Top 5 Best Gimbals for Event Coverage in 2025: Tested & Ranked

You’re at an event. The lighting is perfect. The action unfolds fast. You raise your camera—and your footage comes out jittery.

That one missed shot? It costs you time, maybe even the client.

If you’ve ever walked away from a gig thinking, “This could’ve looked cleaner,” you’re not alone.

This post hands you the exact tools (aka the best gimbals of 2025) that serious shooters use to get buttery-stable footage—without reshoots, post-fix hacks, or excuses.

Gimbal	Specs	Pros	Price
DJI RS 3 Combo 🎬 Best for Professional Shoots	Weight: 1.3kg Payload: 3.0kg Battery: 12h	✅ Auto-locking arms ✅ Supports heavy cameras ✅ Long runtime	🔗 View on Amazon
NEEWER Sling Handle 🎯 Best Accessory Add-on	Weight: 0.45kg Payload: Matches RS 2/3 Battery: N/A	✅ Ergonomic design ✅ Low-angle support ✅ Easy to attach	🔗 View on Amazon
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 📱 Best for On-the-Go Creators	Weight: 309g Payload: 290g Battery: 6.4h	✅ Compact/foldable ✅ ActiveTrack 6.0 ✅ Built-in extension rod	🔗 View on Amazon
hohem iSteady V3 💡 Best Budget Option	Weight: 365g Payload: 280g Battery: 8h	✅ Gesture control ✅ AI tracking ✅ Great price	🔗 View on Amazon
Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI Pro 🎖️ Best for AI-Powered Control	Weight: 625g Payload: 300g Battery: 24h	✅ Focus/zoom dials ✅ Built-in fill light ✅ Detachable AI sensor	🔗 View on Amazon

The Top 5 Gimbals for Event Coverage in 2025

We tested, ranked, and field-used each of these. Here’s the breakdown.

1. DJI RS 3 Combo, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer

This is the 80/20 rule in motion. The DJI RS 3 Combo handles 80% of professional shooting needs with just 20% of the effort it used to take.

Auto-locking arms? A time-saving growth hack. The battery? Long enough to cover back-to-back ceremonies.

If you’re capturing unscripted, emotional moments at high-end events, this tool delivers Hollywood-level footage without Hollywood-level hassle.

For pro shooters, it’s less a “purchase” and more an investment that pays dividends within the first two gigs.

2. NEEWER Adjustable Sling Handle Grip

 Think of this like upgrading your tripod to a fluid head—it changes everything.

While it’s technically an accessory, the Sling Handle is a comfort multiplier.

Brian Dean would say this is the “content upgrade” of gimbal rigs. You get longer sessions, better angles, and less fatigue.

This isn’t just a grip—it’s insurance against burnout when shooting dance recitals, concerts, or 90-minute keynotes.

For $40-ish, it delivers ROI not in image quality—but in endurance and stability.

3. DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Smartphone Gimbal

This is the skyscraper of smartphone gimbals: compact, solid, and full of high-converting features.

The Osmo Mobile 6 isn’t about specs—it’s about workflows. You’re out, your phone’s out, and with one magnetic click you’re live or recording.

Brian would call this “lean-back content creation”—the setup handles stabilization and tracking while you just create.

For mobile-first storytellers, it makes your iPhone feel like a mini Steadicam rig without all the gear.

4. hohem iSteady V3 Smartphone Gimbal

This is the “Skim Content Strategy” of smartphone gimbals—low-cost, high-output.

Hohem’s V3 lets you deliver crisp, dynamic footage without a team or a $400 stabilizer.

It’s ideal for creators who are just starting out, but still want their footage to look polished.

From real estate walkthroughs to Instagram lives, it does the heavy lifting so you can focus on storytelling.

Think of it as your mobile tripod—but smarter, and way cooler.

5. ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI Pro Gimbal

This is the skyscraper with an elevator. Zhiyun’s Smooth 5S AI Pro delivers features most creators don’t even know they want—until they use them.

Brian would call it the “content moat.”

While others are filming in 1080p auto mode, you’re dialing zooms, pulling focus, and lighting your subject with pro-level precision.

If you’re a serious mobile filmmaker aiming for next-level production, this rig turns your smartphone into a storytelling machine.

What a Gimbal Does (And Why It Makes a Difference in 2025)

A gimbal uses motors and sensors to balance your camera or phone. When your hand shakes, it compensates. When you walk, it smooths the motion. That matters more now than ever.

Camera sensors have improved. Audiences expect better. Social media has raised the bar. You can’t deliver shaky content anymore. Gimbals let you shoot handheld while looking like you’re using a dolly.

You don’t need a film crew. You need one piece of gear: the right gimbal.

What You Need to Look for Before Buying a Gimbal

Stop guessing. Start choosing like a pro.

• Payload: Weigh your camera + lens + mic. Always leave a 15% margin.
• Battery life: Go for 8+ hours if you shoot long events.
• Weight: Don’t ignore this. A heavy gimbal becomes a burden after 20 minutes.
• Motor strength: A weak gimbal won’t hold your camera steady.
• Control: Look for manual dials, zoom wheels, and custom profiles.
• Smart features: AI tracking, gesture control, auto-calibration. These save time.
• App support: Make sure the app is stable, not buggy.

Ask yourself: Will this still work for me in 2 years? Choose once. Use it across projects.

Common Gimbal Problems (And How You Fix Them)

• Shaky footage: Rebalance. Tighten plate. Adjust payload.
• Camera drifts: Calibrate gimbal via app.
• Bluetooth fails: Update firmware. Forget/reconnect.
• Battery dies fast: Check for motor overload.
• Too heavy to hold: Add sling handle or tripod feet.

Pro Tips:

• Charge overnight.
• Balance before every shoot.
• Carry extra screws.
• Store it locked.

Accessories and Software That Make You Shoot Smarter

• Accessories:
  • Quick-release plates
  • Smartphone counterweights
  • Neewer sling handle
  • Tripod feet extensions
• Apps:
  • DJI Ronin app
  • ZY Cami (Zhiyun)
  • Hohem Joy
• Software:
  • Adobe Premiere Pro (Warp Stabilizer)
  • Final Cut Pro stabilization
  • CapCut for mobile creators

FAQ — Your Gimbal Questions Answered

Final Words: Your Footage Deserves Stability

You can shoot better videos this weekend. Don’t wait. Pick the tool that matches your workflow. Go shoot that wedding, that concert, that client event. Stop fighting shaky footage.