The best monopods can be a lifesaver for photographers in certain situations. Less cumbersome than a tripod, a good monopod can be just the steadying support you need to bag a sharp shot. Just like it sounds, a monopod consists of a single leg (compared to a tripod’s three), and it is used as a portable, steadying support for a handheld camera, banishing image blur caused by camera shake.
Here, we’ve picked out a range of monopods for different uses and budgets. Whether you’re shooting photos, videos or a little of both, you should be able to find a brilliant monopod on this list that’ll suit you down to the ground. We’ve listed what we reckon are the strengths and weaknesses of each one, as well as their key features.
For more lightweight support options, check out our guide to the best travel tripods. For now though, let’s count off the best monopods to buy right now.
Our top picks
Manfrotto XPRO Photo Aluminium 4 Section Monopod
This 4-leg section, aluminium Manfrotto XPRO Photo Monopod (MPMXPROA4) without head is designed to support heavy lenses up to 20kg. It extends to a maximum height of 180cm and closes down to a portable 56cm, and with its new rubber leg warmer design and Quick Power Lock System you can ensure a quick, effortless and reliable setup. Manfrotto's XPRO Photo series bring the premium style and performance of the 055 and 190 series tripods on single-legged camera support.
£59.00 View
Pros:
- Generous payload capacity
- Quick to set up and pack down
- Stows to packable size
Cons:
- Aluminium, not carbon fibre
Designed to support setups with heavy lenses up to 8kg in weight, this aluminium monopod also uses a Quick Power Lock System to ensure fast setup. With its rubber leg warmer design that allows for fast and secure movement, this monopod is very much designed to recall the quality of Manfrotto's 055 and 190 tripod series.
Closing down to a length of 56cm, the XPRO monopod is eminently portable — ideal for travel, it can easily be stowed in hand luggage or secured to a backpack. Also, if you register the monopod with Manfrotto, it’ll be eligible for a Limited Conventional Warranty Extension of 8 years — giving you effectively 10 years’ warranty from date of purchase.
Gitzo GM4562 Series 4 6S Carbon Monopod
Designed to guarantee unfailing support for the highest quality equipment, the Gitzo Carbon Series 4 6S Monopod has a maximum height of 154cm and a maximum load capacity of 35kg. Stronger than ever before thanks to the state-of-the-art Carbon eXact tubing and G-lock Ultra leg locks, this rigid yet lightweight monopod features a new big foot to ensure stabile footing on any surface.
£319.00 View
Pros:
- Huge payload capacity
- Lightweight carbon fibre frame
- Six-section leg
Cons:
- More expensive than rivals
Once you’re willing to spend a little more cash, the capacities start to really climb – Gitzo's Carbon Monopod Series 4 6S is able to handle a whopping 30kg of camera gear. Its carbon fibre build means it doesn’t require a significant weight increase, as the unit weighs in at just 0.67kg. Also on board are six leg sections and a large foot that provides optimal stability. Whatever you’re shooting, this monopod is guaranteed not to let you down.
Benbo Trekker Monopod
Benbo Trekker Monopod,This two-section monopod utilises the 180° tilting camera mount from the Trekker tripod, making it one of the most versatile monopods on the market. The tilting mount allows the camera to be used in both landscape and portrait modes without the need of an additional ball and socket head.The Camera mount can be adjusted through 180° allowing the camera to be used in both portrait and landscape modes without the need of an additional ball & socket head.
£36.95 View
Pros:
- Flexible tilting mount
- Rigid and stable
- Generous maximum height
Cons:
- Doesn’t pack down as small as other monopods
The Benbo Trekker uses a 180° tilting camera mount, making it extra versatile and allowing for the creation of unique imaging perspectives, as well as making it easy for the camera to be used in landscape or portrait modes. It’s a two-section monopod, which means that it’s impressively rigid when extended, and it can go to a maximum of 160cm in height, so you’ve got plenty of distance to play with.
It doesn’t pack down as compact as other monopods, but that impressive rigidity and versatile mount makes for an excellent monopod in most areas, especially for this price.
Pros:
- Affordable price tag
- Packs down to 48cm
- Useful spirit level
Cons:
- Fewer sections than some rivals
- And less maximum height
Calumet’s impressive 4-Section Aluminium monopod supports an impressive 16kg of kit and sports a foam wrap and wrist strap to make carrying it easy, secure and comfortable. Weighing just 500g and packing down to 48cm, it’s perfect for travel, and the maximum height of 153cm is no slouch either. There’s also a handy spirit level on the mount, so you can check your shots are straight, and its rubber foot is removable, so you can be sure you’ve always got the right grip on whatever surface you encounter.
MeFOTO Walkabout S Monopod - Blue
The MeFOTO S WalkAbout Monopods are ready for travel on any photo adventure. MeFOTO S features special anodized aluminium twist locks. These CNC machined aluminium twist locks have deep ridges for a solid grip. Each lock is anodized to give it a clean and protective finish. Each WalkAbout S has a standard 1/4"-20 camera mount thread, a wrist strap to ensure the monopod stays connected and a comfortable silicone hand grip with an embossed MeFOTO logo. The maximum height is 59.8" giving you a full size monopod that is also compact for travel when closed.
£49.00 View
Pros:
- Cheap!
- Satisfying twist locks
- Comfortable silicone hand grip
Cons:
- Aluminium, not carbon fibre
A stable and rugged monopod designed for travel and adventure, the MeFOTO Walkabout S Monopod sports anodised twist locks with deep ridges for a solid grip. This speeds up setup and pack down, helping you to be sure that you’ll never miss a moment while out shooting. There’s also a wrist strap and a comfortable hand grip, and the MeFOTO S WalkAbout Monopod can extend to 151cm in height, giving you more shooting options. It’s also available in a variety of colours, so shop around to find the one that you like best.
Manfrotto XPRO Video 4 Section Aluminium Monopod with Fluid Head and Base
Manfrotto's XPRO Video Monopod with MVH500 head has been designed for professional videography. It has a max weight limit of 5kg enabling the use of bigger and heavier rigs. The monopod features Manfrotto's state-of-the-art leg construction with the perfect combination of rigidity and locking safety. A full fluid base ensures shooting smoothness on pan, tilt, and swivel. Its 3 retractable feet make it extremely sturdy, whilst its counterbalance system allows you to manage heavy equipment.
£219.00 View
Pros:
- Fluid video head included
- Fast to set up, with quick power-lock
- Decent payload capacity
Cons:
- Still 78cm when folded
This 4-section monopod from Manfrotto is specifically designed for videographers, though photographers have no reason not to give it a look as well. Constructed of aluminium, it has a maximum height of more than 2m and is extremely sturdy on its three retractable feet. It'll support up to 8kg of camera kit, which should be fine for all vlogging setups and a lot of more serious video gear.
Having the dedicated video head is what separates this monopod from the rest. With a fluidtech base that ensures smooth movement in all directions, this is an excellent support base for getting quick but smooth panning shots. It’s still fairly bulky when it folds down, at 78cm in length, so bear that in mind if you’re travelling with it.
FAQs
What is a monopod and how is it different from a tripod?
A monopod is a single-legged support used to stabilise cameras, binoculars and scopes etc. Unlike a tripod, which has three legs and offers more stability but is bulkier and slower to set up, a monopod is lighter, more portable, and quicker to deploy.
What are the benefits of using a monopod?
Monopods offer several advantages over tripods or simply shooting handheld, including increased stability and reduced camera shake. They are also more portable due to their lightweight and compact design and can be set up quickly, making them ideal for fast-paced environments.
Can I use a monopod for video recording?
Yes, monopods can be very useful for video recording. They provide a balance between stability and mobility, allowing smooth panning and tilting movements.
What should I look for when buying a monopod?
When choosing a monopod, just like a tripod, you should think about the materials. Carbon fibre monopods are lighter and more durable; it’s often what people want the caveat is that they’re generally more expensive. Aluminium monopods are cheaper but heavier. You should also think about maximum height and payload to suit you and your camera setup. Other considerations are deciding between flip locks or twist locks for the leg locks based on your preference for speed and ease of use.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over our guides and tips articles. We also consider emerging trends and customer feedback to make sure our guides are always up-to-date and reflective of what people are truly looking for. By curating only the best products, our guides provide trustworthy recommendations, making it easier for customers to make informed choices with confidence.
If you would like more advice on any purchase our contact centre staff are here to help. Alternatively, you can reach us via email or social media. And don't forget. If you were to purchase anything based on our recommendations you'll be covered by our full returns policy
