360 Camera Accessories

Best 360 camera tripods, monopods, and 360 camera selfie sticks – ULTIMATE buying guide and comparison (updated December 11, 2020)

Here is the ULTIMATE buying guide and comparison for 360 camera tripods and 360 camera selfie sticks. No matter what kind of 360 camera tripod, 360 camera selfie stick, or 360 camera monopod you are looking for, you’ll find it here.

Here is the video:

TABLE of CONTENTS (with approximate prices and where to get them)

SELFIE STICKS
02:04 S1. Benro MK10 ($29)
Benro tutorial new
Benro tutorial old
03:18 S2. Monopod brand selfie stick ($6)
04:28 S3. Disney-proof selfie stick
04:59 Intro to MONOPODS and legs for monopods
05:13 M1. Manfrotto Compact Extreme ($40)
06:08 M2. Insta360 selfie stick ($39 with bullet time handle)
07:17 M3. Kodak monopod
08:02 M4. EEEKit tripod legs ($13)
08:44 M5. Octopad
Not shown in the video: MT-02 stand.  I use it all the time.  Reviewed here.
09:18 Intro to MONOPODS WITH TRIPOD LEGS
09:27 M6. Yunteng 1388 ($28)
09:51 M7. Panoroo Stealth ($99) panoroo.com
10:34 M8. Monoshot version 2 ($55)
12:57 M9. Promaster LS-CT ($80)
New! Insta360 2-in-1 Selfie Stick Tripod
NEW!  M10 (not shown in the video): Best360 Carbon Fiber Monopod (GBP129.99)
14:21 Intro to LIGHTSTANDS (why they are more stable than monopods)
14:28 L1. Linco light stand ($75 for 2 units)
15:26 L2. Neewer lightstand ($27)
15:50 L3. Manfrotto Nano ($57)
Manfrotto Nanopole ($78)
Fosoto Light Stand (reviewed here).  Nanopole clone.
16:51 L4. Manfrotto 190go aluminum ($160)
Manfrotto 190go carbon fiber ($345)
17:45 Intro to SPECIAL PURPOSE MOUNTS
17:48 X1. Telesin 106 ($30)
18:25 X2. blue 3 meter stick ($33)
19:07 X3. Seldi hands-free mount
19:53 X4. Sail video systems hands-free mount Lite ($200)
Sail video systems Pro ($390)
20:26 X5. motorized dolly with remote ($65)
21:23 X6. Sutefoto ($38)
X7. Koolertron (around $90).  This is not included in the video.  This is a very long pole (longer than Telesin), and is also stiffer than the Telesin.  It is also hollow, which can be used for microphone cables or power cables.

My favorite ones are currently (these are the ones I use most often):
1 – Benro MK10
+ Pocketable. Very easy to carry with me anywhere.
+ If you can remove the ballhead, it becomes invisible.
+ built-in stand is usable indoors
+ includes a very slim smartphone tripod adapter
– Difficult to remove the ballhead
– Not stable enough for outdoor use
– No 1/4-20 tripod connector (can’t be attached to a taller tripod)

2 – Best360 Monopod (reviewed here) and the Bushman monopod (reviewed here) – These are similar monopods.  The main difference is that Best360 is carbon fiber.  These are ideal for vlogging or for indoor 360 photos.  But I do not suggest using them outdoors unless paired with a wider stand such as MT-02.
+ Very tall (60 inches long)
+ Slim and invisible to all 360 cameras, including Insta360 One X, Ricoh Theta V, and Xiaomi Mi Sphere.
+ Sturdy — can support the weight of the GoPro Fusion without flexing much even when fully extended
+ Includes a compact stand and counterweight which together make the Bushman monopod stable enough for any consumer 360 camera. At the same time, the stand occupies only a small portion of the nadir, so it is easy to patch.
+ The last segment of the Bushman can be rotated to enable you to aim the stitch line and/or the lens to any direction without moving the tripod.
+ Very light
+ Useful accessories such as counterweight and magnetic base.
– When stand is attached, it is not so compact.
– The small base is easy to topple outdoors.
– Because the base is very short, the monopod has to extend longer than monopods with taller stand, resulting in more swaying compared to other monopods with similar height.  However, this is a non-issue when using the MT-02.

3 – Insta360 invisible selfie stick  – also for vlogging.
+ affordable
+ compact
+ reasonably long at around 4 feet
– sometimes I need to retighten the twist lock after extending.
– doesn’t include tripod legs

4 – Linco light stand – for virtual tour photos with 360 cameras
+ wide and adjustable base
+ sturdy construction
+ last segment can be rotated to enable you to aim the stitch line and/or the lens to any direction without moving the tripod.
– not compact

5 – Telesin – for drone-like perspectives
+ very long (around 106 inches)
+ low cost (around $30)
+ tip has a rubber collar that can be moved to make the Telesin invisible.
– Each segmented can only be fully extended. Each segment cannot be partially extended.
– flexes from the weight of a camera

Let me know if you have any questions!!!

About the author

Mic Ty

16 Comments

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  • The big problems for these tripods is uneven ground and wind. If you have an Instapro360 and it is blown over, that’s $3,500 up the spout. I am extremely leery of anything that doesn’t have wide legs. I’d rather spend time brushing it out in Affinity Photo or covering it up the legs with a logo than buying something that could fall over. By the way, Affinity Photo has a marvelous routine for editing the nadir! Just a few clicks and you’re done!

    • Hi Tim. I agree, which is why for Insta360 pro, I use a lightstand. And yes Affinity is excellent for fixing the nadir.

      Best regards,
      Mic

  • Great review! I bought the Promaster LS-CT a couple months ago, and it was exactly what I wanted in a monopod. Something that was sturdy, extended a little above my height, and was portable enough to carry into theme parks.

    It’s more compact and more sturdy than my cheap standard tripods, and it’s much less visible with my Mi Sphere (only the legs are visible).

    One difficulty I found is folding the legs back up. The locking mechanism is difficult, and it can be annoying to hold the small release lever while folding each leg back up. Other than that, it works really well.

    • Thanks Stephen! Congrats on the Promaster! I love it too. As for the release mechanism, i usually move the leg down a bit first, which makes it easier to press the release button to unlock it.

      Best regards,
      Mic

  • Thanks for the great video and article! I needed a 5′ tall tripod for 360 pictures for a new job I have with a surveying company where I’ll be traveling to job sites. I just ordered the MonoShot and think it will be perfect! I look forward to learning about virtual tours and more about 360 cameras from your site as well! Thanks again!

  • Hi everyone,

    As of July 2019, which extended stick do you recommend for insta360 one x? I was looking for another option other than the one from the company (little cheaper would be nice). A stick that adjustable, no full extended only.

    Thanks for what you do. Looking forward to learning how to use the camera.

    Thanks

    Joe

    • thanks Joe! Just get the telesin. It is adjustable, but every segment must either be fully extended or fully retracted.

      • Thanks Mic. Placed the order today. Just picked up insta360 one x during prime sale.

        Looking forward to learning how to use it.
        Joe

  • Hi Mic! Thank you for all you do. I’ve recently purchased a MiSphere with the aim of producing narrative 360 films, so I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for a cheap stand solution – sturdy on different surfaces, as invisible as possible, extending up to 6 ft high. I’d like my actors to be able to move around it freely, without fear of the camera getting knocked or blown over, or having those long horizontal legs that limit that really limit where you can place it. I’m thinking perhaps a cheap monopod like Amazon Basics’ and the Octopad, together about 36 euros ($42). But perhaps a cheap, thin light stand would be the best approach?

    • Thanks David. I recommend a light stand and attach ankle weights at the bottom to make it more stable. Also, please note that Mi Sphere’s resolution and dynamic range for video will be limited. You may want to get a GoPro MAX or insta360 One R instead.