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Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S: two-minute evaluate
Ask round, and most fanatic photographers and creators are accustomed to the accent maker Peak Design, however newcomer Heipi? Nope.
Nicely, I’ve a welcome shock – Heipi’s carbon fiber 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S beats the Peak Design Travel Tripod in nearly each regard, plus it is cheaper too. Three-Legged Thing’s Punks Brian 2.0, nonetheless, offers stiffer competitors for traditional use – I clarify why, beneath.
The W28S replaces the W28 – which I described as probably the most related and best travel tripods at the moment in my in-depth evaluate – delivering a number of refinements for a just about full and extremely versatile three-legged help, in 3 ways.
Its 3-in-1 credentials cowl common tripod help for digicam gear, the power to help a cellphone as a substitute by way of a clamp that is hidden within the built-in ball head, plus a generously-sized detachable mini tripod, which is nestled inside the primary legs, and which doubles up as a middle column – the novelty of this function hasn’t worn off on this second-gen mannequin.
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Provided that the primary legs can tuck contained in the mini tripod legs once you’re accomplished, there is no wasted area and the Heipi 3-in-1 is ready to pack away extra compact than most, plus it comes equipped with a snug-fit carry case.
There are limitations although. I would hesitate to mount significantly giant and heavy gear – though that is true of all journey tripods – and the Heipi tripod’s most top is bettered elsewhere. Additionally, regardless of its 3-in-1 social gathering methods, there is no monopod constructed into one of many legs. Nor are you able to swap out the equipped ball head for a fluid head, which would offer easy panning actions for video.
If not one of the above are dealbreakers, although, then Heipi’s newest journey tripod is the whole package deal, with some distinctive options.
It is carbon fiber construct high quality is top-drawer, whereas improved leg locks are simpler to lock-off and unlock than earlier than. Additionally, they lock-off with even distribution on the leg sections (slightly than a clamping lock), which reduces lateral motion between sections.
The addition of a bubble-level within the base is a neat contact, even if you cannot see it correctly when the middle column is tucked away.
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Heipi additionally gives useful extras for accessory-laden customers, equivalent to clamp arms, which simply screw into the mini tripod legs by way of a 3/8-inch screw. The arms Heipi equipped to me for this evaluate can help equipment equivalent to an exterior monitor, and may even work with Heipi’s elective cellphone clamp, so you’ll be able to help a digicam and cellphone concurrently.
I have been capable of change between utilizing a cellphone and a mid-range mirrorless digicam with reasonable dimension lens, with ease. Panning motion? No downside, in contrast to the Peak Design which is locked off.
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Even the design of the mini tripod, which simply rests on a desk high for vlogging and is impressively sturdy with a 11 lbs / 5kg max payload, has been improved. The final model felt prefer it sacrificed ease of use for versatility, as a result of it was stiff to increase and put away in comparison with an everyday middle column.
Now the mini tripod slides up and down rather more simply, and when totally eliminated it even gives a number of leg angles to work from for quite a lot of taking pictures angles, together with near the bottom.
It may also be reversed and locked-off the wrong way up in the primary legs with the intention to shoot from decrease angles. Put merely, the mini tripod is among the most refined of its variety.
With digicam gear usually getting smaller and lighter, and lots of creators utilizing their telephones as a lot as ‘correct’ digicam gear, the case for the journey tripod grows because the case for bulkier helps diminishes.
And of all the numerous journey tripods I’ve reviewed, the Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S is the one I come again to most frequently – I reckon that is the most effective tripod for most individuals.
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Is Heipi’s journey tripod good? No. There have been instances that I needed it may work from a better degree than its 59in / 150cm most attain (with the middle column totally raised).
Nevertheless, given it packs away with a tighter diameter than most and to only 17.7in / 45cm in size, whereas it weighs simply 3lbs / 1.35kg (with ball head included), I am pleased to sacrifice any additional attain.
And one social gathering trick it lacks, which you’ll find in lots of alternate options, is the power to take away one in every of its legs for used as a monopod.
When you can stay with the few limitations talked about above, then the Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S would be the most versatile tripod you have ever used, full with a high-quality and light-weight carbon fiber construct, plus tiny pack-away proportions.
If you would like a light-weight help for quite a lot of digicam gear, Heipi can be my first advice.
You possibly can uncover extra in regards to the W28S’s design and options in my W28 in-depth review, the 2 share a lot in frequent apart from a number of the design tweaks talked about above.
Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S: key specs
|
Whole weight |
3.04lbs / 1.38kg (together with ball head and mini tripod) |
|
Max top |
59.8in / 152cm (with middle column totally raised, or 47in / 119cm with out) |
|
Legs sections |
5 |
|
Packed size |
17.7in / 45cm |
|
Max capability |
As much as 44lbs / 20kg |
Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28 worth and availability
The Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S with ball head is out there now, from $399 / £325 on the Heipi website and from $399 on Amazon US.
There are additionally elective equipment equivalent to a QR plate, and a unique kind of ball head in a pricer bundle. Heipi additionally sells clamp arms, an add-on cellphone clamp, plus a hammock for stowing equipment or perhaps a weight to extend stability.
Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28: Additionally take into account
Ought to I purchase the Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
How I examined the Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S
- I’ve used it over a number of months
- I’ve extensively used its 3-in-1 options
- I’ve hooked up varied mirrorless cameras and smartphones
I’ve had the Heipi 3-in-1 Journey Tripod W28S for months and it has been my go-to digicam gear help throughout this era.
It has ably supported newbie, mid-range and professional mirrorless cameras, though I’ve drawn a line on the bigger sports-focused our bodies and hulking telephoto lenses.
I’ve additionally used the cellphone clamp, hooked up quite a lot of smartphones the biggest of which was an iPhone 15 Professional Max, plus tried out elective extras together with clamp arms for an exterior monitor.
The mini tripod has had equally thorough testing as the primary tripod legs. Typically I’ve used the gear in honest climate, nevertheless it has additionally withstood reasonable rain and use on sandy seashores.
First reviewed June 2025