The 3 Best Mobile Gimbals for Smartphones

Which Is Right For You?

Out of the dozens of gimbals we tested, only a few brands deliver the hardware and software quality we can rely on when shooting, including the prized Osmo Mobile 6 from DJI, or the Crane M2 gimbal. While others are sold on the market, we found that these few are the only ones worth adding to your camera bag for smartphone projects.

Smartphones pack a lot of power into their small size, making them excellent cinematography tools that are prone to camera shake, especially during moving shots. Gimbals bring buttery footage to smartphone videos that create truly cinematic effects. Although new gimbals come out every year, the improvements from here forward will be nominal compared to the unique features you get in the best smartphone gimbals of our time.

Any one of them will elevate your mobile filmmaking to the next level. Each one has its strengths, but there’s no wrong choice on this list. There’s an option for every budget and payload that can bring buttery, cinematic footage from your smartphone to the big screen. Here are our top three.

And if you're looking for additional mobile learning content that deep-dives into specific techniques, settings, or gear — check out our online mobile filmmaking 101 course for even more comprehensive education.

1. DJI Osmo Mobile 6

Best For: Plug-and-play ease, traveling content creators, and anyone who loves DJI products.

DJI's name is one to remember. The Osmo Mobile 6 is an intelligent flagship smartphone stabilizer with innovative features. It's compact and easily foldable to fit in your palm and launches automatically once unfolded to capture shots at a moment's notice. Get dynamic angles and perfect selfies by using the built-in extension rod. A whole host of intelligent functions and guides are at your disposal. The DJI App facilitates efficient shooting, editing, and sharing, allowing you to catch every unforgettable moment.

Portable

Carry your Osmo Mobile 6 on all the adventures. The compact and foldable design is easy to pack, and with the quick-release magnetic phone clamp, you can get going without the hassle of removing your phone case. Snap-in or out­–you're ready to shoot or take a call at a moment's notice.

Selfie Stick:

Save space and shoot selfies conveniently by just extending the built-in selfie stick. It's not just for selfies; you can easily get interesting angles from above or very low to the ground.

Just Roll to Control:

Effortlessly and fluidly control zoom and focus with Osmo Mobile 6's new side wheel. Roll the wheel to adjust the focal length for flexible composition and zoom in and out with buttery smoothness.

2. Zhiyun Smooth 5S

Best For: Anyone who needs a more professionally smooth movement for short films, Youtube videos, cinematic scenes, and more.

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S builds on the already excellent Smooth 5. It has a powerful built-in fill light, and you can add two more modular magnetic ones if you need them. This little gadget makes filmmaking a breeze for everyone. Even if you've only got the simplest devices, you can still create awe-inspiring content yourself. What sets the Smooth 5S apart is its cleverly designed structure of three orthogonal pivot axes — it gives you so much more room to play with your shots. The clever spacing between each axis means you can film from low and super-wide angles.

The best part about this nifty device? It has magnetic steel motors and an upgraded algorithm that can handle large-sized phones. And the phone clamp is wide enough to support external lenses so that you can get all creative with your shots. The built-in fill light (with a 5000K color temperature, 90+ CPI, and 2W rated power) is pretty impressive, too; it can light up your scene. And if you want even more light, you can permanently mount two extra magnetic fill lights (sold separately).

Great 3-Axis Stabilization

This gimbal stands out with its professional structure of 3 orthogonal pivot axes, bringing you more room for movement. The expansive space between each axis lets you film in low and super-wide angles.

Pro Feel

It feels and looks like a mini-pro stabilizer and offers customizable buttons and controls.

3. Zhiyun Crane M2S

This fan-favorite is a popular choice for modern filmmakers. It's like the superhero of smooth footage! Not only is it smaller and lighter, but it's also more powerful. This bad boy can support compact cameras, smartphones, and action cams up to 2.2 lb. Plus, it's loaded with cool stuff: better payload, longer battery life, super-fast PD charging, a sleek look, Bluetooth 5, a quick snap camera plate, and even a built-in LED light. And don’t forget the extras in the combo: a smartphone grip, an excellent mini tripod, and a TransMount EasyGo Backpack (but if you like to play it minimally, you can opt for your regular camera backpack).

Ultimate Handheld

Compact, more lightweight design for compact cameras, smartphones, and action cams up to 2.2 lb (an action cam mount is sold separately).

Lights Included

It comes with a built-in LED light with a filter kit, perfect for those without a light who need one.

Manual Control

Special app features such as time-lapse, panorama, and slow-motion capture.