5 Best Smartphone Gimbals Under $100 (DJI vs Hohem)

5 Best Smartphone Gimbals Under $100 (DJI vs Hohem)

You don’t need a $150+ gimbal to make your phone footage look noticeably smoother. But under $100, there’s a catch: some gimbals give you the stabilization and tracking you actually need, while others save money by cutting the exact features that make a gimbal worth carrying.

That difference matters when you’re walking, filming yourself, following someone, or trying to get a smooth moving shot. A cheaper gimbal that struggles with your phone, loses tracking, or takes too long to set up can quickly become something you leave at home.

So instead of looking for the cheapest option, this guide focuses on the best smartphone gimbals under $100 for different types of creators and everyday filming. The goal is to help you spend where it actually improves your footage, and avoid paying for features you probably won’t use.

Already know what you need?
Start with the quick comparison below to see which gimbal fits your filming style.
Compare the 5 Gimbals ↓

Quick Comparison: Best Smartphone Gimbals Under $100

Best smartphone gimbals under $100 compared for mobile filmmaking

A $100 budget is enough for good stabilization, but these five gimbals don't solve the same filming problem. Choose by how you actually shoot, especially tracking, solo filming, controls, lighting, and how long you normally record.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7 smartphone gimbal
BEST OVERALL DJI Osmo Mobile 7 TOP PICK
BEST FOR Easy Everyday Filming 3-axis stabilization, ActiveTrack 7.0 and a built-in tripod make this the easiest all-round recommendation.
VIEW Check on Amazon
DJI Osmo Mobile 8 smartphone gimbal
BEST FOR SOLO CREATORS DJI Osmo Mobile 8
BEST FOR Vlogging & Self-Filming Native tracking, 360° pan rotation and an extension rod give you more freedom when you're filming yourself.
VIEW Check on Amazon
AOCHUAN Smart XE smartphone gimbal
BEST BUDGET CONTROL AOCHUAN Smart XE
BEST FOR More Control for Less The focus wheel adds hands-on zoom and focus control without pushing your budget toward $100.
VIEW Check on Amazon
hohem iSteady Mobile Plus Kit smartphone gimbal
BEST WITH FILL LIGHT hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit
BEST FOR Long Shoots & Low Light A magnetic fill light and up to 13-hour stated battery life suit longer filming sessions and face-to-camera content.
VIEW Check on Amazon
hohem iSteady M6 smartphone gimbal
BEST ADVANCED CONTROLS hohem iSteady M6
BEST FOR More Serious Mobile Filmmaking OLED feedback, focus/zoom controls and expansion ports give you more room to build out your phone rig.
VIEW Check on Amazon


Pressed for time? Start with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 if you simply want a balanced gimbal without chasing specialist features. Choose another model only when one of the specific needs above, self-filming, manual control, lighting, or a more expandable setup, matters more to you.

My Pick for Most Smartphone Filmmakers

DJI Osmo Mobile 7 smartphone gimbal for filming smooth handheld video

If you have under $100 to spend and don't already know that you need a specialized feature, the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is where I'd start. It puts the money into the things that change phone footage most: proper 3-axis stabilization, dependable subject tracking, quick setup, and a design you can realistically carry around.

That's important because buying a phone gimbal isn't really about collecting shooting modes. The useful test is simpler: will it help you get a smoother shot when you're walking, and can it keep you framed when nobody else is operating the camera? The Mobile 7 addresses both without pushing you to the top of your budget. If you're building specifically around an iPhone and want to take those moving shots further, my guide to the best iPhone gimbals for filmmaking compares options designed for more advanced tracking, solo shooting and filmmaking setups.

ActiveTrack 7.0 handles the tracking side, while the integrated tripod means you can put the gimbal down for a talking-head video, tutorial, workout, product demonstration, or other solo shot. DJI also lists up to 10 hours of operating time, and the gimbal can charge your phone over USB-C during longer shoots.

Why I Wouldn't Automatically Spend More

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is the more interesting choice when self-filming is a major part of what you do. Its built-in extension rod and 360° horizontal rotation give you framing options the Mobile 7 doesn't.

But those features don't automatically make your walking footage smoother. If your priority is simply getting shaky handheld video under control and having reliable tracking available when you need it, paying closer to the $100 ceiling isn't necessary for everyone.

That is why the Mobile 7 gets the overall recommendation: it leaves fewer buyers paying extra for capabilities they may rarely use while still covering the core jobs people buy a smartphone gimbal to perform.

Know These Limitations Before Choosing It

There are still reasons to choose something else. The Mobile 7 doesn't give you the Mobile 8's built-in extension rod, and getting the most from DJI's shooting and tracking features means spending some time with the DJI Mimo app. There is also a learning curve if this is your first motorized gimbal.

Phone balance matters too. A very heavy phone or bulky case can make any compact gimbal work harder, so don't treat compatibility as permission to mount an unnecessarily heavy setup without checking balance first.

Choose the Mobile 7 if your priority is the safest balance of stabilization, tracking, portability, and price. Move to the Mobile 8 for more self-filming freedom, or to the hohem M6 if advanced controls and accessory expansion matter more than keeping things simple.

When You Film Yourself More Than Anything Else

DJI Osmo Mobile 8 gimbal for self-filming, vlogging and subject tracking

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is the one I'd move up to when the person behind the camera and the person in front of it are usually the same person. It still gives you 3-axis stabilization, but the bigger reason to choose it over the Mobile 7 is how much more freedom it gives you to position the phone and keep yourself in the shot.

The built-in extension rod changes what you can do without carrying another filming accessory. You can push the phone farther away for a wider selfie frame, raise it for a different perspective, or bring it down for low-angle shots. The integrated tripod then gives you a stationary setup when you want to step away from the phone completely. And if this is the kind of setup you use for longer solo shoots, a compact dual-port charger for your filming kit such as the Belkin BoostCharge 37W gives you USB-C PD plus a second USB-A connection from one wall outlet, so it makes more sense in a phone-creator bag than carrying separate charging bricks.

That combination makes more sense for vlogs, tutorials, workouts, travel clips, family videos and other one-person shoots than buying a gimbal purely because you want smoother walking footage. And once you're filming yourself regularly, stabilization is only half of the setup a compact wireless mic for smartphone creators like the DJI Mic Mini lets you capture your voice close to the source instead of depending on the phone's built-in microphone when you step farther away.

The Feature That Changes Solo Shooting

The other major difference is movement around the subject. The Mobile 8 supports 360° horizontal pan rotation, so the gimbal has considerably more freedom to continue following action instead of reaching a conventional horizontal stopping point.

Pair that with its tracking capabilities and you have a setup that makes much more sense when you're moving around a room, demonstrating something, exercising, cooking, or creating content where standing directly in front of a fixed phone isn't practical. And if you're moving between locations rather than filming from one spot, a compact sling for your mobile filming gear like the Peak Design Everyday Sling 6L gives you one place for the gimbal, charging gear and other small creator accessories while keeping them easy to reach between shots.

Battery life shouldn't immediately become the tradeoff for those extra capabilities either. DJI lists up to 10 hours of operation, and the gimbal can also supply power to your phone during a shoot. For creators recording several clips throughout a day, that's more useful than chasing a stabilization specification you'll rarely notice in normal phone footage.

Why It Isn't My #1 Pick Under $100

The problem is value. If all you need is stable handheld footage, good tracking and an integrated tripod, the Osmo Mobile 7 already covers those jobs very well. Moving to the Mobile 8 makes the most sense when you know you'll actually use its extension rod and greater rotational freedom.

Phone setup deserves attention as well. Larger phones, especially with heavier cases, can make balancing more demanding, so I wouldn't keep extra weight attached to the phone while it's sitting on the gimbal. For power between takes, a slim magnetic power bank for filming days like the Anker Nano 5K makes more sense as something you can keep in your pocket or creator bag and attach when the phone comes off the gimbal. Its 5,000mAh capacity and Qi2-certified 15W wireless charging give you a compact way to top up a compatible phone without building your shooting setup around a much larger battery pack.

There's also more capability here than a first-time buyer necessarily needs. If your normal shot is simply walking while recording what's in front of you, paying closer to the top of a $100 budget for additional self-filming flexibility may not improve the footage enough to justify it.

Who Should Choose the Osmo Mobile 8?

Choose it over the Mobile 7 when you regularly appear in your own videos and want the gimbal to do more than remove shake. The extension rod, tripod and 360° pan capability give a solo creator more ways to compose a shot without needing another person behind the phone.

If those features sound optional rather than essential, I'd save the difference and stay with the Osmo Mobile 7. But if self-filming is the reason you're buying a gimbal in the first place, the Mobile 8 is the more capable choice of the two.

When You Want More Control Without Spending Your Full $100

AOCHUAN Smart XE budget smartphone gimbal for mobile video creation

The AOCHUAN Smart XE takes a different approach to this list. Instead of pushing close to the $100 limit, it gives you the core reason for buying a phone gimbal- 3-axis stabilization- while leaving a large part of your budget untouched.

That makes it particularly interesting if you're moving beyond handheld phone footage for the first time. You get physical controls for zoom and focus, horizontal-to-vertical switching, a small tripod, and a foldable body that is much easier to carry than a traditional camera stabilizer.

AOCHUAN also lists a 2600mAh battery with up to 10 hours of operation. That's enough on paper for long shooting days without making battery endurance the main reason to spend substantially more on another gimbal.

Where the Smart XE Gives You More for the Money

Its strongest argument is not that it beats the DJI models feature for feature. It's that you can get stabilization plus several creative controls at a much lower entry point.

The companion app adds face tracking, gesture control, panorama, time-lapse, motion-lapse and other shooting modes. For TikTok, YouTube Shorts, simple product clips, talking videos, or casual travel footage, that gives you considerably more to experiment with than simply holding your phone on a motorized stabilizer.

It's also compact enough that buying a gimbal doesn't have to turn into building an entire mobile filmmaking kit. If you're testing whether a stabilizer will actually become part of your workflow, spending less here can be a sensible way to find out.

Where the Lower Cost Starts to Show

This is where I'd be more careful than with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7. The Smart XE depends more heavily on its app for some of its smarter functions, and phone compatibility can affect what you're actually able to use.

That's particularly important for Android buyers. Feedback in the Amazon reviews you supplied includes complaints about tracking limitations on some Samsung phones and restrictions around certain recording modes. There are also positive reports of smooth footage and straightforward operation, so this isn't simply a bad Android gimbal, the point is that compatibility deserves checking for your exact phone before buying.

Movement is another distinction. The Smart XE can work well for ordinary stabilized recording, but I wouldn't choose it specifically for demanding walk-and-follow tracking. One buyer reported good stationary tracking but noticeably weaker results when both the operator and subject were moving. That's a meaningful limitation if moving-subject tracking is your main reason for buying.

Who Should Choose the AOCHUAN Smart XE?

Pick the Smart XE if your priority is getting a real 3-axis phone gimbal while spending substantially less than your $100 ceiling. It makes the most sense for casual creators, beginners, stationary talking videos, product content and straightforward walking shots where stabilization matters more than having the most refined tracking ecosystem.

If you expect to film yourself while moving frequently, depend heavily on subject tracking, or simply want the safer all-around purchase, I'd still put the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 ahead of it. The Smart XE earns its place here because of value, not because it eliminates the compromises that come with spending less.

When Long Battery Life Matters More Than Newer Tracking

Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus smartphone gimbal for longer filming sessions

The Hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit makes more sense for a buyer who expects to keep the gimbal running for long sessions. Its standout advantage is the claimed 13-hour battery life, giving you considerably more breathing room for travel days, events, long recording sessions, or repeated short-form shoots.

You still get the fundamentals that matter: 3-axis stabilization, iSteady 7.0 anti-shake technology, 600° inception mode, Sport Mode, and support for a broad range of iPhone and Android devices. The Kit version also includes a magnetic fill light with cold, warm, and natural lighting plus multiple brightness levels.

That combination is useful if your phone is doing everything. Instead of buying a stabilizer and immediately adding another small light, the Mobile+ Kit gives you both in one package while still staying below the $100 target of this guide.

Where the Mobile+ Kit Has a Practical Advantage

The interesting feature here is actually endurance. A phone gimbal can have dozens of shooting modes, but none of them help once its battery is empty. The 13-hour rating makes this one easier to consider for creators who don't want charging to dictate when they stop filming.

Hohem also says the gimbal can work as a power bank for your smartphone. That can be useful during longer outdoor sessions, although charging your phone will naturally consume some of the gimbal's available battery.

The supplied screenshots also show an ultra-wide-angle mode designed to move the motor out of the phone camera's field of view. That's a small detail, but it becomes relevant if you regularly use your phone's widest lens rather than shooting everything through the main camera.

Why I Wouldn't Put It Ahead of the DJI

The biggest issue isn't stabilization itself. It's that the Mobile+ is an older platform, and some of its smarter functions depend heavily on Hohem's app and Bluetooth connection.

The Amazon feedback you supplied is mixed here. There are buyers praising the stabilization, battery life, build and easy physical controls, but there are also complaints about Bluetooth pairing, app reliability, tracking consistency and Android compatibility. Some older Samsung and Note users specifically reported balancing or software-related frustrations.

Another compromise is switching orientation. Buyer feedback indicates that moving between landscape and portrait can require rebalancing rather than feeling completely effortless. That's much less appealing today if you're constantly alternating between regular YouTube footage and TikTok, Reels or Shorts.

Who Should Choose the hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit?

Choose this one when battery endurance, basic stabilization and the included fill light matter more to you than having the newest tracking workflow. It can make particular sense for travel, events, landscape shooting and long sessions where you expect the gimbal to remain powered for hours.

I would be more cautious if automatic tracking is the main feature you're buying a gimbal for. For that use, the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is the stronger overall recommendation from these five. The Mobile+ earns its position because it gives a different type of buyer something useful: long runtime and an included light without crossing the $100 budget.

When You Want More Filmmaking Control Near the $100 Limit

Hohem iSteady M6 smartphone gimbal with controls for mobile filmmaking

The Hohem iSteady M6 is the option here for someone who doesn't mind using almost the entire $100 budget to get a more filmmaking-oriented gimbal. Rather than focusing mainly on portability, it gives you 3-axis iSteady 7.0 stabilization, 360° Inception rotation, an OLED status display and a larger control layout.

That makes the M6 interesting when your phone is becoming a more serious video tool. The handle gives you controls for zoom, focus, movement and shooting modes, while four expansion ports leave room for accessories such as a microphone or LED light. You can build around the gimbal instead of treating it as a simple phone holder with motors.

Battery endurance is another advantage. Hohem lists up to 18 hours of operation, plus reverse charging so the gimbal can supply power to your phone. The 0.91-inch OLED display also lets you check operating and battery information directly on the handle rather than relying entirely on your phone.

Where the M6 Feels More Like a Filmmaking Tool

The M6 makes the most sense when you want to do more than simply remove shake from walking footage. Its Inception mode allows 360° vertical rotation, while the pan axis provides a very wide rotation range for more deliberate moving shots.

There's also a useful distinction around tracking. With the regular M6, face and object tracking can be accessed through Hohem's app. Hohem also offers the M6 in other configurations with a separate AI tracking component, so check exactly which M6 package you're buying rather than assuming every listing includes the same tracking hardware.

Its larger body can also be an advantage with bigger smartphones. If you use a Pro Max or Ultra-size phone, the M6 is much closer to the kind of substantial stabilizer I'd consider than an ultra-compact gimbal designed primarily around minimum packed size.

Where the Extra Capability Becomes a Tradeoff

The first compromise is obvious: this isn't the lightweight choice of the five. The Amazon listing in your screenshots puts the M6 itself at about 1.32 lb. If your goal is something you can throw into a small bag and barely notice, the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is the cleaner fit.

Large phones also deserve some attention before buying. One of the supplied Amazon reviews reports using the M6 successfully with a Galaxy S22 Ultra, but notes that a bulky case may need to come off for the clamp to grip correctly. Another M6 Kit buyer using an S24 Ultra reported a phone-holder durability problem around the clamp. That doesn't mean every unit will develop the same issue, but it's a drawback worth knowing when you're comparing it with the top pick.

The other consideration is price positioning. This model sits near the ceiling of a gimbals-under-$100 comparison, so it needs to justify that extra spend with features you'll actually use. If all you need is smooth walking footage, easy setup and dependable everyday stabilization, paying for the M6's larger control system may not improve your videos enough to matter.

Who Should Choose the hohem iSteady M6?

Choose the iSteady M6 if you want your phone gimbal to feel more like part of a small filmmaking rig. The combination of physical controls, OLED feedback, expansion points, long battery life and more creative movement options makes it especially appealing for creators who expect to experiment beyond basic stabilization.

But I wouldn't make it the default recommendation for everyone. The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 remains the better-balanced first choice if portability and everyday simplicity matter more. The M6 becomes the smarter alternative when you're willing to accept a larger gimbal because you specifically want more hands-on shooting control and room to expand your mobile setup.

Which Phone Gimbal Matches the Way You Shoot?

Choosing a smartphone gimbal under $100 based on how you film

A gimbal can be packed with features and still be the wrong purchase if the features solving someone else's filming problems are the ones you're paying for. Start with the part of your phone videos that frustrates you most, then choose the gimbal that fixes that first.

For some creators that's keeping themselves framed while filming alone. Others simply want smoother walking footage, longer battery life, or more physical control over a growing mobile video setup. Those differences make the five choices here much easier to separate.

Start With the Problem You Actually Want to Fix

  • You want the safest all-around choice:
    Choose the DJI Osmo Mobile 7. Its combination of 3-axis stabilization, ActiveTrack 7.0, built-in tripod, foldable design and up to 10 hours of operation covers the things most phone shooters are likely to use regularly. This is the one I'd choose when you don't have one highly specialized requirement.
  • You want the newer DJI feature set and 360° pan rotation:
    Look at the DJI Osmo Mobile 8. It adds native tracking, 360° horizontal rotation, a built-in extension rod and tripod, plus up to 10 hours of battery life. It makes more sense when those newer shooting options matter enough to use more of your $100 budget.
  • You want to spend as little as possible and still get 3-axis stabilization:
    The AOCHUAN Smart XE is the value play. You get a foldable 3-axis design, physical focus/zoom control, app-based face tracking and up to 10 hours of claimed battery life. I'd choose it for basic stabilization before choosing it specifically for demanding moving-subject tracking.
  • You regularly shoot for hours away from a charger:
    The hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit stands out with its claimed 13-hour battery life. The included magnetic fill light also gives solo creators a useful extra when they're filming faces, talking clips or content in weaker light.
  • You want your phone setup to behave more like a small filmmaking rig:
    Choose the hohem iSteady M6. Its OLED display, physical shooting controls, expansion points, 360° Inception mode and claimed 18-hour battery life make it the most interesting option here when you care more about control and expansion than minimum size.

Don't Pay for Features You'll Leave Turned Off

This is where a sub-$100 gimbal purchase can become unnecessarily complicated. More shooting modes aren't automatically more useful. Tracking matters if you film yourself. Very long battery life matters if your sessions are actually long. Expansion points matter if you're planning to attach additional mobile-video gear.

Phone compatibility deserves the same attention. The screenshots you provided show buyers reporting different experiences depending on the phone, case, app and shooting mode, particularly with some of the non-DJI options. Check your exact phone model and don't assume every app-based feature works identically across iPhone and Android.

If none of those specialized needs immediately describes you, that simplifies the decision rather than making it harder: the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is still my pick for most buyers. It gives you the stabilization and tracking features most people are buying a phone gimbal for without making the setup unnecessarily complicated.

BEST FIT FOR MOST PHONE SHOOTERS

DJI Osmo Mobile 7

The strongest middle ground if you want smooth 3-axis stabilization, reliable subject tracking and an easy-to-carry design rather than chasing the longest feature list.

3-Axis Stabilization ActiveTrack 7.0 Built-In Tripod Up to 10H Battery
Check Availability on Amazon

Don't Let a Better Phone Video Stay on Your “Later” List

Smartphone gimbal stabilizing moving footage for smoother phone videos

If shaky walking clips, awkward self-filming, or constantly re-framing your phone is already bothering you, waiting doesn't improve any of those shots. It simply means the next video gets recorded with the same problem you're trying to solve now.

You also don't need to turn this into a $300 mobile filmmaking project. Every gimbal in this guide stays around the under-$100 category, and the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 already covers the combination most buyers need: 3-axis stabilization, ActiveTrack 7.0, a built-in tripod, a foldable body and up to 10 hours of operation.

The reason I'd act once you've found the right model isn't fear of missing some imaginary deadline. It's much simpler: you can start getting value from the gimbal on your very next shoot. Every walk-and-talk, family video, travel clip, product video or piece of social content becomes another opportunity to use the stabilization and tracking you bought it for.

Buy for the Videos You're Already Making

Don't wait because you're wondering whether you might need a more advanced setup six months from now. If you're filming primarily with your phone today, choose around that workflow today.

The Osmo Mobile 8 is worth the step up when its newer tracking and 360° pan capabilities are specifically useful to you. The AOCHUAN Smart XE makes more sense when keeping the initial spend low is the priority. The hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit favors long sessions, while the iSteady M6 is better suited to someone who wants more physical filmmaking controls.

But if you've read those differences and still keep coming back to the DJI Osmo Mobile 7, that's useful information. You probably don't need another round of specification comparisons, you've already found the model that covers your priorities without paying for a more specialized direction.

One Thing Worth Checking Before You Leave

Amazon listings can change in availability, seller, included configuration and current price. That's especially important here because some of these gimbals are sold in multiple versions or kits.

So before making the final call, open the current listing and confirm that you're looking at the exact version you want and that it still fits your under-$100 budget. If the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 does, I'd take the opportunity to solve the filming problem now rather than keep shooting around it.

MY TOP PICK UNDER $100

See the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 on Amazon

Check the current listing, availability and buying options before your next shoot.

3-Axis Stabilization, ActiveTrack 7.0, Built-In Tripod Up to 10H Battery
Check Today's Availability on Amazon

Ready to Stop Fighting Shaky Phone Footage?

Smartphone filmmaker using a gimbal to reduce shaky handheld footage

The biggest upgrade here isn't another shooting mode on a specification sheet. It's being able to walk, follow a subject, film yourself, or move around a scene without every small hand movement showing up in the final video.

That's why my first choice for most buyers is the DJI Osmo Mobile 7. Its 3-axis stabilization handles the fundamental job, while ActiveTrack 7.0 becomes especially useful when you're creating alone and can't constantly stay behind the phone adjusting your framing.

The built-in tripod also means the gimbal can move from handheld footage to a stationary talking shot without another support, and its foldable design keeps it practical enough to actually bring with you. Add the claimed up to 10-hour operating time, and you have a setup that covers far more than occasional cinematic shots.

One Last Check Before You Choose

  • Want the best overall balance? Start with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7.
  • Want DJI's newer 360° pan and native-tracking direction? Consider the DJI Osmo Mobile 8.
  • Want to keep more money in your pocket? The AOCHUAN Smart XE gives you 3-axis stabilization at a lower entry point.
  • Long filming sessions are your priority? The hohem iSteady Mobile+ Kit stands out for its claimed 13-hour battery and included fill light.
  • Want more physical control and expansion? The hohem iSteady M6 is the more filmmaking-oriented alternative.

You don't need the gimbal with the longest feature list. You need the one that removes the problems that currently make you hesitate to move the camera. For the widest range of everyday phone creators, the Osmo Mobile 7 does that with the fewest reasons to overcomplicate the purchase.

If that's the kind of gimbal you came here looking for, I'd check the current Amazon listing now. Confirm that it supports your exact phone and case combination, then check the current price, seller and availability before deciding.

PACKAPOP TOP PICK UNDER $100

DJI Osmo Mobile 7

A strong choice for creators who want smoother moving shots, easier solo filming and useful tracking without turning a phone setup into bulky filmmaking gear.

3-Axis Stabilization ActiveTrack 7.0 Built-In Tripod Up to 10H Battery
See Current Price & Availability

Price, availability and listing configuration can change. Check Amazon for the current offer and confirm compatibility with your phone before buying.

FAQ: Best Phone Gimbals Under $100

What is the best phone gimbal under $100?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is my best overall choice under $100 for most phone creators. You get 3-axis stabilization, ActiveTrack 7.0, a built-in tripod, a foldable design, and up to 10 hours of operating time. It gives you a strong balance of stabilization, tracking, portability, and everyday usability without requiring a more complicated setup.

Is a phone gimbal under $100 actually worth buying?

Yes, especially if your main problem is shaky walking footage, difficult pans, or filming yourself without someone controlling the phone. You don't necessarily need a premium gimbal to get useful 3-axis stabilization. The bigger differences as you move between models are tracking, controls, battery life, portability, and additional shooting features.

Which phone gimbal under $100 is best for beginners?

I'd start with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7. A beginner benefits more from a gimbal that's convenient enough to use regularly than from one loaded with controls they may never touch. The built-in tripod, foldable construction, stabilization, and tracking make it a practical first gimbal for everyday mobile video.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 or Osmo Mobile 8 better?

It depends on what you want from the upgrade. The Osmo Mobile 7 is the better value-oriented choice in this guide, while the Osmo Mobile 8 becomes more interesting if you specifically want features such as 360° horizontal rotation, native tracking, and its built-in extension rod. Don't pay more simply because the model number is newer, choose the extra features only if they'll change how you shoot.

Which gimbal under $100 is best for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 is a strong all-around choice for short-form creators because stabilization and subject tracking are both useful when filming yourself. The AOCHUAN Smart XE is a lower-cost alternative with horizontal-to-vertical switching and app-based creative functions if keeping your initial investment down matters more.

Which phone gimbal has the longest battery life?

Of the five models covered here, the hohem iSteady M6 has the highest manufacturer-stated runtime at up to 18 hours. The hohem iSteady Mobile+ is rated for up to 13 hours, while the DJI Osmo Mobile 7, DJI Osmo Mobile 8, and AOCHUAN Smart XE listings state up to around 10 hours. Actual runtime can vary with how the gimbal is used.

Which budget phone gimbal is best for more advanced filmmaking?

Consider the hohem iSteady M6 if you want more hands-on filmmaking controls. It offers an OLED display, physical controls, expansion points, 360° Inception rotation, and long battery life. The tradeoff is that it's a more substantial gimbal, so it doesn't have the same compact appeal as the DJI Osmo Mobile 7.

Do phone gimbals work with both iPhone and Android?

Many do, but physical fit and feature compatibility are two different things. A phone may fit in the clamp while certain tracking, camera-control, resolution, or app functions work differently. This is particularly important with large phones and thick cases. Check the manufacturer's compatibility information for your exact phone before buying.

Can I use a phone gimbal with a phone case?

Sometimes, but it depends on the phone, case thickness, weight, and clamp. Larger phones with bulky protective cases can be harder to balance or secure properly. If your setup approaches the gimbal's physical limits, removing the case can make mounting and balancing easier.

Do I need subject tracking in a phone gimbal?

Tracking is most valuable when you are both the creator and the subject. It can keep you framed while you move without requiring another person behind the phone. If you mainly shoot landscapes, controlled pans, B-roll, or footage from behind the camera, stabilization may matter considerably more than advanced tracking.

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PackaPop Editorial Team | Creator Gear & YouTube Growth Experts

The PackaPop Editorial Team researches, tests, and compares the tools that modern creators use to grow online. From wireless microphones, cameras, and lighting gear to YouTube growth software and content creation workflows, our goal is simple: to help you choose the right equipment faster and avoid wasting money on the wrong gear.

Every guide is created with a creator-first approach, combining product research, real-world use cases, community feedback, and industry expertise to help YouTubers, streamers, podcasters, filmmakers, and content creators make smarter buying decisions.

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