6 best smartphone gimbals (October 2019)

DJI Osmo Mobile 3 landscape mode in hand

Smartphones have become very good at stabilizing video with OIS (optical image stabilization) and EIS (electronic image stabilization), but they still can’t beat the efficiency and control of the best smartphone gimbals. Hand-holding a device while recording can come with unexpected movements, jumps, and trips. Add shaky hands to the equation, and any smartphone will need some help keeping footage steady.

Those looking for the best mobile gimbal stabilizer will soon realize there are many options available out there. Finding the right phone stabilizer can be a daunting task, so we have curated a list of the best smartphone gimbals currently available.

Best smartphone gimbals:

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best smartphone gimbals regularly as new devices launch.


What makes a good smartphone gimbal?

DJI Osmo Mobile 3 standing on table vs old Osmo Mobiles 2

First, you must learn to identify what makes the best smartphone gimbals actually good, and if you care enough about certain features to spend more money on them. The obvious factors to consider are price, size, weight, battery life, and build quality.

Phone gimbals have other more complex features to keep in perspective. A very important one is the stabilization technology in use. Are you working with a 3-axis or a 2-axis stabilizer? 2-axis stabilizers smooth out tilt and roll, which means movements going up/down or from side to side. The third axis steadies panning.

Also important to consider is compatibility. The gimbal needs to hold and support your device. If it doesn’t fit or the hardware isn’t made for your handset, you will need to look elsewhere. Software will make a huge difference in your experience too. Look at how many features the app has (if there’s one).

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1. DJI Osmo Mobile 3

DJI Osmo Mobile 3 on table with Pixel

The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is one of the most popular smartphone gimbals out there. Of course, coming from a renown company gives it a boost, but the device is also praised for offering great bang for your buck thanks to its quality-to-cost ratio. The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is only $119.

The company has reduced the size of the gimbal, lowered the weight, and made it more foldable, meaning you can easily pack it in its pouch and carry it around. It features 3-axis stabilization, extensive controls, and a stunning 15-hour battery life. In addition, the app has plenty of features, including templates, active tracking, hyperlapse, timelapse, panorama, and more. 


2. Freefly Movi Cinema Robot

Freefly Movi Cinema Robot smartphone gimbalFreefly

The Freefly Movi Cinema Robot is aimed towards professionals. Its claim is that the unit can achieve clips that would otherwise require a crew. While this is also true of other devices in this list, you can see some significant differences.

The Movi is built strong and designed very uniquely. The side handle should offer more stability, and the technology found inside is similar to the company’s more complex rigs, which are often used for Hollywood movies. The device comes with a much higher price of $299. Shooting modes include timelapse, moving timelapse, orbit, and more. 


3. Zhiyun Smooth Q2

Zhiyun Smooth Q2 handheld mobile gimbal

The Zhiyun Smooth Q2 is another great option for those looking to find a balance between price and quality. It has a great aluminum build, a long 17-hour battery life, 3-axis stabilization, a lightweight body, and plenty of shooting modes. It’s a great buy at $139, even though it has a few quirks, which we talk about in detail in our full review.


4. Evo Shift

Evo Shift smartphone gimbalEvo Gimbals

At $99, the Evo Shift is the best smartphone gimbal you can have for under a Benjamin. I have personally used it in the past and it worked like a charm. The build quality isn’t up to par with the other best smartphone gimbals listed above, but it’s still pretty solid.

Features include 3-axis stabilization, plenty of manual control buttons, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It can also charge your phone while in use. The drop in price starts showing when you realize it only has 3 modes: pan follow, full follow, and lock.


5. Hohem Isteady Mobile Plus

Hohem Isteady Mobile Plus smartphone gimbalAmazon

The Hohem Isteady Mobile Plus comes with 3-axis stabilization, a 12-hour battery life, and weighs only 7 ounces. The upgraded sport mode offers improved performance. The app features multiple modes, including various timelapse styles, slow motion, beauty retouching, and more. As you can see, these features are designed to please casual users, and the $89 price point reflects that.


6. Moza Mini-S

Moza Mini S smartphone gimbalGudsen

The Moza Mini-S may be the most affordable units in this list at just $79, but you shouldn’t confuse it with a cheap product. It is still one of the best smartphone gimbals, featuring 3-axis stabilization, a design that folds very tightly, manual controls, and a very unique slanted design.

Battery life takes a hit, but five hours is still enough to get great footage. Shooting modes include timelapse, vertigo, portrait mode, hyperlapse, slow-motion, and more.


One of these should be enough to get you filming some great videos, especially considering camera advancements in recent years. We have seen amazing content being shot with phones and mobile gimbals.

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