$374.00
$91.67
$299.95
Rankings
The Legends Lance is an ultra-tall 4-section carbon-fibre monopod that reaches 207 cm, supports up to 60 kg, and doubles as a boom arm thanks to dual-thread ends. Its lightweight carbon-fibre build and included DOCZ2 foot stabilizer make it ideal for professional photographers and videographers needing extreme height. Drawbacks include a sticky rubber grip, reliance on technique for stability at full extension, and the lack of an integrated video head.
The Benro MSD46C (MAD38C) is a 6-section carbon-fiber monopod offering a high 16 kg load capacity, ultra-light weight, flip-lever locks and a removable ball-joint foot, making it ideal for heavy-lens travel shooting.
The Gitzo GM4542 is a 4-section carbon-fiber monopod delivering industry-leading stability and a high 35 kg payload while weighing just 0.52 kg. Its G-Lock Ultra system and pivoting foot provide fast, secure setup and smooth panning, though the lack of a carrying case and limited color options may deter some users.
The Gitzo GM4562 Series 4 carbon-fiber monopod delivers professional-grade load capacity and a compact form factor, making it ideal for heavy-lens wildlife and sports photography. Its G-Lock Ultra twist-lock and ball-joint foot provide rapid, stable deployment, though the high price and lack of accessories may deter budget buyers.
The SIRUI AM-MDP01 is a 5-section carbon-fiber monopod weighing just 0.41 kg, offering a 165 cm maximum height and a 22 lb load capacity. It folds to 18.5 in for travel and includes a 360° phone holder plus useful outdoor accessories. Its main trade-offs are the lack of built-in feet and a stiff twist-lock mechanism.
The Manfrotto XPRO Carbon Fiber 4-Section Monopod delivers professional-grade rigidity with a 20 kg payload in an ultra-light 0.6 kg carbon-fiber package, featuring fast Power-Lock flip-locks and dual mounting threads.
The Manfrotto MM290C4US is a carbon-fiber, 4-section monopod that excels in portability and load capacity, making it ideal for travel and fast-moving subjects, though it lacks a quick-release system and may flex under very heavy gear.
The Gitzo GM2542 is a professional-grade carbon-fiber monopod that balances extreme strength (35 kg load) with a very low weight (0.51 kg) and a compact 4-section design. Its G-Lock Ultra twist locks and pivoting foot deliver fast setup and smooth panning, while the lack of a carrying case and fluid base keep the price high. Reviewers praise its stability and portability, but note the firm grip and missing accessories.
The Benro SupaDupa Carbon Fiber Monopod delivers professional-grade load capacity and innovative flip-lock adjustment in a compact package, though some users note service and specification inconsistencies.
The Sirui AM-326M is a ultra-light carbon-fiber monopod that offers a strong 10 kg load capacity in a compact 39.5 cm folded package. Its twist-lock legs, retractable spike and cold-weather grip make it ideal for travel, wildlife and outdoor shooting.
The Neewer N55CR is a carbon-fiber travel tripod that converts to a monopod, offering a tall height range, high load capacity, and a robust 360° ball head while remaining lightweight for on-the-go shooting.
The Legends Lance is an ultra-tall carbon-fibre monopod that reaches over 2 m, offers a massive 60 kg load capacity, and includes a versatile foot stabilizer and video head. Its lightweight build and dual-thread mounting make it suitable for professional photo and video work, though the large size and grip debris can be drawbacks.
The Gitzo GM4532 is a lightweight (0.672 kg) 3-section carbon-fiber monopod that supports a 35 kg payload, offering rapid deployment and a pivoting ball-joint foot for smooth panning. While its engineering is praised, the lack of a quick-release, carrying accessories and occasional foot instability keep the overall experience from being flawless.
The SmallRig 166.5 cm carbon-fiber monopod offers a strong 15 kg leg capacity in a lightweight 1.72 kg package, with a built-in 360° ball head and bubble level, making it ideal for travel and run-and-gun shooting.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gitzo GM2542 Traveler Professional Photography Monopod, Series 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 kg | 18 kg | 12 kg | 10 kg | 10 kg | 35 kg | 16 kg | 10 kg | 35 kg | 15 kg | 35 kg | 60 kgbest | 60 kgbest | 35 kg | |
164.6 cm | 157 cm | 213 cmbest | 156 cm | 165 cm | 163 cm | 184.8 cm | 151 cm | — | 166.5 cm | 154 cm | 207 cm | 207 cm | 164 cm | |
| ↓ lower better | 52 cm | 48.5 cm | 56.5 cm | 39.5 cmbest | 47 cm | 66 cm | 45.5 cm | 49 cm | — | 68 cm | 44 cm | 66.5 cm | 66.5 cm | 54 cm |
| ↓ lower better | 0.6 kg | 0.9 kg | 1.758 kg | 0.45 kg | 0.41 kgbest | 0.672 kg | 0.59 kg | 0.499 kg | 0.52 kg | 1.72 kg | 0.67 kg | 0.677 kg | 0.677 kg | 0.51 kg |
4 | 6best | 4 | 6best | 6best | 3 | 6best | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6best | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
33.3 | 20 | 6.8 | 22.2 | 24.4 | 52.1 | 27.1 | 20 | 67.3 | 8.7 | 52.2 | — | 88.6best | 68.6 | |
— | 36 months | 12 months | 72 monthsbest | — | 6 months | 36 months | 6 months | — | — | 24 months | 60 months | 60 months | — | |
| ↓ lower better | -30 °Cbest | — | — | — | — | -30 °Cbest | — | -30 °Cbest | — | — | -30 °Cbest | — | — | -30 °Cbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gitzo GM2542 Traveler Professional Photography Monopod, Series 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(4) | ||||||||||||||
Maximum Load Capacity (kg) | 20 kg | 18 kg | 12 kg | 10 kg | 10 kg | 35 kg | 16 kg | 10 kg | 35 kg | 15 kg | 35 kg | 60 kg | 60 kg | 35 kg |
Maximum Extended Height (cm) | 164.6 cm | 157 cm | 213 cm | 156 cm | 165 cm | 163 cm | 184.8 cm | 151 cm | — | 166.5 cm | 154 cm | 207 cm | 207 cm | 164 cm |
Minimum Collapsed Height (cm) | 52 cm | 48.5 cm | 56.5 cm | 39.5 cm | 47 cm | 66 cm | 45.5 cm | 49 cm | — | 68 cm | 44 cm | 66.5 cm | 66.5 cm | 54 cm |
Load‑to‑Weight Ratio | 33.33 | 20 | 6.828 | 22.22 | 24.4 | 52.08 | 27.12 | 20 | 67.31 | 8.72 | 52.24 | — | 88.6 | 68.63 |
Compatibility(3) | ||||||||||||||
Compatibility | — | DSLR, Mirrorless & Camcorders | Canon, Nikon, Sony DSLR, mirrorless, camcorders, action cameras, phone mounts | 1/4" and 3/8" | — | DSLR, Reflex Cameras, Camcorders, Video Cameras | — | Direct camera mount, optional head attachment | — | — | — | — | — | DSLR, Reflex Camcorders, Video Cameras |
Mounting Thread Size | 1/4-20;3/8-16 | Dual 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 | — | 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 | 1/4" & 3/8" | 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible) | 1/4-20, 3/8-16 | 1/4"-20, 3/8"-16 | 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible) | 1/4-20 | 1/4-20/3/8-16 reversible | 3/8-16/1/4-20 | 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 (spring-loaded) | 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible) |
Head Type | None | Leveling Pan Base | 360° swivel ball head with dual locking knobs | — | — | — | — | — | — | Ball head | — | — | — | — |
Warranty & Support(1) | ||||||||||||||
Warranty Period (months) | months | 36 months | 12 months | 72 months | — | 6 months | 36 months | 6 months | — | — | 24 months | 60 months | 60 months | — |
Accessories(1) | ||||||||||||||
Included Accessories | Removable rubber foot, removable spiked foot, dual mounting stud, wrist strap, carrying case | Carrying bag, quick‑release plate | Wrist strap, Carabiner clip, Mini compass, Instruction manual | 360° rotatable phone holder, cold protection foam grip, safety wrist strap, carabiner clip, mini compass | None | Monopod, spanner wrench, wrist strap | 6.35m -9.5mm attachments | — | Monopod; Allen wrenches (3); carrying bag | — | DOCZ2 Foot Stabilizer, AirHed Trinity video head, TOOLZ Multi-Tool | DOCZ2 foot stabilizer; Toolz multitool; AirHed Trinity Video Head (Super Kit) | None (no carrying bag) | |
Build & Design(7) | ||||||||||||||
Weight (kg) | 0.6 kg | 0.9 kg | 1.758 kg | 0.45 kg | 0.4097 kg | 0.672 kg | 0.59 kg | 0.499 kg | 0.52 kg | 1.72 kg | 0.67 kg | 0.677 kg | 0.677 kg | 0.51 kg |
Primary Material | Carbon fiber | Carbon Fiber | Carbon fiber | High-strength carbon fiber | Carbon fiber | CarbonExact | Carbon fiber | Carbon fiber | Carbon fiber | Carbon fiber, aluminum alloy | carbon fiber | carbon fibre | Carbon fibre | Carbon eXact |
Leg Lock Type | Flip Lock | Twist/Flip | — | Twist locks | Twist lock | G-Lock Ultra | — | Flip locks | G-lock Ultra | Flip locks | twist lock | twist locks | Magnesium alloy with rubber O-Pads | G-Lock Ultra |
Number of Leg Sections | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Foot Type | Rubber | Rubber with optional spiked | Rubber | Rubber foot with spike | — | Pivoting rubber foot with ball-joint | Folding three‑leg base | Rubber | Pivoting foot (removable) | — | removable rubber ball‑joint foot | DOCZ2 | Rubber | Pivoting rubber foot with ball-joint |
Bubble Level | false | true | true | — | — | — | — | — | — | true | — | — | — | — |
Quick Release | false | true | true | — | — | false | — | false | false | false | — | — | — | false |
Environmental(1) | ||||||||||||||
Operating Temperature (Max) (°C) | 60 °C | — | — | — | — | 70 °C | — | 60 °C | — | — | 70 °C | — | — | 70 °C |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Reviewers praise its blend of weight, strength, and the Power-Lock system, while noting the lack of an included bag and occasional lock stickiness.
Users love the featherlight feel and high load capacity, but mention missing accessories and occasional lock issues.
“Used it at a wedding with a Canon 1D X and 400mm lens-rock solid and easy to move around.”
“Fits in my backpack when collapsed. Perfect for hiking and wildlife photography.”
“The flip locks are so fast-I can set it up in seconds between shots.”
SmallRig provides superior load capacity and modular options; Manfrotto suits users already in its ecosystem
Reviewers describe the SupaDupa line as a high-performance solution with carbon-fiber strength, flip-lock convenience, and Arca-Swiss compatible heads, ideal for demanding photography and video work.
Users consistently highlight the solid build and quick flip-lock, while complaining about inaccurate product listings and slow customer support.
Professional reviewers praise the N55CR for delivering carbon-fiber performance and a versatile convertible design at a budget price, highlighting its tall height range, robust ball head, and travel-ready compactness, while noting it may not endure the same wear as premium models.
Everyday users love the lightweight feel, high load capacity, and smooth 360° ball head, often noting its usefulness as a walking stick; complaints focus on lack of spike feet, occasional QR-plate incompatibility, and leg-lock looseness.
Professional reviewers praise the AM-326M for its sealed twist-lock mechanism, cold-weather grip and integrated retractable spike, noting it handles harsh environments well and offers ample load capacity for most DSLR and mirrorless rigs.
Everyday users love the feather-light weight, compactness and stability with long lenses, especially in windy or cold conditions, while noting minor issues like the decorative compass and occasional leg play.
Professional reviewers highlight the AM-MDP01's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio thanks to its carbon-fiber build, noting its durability in cold or hot environments and its suitability for fast, low-profile shooting in crowded or tourist-heavy locations. They commend its compactness and accessory bundle, while pointing out the lack of modular feet as a trade-off for pure portability.
Everyday users rave about the monopod's feather-light feel, solid load capacity, and the handy phone holder, often calling it perfect for hiking and travel. Recurring complaints focus on the twist-lock's stiffness, the absence of a ground spike, and concerns about the long-term durability of the phone clamp.
Professional reviewers consistently praise the GM4532 for its engineering excellence, highlighting its high-modulus carbon-fiber construction, G-Lock Ultra twist-locks, and ability to support heavy telephoto lenses and video rigs while remaining lightweight. They commend its rapid 3-section setup, solid footing, and ergonomic carrying features, positioning it as a top-tier choice for demanding professional use.
Everyday users rate the monopod around 4.5/5, lauding its light weight, strength, and portability. Common praise centers on fast deployment, compatibility with premium heads, and the secure wrist-strap, while recurring complaints involve the lack of included accessories, the pivoting foot's instability on uneven surfaces, and occasional concerns about build quality compared to older Gitzo models.
Digital Camera World praises the super-sturdy build and rock-steady performance at full height, while noting the lack of an integrated head and a foot that can be overly stiff.
Users consistently commend the lightweight strength and fast flip locks, but many are disappointed by the missing head, lack of a carrying bag, and the stiff rotating foot.
Professional reviewers praise its balance of weight and strength, noting the vibration-damping carbon fiber and robust flip-locks, while recommending it for wildlife, sports and video work.
Users love the feather-light feel and solid grip, but complain about flex under heavy lenses and the missing quick-release and carrying case.
Professional reviewers praise Gitzo monopods for their carbon-fiber strength, high payload capacity, and the robust G-Lock Ultra twist-lock system, noting that the Series 4 line delivers industry-leading stability and durability.
Everyday users appreciate the monopods' lightweight feel, ease of setup, and the smooth panning provided by the rubber foot, especially highlighting the traveler model for backpacking. Common complaints focus on the lack of an included carrying bag and the incompatibility of the traveler foot with standard accessories, as well as the lower payload rating for the compact version.
Professional reviewers praise its modular carbon-fiber build, high leg load capacity, and quick one-hand height adjustment, while noting the modest head load limit and lack of a foot.
Users love its stability, rapid lock mechanism and portability, but complain about the small ball head and missing foot.
Professional reviewers consistently commend the GM4562 for its engineering excellence, highlighting the high load capacity, the patented G-Lock Ultra twist-lock system, and the ball-joint foot that delivers smooth panning.
Everyday users are overwhelmingly positive, praising its stability with heavy lenses, ultra-compact travel size, and the smooth ball foot for tracking. Common complaints focus on the lack of an included carrying bag, the difficulty of removing the foot, and the absence of a quick-release head.
Professional reviewers laud the Lance for its unrivaled height and load capacity, praising the carbon-fibre build and dual-thread system while noting the lack of an integrated head.
Everyday users appreciate the height and sturdiness but complain about the rubber grip collecting debris and the foot's instability on soft ground.
Professional reviewers laud the Lance as the tallest, strongest carbon-fibre monopod on the market, emphasizing its 60 kg load capacity, dual-thread versatility, and premium build quality.
Everyday users consistently praise the Lance for its unrivaled height, solid construction, and the added stability of the DOCZ2 foot. Common complaints focus on the sticky rubber grip and the top-heavy feel when using large camera rigs without the foot stabilizer.
Professional reviewers at DPReview and Adorama regard the GM2542 as a benchmark monopod, highlighting its rock-solid stability, perfect blend of portability and strength, and the innovative pivoting foot. They commend the G-Lock Ultra system and the rare UNI/PdR 105:2021 safety certification, while noting the absence of a fluid base and the premium price.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the monopod for its lightweight yet sturdy construction, the reduction of physical strain, and the smooth panning capability. Common themes include appreciation for its compactness, durability, and value for money, while recurring complaints focus on the firm foam grip, lack of a protective bag, and foot wear over time.
