Mounting your camera or phone on a powered gimbal delivers cinema-quality video stabilization. Here's how to figure out exactly what you need, along with our top gimbal picks for your D-SLR, iPhone, GoPro, and more.

For a long time, you had to make a choice between buying a camera that snapped still photos or moving pictures. But the lines have eroded over the years, and the mirrorless interchangeable lens systems that dominate the camera market today are true hybrid devices, just as good at recording 4K and 8K video as they are at snapping high-quality Raw photos.

But all the pixels in the world don't mean a thing if your handheld video looks like it was lifted from a shaky Paul Greengrass action thriller. Stabilization plays a key role here. Many cameras include built-in tools to steady footage. But even with in-body stabilization, lens-based optical stabilization, and innovative digital tools, handheld footage can be wobbly, especially when the camera is mobile.

This is where an additional support comes in. For static shots it can be as simple as a sturdy set of tripod legs, typically with a fluid head for smooth pans and camera movements. If you want to move during a shot you can opt for a video monopod, or, for rock-solid footage, a powered gimbal.

Gimbals balance your camera, using brushless motors to keep it in place with smooth motion and no added noise. There's some setup involved—you need to make sure your camera is properly centered and balanced for the best results. There's a learning curve, but with some practice you'll be able to set up your kit in about fifteen minutes.

Once everything is up and running, a gimbal delivers perfectly smooth footage, like you get from a Steadicam on a Hollywood set or from a drone. The cameras mounted in consumer drones use the same type of brushless motors to keep the image steady. Basic gimbals provide stabilization, typically along three axes, as well as motorized camera movement via joystick control.

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Advanced models include USB camera control, wireless video transmission, motors and gear systems to drive manual focus lenses, and mounting points for accessories. Motion-lapse, 360-degree rolls, and low-angle operating modes are also step-up features. Most include Bluetooth and a smartphone control app, but can be used independently of a phone, too.

Smaller gimbals put the battery in the handle itself. It means that you'll have to get a new one when the batteries stop holding a charge. Run times can be long enough for all-day use, and USB charging is a standard feature. There are still options out there with swappable batteries if you need them.

Camera gimbals come in different sizes, so you'll want to be sure to pick one that's a good match for your system. You should buy one that's sized for the camera and lenses you'll use with it.

Getting a gimbal that's too small to support your camera will deliver poor results, as its motors will struggle to keep balance. Most gimbals have a payload rating and you'll want to pay attention to it, especially if you use an interchangeable lens camera. Take a look at the entire weight (and size) of your kit and pick one that's close. You'll typically end up with a gimbal that's rated for more pounds of weight than you'll use.

Price scales along with the amount of support—a gimbal for a smartphone or GoPro costs a lot less than one for a full-frame camera. Depending on the size of your kit, expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $1,000 to start.

You'll also want to be realistic about what kind of lenses you can use with a gimbal. Most will reach for wide angles, but standard and short telephoto lenses are usable too. I recommend keeping things at 85mm or wider. Wildlife photographers use gimbal tripod heads for extreme telephoto lenses, but despite sharing a name, gimbals for wildlife photography and gimbals for video cameras are very different things.

We've included picks for everything from smartphones to full-frame mirrorless systems in this story, and broken down our picks by camera type. We've not yet reviewed every gimbal included here, but you'll see a star rating next to those we have.

Gimbals for phones, compact cameras, and action cameras are typically quite small, as they have less weight to handle. They're also a lot less expensive. We've included a couple here that are available for less than $100, including a splash-proof gimbal for use with GoPros and other action cams.

The DJI OM 4 costs a bit more than some other smartphone gimbals, but backs it up with a more polished experience. Its app (for Android and iOS) supports some features from the company's drones, including ActiveTrack subject tracking and Hyperlapse. We like its magnetic attachment system, but wish its features were more consistent from phone to phone.

The OM 5 changes up the design from last year's OM 4, folding down smaller, improving its mounting clamp, and adding an extension rod for better selfie video. It's a top flight option for iPhones, but we're still underwhelmed by DJI's feature set for Android owners.

The Zhiyun Smooth 4 is made just for smartphones, supporting handsets as heavy as 7.4 ounces and as wide as 3.35 inches. Its app works with Android and iOS phones, and it can charge your device too, though that will cut into its 12-hour battery life. It supports different creative shots, including the Vertigo dolly zoom and time lapse with motion.

The Moza MIni-P is made for small cameras like the Sony ZV-1 vlogging specialist, and can even handle smaller mirrorless interchangeable lens kits up to two pounds. It's a better fit for compacts and smartphones—a mount is included, with support for phones up to 3.5 inches wide. An integrated battery promises up to twenty hours of run time per charge.

If your action cam's digital stabilization is letting you down, the Hohem iSteady Pro 4 is a good fit. It works with popular models from brands like DJI, GoPro, Insta360, Sony, and Yi, and includes IPX4 splash protection, so it can survive getting splashed with water (but not being submerged).

The DJI Pocket 2 isn't a gimbal for your camera, it's a camera with a built-in gimbal. The handheld camcorder is built for vlogging. It records in 4K, supports motion time lapse, and works with high-quality external mics. If you like the idea of gimbal stabilization, but don't want to fuss with mounting your phone, the Pocket might find its way into yours.

If you use a camera with swappable lenses, you'll need to budget a bit more for a gimbal, especially if you use a full-frame system. For around $500 you can get the DJI RSC 2 or the Zhiyun Weebill 2, both capable of supporting typical mirrorless cameras.

If you use a larger cinema camera or a body with an integrated vertical grip, the larger DJI RS 2 or Zhiyun Crane 3S, both with support for more than ten pounds of weight, are better fits. For smaller cameras, including those with Micro Four Thirds and APS-C sensors, you can spend less; the Feiyu AK2000C and DJI Ronin-SC are good matches.

Most of these gimbals can take additional accessories, often included in bundles. If you want to use follow focus, wireless video transmission, or other features that require add-ons, it's worth it to buy a bundle. You'll often get a carrying case if you go this route, another benefit.

The DJI RSC 2 is our favorite gimbal for mirrorless cameras. It has a smart, folding design, a plus for packing for travel, and can handle full-frame systems with premium wide zoom lenses. We like its tool-free setup, integrated controls, and long battery life.

The Zhiyun Crane 2S is a good choice if you need to handle a bigger mirrorless camera, up to seven pounds total. It includes an OLED screen for basic menu adjustment, but can also be configured via a smartphone app, and sets itself apart from the DJI RS2 series by way of swappable batteries.

The Zhiyun Weebill 2 is a good fit for full-frame cameras without an integrated grip; we tested it with the Panasonic S5. It includes a 2.8-inch color touch display, a first for this class, and a plus for first-timers who can use some visual help setting camera balance. It supports camera control, and you can add a video transmission kit for remote control and subject tracking.

The DJI RS 2 is the bigger version of the RSC 2. It drops the smart folding design, but is still quite portable, and can handle systems up to ten pounds. That makes it a good fit if you use a bigger cinema camera.

The Zhiyun Crane 3S handles the heaviest cinema cameras, with support for up to 14.3 pounds. It uses swappable batteries, good enough for 12 hours of power. Ergonomics are important when working with a heavier camera, and the Crane 3S comes through with an oversized control wheel on its side, and a rear handle with controls.

The DJI Ronin-SC isn't quite as powerful or smartly designed as the newer RSC 2, but it remains a strong value option. It handles cameras up to 4.4 pounds, perfect for Micro Four Thirds and APS-C systems, and includes a removable battery grip so it's still quite easy to pack for travel.

The Feiyu AK2000C is a good match for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless systems, as well as smaller full-frame kits. It supports 4.85 pounds and can run for seven hours between charges, and we like the faux-wood finish on the handle.

A gimbal is just one accessory you can add to your camera to get better results when rolling video. We've put together a list of our favorite vlogging cameras and tools, as well as camera tips for beginners and shutterbugs. We're also highlighting some helpful accessories to up your video game below.

The unique Rode Wireless Go II allows for easy two-mic wireless recording on the go, and works with cameras, smartphones, and tablets.

The easy-to-use Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone delivers a clear, crisp directional signal for cameras and mobile devices.

The Atomos Ninja V is an add-on recorder for digital cameras that opens up more video features when recording to a memory card, so you can get the absolute best video quality.

The Atomos Connect is a simple adapter that converts your camera's HDMI signal into a high-quality USB stream, perfect for web conferencing and broadcasting at home or on location.

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