What is the Best Tripod Head for Your Needs?
- Types of Tripod Heads
- Best Tripod Head for Photography
- Best Tripod Head for Video
- Best Tripod Head for Hybrid Shooters
- Final Thoughts on the Best Tripod Heads
- Recommended Photography Gear
- Pistol Grip Heads
- Three-Way Heads
- Motorized Heads
- Panoramic Heads
- Gimbal Heads
- Tilt Heads
- Type of Head: Multi-Action Ball Head (Arca-Swiss Compatible)
- Height: 117 mm
- Weight: 577 grams
- Load Capacity: 20 kg
- Tilt Range: -90° to 32°
- Quick Release: Yes
- Warranty: 6 years (10-year extended warranty)
- Type of Head: 3-Way Video Pan Head (Arca-Swiss Compatible)
- Height: 130 mm
- Weight: 680 grams
- Load Capacity: 5 kg
- Tilt Range: -60° to 90° front tilt & -30° to 90° lateral tilt
- Quick Release: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years (8-year extended warranty)
- Which Vanguard Tripod is Your Best Bet for Shooting Video?
- The Best Photography Gear for Traveling Light
- Type of Head: Pistol Grip Ball Head (Arca-Swiss Compatible)
- Height: 107mm
- Weight: 780 grams
- Load Capacity: 6 kg
- Tilt Range: -8° to 90°
- Quick Release: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years (8-year extended warranty)
- Vanguard VEO 2 PH-28WM Window Mount with Panhead and Arca Compatible Quick Shoe
- Vanguard Alta PH-123V Magnesium Alloy Video Head
- Vanguard BH-160S Dual-Axis Ball Head
- Vanguard VEO BP-50T Ball Head with Pan Handle for Cameras and Smartphones
- Vanguard VEO PH-38S Three-Way Pan Head with Spinning Top Handle
- Must-Have Features in a Landscape Photography Tripod
- Is a Photography Monopod for You? Use This Guide to Find Out
With so many fantastic tripod heads available today, we know it can be challenging and overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. That’s exactly why we built this ultimate guide to the best tripod heads!
In this article, we break down three one-of-a-kind tripod heads guaranteed to improve the quality of your photo and video content. First, we examine all the different types of tripod heads currently on the market. Then, we share the best ones for photographers, videographers, and hybrid shooters.
One important thing to understand before buying a new tripod head, though, is quality is key. Just because a head is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s well made. That’s why you always need to purchase tripod heads and other camera gear from a trustworthy and reputable source like Vanguard.
Vanguard is an award-winning photography company and one of the most well-respected names in the tripod industry. They have been manufacturing high-quality photo and video gear at affordable prices for over 30 years, and all of their heads, tripods, and monopods include fabulous money-back guarantees.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive in and find out which tripod head best suits your needs as a photographer or videographer!
Table of Contents
Types of Tripod Heads
Photo by bjdlzx via iStock
The three most common tripod heads are ball heads, pan and tilt heads, and fluid heads. Of those three, ball heads are far and away the most popular. They use an innovative ball design that allows the camera to be set up at nearly any angle imaginable. Their versatility and compact size make them a go-to choice for photographers and travelers.
On the other hand, video creators typically prefer working with pan and tilt heads and fluid heads. Unlike ball heads which move in all directions, these two heads only move up and down and side to side, which are the standard video movements. Furthermore, they feature handles to help capture steady and smooth clips.
Here are a few more types of tripod heads you might run into:
Best Tripod Head for Photography
If you are looking for a new head for photography, the best tripod head is the Vanguard Alta BH-250 Multi-Action Ball Head. The first thing that jumps out is its ultra-lightweight, portable design. This makes it a fantastic option for landscape, adventure, street, and travel photographers.
And while it’s small, it’s also ridiculously strong! With a carrying capacity of 20kg, it has no issues supporting even the heaviest professional telephoto lenses. Additionally, it boasts four separate locking knobs — an easy grip ball lock, panning lock knob, camera QS lock knob, and friction control lock knob.
More features of the Vanguard Alta BH-250 that make it the best tripod head for photography include its two bubble levels, easy-to-set-up design, intuitive quick-release plate, and long-lasting build quality. Two more great ball heads are the closely related Vanguard Alta BH-100 and Vanguard Alta BH-300.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key features and specs of this best tripod head by Vanguard:
Check out the video above by AJAT creations to learn more about the Vanguard Alta BH-250 Ball Head and two of its siblings.
Best Tripod Head for Video
Alternatively, if you are a videographer, filmmaker, YouTuber, or vlogger, the best tripod head is the Vanguard Alta PH-32 3-Way Pan Head. Its two large handles and fluid panning technology reliably deliver stunningly smooth video footage time after time. Moreover, they allow you to make super precise movements most heads can’t.
On top of that, it's constructed from aircraft aluminum, making it incredibly lightweight and durable. Throw in its 5kg carrying capacity, bubble level, and Arca-Swiss quick-release plate, and you have hands down the best tripod head for video!
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key features and specs of this best tripod head by Vanguard:
Check out the video above by VanguardPhotoUK to learn how to use the Vanguard Alta PH-32 3-Way Pan Head.
Learn More:
Best Tripod Head for Hybrid Shooters
Last but not least, we have the Vanguard Alta GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head. If you are a hybrid shooter who likes to dabble in both photography and video, this is the tripod head for you! The ball head is ideal for photographers, and the smooth movements and pistol grip handle are perfect for recording video.
Another feature I love about this head is that you can control it with only one hand. This frees up your other hand to adjust camera settings while shooting and helps increase workflow speed and productivity.
More highlight-worthy features of this best tripod head are its 6kg carrying capacity, 72 built-in stops for precision control, and eight unique handle positions. Its sister, the Vanguard Alta GH-300, is also a terrific option.
Here’s an in-depth look at some of the key features and specs of this best tripod head by Vanguard:
Check out the video above by Vanguard World to learn more about Vanguard Alta Grip Heads and how to use them to get the best results.
Final Thoughts on the Best Tripod Heads
Photo by PhotoAttractive via iStock
Every head covered in this guide is compatible with all Vanguard monopods and tripods, as well as monopods and tripods from other brands. So, no matter what equipment you own, you can rest assured that all the heads above will work with your gear!
And finally, while those are three of the best tripod heads in stores today, they aren’t the only ones. With that in mind, here’s a list of a few more amazing tripod heads that will help take your photo and video skills to the next level:
