What is the best GoPro mount for making travel videos and vlogging? There are tons of mount options out there, and which one is best for you depends on the situations you’ll be filming in. In this post, we’ll review six popular GoPro tripods and mounts that we use to film professional videos and casual vlogs for our tech channel Gemini Connect, and our travel vlogging channel Gemini Discover. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each mount, and provide sample video footage to help you determine which is the best GoPro accessory for you.
Find every product mentioned in this post here – https://bit.ly/best-gopro-mounts
GoPro Mounts Featured:
– Joby Telepod
– Joby GorillaPod 5K and 3K
– GoPro 3 Way Locking Arm
– GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp
– Joby suction cup
– the most compact vlogging tripod
Watch the Video Version (with Sample Footage)
Why GoPro is the Best Vlogging Camera?
If you’re starting a new YouTube channel and need a camera, we highly recommend the GoPro Hero 7 Black or the GoPro Hero 8. These newest generations of GoPro are vastly better than previous models thanks to the inclusion of Hypersmooth stability (you no longer need a gimbal!). The cameras are also waterproof on their own, so you don’t need to use a cage anymore. Plus, GoPro colors are much improved, the 4K resolution is crisp, and the internal microphones are getting better. If you don’t have a GoPro, you can also use any of these mounts with small cameras including most smartphones.
Important Features We Looked For
When evaluating the best GoPro mounts, we looked for three features. First, the mounts had to be compact and easy to travel with. If the mount had the ability to transform into a taller version of itself, that’s an added bonus since it’s like getting two mounts in one. Second, we wanted the top quality mounts that are tried and true. This means sticking to name brands that have a proven track record for making high-quality gear that lasts; inclusion of a warranty is also a bonus. While there are many cheap knockoffs out there, they rarely have good warranties and are subject to breaking. To us, there’s little point in saving money for a knockoff that you may have to replace sooner than if you had bought a sturdier version in the first place.
The third and final feature we considered was the mount’s overall versatility. In some cases, the mounts we chose were actually intended for smartphones, but all that’s needed is an adapter to make them GoPro friendly (or vice-versa). We use other compact cameras such as the DJI Osmo Pocket and our Samsung Galaxy smartphones to film on the field. It’s important to have mounts that can also support our other small cameras.
GoPro Mount Adapters You May Need
GoPro to tripod mount adapter
Most tripods and mounts such as the Joby Telepod and GorillaPod are equipped with a 1/4″-20 attachment. This is different than the GoPro mount, but you can use this GoPro to 1/4-inch tripod adapter like the ones above to stick your GoPro on mounts that lack the standard tripod attachment.
Tripod to GoPro mount adapter
If you get a GoPro branded mount such as the 3-Way or Jaws Flex, you may need the adapter above if you want to use a traditional 1/4″-20 attachment to secure non-GoPro cameras such as a smartphone or DJI Osmo Pocket.
Mini tripod ball head option
Most of these mounts do not come with ball heads — the only ones that do are Joby products. The advantage of a tripod ball head is the ability to move your camera into more angles than simply using the GoPro mount. If you want to add a ball head to any of the GoPro mounts that don’t come with one, we recommend the ball head that comes with the Joby GorillaPod 3K. This ball head is compact yet durable and will best compliment the size of the GoPro and its accompanying mounts. You can buy the Joby 3K Ball Head separately.
Mount 01 – Joby Telepod
Ever since we started GoPro vlogging, the Joby Telepod Mobile has been our number one travel tripod pick. At its smallest, the Telepod is 13 inches tall, making it a great grip for holding the GoPro or setting it on level ground. But the very best part about the Telepod is the center column that can extend up to 30 inches tall. This gives it the versatility to get taller for shooting over crowds or getting group selfies. In our case, the scenario we use the Telepod the most is when we’re sitting at a table and need to raise the camera to eye level. This where the Telepod really shines.
All Telepods are equipped with a mini ball head and a 1/4″-20 attachment. Some also come with smartphone mounts. If you want to use a GoPro with the Telepod, be sure to pick up the GoPro to tripod mount adapter.
There are a couple of downsides to the Telepod. First, its legs work best on a flat and even surface. If you intend to place your camera on a hill or slope, this probably isn’t the best mount for you. And finally, the Telepod’s lightweight construction means that it is made mostly of plastic. What you save in weight, you pay for with stability. This is not the most stable tripod out there, and while the center column does lock firmly into place, it isn’t as secure as some of our other picks.
At the time of this post, there are several versions of the Telepod available. The Telepod Mobile has been our go-to, but if you need a more robust mount, also consider the Telepod GripTight Pro. This camera mount is larger and heavier overall, but it can support more weight.
Mount 02 – GoPro 3-Way
The GoPro 3-Way is an official GoPro accessory that can be used in 3 ways: as a grip, extension arm, or a tripod. In theory, it sounds a lot like the Joby Telepod, which is why we held off on buying this mount. But curiosity eventually got the best of us. After using this mount extensively for 3 months, we have to conclude that it has quite a few advantages over the Telepod.
Advantages Over the Telepod
First, the GoPro 3-Way has superior locking mechanisms. When tightened, the 3-Way is ultra sturdy and we don’t fear it slipping loose, as is common with the Telepod. The folding arm on the 3-Way also allows for the mount to assume different angles, while the Telepod is restricted to being straight. In a head to head comparison, the GoPro 3 Way is just a smidge taller than the Telepod Mobile when using the optional mini tripod.
Disadvantages to the Telepod
However, the multitude of positions that the 3-Way locking arm can assume also leads to a pitfall. The 3-Way has a tiny tripod built into the handle, but that tripod is rather flimsy. It can take some trial and error to move the 3-Way arm into a form that won’t tip over. If you need a camera mount that will be dependably stable on a flat surface, the Telepod is better. However, if you do a lot of handheld shooting in high-speed environments, the 3-Way is more robust and secure.
The GoPro 3-Way also comes with just a GoPro mount, while the Telepod has a mini ball head. However, you can easily convert the GoPro mount into a 1/4″ screw and add a tripod ball head using the adapters mentioned earlier.
This compact GoPro tripod is discontinued. The best match we can find is the GoPro Shorty.
Mount 03 – Mini Tripod (GoPro Shorty)
While the Joby Telepod and GoPro 3-Way are great all-around mounts, they are both rather bulky. At least, in comparison to some of the super-compact tripods out there. When vlogging with two people, the Telepod or 3-Way are best because they can extend, moving the camera farther out to capture two or more people in the frame. However, if you vlog solo, you may want a more compact option to keep your rig more pocket-sized. After all, the smaller your vlogging rig, the easier it is to vlog in public.
This is where a mini tripod like the GoPro Shorty can come in handy. We own a knock-off version of this tripod that no longer available. Yes, we stated earlier that knockoffs aren’t a good idea, but this is one knockoff that we can vouch for after using it extensively for 6+ months. However, since it is no longer available, the best runner up that we can safely recommend is the GoPro Shorty.
Joby GorillaPod 5K (left) and GorillaPod 3K, with GoPro Hero 8 Black with Media Mod for scale.
Mount 04 – Joby GorillaPod 5K or 3K
For most vloggers, the Joby Gorillapod is the mount that started it all. This tripod is best known for its bendy legs that can stand upright or curve to wrap around anything such as tree branches or railings. In a lot of ways, this is the best standard tripod that most first-time vloggers should start out with. The only disadvantage the GorillaPod has to the Telepod or GoPro 3-Way is that it can’t get any taller than it already is.
The Gorillapod 5K is the largest of the bunch. This is the best option if you want to use the Gorillapod with a larger camera such as a mirrorless or DSLR camera. It’soverkill for a GoPro, but if it can hold a giant DSLR, it will also support a compact camera with no problem. If you only use compact cameras, go for the Gorillapod 3K. Another bonus of using the GorillaPod is the option to add extra bendy arms via this GorillaPod upgrade kit. The extra arms are great for holding your camera steady or adding extra GoPro accessories such as lights or microphones.
Mount 05 – Joby Suction Cup
Don’t be fooled by the minimalist appearance of this mount. The Joby Suction Cup is incredibly strong and it connects like glue to a window or mirror surface. We use the suction cup exclusively in our car to capture driving shots or driving vlogs. The suction cup can mount to the outside of your car or the inside windshield. We even have an extra suction cup that is our dedicated phone mount. Alternatively, makeup or beauty bloggers may find the suction cup useful for sticking a camera on a mirror in the bathroom.
Note that there are 2 types of Joby suction cup on the market. There’s a locking arm, which is best for giving you rock steady stability, and a bendy arm version. If the locking arm is hard to find, the bendy arm version will also do in a pinch.
Mount 06- GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp
The final mount that we love to use is the GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp. This is a super robust clamp that comes with an optional bendy arm. Use the GoPro on the clamp itself, or add the bendy arm if you need more height or more flexible angles. Like the suction cup, the Jaws are a specialty mount, best used in unique scenarios when you need to film in places a tripod can’t go. Think of a door frame, table ledge, or shopping cart.
Small compact tripod (left), GoPro 3-Way Arm, Joby Telepod Mobile.
So Which GoPro Mount is Best?
At the end of the day, which GoPro mount is best for you depends on the scenarios you’ll be filming in. If you’re just starting out, get a standard camera mount such as the Gorillapod, Telepod, or GoPro 3-Way. These mounts will give you a grip plus the flexibility of planting your camera and extending its height if needed. We also recommend getting a mini tripod like the GoPro Shorty, simply because it offers the most compact, pocket-sized mount for discrete vlogging. As for the GoPro Jaws and Joby suction cup, both are great, but they will only be needed if you run into specific scenarios such as car vlogging or shopping vlogs.
Which camera amounts do you use the most and why? Let us know in the comments below!
