Best Cheap GoPro Gimbals and Stabilizers

1. Steadicam CURVE-BK Handheld Stabilizer

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Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5

First up is the Steadicam CURVE-BK. This is an affordable handheld camera/video stabilizer grip. It’s compatible with the GoPro Hero 3, 4 Black, and the GoPro Hero 5 Blue.

• Best Feature 1: Durable aluminum frame
• Best Feature 2: Compact & lightweight
• Plus points: Easy to set up, one-handed operation, low price tag, four colors
• Minus points: Learning curve

If you invested in a compatible GoPro action camera you can afford the Steadicam® curve. This puppy has a durable all-aluminum frame despite its low price. Weighing just 0.5 lbs. it’s also incredibly light and fits easily into a small bag or even a big pocket. Once you’ve set it up with your GoPro all you do is hold the stabilizer in one hand and go about filming.

Perform a test shoot with and without the STEADICAM curve to appreciate just how good it is. The results might not win any prizes but the difference is amazing considering the low price. You can also choose from four colors, black, blue, red, and silver.

What’s Could Be Better

There’s not much to complain about though I suppose you could argue for even better results. But then you’d pay triple figures—not 20 or so bucks—for a superior outcome. The results are so much better than filming with no stabilizer. Setup can be a tad fiddly for first-time users but anyone can do it with a little patience and persistence.

2. ASOCEA Action Camera 3-Axis Gyro Stabilizer

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

My second pick is another product for around 20 bucks. This one’s a mini 3-axis gyro stabilizer by ASOCEA. It supports the GoPro 4 Silver, 5 Black, Hero 6, and Hero Session action cameras.

• Best Feature 1: Built-in mini mechanical 3-axis gimbal system
• Best Feature 2: Durable, quality aluminum frame
• Plus points: Ergonomic design, comfortable handgrip, luggable, affordable
• Minus points: Weights have a tendency to slide, potential noise interference

The frame material of the ASOCEA Action Camera 3-axis gyro handled stabilizer is aluminum. It doesn’t have the same quality feel as the first pick but it’s still durable enough. The ergonomic design and comfy handgrip make it easy to use with a compatible GoPro or other action cameras.

This product is also lightweight and tiny enough to pack into a small bag or large pocket. Compared to no stabilizer, your footage will have less shake and produce a smoother video. It’s spot-on as a low-cost mechanical stabilizer but don’t expect 100% perfection.

What Could Be Better

Some users say the three weights used to counterbalance the camera become loose after a while. I didn’t experience this but then I only had the product for a couple of days. This would mess with the balance and may create noise that interferes with recorded audio. Although it’s not a common complaint I read enough reviews to know it’s an issue for some users.

3. Movo VS01 Handheld Video Stabilizer System

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Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5

The Movo Handheld Video Stabilizer System is slightly bigger, heavier, and costlier than the first two products. It’s the ideal tool for the GoPro HERO, HERO2/3/4/5, and various smartphones.

• Best Feature 1: Ball joint gimbal design
• Best Feature 2: Multi-camera and smartphone support
• Plus points: Great outdoor tool, bubble level for extra fine-tuning, price
• Minus points: Takes some getting used to

It may not be as cute as the earlier picks but it’s certainly practical. You’ll be able to achieve more professional results in no time with a little practice. The Movo handheld video stabilizer will help to improve your panning shots by a lot. The ball joint gimbal helps the stabilizer to function smoothly and provides jitter-free shooting.

You can pair this stabilizer with a wide range of modern smartphones as well as GoPro cameras. It may look a little clumsy but it’s more comfortable to use than first meets the eye. This is a good outdoor stabilizer for capturing anything on the move. There’s even a bubble level for extra fine-tuning. You get a lot for the money and this one’s a great choice for first-time gimbal users.

What Could Be Better

Most of the complaints come from impatient users. I think some people expect to stick on a camera and enjoy perfect shake-free footage from the off. This would not be an unreasonable demand from a 3-axis electronic gimbal costing hundreds of dollars. But these affordable handheld mechanical stabilizers do take practice, patience, and a little persistence to boot.

Those who have none of these attributes will always be disappointed.

4. KOFANI PRO Handheld Camera Stabilizer

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The KOFANI PRO is another video camera stabilizer that pairs with GoPro 5/4/3/3+. It’s also compatible with other smartphones and Digital-SLR cameras like many products on this page.

• Best Feature 1: 360-degree rotational handle
• Best Feature 2: Strong aluminum alloy frame
• Plus points: Comfortable rubber handgrip, easy to use, intuitive function
• Minus points: Heft

This is another durable handheld stabilizer that uses aluminum in its construction. It’s ideal for compatible smartphones and GoPro cameras but will also accommodate bigger DSLRs. The 360-degree rotational handle strip allows for smooth rotation and lessens interference from shaking.

The rubber handgrip is an improvement on harder plastic grips and foam. Foam is fine until it gets damp or wet. It can then become uncomfortable or can even freeze in colder outdoor climates. The rubber handgrip is a practical choice because of the above.

It’s quick and easy to adjust the balance on this stabilizer. Like all these products you may need to play around a bit to get the balance just right for your particular camera. With a little practice, though, you’ll be fine-tuning this puppy with your eyes shut.

What Could Be Better

This product is heavier than the previous picks. At around two pounds plus the camera weight, it’ll take a while for some people to get used to, especially on long shoots.

5. Fantaseal Action Camera 3-Axis Stabilizer

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

This Fantaseal product is a 3-axis inertia gyro stabilizer. It even comes with its own built-in remote control holder for GoPro. Compatible devices include GoPro Hero 6/5/4/3 and Session.

• Best Feature 1: Integrated mini mechanical 3-axis gyroscope stabilizer
• Best Feature 2: Lockable handle with built-in remote control holder
• Plus points: Lightweight, sleek C-curve design, quality aluminum alloy, compact & luggable
• Minus points: Smartphone mount restrictions, no instruction guide, takes practice

This is another built-in mini mechanical 3-axis gyroscope stabilizer. It does a great job despite its tiny size and lightweight. The Fantaseal stabilizer has a few extra bells and whistles compared to other pocketable designs on this page. There’s a useful lockable handle for better camera balance and a convenient built-in remote control holder.

This beauty feels as good as it looks with its sleek C-curve design and high-quality aluminum alloy. The ergonomics is an important consideration with tiny GoPro stabilizers. Being small and light also adds to the lugability factor. This is another product that falls into the ‘pocket-sized’ category.

What Could Be Better

There are some reports that the smartphone grip is overly strong and could potentially mark or damage certain models. The important thing here is not to try and squeeze a phone into the mount if it exceeds the maximum 3.25″ opening. Make sure the mount is big enough if you expect to use this stabilizer with a smartphone as well as your GoPro action camera.

Another gripe is the absence of an instruction manual. I’m not sure why this is but there should be plenty of YouTube videos to fall back on. Video tutorials are probably better anyway. This GoPro stabilizer will take some practice to perfect so be patient.

6. The OFFICIAL ROXANT PRO Camera Stabilizer

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The original ROXANT PRO is one of the best camera stabilizers in its class. It sells well on Amazon and enjoys high ratings from users. It’s a great GoPro stabilizer but it has a much wider use.

• Best Feature 1: Great stabilization at an affordable price
• Best Feature 2: Supports up to 2.1 lbs
• Plus points: Solid build, non-slip grip, easy to assemble, works with heavier cameras
• Minus points: Awkward to balance, zooms and flip screens can unbalance the stabilizer, heavy

The ROXANT PRO is a popular GoPro stabilizer that arrives in three simple parts. There’s the handle, the frame, and the all-important weights. It provides excellent stabilization at an entry-level price for any GoPro or other compatible recording devices up to 2.1 lbs. It’s easy to set up but it’s not quite so simple to use (keep reading).

This sought-after stabilizer has a solid metal construction so it’s robust but heavy too. The grip has a nice non-slip cover which makes holding and handling the device easier and more comfortable. The grip helps to reduce sway too so the design is important for a few reasons. This affordable stabilizer is not without its faults but it still sells well and remains popular for its many good points.

What Could Be Better

Despite the easy assembly it can take a while to perfect the balance for different devices. The ‘balancing act’ is the major drawback of this tool. If you intend to use various cameras you’ll hit frustrations from time to time. Once set up, though, it works beautifully even with heavier DSLRs. Always be mindful that the smallest tweak may throw the ROXANT PRO out of whack. Even zoom lenses and flip screens can upset the delicate balance.

You WILL get accustomed to it but it may take a while to find the sweet spot that’s all. It’s heavy too but the weight will become less of an issue with regular use.

7. Zhiyun Smooth Q w/ Plate, 3-Axis Gimbal

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

The Zhiyun Smooth-Q is an amazing little 3-axis gimbal. The only reason it falls short with the editor’s star rating is that it tips over the 100 bucks mark—just. That makes it the least affordable pick.

• Best Feature 1: Eachshot GoPro Adapter Mount Plate
• Best Feature 2: Weather resistance
• Plus points: No counter weighting, built-in 26650 li-ion battery, intuitive on-handle buttons
• Minus points: External mic affects balance, reports of glitch software

This is the only battery operated electronic stabilized gimbal in this guide. I was hoping not to go over 100 bucks but this puppy is currently on offer for just over. It was too good to skip. The Zhiyun Smooth-Q comes with eachshot GoPro adapter mount plate but it can accommodate other action cameras and smartphones.

You can use the Zhiyun Smooth-Q in hot and cold conditions. It also tolerates splashes and snowfall according to the company. There’s no need to manually counterweight either thanks to the advanced electronic 1-step balancing. The inbuilt battery should give around 12 hours of work time in ideal conditions. This really is a great little electronic gimbal to produce cinematic-quality stills and video.

Look at these functions found on the handle’s intuitive buttons:

• Photo/Record
• Zoom In/Zoom Out
• Get Rear Camera/Selfie Mode

The updated APP-ZY PLAY APP takes control even further with its support for Auto-Tracking, Time-Lapse, and Filter Options. There’s a lot to like and these are just the highlights.

What Could Be Better

There is an issue of the balance going out of whack if you add an external mic. I also read a few reports on software glitches. Still, software bugs are not always permanent as most companies attempt to fix known issues via updates. I do love this gimbal but it’s stuck somewhere between the lower and mid-price range which is an unusual market.