Pocket-sized, all-metal stability for phones & gimbals — great for desktop use, not for tall or heavy setups.
Tired of shaky desktop videos and bulky tripods that never travel? You need a compact and reliable stand. A Metal Mini Tripod Camera should actually hold your phone, action cam, or lightweight gimbal steady. It must not take up half your bag. The Zeadio Metal Mini Tripod delivers just that: an all-metal, pocketable tabletop stand that scored 8.7/10 in our tests and retails for about $12.99.
Table of Contents
Mini Tripod Desktop Tabletop Stand
This tripod is a smart, low-cost pick if you mainly shoot at your desk or stream. It is ideal as a Metal Mini Tripod Camera. It is also great if you use a gimbal handle for casual clips. Its sturdy non-skid feet, solid metal build, and wide compatibility make it an everyday companion. It’s not for tall shots or heavy rigs. However, for dependable tabletop stability, it’s hard to beat. If it fits your needs, you can buy this metal mini tripod for cameras on Amazon. This option is available for quick delivery.
Zeadio Metal Mini Tripod: Stable
You want a small, dependable tripod. It shouldn’t feel like a flimsy afterthought. That’s where a metal mini tripod shines. When stabilizing a gimbal for a timelapse, use a compact Metal Mini Tripod Camera for confidence. Prop up your phone for a livestream with a compact metal stand. It’s also perfect for using a lightweight mirrorless camera for tabletop product shots. This description will guide you on what to expect. It will explain how to use it. You will also find tips to squeeze the most from it.
Build & Design
The tripod’s primary advantage is its metal construction: you’ll notice the weight and the reassuring click as the legs unfold. The low-profile design keeps your rig close to the surface. This is ideal for stable tabletop work and is especially perfect with Metal Mini Tripod Cameras.
Compatibility & Use Cases
You can attach this tripod to small gimbals like the Smooth 4 or Osmo Mobile. It is also compatible with action cameras and phone mounts. You can use it with some monopods and mini heads as well. It becomes especially useful when you need a steady base for remote shooting, interview-style video, food photography, or time-lapses. The metal tripod camera mount is suited for a variety of uses.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 1.14 x 1.14 x 4.53 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.2 ounces |
| Material | Metal (main), rubber feet |
| Mount | Standard 1/4″ screw |
Setup & Practical Tips
Setting up is straightforward, but a few small practices will improve results. Using the Metal Mini Tripod Camera will enhance your stability immediately.
Conclusion & Buying Suggestion
If you shoot primarily at desk or tabletop height, this tripod is practical. It is also a choice for those who travel light. It serves well if you need a compact mount for a gimbal or phone. You’ll get robust metal construction, good grip, and dependable everyday performance. For taller setups or heavy DSLRs, consider a taller tripod or adding a compatible extension and a ball head. If this matches your needs, it’s an easy and inexpensive accessory to pick up. It is available on Amazon. You can check current pricing and user reviews before buying.
FAQ
Yes — for most phone-plus-gimbal setups (like Smooth 4 or Osmo Mobile), it provides a stable base. This is true when the gimbal is balanced. You must also keep the legs fully deployed. Avoid using it with very heavy gimbals carrying large cameras.
It’s well-suited to action cameras like GoPro and many mirrorless bodies when you attach a light lens. However, you should test the balance. Keep heavy telephoto lenses off this stand to prevent tipping.
Yes. The folded form is compact and pocketable in most jackets or small camera pouches. This feature is ideal for travel photographers. It is also perfect for content creators on the go. They rely on metal mini tripods for easy transport.
If you want full tilt and pan control, pair the tripod with a small 1/4″ ball head. You can also use a short extension rod. This setup gives you additional height and articulation. The tripod itself is best for low-angle, stable shots.
Generally, yes — metal improves durability and reduces wobble on uneven surfaces. The trade-off is slightly more weight, but most users find the increased stability worth the small weight gain.
Keep the rubber feet clean. Periodically check the 1/4″ screw for tightness. Avoid dropping it on hard surfaces. These actions maintain hinge alignment and ensure long-term performance.
46 Comments
Does the tripod come with any kind of adapter for different gimbals? The product listing was a bit vague.
It generally uses a standard 1/4″ screw thread, which fits most gimbals and cameras. It doesn’t include special proprietary adapters; if your gimbal uses a unique mount you might need an additional adapter.
Perfect, thanks! I’ll pick one up then.
Yep standard 1/4″ — worked straight on my Osmo and a couple of phone mounts.
Bought one to try with an action cam. It surprised me — tiny but sturdy. The weight feels premium and it held up well during door-frame time-lapses.
Minor nitpick: the thread adapter was a little stiff to screw in at first (probably manufacturing grease), but it loosened after a few turns.
Thanks Jordan — good to hear about the action cam use. The thread stiffness can happen; we usually recommend a quick clean or a drop of isopropyl to remove residue.
Same here. I rubbed a bit of wax on the threads to make turning easier — works fine and doesn’t compromise stability.
Small, sturdy, and cheap. What more do you want? 😂
Alright seriously: it’s perfect for quick desk setups, podcasts, or attaching a gimbal for quick pano shots. Don’t expect it to replace your heavy tripod — it’s a supplement.
Precisely! It’s meant to be a supplement and a super-portable backup. Nice summary, Henry.
Agreed. I keep one in my camera bag at all times — saved me on multiple shoots when I needed a quick stable base.
Thanks for the honest review — I bought one after reading this. For desktop time-lapses and Zoom calls it’s great. Solid metal feel, no rattling. For anyone wondering, it handled my Osmo Mobile without tipping once I tightened the mount.
Only gripe: the legs could use a bit more grip on slick desks. Otherwise, surprised at the value for $12.99.
Good tip, Mark. Where did you get the adhesive foot? My desk is glass so slippage is real 😂
Totally — I stuck a thin adhesive rubber foot under mine and it’s rock-solid now.
Glad it helped, Eleanor — appreciate the hands-on note about the Osmo Mobile. We tried a few slick surfaces in testing and noticed the same; a rubber pad or mat helps a lot.
Question: does this work with heavier mirrorless cameras? I have a Sony a6400 with a pancake lens — roughly 1.2 lb body+lens. Thoughts?
Thanks, that helps. I’ll keep it for phones then.
Short answer: probably not ideal. The Zeadio mini is built for phones, action cams, and lightweight gimbals. Mirrorless bodies, especially with lenses attached, are likely too heavy and can tip or stress the mount. If you only intend tabletop shots and ensure the center of gravity is low, you might get away with it, but we wouldn’t recommend it as a primary support for mirrorless cameras.
I tried my a6000 briefly and it was shaky. Don’t risk it on anything expensive — use a small dedicated tabletop tripod rated for higher payloads.
Anyone else find the fold-out legs kind of stiff at first? I thought I had a faulty unit but after a few cycles it loosened up. If you get one and it’s stiff, don’t freak — just keep working it.
Also wish the manufacturer made a slightly taller variant. This is ideal for sitting-level shots only.
Yes, it was stiff on arrival. A couple of careful squeezes and it opened smoother. No defects.
Thanks — relieved I’m not the only one. 🙂
Good call, Naomi. We noticed the break-in behavior during testing too — manufacturing tolerances and protective coatings can cause initial stiffness.
Review says ‘shockingly stable’ — mild overstatement? I find it stable for phones only. Anything slightly off-balance and it tips. Good toy but don’t expect miracles.
Not trying to hate, just setting expectations.
Fair point, Oliver. The ‘shockingly stable’ line was in the context of its size: for a tiny metal tripod it performed better than we expected for phones and action cams. But as you note, it’s not a substitute for larger tripods or heavy setups.
Yep. If you keep the weight centered and low it’s fine. I use it for product shots in the studio and it’s reliable when used properly.
Thanks — makes sense. I guess I read the headline as absolute rather than comparative.
Nice review, short and to the point.
Long post warning — details below:
I bought the Zeadio as an inexpensive backup while traveling. Pros: compact, metal construction feels premium, easy to pack. It paired well with my phone + small gimbal for short clips. Cons: limited height, not good for tripod-style high-angle shots, and the adapter thread could be a little smoother. Overall a great value, but don’t buy it thinking it’ll replace your primary tripod.
One last thing — if you put it in checked luggage, wrap it; the small legs can bend if something heavy crushes the bag. Learned that the hard way 😅
Ouch about the bent legs. I always put mine in carry-on now, saves drama.
Also worth noting: parts are inexpensive to replace if you find a compatible adapter, so it’s low-risk to try.
Yeah, carry-on or padded case. Live and learn!
Thanks for the thorough write-up, Isabelle. Very practical travel notes — especially about checked luggage.
Love the price point, but curious about longevity — anyone used one for a year or more? Does the hinge wear out?
Same here, about a year with no hinge failure. Mine does have a tiny cosmetic scratch though from a backpack toss 😂
We’ve had test units for several months and haven’t seen hinge failure, but that’s not a long-term warranty claim. The metal build helps; the weakest points are usually the thread and leg joints — treat them gently and it’ll likely last longer.
I’ve had mine ~11 months. Used daily for quick shots and occasional travel — no issues yet. Still tight as new.
Hilariously small. I bought it expecting novelty but it actually outperformed my expectations — solid for desk product shots and portraits with my phone. For tall standing shots, obviously not the tool, but as a daily companion it’s great value at the price.
Also: the black finish hides scuffs pretty well.
I tried using it for a standing wide-angle selfie once. Not recommended unless you’re attaching it to a monopod lol.
Agreed. Mine sits on my kitchen island for recipe vids and does the job. Pro tip: use a small, weighted phone mount for extra steadiness.
Happy it’s been useful, Derek. We emphasized in the review that it’s a desktop companion rather than a full-size tripod — glad that messaging came across.
Is anyone using this outdoors for vlogging? I’m mostly considering this as a travel backup for my phone/gimbal.
I know it’s tiny, but I’m curious about wind performance and whether it can anchor a phone + lightweight gimbal on uneven surfaces.
Adding: at $12.99, it’s cheap enough to keep as a dedicated tabletop/backpack spare — worth it even if not your main outdoor solution.
I vlogged on a beach once with it — strong gusts made it shaky, but for short clips in calm patches it was fine. Don’t expect tripod-level stability though.
Agree with Samir. Also, consider using a small clamp to anchor it to something if possible.
We used it in a sheltered outdoor spot and it performed well for static shots with a lightweight gimbal. In windier conditions, I’d recommend a weight or using it low on the ground — the low center of gravity helps. For uneven ground, a small foam pad under one leg can compensate.
If you plan lots of outdoor vlogging, get a taller tripod plus this as a backup. This little guy’s perfect for park benches and picnic tables but not exposed cliffs.