Top Gimbal Counterweights for Heavy Cameras

Sick of your gimbal tilting mid-shoot or throwing power warnings when your camera setup gets a little too heavy?

You’re not alone—and good news: the fix doesn’t require a new gimbal.

In this post, you’ll get a look at the top counterweight systems creators are using to keep their gear balanced, their footage smooth, and their shoots running without interruptions.

Whether you’re rigging a mirrorless camera or a phone with lens mods, these setups do the job—without the janky workarounds.

Gimbal Compatibility & Best For	Specifications	Pros	Price & Link
NEEWER Stackable 200g Gimbal Counterweight 🎬 Best for Professional Shoots	– Weight: 3x66g (200g total) – Payload: Modular/Stackable – Battery: N/A	✅ Stackable for precise balance ✅ Works with most gimbals ✅ Durable threaded build	💲 View on Amazon
Universal Gimbal Counterweight Kit 💡 Best for Budget-Friendly Rig Adjustments	– Weight: Varies (multiple units) – Payload: Flexible configuration – Battery: N/A	✅ Mounting bracket included ✅ Easy screw-on setup ✅ Good for phones & light rigs	💲 View on Amazon
SMALLRIG Counterweight Kit Compatible 🎥 Best for Custom Gimbal Rigs	– Weight: 100g each unit – Payload: Stackable/additive – Battery: N/A	✅ Premium metal build ✅ Cage-compatible ✅ Ideal for follow focus rigs	💲 View on Amazon
NICEYRIG 3.5oz Counterweight 🏆 Best for Quick Fixes & Lightweight Rigs	– Weight: 3.5oz (99g) – Payload: Minimal adjustments – Battery: N/A	✅ Compact and simple ✅ Fits 1/4″ threads ✅ Great for fine-tuning	💲 View on Amazon
Smartphone Gimbal Counter Weight Set 📱 Best for Mobile Vlog Setups	– Weight: Multiple small clip-ons – Payload: Optimized for phones – Battery: N/A	✅ Balances lens/mic add-ons ✅ Easy clip-on install ✅ Doesn’t block controls	💲 View on Amazon

🎯 Top 5 Gimbal Counterweight Systems That Actually Work

Most counterweights look good on paper—but fail when you’re mid-shoot and your gimbal starts to drift. That’s why I tested what actually works with real-world setups. 

Here are 5 gimbal counterweight systems that don’t just promise balance—they deliver it.

1. NEEWER Stackable 200g Gimbal Counterweight

If you’re shooting with a heavier rig—mirrorless camera, chunky lens, maybe a cage or filter stack—this is the one to grab.

The NEEWER counterweights don’t just “help.” They lock your setup into balance without trial and error.

The modular stackable design lets you fine-tune the weight fast, which matters when you’re switching lenses mid-shoot or changing your grip angle.

I’ve used this with setups that were front-heavy and near-impossible to balance—and it straightened them out in under a minute.

No guesswork. No gimbal motor complaints.

If you’re serious about long days on set or travel shoots with minimal gear shifting, this counterweight earns its keep.

Start with one piece, test balance, then add more if needed.

2. Universal Gimbal Counterweight Kit

This kit punches way above its price. It comes with multiple small weights and a bracket you can mount onto most camera or phone gimbals.

If you’re not sure where to begin with balancing, this kit gives you options without locking you into one format.

I recommend it for hybrid creators—folks switching between smartphone and mirrorless setups who need flexibility over brute force.

You won’t get the high-end polish of premium kits, but it gets the job done when your lens mod or mic throws off your gimbal.

Plus, you’ll have enough modularity to rebalance on the go without swapping rigs. Just screw in what you need, shoot, adjust. Done.

3. SMALLRIG Counterweight Kit

If you’re running a cage, side handle, monitor, or follow-focus gear, your setup probably leans like crazy. This is your fix.

The SMALLRIG weights mount directly to cages or compatible clamps, and the metal finish is pro-grade—built for abuse, travel, and serious setups.

You won’t find these weights drifting mid-shot or slipping loose during a gimbal move.

They stay put. It’s ideal for full-frame shooters using Panasonic, Blackmagic, or Sony rigs that start feeling front- or side-heavy with attachments.

Add one weight to your cage rail and you’ll immediately feel the difference.

If you want your rig to behave like a production tool, not a science project, this is the one.

4. NICEYRIG Gimbal Counterweight

Sometimes your rig is almost balanced—and that “almost” ruins the shot. That’s where this NICEYRIG weight fits in perfectly.

It’s small, simple, and threads in fast.

Use it when you’re carrying a lightweight camera (like the Canon M50, Sony ZV-E10, or a basic BMPCC 4K setup) and just need to offset a lens or filter.

It won’t bulk up your rig or mess with your packing, which is why it’s in my go-bag at all times.

Think of this as your emergency fix when the gimbal tilts slightly and you don’t want to rip the whole rig apart.

One quick screw-in and you’re back in action.

5. Smartphone Gimbal Counter Weight Set

If you’ve ever slapped a lens mod or mic on your iPhone and watched your gimbal freak out—you know why this set matters.

Mobile gimbals weren’t designed for all those extras. Add a MagSafe light or Ulanzi lens, and suddenly the balance is off.

These clip-on counterweights fix that in seconds. No tools, no setup delay. I’ve used them while shooting reels, vertical stories, and B-roll on the go.

The clip-on design makes it feel like you’re just snapping on an accessory—not doing a full rebalance.

For mobile creators who shoot fast and pack light, these weights are the difference between good shots and shaky messes.

What Is a Gimbal Counterweight (And Why You Need One)

A counterweight is a compact accessory—usually metal—that attaches to your gimbal or cage to help rebalance your camera setup.

You need one if:

• Your camera consistently tilts forward, backward, or to one side
  
• Your gimbal gives “overload” warnings or shuts down under stress
  
• Your footage wobbles even when you’re walking smoothly
  
• You’ve added a lens filter, cage, monitor, or mic that throws off the center of gravity
  

Gimbals aren’t magic—they rely on balance. Without it, they can’t do their job.

⚠️ Why Gimbal Imbalance Hurts Your Footage (and Your Gear)

Think of your gimbal like your arm. Try holding a full water bottle straight out for five minutes. Now imagine doing that for two hours while trying to stay rock steady.

That’s your gimbal when it’s out of balance.

What happens:

• The motors overcompensate and eat battery faster
  
• The stabilizer gets louder as it strains
  
• Your footage shifts or leans unpredictably
  
• Over time, motor fatigue reduces the gimbal’s life span
  

Fixing balance with a counterweight reduces the load and makes the gimbal feel weightless again.

🔧 The 3 Types of Counterweight Systems Explained

Not every gimbal works with every weight. Choose the right system for your setup:

1. Stackable Counterweights

Perfect for mirrorless cameras with heavy lenses or cages. These weights screw in and stack to match your specific offset. Start small, test, then add more as needed.

2. Clamp-On or Cage-Mounted Weights

These are built for creators who use cages like SmallRig or Tilta. They let you mount weights directly to the side, bottom, or rails of your rig. Ideal if you’ve added a monitor or mic that leans your setup.

3. Clip-On Smartphone Counterweights

Using a mobile gimbal with a lens attachment or MagSafe mic? Your phone might be tilting to one side. These clip-on weights rebalance the rig without tools.

🛠️ How To Balance Your Gimbal Using Counterweights (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to rebalance your rig in 5 minutes:

1. Mount everything you plan to shoot with. This includes lenses, filters, cages, lights, mics—don’t skip anything.
   
2. Turn the gimbal off. Let gravity show you the imbalance.
   
3. Add a counterweight opposite the tilt. If it’s leaning forward, place the weight toward the back.
   
4. Power on and run your gimbal’s auto-calibration. Most gimbals (DJI, Zhiyun) have built-in apps for balance tuning.
   
5. Record a test shot. Walk, pan, and tilt. Review footage and refine weight if needed.
   

Pro Tip: Use the lightest weight first. You can always add more—but too much will push the gimbal the other way.

🚫 Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don’t waste time making fixes that cause new problems.

• ❌ Don’t eyeball it—test with power off
  
• ❌ Don’t use DIY weights that slide around
  
• ❌ Don’t stack all the weights at once
  
• ❌ Don’t skip app-level balance tuning
  
• ❌ Don’t forget to rebalance after gear swaps
  

Balance is fluid. What works with one lens might throw off another. Make testing part of your setup ritual.

🔩 Recommended Tools to Pair With Your Counterweight System

Make balancing even easier with these add-ons:

• Cages & Rails: SmallRig Half Cage, Tilta Basic Cage
  
• Thread Adapters: 1/4″ to 3/8″ reducers
  
• Mini Ball Heads: For tilt adjustment on mounted weights
  
• Mobile Gimbals That Work Well: DJI OM6, Insta360 Flow, Zhiyun Smooth 5
  

Camera Gimbals That Support Add-Ons: DJI RS3, Zhiyun Crane 3S, Moza AirCross 3

❓ Quick FAQ

🏁 Final Takeaway: Get the Balance Right and Shoot Like a Pro

Your gimbal can only do so much on its own. If your camera setup pushes past its center of gravity, you’re not getting pro-level footage—you’re just asking the motor to fight physics.

The fix is simple: grab a counterweight, match it to your gear, and shoot with confidence.