gimbal
DJI RS 4 Mini Combo
The compact RS gimbal with a tracking module in the box.
The RS 4 Mini Combo packs the RS formula into a travel-size frame: a 2 kg payload for mirrorless kits, auto axis locks, native vertical shooting, and the Intelligent Tracking Module in the box for solo creators who need the camera to follow them.
Strengths
- Combo includes DJI's Intelligent Tracking Module for subject tracking
- Auto axis locks speed up setup and packing between locations
- Third-generation native vertical shooting for social formats
- Teflon-enhanced balancing makes setup smoother and faster
Limitations
- 2 kg payload excludes the heaviest full-frame zoom combinations
- Smaller frame is less planted than the full-size RS 4 with big kits
- The tracking module is a Combo inclusion, not part of the base package
| Payload | 2 kg (4.4 lb) tested |
|---|---|
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, third-generation RS stabilisation |
| Battery | Approx. 13 hours rated |
| Vertical shooting | Third-generation native vertical, no extra bracket |
| In the Combo | Intelligent Tracking Module and briefcase handle included |
Best for: Solo creators and travellers who want RS-series stabilisation in a smaller, lighter kit.
Skip if: You run heavy full-frame zooms all day; the 2 kg payload ceiling is real.
How we chose
Payload with headroom
We matched each camera gimbal against real kits, body, standard zoom, mic and cage, and favoured models that work comfortably below their rated maximum. Motors at their limit jitter, drain batteries and age fast.
Tracking that survives reality
For phone and pocket gimbals we prioritised tracking that holds through occlusions, turns and app changes. Hardware AI sensors and DockKit scored highest because they do not vanish when you switch apps.
Setup speed
A gimbal that takes five minutes to balance gets left at home. We rewarded magnetic clamps, quick-release plates, native vertical shooting and auto-tune routines that cut the path from bag to first shot.
Battery for a real day
We compared rated runtime under balanced loads and charging speed. Swappable grips, USB-C PD and phone-charging pass-through all scored as practical day-extenders.
Questions, answered
Do I need a gimbal if my phone has stabilisation?
For casual clips, phone stabilisation is enough. A gimbal adds true walking smoothness, controlled pans, tracking for solo filming and creative moves like vortex spins that electronic stabilisation cannot replicate without heavy cropping.
What payload do I need for a mirrorless camera?
Add body, heaviest lens, microphone and any cage, then add 30 percent headroom. A full-frame body with a 24-70mm f/2.8 typically lands near 1.8 to 2.2 kg rigged, which suits the RS 3 Mini at its top end and the RS 4 comfortably.
Osmo Pocket 3 or a phone gimbal?
The Pocket 3 if you want the best image quality, a free phone and instant readiness. A phone gimbal if your phone camera is already excellent and you prefer one device, one storage pool and lower total cost.
Why does my gimbal vibrate or drift?
Almost always balance or calibration. Rebalance with the lens at your shooting focal length, run auto-tune or calibration in the app, and check motor strength is set for your payload. Persistent drift after calibration suggests a firmware update or service issue.