Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod worth it? For me, yes. This Peak Design Travel Tripod review comes from using the carbon fiber version as my only tripod, and it's the fastest, sturdiest tripod I've owned. It's not light and it's not cheap, so if you only shoot on a phone, it may be more than you need.
Peak Design released this tripod in 2019. Seven years later, I still haven't found anything that does what it does. The full video is above if you want to see every feature in action.
What is the Peak Design Travel Tripod?
It's a compact travel tripod with a built in ball head, a quick release plate, and a phone mount hidden inside the center column. I bought it after a lot of research because I wanted the best tripod I could find. Before this I used cheap $40 to $60 tripods. After this one, I can't go back.
Peak Design says it "packs down to the diameter of a water bottle". In my own test I held it next to my 1.1 L Owala bottle, and it's not much bigger.
What I liked
Setup speed
The legs are the first thing that sold me. I found a quick method: grab all the leg sections at once on all three sides, pull, and drop them. It sets up and closes really fast.
Sturdiness
This thing is a beast. You can push it around and move the ball head and it doesn't go anywhere. It's the most sturdy tripod I've ever used, which is why I use it for everything, not just travel.
The ball head
On a traditional ball head you untwist, move it, and tighten again, and it's limited in where it can go. On this one you twist one ring, move the camera anywhere, and twist to lock. There are grooves at the bottom for going vertical. It's the fastest ball head I've had. If you need to go from a normal shot to overhead to vertical quickly, it locks right where you want it.
The quick release
There's a lock and an unlock position. Unlock, drop the plate in, lock it. I've heard some people find it hard to get used to. I thought it was the easiest thing ever. There's also a hidden slot that stores the tool for the quick release plate.
Hidden phone mount and hook
Pull a hook out of the bottom of the center column and you can hang a backpack off it or anchor the tripod down. Inside the column there's a phone mount. If you shoot hybrid, camera and phone, like I do, that makes this the best option I've used. The center column also goes pretty high and can be inverted, though I don't use that mode.
Packing it
I tested it with my Aer 20 L everyday carry backpack. It fits inside, right in the middle of the bag, and it also fits in the side water bottle pocket if you strap it for stability. I also just hook it to the bottom of a bag and travel like that. It comes with a travel case.
What I didn't like
- It's not light. Compared to other tripods it's compact, but this is not a light tripod by any means. In the bag, the added weight felt similar to a 16 inch MacBook Pro to me.
- It's a lot for just a phone. As a phone only tripod it's a bit heavy and big. It makes the most sense if you also shoot on a camera.
- The price. It's a big jump from a $40 tripod. Check the current price at the link below, since it changes.
What I didn't test
I didn't use the inverted center column, so I can't speak to it. I also didn't run a side by side against other carbon fiber travel tripods by name in the video. And I compared it to an aluminum travel tripod, not to Peak Design's own aluminum version.
Who should buy the Peak Design Travel Tripod?
- Creators who shoot with a camera and a phone and want one tripod for both.
- People who travel and want something that fits in or on a small backpack.
- Anyone tired of replacing cheap tripods. This one is going to last.
If you only film on your phone at home, a cheaper, lighter phone tripod will probably do the job.
Peak Design Travel Tripod review verdict: is it worth it?
As someone with around 600 subscribers when I filmed this, this is a hobby and a passion, and it's still one of the best purchases I've made. Peak Design thought of almost everything seven years ago: the fast legs, the ball head, the hidden phone mount, even a slot for the tool. I haven't seen a tripod this compact do this much.
If you want it, here's the carbon fiber version on Amazon: Peak Design Travel Tripod. You can also see everything I made for Peak Design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod worth it? For me, yes. It's my only tripod because it sets up fast, it's the sturdiest I've used, and the ball head locks quickly in any position. It's heavier and more expensive than budget tripods.
Is the Peak Design Travel Tripod heavy? It's not a light tripod. In my backpack the added weight felt similar to a 16 inch MacBook Pro, and it was close in size to a 1.1 L water bottle.
Does the Peak Design Travel Tripod work with a phone? Yes. There's a phone mount hidden inside the center column. It's a bit big and heavy if you only use a phone, but great if you shoot with a camera and a phone.
Does it fit in a small backpack? Yes. It fit inside my 20 L everyday carry backpack and in the side water bottle pocket. You can also hook it to the bottom of a bag.
Is the quick release hard to use? Some reviewers say so, but I found it simple: unlock, drop the plate in, lock.
