Gimbal Stabilizer Buying Guide for 2025

A gimbal stabilizer keeps your camera steady while filming, cutting down on shaky footage that can ruin a good video. Whether you’re shooting with a smartphone, action camera, or DSLR, a gimbal uses motors and sensors to balance out movement and give you smoother shots.

It’s a handy tool for both beginners and folks who’ve been filming for years. If you want your videos to look more professional, it’s worth considering.

When picking a gimbal, focus on weight capacity, battery life, and how easy it is to use. The gimbal has to support your camera’s size without overworking its motors.

Battery life matters, too—nobody wants to run out of juice halfway through a shoot. The right gimbal should offer a good mix of stability, portability, and compatibility with your camera setup.

We spent a lot of time comparing different models and testing them in real-life situations. Here’s what we found when looking for the best gimbals for everyday use.

Best Gimbal Stabilizers

We dug into a bunch of gimbal stabilizers to find the ones that actually deliver steady video. Our picks balance performance, simplicity, and value—so you can get better footage without overcomplicating things.

DJI Osmo Mobile SE

This gimbal is a solid pick if you want smooth phone footage without lugging around a bunch of gear.

Pros

• Packs down small and fits easily in a bag
• Magnetic clamp makes setup quick
• Tracking feature keeps subjects centered

Cons

• Learning curve at first use
• Not all phones and cases fit well
• App support can be tricky on Android

We found the DJI Osmo Mobile SE easy to toss in a backpack thanks to its foldable design. It barely takes up any space, which is a plus for travel.

The magnetic phone clamp feels secure and makes setup fast. Switching between landscape and portrait worked smoothly, and the gimbal kept our footage steady even when we walked over rough ground.

The ActiveTrack feature followed subjects well, which came in handy for filming kids or pets that just won’t sit still. The first setup did take a little patience.

Big phones with thick cases didn’t always fit perfectly, and Android users might need to grab the DJI app from the website. Once we got past those hiccups, though, the gimbal felt reliable and definitely made our videos look better.

hohem iSteady X3 SE

This gimbal is great if you want steady phone videos but don’t want to carry heavy gear.

Pros

• Compact foldable body fits easily in a bag
• Detachable remote makes solo filming much easier
• Battery lasts long enough for full-day shoots

Cons

• Larger phones with bulky cases can feel tight
• App features take time to learn
• Remote attachment feels a bit fragile

Setting up the iSteady X3 SE was quick and easy. Its foldable design means you can slip it into a pocket, which is awesome for travel.

We didn’t feel weighed down, even after a long day out. The detachable remote stood out since it let us start recording without touching the gimbal, which made group shots and solo filming a breeze.

Stabilization was solid, even while walking or jogging. Videos looked way smoother than handheld shots, though it took a few tries to get comfortable with the app’s advanced modes.

All in all, the iSteady X3 SE gave us a simple, portable way to improve video quality without much fuss.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6

If you want smooth, stable footage without extra weight, this gimbal is a strong option.

Pros

• Compact design makes it easy to pack and carry
• Tracking works well for moving subjects
• Extension rod adds more flexibility for group shots

Cons

• Full app support is limited for Android users
• Learning curve with some advanced features
• Battery life could be longer for long shoots

The Osmo Mobile 6 feels natural to use after the initial setup. Its foldable design means you can just drop it into your bag, and it powers on quickly.

The side wheel gives you direct control over zoom and focus, which is a nice touch. Stabilization is solid—walking shots look smooth, and quick pans don’t get shaky.

ActiveTrack keeps your subject in frame, which is great for filming kids or pets. Switching from horizontal to vertical is easy, so you can shoot for social media or longer videos without any hassle.

The DJI Mimo app isn’t on Google Play, so Android users have to install it from DJI’s site. Some of the advanced modes take a bit of practice, but for everyday filming, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gives you steady results in a lightweight package.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P

This gimbal is a good pick for anyone who wants stable video with a simple setup and some handy extras.

Pros

• Stabilization feels steady even while walking or moving quickly
• Built-in extension rod and tripod make it versatile for vlogs and selfies
• Tracking locks onto subjects and rarely loses them

Cons

• The DJI Mimo app must be downloaded outside Google Play
• Slightly heavier than some smaller stabilizers
• Price may be high for casual users

We got started with the Osmo Mobile 7P in just a few minutes. The magnetic phone clamp made setup quick, and the gimbal powered on right after unfolding.

The stabilization really stood out. Walking through a park, our footage stayed level and clear—even with quick turns.

The tracking feature followed faces and movement without drifting, making solo filming a lot easier. We liked the extra features in the Multifunctional Module, too; having audio and lighting support in one unit meant less gear to haul around.

The only real hassle was downloading the app directly from DJI’s site, but once installed, the editing tools sped up our workflow.

DJI RS 3 Mini

This gimbal is for creators who want a compact stabilizer that’s easy to carry but still gets the job done.

Pros

• Easy to carry for travel and long shoots
• Handles mirrorless cameras well without strain
• Quick to set up and start filming

Cons

• Limited payload compared to larger models
• Small screen can feel cramped for settings
• Not ideal for heavy accessories or rigs

The RS 3 Mini feels really light in the hand. We carried it through a full day of shooting and didn’t get tired, which makes it a great pick for travel or street work.

The setup was simple, and we started recording in minutes. Stabilization impressed us, especially while walking or shooting at low angles—movements looked smooth, and the footage stayed steady.

Switching between horizontal and vertical shooting was quick, which helped when grabbing clips for social media. The payload limit was a bit restrictive with heavier lenses, and the small touchscreen felt tight when scrolling through menus.

If you use larger setups or want to add lots of accessories, this model might feel limiting. Still, the DJI RS 3 Mini finds a sweet spot between portability and function—best for light camera setups and shooting on the go.

Buying Guide

When you’re picking out a gimbal stabilizer, it’s smart to think about how you’ll actually use it. If you’re traveling, you probably want something lighter. On the other hand, for professional shoots, you’ll want stronger motors.

Always check the weight capacity. The stabilizer needs to support your camera or phone without struggling. If it’s too weak, your footage might still end up shaky—nobody wants that.

Battery life is a big deal, too. Longer battery life means you won’t have to stop and recharge as often during shoots. Some models even let you charge other devices while you film, which is a nice bonus.

Take a look at the controls. Some gimbals just have basic buttons, while others come with a joystick or app controls. It’s worth picking something that feels comfortable in your hands.

Key Features to Compare

Portability matters, too. A compact stabilizer fits better in a backpack, while a bigger one might give you more stability.

And of course, there’s price. It’s best to balance cost with the features you’ll actually use, instead of paying extra for stuff you’ll ignore anyway.