A monopod is like a tripod, except it has just one leg. Monopods are sometimes referred to as selfie sticks, but they can be used for taking more than just self-portraits. A monopod can help you capture photographs over a fence, or capture more of the background in an image. Monopods range from around $20 in price for simple models, to hundreds of dollars for advanced models made with premium materials. You can use a monopod with your smartphone, or with your favorite digital camera.
We’ll be highlighting an assortment of monopods and selfie sticks. Our list includes selfie stick models which will work with smartphones, GoPro cameras/action cameras, digital cameras, or digital camcorders. Whether you use the camera on your lightweight smartphone, or a heavy duty professional camera, the following monopods can support the weight of your device. Read on to see the best selfie sticks and monopods on sale now.
New to selfie sticks and monopods? Finding the right photography accessories can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together some shopping guides to help you find the right selfie stick for your needs. Check out our guide to the best selfie sticks, skim our recommendations for the best GoPro selfie sticks, review our list of the best Bluetooth selfie sticks, or see our favorite iPhone selfie sticks.
1. Koolehaoda Professional 65-inch Camera Aluminium Monopod
(Koolehaoda)
This professional-grade monopod is made from aluminum, making it lightweight and durable. It measures around 65 inches when it is fully extended, which is much longer than the average selfie stick you’ll see on sale for smartphone use. The best feature here is the ability to switch from monopod to tripod, thanks to three little feet that can stabilize a mere selfie stick and turn it into a solid stand. The wrist strap and hand grip make this comfortable to use over long periods of time, and make it ideal for shooting on the go.
Price: $43.88 (34 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Koolehaoda Professional 65-inch Camera Aluminium Monopod here.
2. Manfrotto Professional Aluminum Video Monopod With Fluid Movie Head
(Manfrotto)
This professional monopod can be converted into a stand with stabilizing legs. It’s notable for its fluid head, making it ideal for people who need a monopod for filming stable, panning shots. It also comes with a bonus quick release plate, making it simple to remove one camera and replace it with another. This monopod weighs a little over 4.5 pounds, and can support up to 11 pounds of camera/equipment weight. If you need a monopod for talking extended selfie videos, or videos of other people, this might be the right option for you. While it is expensive, it’s a professional-grade monopod you can rely on.
Price: $279.99
Buy the Manfrotto Professional Aluminum Video Monopod With Fluid Movie Head here.
3. Mudder 39-Inch Handheld Monopod Selfie Stick
(Mudder)
This inexpensive selfie stick works with cell phones, digital cameras, GoPro cameras, Sony action cams, and more. It’s a nice option for first time selfie stick buyers who are uncertain whether a selfie stick works with their lifestyle. You can experiment with this low-cost selfie stick before upgrading to a more rugged monopod. Measuring a little over 12 inches when collapsed, this stick extends to 39 inches to help you take more impressive selfies. A foam handle and wrist strap help you hang on to this camera accessory, even under less-than-ideal conditions. Just set the camera timer, extend the stick, and lock. Just like that, you’re ready to go.
Price: $12.99 (68 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Mudder 39-Inch Handheld Monopod Selfie Stick here.
4. RetiCAM Selfie Stick Monopod With Ball Head
(RetiCAM)
What sets this selfie stick apart is the removable, metal ball head. This helps to provide the user with optimal shooting angles for many different subjects and shooting scenarios. Collapsed, this monopod is a bulky 16 inches. However, it does extend all the way to 55 inches, making this is a nice choice for those who need a longer monopod. The RetiCAM selfie stick works with any device with a standard tripod connection, such as digital cameras, GoPro cameras, or digital camcorders.
One downside? No included Bluetooth shutter/remote. In addition, if you want to use this monopod with your smartphone, you’ll need to pick up RetiCAM’s smartphone mount as well. However, the low price of the selfie stick helps to soften the blow of needing a mount.
Price: $22.95 (23 percent off MSRP)
Buy the RetiCAM Selfie Stick Monopod with Ball Head here.
5. Sony VCTAMP1 Monopod For Action Cam
(Sony)
If you picked up a Sony Action Cam after reading our post on the best 4K video cameras, you might need a monopod to take certain shots. This Sony-made monopod is water-resistant, which is a nice perk. Any other camera with a standard threaded tripod attachment on the bottom will also play nice with this selfie stick. If water-resistance is an important feature to you, this selfie stick should be at the top of your list.
Price: $54.99
Buy the Sony VCTAMP1 Monopod for Action Cam here.
6. GoPro ‘The Handler’ (Floating Hand Grip)
(GoPro)
In some situations, you want a monopod that’s stubby and compact, rather than long and willowy. A short self stick is easier to pack in a small bag, and it’s often a bit more resilient than a long stick that might snap under too much weight. A shorter stick generally provides more stable footage as well.
GoPro’s “The Handler” is a shorter monopod that’s more of a grip than an extendable arm. The Handler is waterproof to 33 feet, and it comes with a thumb screw wrench/bottle opener. There’s also a wrist strap to keep the float attached to your body while you film. The floating grip works with most GoPro cameras, even those with a LCD Touch BacPac or Battery BacPac attached.
If you’re looking for more GoPro mounting ideas, check out our post on the best GoPro mounts.
Price: $19.99 (33 percent off MSRP)
Buy the GoPro “The Handler” (Floating Hand Grip) here.
7. PolarPro PowerPole Battery Selfie Stick
(PolarPro)
Another GoPro-compatible monopod option is this selfie stick with an integrated battery. The body of the selfie stick conceals a 5200 mAh battery, along with two USB ports for charging devices. You can use the battery to extends your GoPro’s filming time by as much as ten hours. It’s covered under a one-year warranty. This selfie stick extends from 17 inches to 30 inches.
Price: $99.99 (23 percent off)
Buy the PolarPro PowerPole Battery Selfie Stick here.
8. Bower Elite Professional 72-Inch Quick Release Monopod For Camcorders & Cameras
(Bower Elite)
This aluminum tripod extends up to 72 inches. Retracted, it’s a somewhat bulky 23 inches. However, this large-format monopod is super lightweight, clocking in at a little over 1.25 pounds. The grip is padded, making it comfortable to hold during extended use. It comes with a carrying case, as well as a 10-year warranty. In a marketplace where it seems like the longest warranty you’ll get is a year, 10 years is pretty impressive.
Price: $39.95
Buy the Bower Elite Professional 72-Inch Quick Release Monopod For Camcorders & Cameras here.
9. AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod
(AmazonBasics)
Even though this slender selfie stick weighs under a pound, it can support cameras and equipment weighing up to 6.6 pounds. Nice added features here include a non-skid rubber foot and retractable spikes, along with a handy carrying tote. If you need a strong, lightweight, and inexpensive selfie stick, you can do a lot worse than this monopod.
Price: $14.99 (25 percent off MSRP)
Buy the AmazonBasics 67-Inch Monopod here.
10. Calumet 8000 Series Carbon Fiber Monopod
(Calumet)
A lot of selfie sticks and monopods we have seen are made from aluminum. If you want something a little more upscale, try this carbon fiber monopod. This selfie stick is constructed from eight layers of carbon fiber. It also benefits from the inclusion of magnesium alloy tooling to enhance its load capacity. The resulting monopod can support up to 14 pounds of camera weight. And yet, this selfie stick weighs a scant .81 pounds. It extends to just over 62 inches, and accepts either 1/4-20″ or 3/8″-16 mounts.
Price: $64.95
Buy the Calumet 8000 Series 4 Section 8x Carbon Fiber Monopod here.