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The Best Smartphone Gimbals 2025

This content reviews five popular smartphone gimbals: Hohem iSteady X3 SE, M6, V3, DJI Osmo Mobile 6, and Insta360 Flow 2 Pro. Each gimbal is examined for pros and cons, highlighting features like battery life, stabilization, and tracking capabilities. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is recommended for its overall performance and portability.

Rodney
4–6 minutes
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The Most Popular Smartphone Gimbals

When it comes to smartphone gimbals, there are plenty of options to choose from. Today, we’re comparing five popular models: the Hohem iSteady X3 SE, Hohem iSteady M6, Hohem iSteady V3, DJI Osmo Mobile 6, and Insta360 Flow 2 Pro.

Hohem iSteady X3 SE

The Hohem iSteady X3 SE is a budget-friendly gimbal that offers great stabilization for its price. It features 3-axis stabilization, a detachable magnetic remote, and an 11-hour battery life. The gimbal is compact and foldable, making it easy to carry around. However, it lacks some advanced features found in higher-end models.

Pros:

  1. 3-axis stabilization: Provides smooth footage by stabilizing pan, tilt, and roll.
  2. Compact and portable: Foldable design and lightweight, easy to carry around.
  3. Detachable remote: Allows for easy control of the gimbal from a distance.
  4. AI-powered tracking: Uses a built-in camera for face tracking without needing phone connectivity.
  5. Extension rod and tripod legs: Offers various shooting angles and stable setups.
  6. Long battery life: Up to 11 hours of usage.
  7. Compatibility: Works with both iOS and Android devices.
  8. Fill light: Enhances video quality with adjustable brightness and color temperature.

Cons:

  1. Learning curve: Some features may take time to master.
  2. App can be overwhelming: The Hohem Joy app has ads and may be confusing for some users.
  3. Weak magnets: The AI tracker magnets might not be strong enough.

Hohem iSteady M6

The Hohem iSteady M6 is a step up from the X3 SE, offering AI vision sensor for auto-tracking faces and objects. It has a 360° panning range, 18-hour battery life, and a mini-tripod for added stability. The M6 is slightly heavier but provides excellent stabilization and versatility.

Pros:

  1. 3-axis stabilization: Provides smooth footage by stabilizing pan, tilt, and roll.
  2. AI-powered tracking: Uses a magnetic AI sensor for app-independent face tracking.
  3. 360° infinite horizontal pan axis: Allows for unlimited panning.
  4. OLED display: Shows battery life and mode information.
  5. Extension rod and tripod legs: Offers various shooting angles and stable setups.
  6. Long battery life: Up to 18 hours of usage.
  7. Compact and lightweight: Easy to carry around.
  8. Fill light: Doubles as a RGB fill light.
  9. Compatibility: Works with both iOS and Android devices.

Cons:

  1. Learning curve: Some features may take time to master.
  2. Balancing: Requires proper balancing for optimal performance.
  3. App can be overwhelming: The Hohem Joy app has ads and may be confusing for some users.
  4. Price: Slightly higher compared to some competitors.

Hohem iSteady V3

The Hohem iSteady V3 is another budget-friendly option with 3-axis stabilization and a detachable remote. It’s similar to the X3 SE but with a slightly different design and additional features like time-lapse mode and slow-motion recording. It’s a good choice for beginners looking for a reliable gimbal.

Pros:

  1. 3-axis stabilization: Provides smooth footage by stabilizing pan, tilt, and roll.
  2. AI-powered tracking: Uses a built-in camera for face tracking without needing phone connectivity.
  3. Compact and portable: Foldable design and lightweight, easy to carry around.
  4. Detachable remote and fill light: Magnetic and self-charging, adds versatility.
  5. Extension rod and tripod legs: Allows for various shooting angles and stable setups.
  6. Long battery life: Up to 13 hours of usage.
  7. Compatibility: Works with both iOS and Android devices.
  8. Fill light with adjustable brightness and color temperature: Enhances video quality.

Cons:

  1. Learning curve: Some features may take time to master.
  2. App can be confusing: The Hohem Joy app has ads and may be overwhelming for some users.
  3. Weak magnets: The AI tracker magnets might not be strong enough.
  4. Price: Slightly higher compared to some competitors.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is a high-end gimbal known for its exceptional stabilization and advanced features. It features Osmo Mobile app integration, AI-powered tracking, and a built-in fill light. The Osmo Mobile 6 is perfect for professional videographers and content creators who need top-notch performance.

Pros:3-axis stabilization: Provides smooth and stable footage.

  1. Compact and lightweight: Easy to carry around.
  2. Built-in extension rod: Allows for additional angles and vantage points.
  3. Quick Launch feature: Available for iOS users, making setup fast and easy.
  4. Status bar LEDs: Shows battery life and camera mode.
  5. Side wheel: Allows focus adjustment or zoom control.
  6. Up to 6.5 hours battery life: Long-lasting for extended use.
  7. Companion Mimo app: Includes tutorials and various video modes.
  8. ActiveTrack 5.0: Improved subject tracking.

Cons:

  1. Some features not available for Android users: Quick Launch and other features are exclusive to iOS.
  2. Zoom wheel can be too sensitive: Might take some getting used to.
  3. Foldable design limits panning range: Not as flexible as non-foldable designs.
  4. Stories and ShotGuides experience can be overwhelming: Might be too much for some users.

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

Finally, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro stands out with its 360° 3-axis stabilization, AI-powered tracking, and portable design. It offers up to 12 hours of battery life and a detachable fill light. The Flow 2 Pro is versatile, easy to use, and provides smooth, shake-free footage, making it my top pick for the best smartphone gimbal.

Pros:

  1. Deep Track 4.0: Advanced AI-powered tracking system that can monitor multiple subjects simultaneously.
  2. Compact and lightweight: Easy to carry around and quick to deploy.
  3. Multi-app support: Works with hundreds of iPhone apps via Apple DockKit.
  4. Improved design: More accessible and ergonomic compared to previous models.
  5. Free Tilt Mode: Allows for more flexible stabilization.
  6. Magnetic phone clamp: Secure and quick mounting solution for various smartphone sizes.
  7. Long battery life: Up to 12 hours of performance.

Cons:

  1. No cold shoe mount: Lacks a mount for external accessories.
  2. Limited new features for Android users: Few new features that specifically benefit Android users.
  3. Hard carry case sold separately: Not included in the standard bundle.
  4. Price increase: Slightly more expensive than the previous model.

In conclusion, while all these gimbals have their strengths, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro offers the best combination of features, performance, and portability. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the Flow 2 Pro is a reliable choice for capturing smooth and professional-quality videos.

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