Key takeaways
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is the best phone gimbal for most creators, with a hidden tripod, a 215 mm extension rod, a clip-on tracking module that works in other camera apps and about 10 hours of battery for around $149.
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro supports Apple DockKit, so it tracks you in the iPhone's built-in Camera app and other DockKit apps without a separate gimbal app.
The Hohem iSteady M7 handles phones and accessories up to 500 g, the most headroom here, but it weighs 629 g itself.
Check your phone's weight with its case and any lens or mic attached, since the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 tops out at 300 g and 10 mm thick.
Tracking cuts battery life sharply, roughly halving it on the DJI Osmo Mobile 8.
How we chose
A creator's gimbal has to keep footage smooth, keep the subject in frame when nobody is behind the camera and fit in a bag. We ranked on stabilization and payload, how tracking works and which apps it works in, built-in rods and tripods, fill lights, battery life, weight and price. Specs come from DJI, Insta360, Hohem and Zhiyun, and prices from US retailers on November 5, 2026.
Phone gimbals at a glance
Gimbal | Max phone weight | Tracking | Built-in rod and tripod | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DJI Osmo Mobile 8 | 300 g | Clip-on module, works in other apps | Yes, both | About 10 h | About $149 |
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro | About 330 g | Insta360 app and Apple DockKit | Yes, both | About 10 h | $159.99 |
Hohem iSteady M7 | 500 g | AI tracker and Apple DockKit | Yes, both | Varies with tracking and light | About $270 to $299 |
DJI Osmo Mobile 8P | 300 g, phones up to 11 mm thick | People, pets, objects and vehicles | Yes, both | About 10 h | Above the Osmo Mobile 8 |
Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI | 300 g | Clip-on module, works in other apps | Tripod base | Up to 7 h with tracking and light | About $169 |
Insta360 Flow 2 | Lighter phones | Insta360 app | Yes, both | About 10 h | $109.99 at launch |
1. DJI Osmo Mobile 8: Best overall phone gimbal for creators
The Osmo Mobile 8 is DJI's mainstream phone gimbal, built around a magnetic clamp and a clip-on tracking module.
What works: The tracking module follows faces and pets, responds to hand gestures and works in other camera apps, so you can track in your favorite shooting app. A 215 mm extension rod and tripod legs fold into the handle, and the module's fill light runs from 2500K to 6000K. Battery lasts about 10 hours without tracking, and it sells for around $149.
What doesn't: Phones must weigh 300 g or less and be no thicker than 10 mm, which rules out some large phones in cases, and tracking drops battery life to about five hours.
Best for: Vloggers and short-form creators who want one gimbal that does everything well.
2. Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Best for iPhone creators
The Flow 2 Pro is Insta360's tracking gimbal, with a built-in rod and tripod and support for Apple DockKit.
What works: DockKit lets it track you inside the iPhone's Camera app and other DockKit apps, with no gimbal app in between. In Insta360's own app, Deep Track 4.0 follows people and objects. A 210 mm rod and a tripod are built in, battery lasts about 10 hours and it costs $159.99.
What doesn't: Insta360 doesn't publish a payload limit, and reviewers report it strains with phones around 330 g.
Best for: iPhone users who want tracking in the camera app they already use.
3. Hohem iSteady M7: Best for heavy phones and rigs
The iSteady M7 is Hohem's high-payload gimbal, built for phones with cases, lenses and lights attached.
What works: Its motors carry up to 500 g, enough for the largest phones with a cage, clip-on lens or mic. It adds an AI tracker, Apple DockKit support, a detachable touchscreen remote, a magnetic RGB light and a built-in rod and tripod. Best Buy lists it at $269.99, and it's often on sale.
What doesn't: At 629 g it's heavy to hold for long takes, and battery life drops sharply with tracking and the light on.
Best for: Creators who rig their phones with accessories.
4. DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: Best for tracking objects and vehicles
The Osmo Mobile 8P, released in May 2026, is an upgraded Osmo Mobile 8 with smarter tracking.
What works: It tracks objects and vehicles as well as people and pets, adds a FrameTap remote for framing shots from a distance and fits phones up to 11 mm thick. It keeps the built-in rod, tripod legs and magnetic clamp of the Osmo Mobile 8.
What doesn't: It costs more than the Osmo Mobile 8, and creators who only film themselves won't need the extra tracking.
Best for: Product, car and outdoor creators who film more than faces.
5. Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: Best for low light
The Smooth 5S AI is Zhiyun's flagship phone gimbal, with a bright fill light on the tilt axis.
What works: The fill light on the tilt axis is rated at up to 680 lux, and an AI tracking module works in any camera app. It runs up to about seven hours with the tracker and light on, and it costs about $169.
What doesn't: At 625 g it's bulky, and the tracking module does tracking only, with no extra controls.
Best for: Creators who shoot indoors or at night and want a light built in.
6. Insta360 Flow 2: Best budget tracking gimbal
The Flow 2 is a cheaper version of the Flow 2 Pro, with the same built-in rod and tripod.
What works: It keeps the 207 mm rod, tripod and Deep Track 4.0 tracking, and battery runs about 10 hours. It launched at $109.99, the lowest price here.
What doesn't: Tracking works only inside the Insta360 app, and the standard version does not support Apple DockKit.
Best for: First-time gimbal buyers on a budget.
How to choose a phone gimbal
Weigh your phone with its case and accessories first, and pick a gimbal rated above that weight.
On iPhone, Apple DockKit support lets the gimbal track you in the Camera app and other supported apps.
DJI and Zhiyun use clip-on tracking modules that also work outside their own apps.
A built-in rod and tripod save you carrying separate accessories for selfies and static shots.
Expect battery life to roughly halve when tracking or a fill light is on.
Check that the clamp fits your phone's thickness, especially with a thick case.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best phone gimbal for creators?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is the best phone gimbal for most creators, with a clip-on tracking module that works in other apps, a built-in rod and tripod and about 10 hours of battery for around $149. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is better for iPhone users who want DockKit tracking, and the Hohem iSteady M7 suits heavy phones.
Do I need a gimbal if my phone has stabilization?
Not always. Phone stabilization handles walking shots well, but a gimbal adds smoother pans, subject tracking for solo filming, a tripod and an extension rod.
What is Apple DockKit?
DockKit is an Apple feature that lets supported gimbals and stands track you in the iPhone's Camera app and other compatible apps, with no separate gimbal app. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro and Hohem iSteady M7 support it.
Will a gimbal fit a large phone with a case?
Check the payload and clamp size. The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 takes phones up to 300 g and 10 mm thick, while the Hohem iSteady M7 carries up to 500 g.
Which phone gimbal has the longest battery life?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 and Insta360 Flow 2 models are rated at about 10 hours, though tracking and fill lights shorten it considerably.