Monopod Showdown - 5 Monopods under $150 (Benro, Feisol, FLM, Leofoto, Robus) 

One thing you should have mentioned is that since the Benro has extra height because of the top section that makes the bottom section smaller in diameter. But if you don't need the extra height you leave it inside and not extend it. That would allow you to use the adjust ability of the top section without having a small diameter section on the bottom. This would also allow you to have the extra height for those special occasions such as standing on rocks at the shore and having the mono pod down into the water.

Thank You Scott, great reviews !! I bought the Leofoto 36-4C as reviewed here ... I also bought the Leofoto MPG-01 Side Saddle gimbal for monopods.... It is a copy of the Wimberley side mount style gimbal you've reviewed... The Leofoto unit looks quite well made, but I don't own the Wimberley unit to compare...The Leofoto was $55 cheaper than the Wimberley unit in Canada.. We'll see how it holds up.... Maybe you can review it as it's a cheaper alternative to the Wimberley

This is a nice review - I got the Robus monopod and matching stabilizing base plus the lightweight Wimberly monopod gimbal. It is a flexible setup that permits movement but also provides near-instantaneous stability when that perfect composition suddenly appears. Thanks!

I just got the Benro and I'm blown away by the quality. I put a Wimberley head on like you showed and think it will be a great combo for my Nikon D800e with 200-500mm f 5.6 lens. Love your videos. Keep them coming.

Great review Scott.

Scott, I just received my Leophoto MP364C monopod and I am very impressed! The build and quality of the monopod! Is great! Thanks for your recommendation and it’s a good buy!!

Great content, as usual. Please consider a Robus & Leofoto update.

Very informative, thanks!👍

I've used an Induro, much like the one here) for over 8 years, and it's held up great and is very sturdy. I will say the big twist locks are great. Very comfortable to use and easy to get them tight.

Sweet u picked the leofoto that I got in dec!

Great video, and very helpful. Thanks much, Scott. Leofoto‘s prices are attractive and their quality isn‘t bad. If they only wouldn‘t be such copycats of other brands (their monogimbal copy is a „good“ example)! Had my Feisol Tripod for years and am still very happy with the quality.

Scott - Great reviews and information (as always). A little bit more money, but I use a ProMedia Gear TR42ML. It extends to 81 inches, is rated to 70 pounds, and has an integrated Arca-Swiss clamp. That all comes with an increase in cost - $349. I waited and got it on a Black Friday sale. I have used it for a year and it performs outstanding. Also, they are a US small company. My wife has the Benro from your video and it is a great choice also.

The Benro's well built Supadupa with a quality Tilting Head$$ has been the Best set-up that I've used in 40yrs Birding.. With Quick Flick adjust section & the Ball Bearing Foot that doesn't catch-up between rocks etc - are both very much appreciated IMO.. Cheerz AU🙃

Good review thanks. One quick point the Benro MSD46c does not have a foam grip. For me, that would be a deal breaker.

I've been using the Ifootage Cobra 2 monopod. It was designed for shooting video but works great for stills. It has a small detachable tripod foot that can be used alone and also folds and a solid rubber screw on foot for when the mini-tripod legs are folded up. A very versital piece of kit. Normal retail is $189 but goes on sale for $139.

Just bought the Benro, the click lock top section is great and it's very sturdy. The twist locks don't work well though requiring a lot of effort and movement to loose and tighten to the extent the sealing rings are exposed before you can move the legs.

I use the 3 Legged Thing Trent magnesium alloy monopod...which I bought from B&H Photo. It's currently $89. It's load rated at 66 lbs. It goes 79" tall. Maybe it's a tiny bit heavier than the carbon monopods in this review, but I'm very happy with it. I, of course, have the Wimberley monopod head on it.

Appreciate the best value choices, most other RU-vidrs would recommend a RRS or Gitzo at $450.

I have the Benro. What I do is keep the thin bottom section in and with my gimbal mounted on it I get plenty of height and rigidity. That top clamp can be tightened. There is also a rubber ring on there that when you slide it up it stops that leg from sliding down. A fail safe I guess. What I'm not sure I like is the twist locks. It's hard to tell if they're unlocking or locking. They're not very smooth. I paid $128.36 for it back on Dec 10th at B&H

Thank you for this really nice review. I'd like to know your opinion about the monopod with feet. Thanks!

I just bought the Robus. No complaints.

Thank you for your kind review. I was able to decide based on your recommendation. I can’t thank you enough for that.

Noticed you did not have any candidates with flip section logs. Generally would agree but have you looked at a iFootage Cobra 2 C180-II carbon fiber with a unique attachable foot. It’s available at B&H. Thanks for the video. Worth the time needed to watch it.

Great review. I am leaning towards the Robus. In addition to its intended use, I would like to use the monopod as a walking stick (camera off, of course). Do you have any comments about that?

Scott, Great review and I bought the Leophoto monopod to along with my two tripods (LS364C and LN 404C) It was even lower priced at B&H ($78). I haven’t had any issues with Leophoto Tripods. Do you recommend the fold up legs on the end? I haven’t used that setup and currently just use the rubber ball foot. I am confident you will buy the Leophoto and I really like the Wimberley ball head. Great reviews!! What are your thoughts a 3/4 way Geared head and would it replace a Gimbal head?

Very helpful

Just found your sight. Very good reviews and I have subscribed. I shoot a bit of everything as a hobbyist and have been using my tripod (Peak Design CF) for wildlife and thought a monopod would be lighter and a bit less cumbersome for hikes. I have been looking at reviews and I see many have a 3 legged base, iFootage Cobra 3, among others. This seems like a bit of overkill to me and adds to weight and size. What are your thoughts? I kind of like your recommendations with the compact Wimberly head.

Great stuff Scott! I am about to pull the trigger on a good monopod (just picked up the old tank Canon 500 F4l gen1) and lookin for a solid one. I shoot handheld 99.99% of the time, but with this new (to me) beast I am lookin at options mostly for carry options rather than while shootin however I've had some recent set backs with health and this lens for the last cpl days has put a hurtin on me haha. I was actually lookin at one "PINETA Carbon Fiber Monopod #MQC145" by YC Onion (I know what a name). Have you heard of this one, had a chance to check it out? I really like the quick release option to raise and lower rather than the twist lock option most monopods offer. The price would have to come down considerably tho for me to buy. I'm pretty sure you sold me on the Feisol or quite possibly the Robus. I will be pullin the trigger next week. Thanks for the knowledge/info!

Hey can I ask you a question if I buy the robus monopod and want to use it for video what type of head should I get and is there one that’s better than the other? Thanks for any advise love the video

Another big concern of mine that you didn’t address at all here is the stud. I use my monopod as a handle for carrying big expensive setups and also at an angle along with the wimberley heads. They end up having a lot of stress being put onto that single threaded stud. 1/4 20 isn’t an option. And I love leofoto products, but the collapsible stud makes me nervous.

Funny, I've never heard of Feisol until this video. I can imagine I am not the only one.

Haven’t seen 15 second and I’m saying Robus. I absolutely love my Robus mono and tri

I have the Promedia Gimbal head ( the old version) There is an outer protrusion on the edge of the plate , will this affect the mounting of this to the monopod? Thanks

(for birding photography), what's your take on the monopod foot (feet? 🤔) that can be added to most monopods?

I’m 6’-5” and my brother is 6’-10”. Has anyone actually tightened that Benro extension tube down to see if it still slides? FYI: I’ve owned two Leofoto tripods for over a year. They’ve held up very well!

Do they all twist in the same direction? The devil is in the details on these I think. I l’ve loved my surii, but the foot has a twist spike that comes in and out, and when I’m using it it will often get twisted out when I don’t want it to.

For 20 yrs, I ignored the "pros" when they'd say don't chince out on your support and get the real deal... Back then it was basically just Gitzo that was the choice and industry standard for solid performance. But I just couldn't bring myself to spending 1k+ for a tripod, even though an F4s and a 500 f4 was justified 🤣 About 12 yrs ago I stopped buying less expensive tripods and finally invested in an RRS tripod/monopod and solid performing heads. And I couldn't believe how much better they were compared to what I had used in the past.. and I didn't regret one bit my $2k investment in tripod, monopod and heads. Well a few months ago a friend of mine bought a leofoto tripod for under $300 and I couldn't believe the quality of the tripod, how smooth the legs and twist locks were. It felt just like my $1100 RRS. Its possible there's some quality things going on in the materials for the twist locks/ threads/weather sealing etc... Only time tells. But after feeling the leofoto and giving it a once over, I question if its that much better to justify the price difference. Im not on a budget but I'm also not into spending money when I don't need to. Im due for a new monopod and before seeing this video, I had already narrowed it down to the leofoto and Robus. Ive handled the leofoto but not the robus. I trust your judgment, so between those two, which one would you go with after handling both? Or at least an updated pros/cons since doing this video.

Why do you only look at twist release instead of quick release?

Why you wanna do poledancing or polewault with monopods? even cheaper ones do the job. Im happy my 20€ monopod, works fine.

would be wonderful if u can list the monopods by text. for non US viewers , many of these brands r not familiar

Sirui

"All it is is just a stick...." Absolutely and I haven't even watched the entire video. I tell folks go get the aluminum Manfrotto classic monopod, get one used, they've been around since Jesus was in diapers. And most people don't use their monopod, so a 20 year old Manfrotto monopod is in reality probably only a week old. Carbon fibre is really wasted on monopods. I do have a monopod with my Sirui 20224 W tripod but I never use it. I always just grab my trusty monopod and weapon, the aluminum Manfrotto.