Vlogging 101: Which Selfie Stick is Best for You?

If you’re capturing moments using your phone or lightweight camera, which selfie stick is best for your needs? Vlogging usually requires you to go hands-free to avoid blocking important scenery on your backdrop, which is why selfie sticks were made.

 

As selfie sticks became popular due to the vlogging trend, you might be wondering how to choose one for your needs. Fortunately, there are many options out there but we narrowed them down for you to make it easier for you to choose.

 

Selfie sticks are telescoping so they can be packed in your bag without taking too much space, making them convenient and travel-friendly. We have some suggested picks below to get you started on choosing a reliable selfie stick for your vlogging needs.

Which selfie stick is best?

For those who want a great selfie stick, we recommend the Insta360 3m 9.8ft Extended Edition Selfie Stick, which is compatible with most action cameras, such as those from the ONE brand. Its current length can be adjusted and extended between 14 inches and 9.8 feet.

 

The long length of this carbon fiber selfie stick makes it adaptable to a wide variety of situations. Using a standard 1/4-inch screw for attaching your camera, this selfie stick is extra-long and yet lightweight at only 12.8 ounces. Since it can be shortened to only 14 inches, it’s easy to fit into your bag or pouch.

 

Holding this selfie stick won’t be a problem thanks to its rubberized grip, which is useful when you have sweaty hands or when the weather or surroundings is humid or wet, such as when you’re on a boat. We recommend this selfie stick for taking pictures or videos when out in the sea.

If you prefer an aluminum selfie stick that’s budget-friendlier, the Manfrotto VR Virtual Reality PIXI EVO KIT is a good choice for you. It doubles as a selfie stick and a tripod when you need to set your phone or camera on a surface while you shoot your footage or take a selfie/picture.

 

Also with a 360-degree view like our previous recommendation, this aluminum selfie stick has a 4-section aluminum pole, which is simply detachable to convert it into a selfie stick. It also has 2 leg angles for its tripod setup.

 

Weighing 1.16 pounds, this selfie stick and tripod combination can be raised to 4 feet in length. It has a 1/4-inch screw and is also suitable for the ONE X, Ricoh Theta, and similar action cameras. We like this selfie stick in case you also need a tripod but don’t want to carry excess baggage.

For those who have multiple devices, the Viozon Selfie Desktop Live Stand is a combination of a selfie stick and a tripod, which can be useful for those who are doing online classes, live streaming, and vlogging outside, and more.

 

It’s a good modified selfie stick for those who want to take their vlogging to an advanced level since it has a 6-in-1 design. You can use it not just for a phone as a selfie stick – you can also use it for your laptop and microphone. What’s more, it even has its 10-inch LED ring.

However, if the conditions aren’t good outside, such as when it’s windy, you’ll need more than just a steady hand but also a stabilizer for a selfie stick. The DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer is a good choice for that since it has a 3-axis gimbal that stabilizes each shot or footage you take.

 

This DJI gimbal is one of the different types of camera stabilizers that will help make your vlogging experience easier. It works not just with most phones (iPhone and Android) and the included extension rod is long enough (up to 8 inches) to make it a good selfie stick.

 

What is the best length for a selfie stick?

When it comes to selfie sticks, to get more people inside your photo or video, we recommend at least 30 inches in length, ranging from about 3 to 4 feet. This is also good for when you want a portable and lightweight selfie stick to travel with if you’re vlogging outside.

 

Do keep in mind that much longer selfie sticks, such as those more than 5 feet in length, might be bulkier and more difficult to handle. They might have a longer reach but always consider the weight capacity before you load the phone or camera onto the selfie stick.

 

Do selfie sticks work on all phones?

No, not every selfie stick will accommodate every phone – especially if the phone is either too small/short or too thick/long. Before buying your selfie stick, always make sure that you know your phone’s size and/or dimensions and check if it will fit the selfie stick.

 

Another factor to consider when choosing a selfie stick for your phone is the weight capacity – some phones tend to be heavier. Always ensure that the selfie stick will be strong enough to support your phone’s weight. This will save your phone from accidentally dropping due to a broken selfie stick.

 

How do I choose a selfie stick?

When choosing a selfie stick, you should know the type of camera. With that said, what camera do most vloggers use? They are typically the lightweight types, such as those small Sony cameras that you can take anywhere. However, some vloggers – especially those just starting– use just their phones.

 

When it comes to material, you’ll find selfie sticks in either aluminum or carbon, with the latter being more expensive yet lighter in weight. Aluminum is usually on the budget-friendly side and also works well as a selfie stick material for those who are still starting in vlogging.

 

As mentioned above, the length of your selfie stick will also matter. If you’re aiming to use a selfie stick for a large groupie or a photo/video that’s almost like an aerial shot taken by a drone, you will need a longer selfie stick for the job. The average selfie stick is typically around 3 to 4 feet in length.

 

However, with that in mind, you also need to consider a good selfie stick when it comes to portability, especially if you want to travel with it.

Conclusion

Choosing a selfie stick can be tricky at first, but once you know about the length, weight capacity, portability, material, and other factors, you’ll eventually find something that best suits your needs. We hope this guide helped you in choosing the best selfie stick for your photography, vlogging, or other purposes!