Most YouTubers think they need a better camera. They don’t. They need better camera movement.
Watch any top-performing video — it doesn’t shake, drift, or frame awkwardly. That’s not luck.
It’s a gimbal doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
If you want your videos to feel pro — even on a phone — you need gear that works like a camera operator in your pocket.
Let’s break down which gimbals creators are actually using in 2025 to shoot smoother, smarter, and faster.
Gimbal | Specs | Pros | Price |
Hohem iSteady M7 🏅 Best for Versatile Creators | Weight: 0.56 kg Payload: Up to 500g Battery: 15 hrs | ✅ Supports heavy phones ✅ Detachable AI module ✅ Built-in extension rod | 🔗 View on Amazon |
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P 🏆 Best for Beginners | Weight: 0.39 kg Payload: Up to 290g Battery: 6 hrs | ✅ Beginner-friendly ✅ Quick magnetic mount ✅ Compact & foldable | 🔗 View on Amazon |
ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI đź’ˇ Best Budget Option | Weight: 0.66 kg Payload: Up to 300g Battery: 12 hrs | âś… Magnetic AI tracking âś… Creative shooting modes âś… Strong stabilization | đź”— View on Amazon |
ZHIYUN Crane 4 🎬 Best for Professional Shoots | Weight: 1.67 kg Payload: Up to 3.5kg Battery: 10–12 hrs | ✅ Built-in fill light ✅ OLED touchscreen ✅ Ergonomic design | 🔗 View on Amazon |
DJI RS 4 Pro Combo 🚀 Best for High-End Production | Weight: 1.24 kg Payload: Up to 4.5kg Battery: 12 hrs | ✅ High payload ✅ LiDAR support ✅ Auto axis lock | 🔗 View on Amazon |
Top 5 Gimbals That Actually Work for YouTube in 2025
These aren’t just popular — they show up in actual workflows. We picked them based on hands-on use, creator feedback, and real-world performance.
1. Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal Stabilizer
🏅 The Editor’s Choice | Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal Stabilizer
The Hohem iSteady M7 is a powerful 3-axis smartphone gimbal with a detachable AI tracking module, built-in extension rod, and robust payload support for heavy devices. Ideal for advanced mobile creators who need flexible shooting options.
Pros
- Supports large phones and foldables (up to 500g)
- Detachable AI module with gesture tracking
- Built-in extension rod for vlogging or overhead shots
- Excellent battery life for long shoots
Cons
- Slightly bulky for pocket travel
- Learning curve for advanced features
🏷️ Best For Versatile Creators, Travel Vloggers, Mobile Filmmakers
You’re in Tokyo capturing a bustling night market handheld while your phone tracks your every move hands-free — no tripod needed.
If you’re serious about leveling up your YouTube shorts or vlogging game, the iSteady M7 is your “secret weapon.”
Most mobile gimbals choke when faced with bulky foldables or action-packed panning. This one? It thrives.
The detachable AI module means you can walk and talk while the gimbal does the thinking — no second shooter required.
Plus, the built-in extension rod lets you grab cinematic parallax shots on the fly.
You’ll spend less time editing shaky clips and more time growing your channel.
Bottom line? If you want pro-level control with mobile convenience, this is it.
2. DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer
The DJI Osmo Mobile 7P offers intuitive controls, lightning-fast tracking with ActiveTrack 7.0, and a foldable design. Perfect for content creators who need smooth mobile video with minimal setup.
Pros
- Fast and accurate AI tracking
- Compact and foldable for portability
- Simple interface for beginners
- Magnetic clamp for quick phone attachment
Cons
- Limited manual control options
- Battery life could be longer for pros
🏆 Best for Beginners
Filming spontaneous Instagram Reels while traveling — quick setup, reliable stabilization, and auto-framing that makes you look pro without extra gear.
This gimbal isn’t just “good for beginners.” It’s what I call a creator unlock.
With the 7P, you don’t need to understand ISO, shutter speed, or balance axes — you just shoot.
It’s perfect for short-form platforms like Reels or TikTok, where speed is everything.
The magnetic mount clicks on in seconds. No excuses. No fiddling.
Plus, ActiveTrack 7.0 makes your content feel dynamic — even if you’re just walking your dog.
This is the kind of tool that helps you hit publish more often — which, in the YouTube world, means faster growth.
3. ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI [Official] 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI [Official] 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
The ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI enhances your smartphone filmmaking with pro-grade stabilization, magnetic AI tracking, and creative shooting modes like “Dolly Zoom” and “Vortex” for cinematic effects.
Pros
- Magnetic AI tracking module
- Durable build with cinematic modes
- Compatible with third-party apps
- Impressive stabilization even during motion
Cons
- Heavier than other smartphone gimbals
- Best features locked behind companion app
🏷️ Best For Budget Option
A solo YouTuber shooting tutorial videos and need consistent framing while moving — just wave to activate tracking and film without a crew.
Here’s the thing: most gimbals at this price point cut corners. But ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI punches way above its weight.
This gimbal gives you access to creative tools usually reserved for $500+ setups.
The AI module isn’t just a gimmick — it makes solo shooting genuinely hands-free.
Want to shoot a tutorial in your kitchen, do a spin move, and still stay in frame? No problem.
Want that buttery-smooth dolly zoom? It’s built in.
If you’re on a budget but want your content to scream “professional,” this is the sleeper pick that delivers.
4. ZHIYUN Crane 4, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
ZHIYUN Crane 4, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
The ZHIYUN Crane 4 is designed for DSLR/mirrorless cameras, offering a built-in fill light, large OLED display, and ergonomic design for long shoots. Great for indie filmmakers and hybrid shooters.
Pros
- Built-in fill light improves lighting on the go
- OLED touchscreen for easy control
- Wide compatibility with camera brands
- Comfortable sling grip for extended shooting
Cons
- Slightly complex for casual users
- Requires balancing setup
🎬 Best for Professional Shoots
A wedding videographer capturing handheld walking shots from ceremony to reception with steady, lit footage all day without additional rigs.
If you shoot with a mirrorless or DSLR, the Crane 4 is your new best friend. Here’s why: It combines raw power with smart design.
The built-in fill light alone solves one of the biggest headaches in on-location shoots — inconsistent lighting. No need to carry an extra panel.
The OLED display gives you total control without needing to dive into menus on a separate app.
And with its redesigned sling grip, fatigue is reduced on long shoots.
This gimbal is built for creators who monetize their content — wedding filmmakers, real estate shooters, indie doc pros. Serious gear for serious results.
5. DJI RS 4 Pro Combo, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
DJI RS 4 Pro Combo, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
The DJI RS 4 Pro Combo supports heavy professional rigs with 4.5kg payload, automatic axis locks, and intuitive controls. A powerhouse for commercial shoots, documentaries, and event coverage.
Pros
- Industry-grade payload capacity
- Bluetooth shutter & LiDAR focus support
- Excellent for professional cameras and accessories
- Auto-locking axis for quick setup
Cons
- Heavy; not ideal for casual creators
- High price point
🚀 Best for High-End Production
Shooting a commercial for a luxury car brand with a RED camera — the RS 4 Pro ensures buttery-smooth, dynamic tracking shots on the move.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the RS 4 Pro is for creators playing in the big leagues. If you’re working with cinema-grade gear, this is your stabilizer.
Period. Its 4.5kg payload means you can slap on a RED Komodo, follow focus, matte box — the works. And it still glides like butter.
But what I really love? The time-saving features: automatic locks, Bluetooth shutter, and seamless LiDAR compatibility.
If your clients are paying for premium production, this tool helps you deliver on that promise — with fewer takes and faster setups.
It’s less of a “gimbal” and more of a production ecosystem.
Skip the Overwhelm: What a Gimbal Actually Does
If your footage jitters every time you take a step, the problem isn’t your stride — it’s your lack of stabilization.
A gimbal uses motors and sensors to cancel out movement on three axes: pan, tilt, and roll. Some now include AI tracking, gesture controls, and creative shooting modes like spin or dolly zoom.
That’s not marketing fluff. Those tools help you:
- Keep your face centered while walking and talking.
- Capture smooth b-roll from awkward angles.
- Nail complex movements like overhead parallax shots without jerks.
- Move through a crowd without breaking your frame.
When you don’t need to redo takes or worry about shaky hands, you get more creative. Period.
Pick What Matches Your Content Style
Ask yourself these:
- Do I film mostly on phone or camera?
- Am I indoors, moving outdoors, or both?
- Do I need tracking, or do I shoot behind the camera?
Pick a gimbal that matches your workflow. Don’t buy the heaviest one “just in case.” You’ll end up leaving it at home.
Gimbal Moves You Should Master Today
You can own a $900 gimbal and still get boring footage. Movement makes a shot feel cinematic. Learn these:
- Push-in with tracking: walk forward, let AI track your face.
- Parallax reveal: circle around a subject slowly.
- Low-mode slide: flip the gimbal upside down and track feet or wheels.
- Vortex spin: use FPV or 360 mode for spiral transitions.
Practice them in real locations. Use slow, deliberate motion. Keep your feet soft and let the gimbal do the work.
Fix These Gimbal Mistakes Before They Cost You Views
- You didn’t balance it: Always adjust before turning it on.
- You use the wrong mode: Lock mode looks robotic for walking shots.
- You rush the shot: Let the gimbal finish movement before cutting.
- You forget audio: Use a lav mic or shotgun mic. Gimbals don’t help your sound.
Tools That Make Gimbals Work Even Better
- Extension rods for high or wide-angle shots
- Counterweights if your phone/camera is lopsided
- Wireless mics to keep audio crisp when you’re in motion
- Editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut to fine-tune shots
Voice Search FAQs (Voice-Snippet Ready)
What’s the best gimbal for YouTube in 2025?
Hohem iSteady M7 for mobile creators, DJI RS 4 Pro for pro filmmakers.
Do I need a gimbal for vlogging?
Yes. It stabilizes your footage, tracks your face, and improves watch time.
What’s a good budget gimbal for phones?
ZHIYUN Smooth 5S AI. It offers strong tracking and pro features under $150.
Which gimbal works with iPhones?
All listed here do. DJI and Hohem work especially well with iOS apps.
Wrap-Up: Make Your Shot Count
Don’t let shaky footage send your viewers packing. Pick a gimbal that fits your content style and start shooting with confidence. Practice the right moves. Add tracking and polish in post.
📌 Comment below: Which gimbal are you eyeing in 2025?