Vlogging has experienced a major uptick in recent years, resulting in an abundance of phone accessories to enhance content creation. Even if you aren’t a vlogger, a smartphone lens or a mic can be quite useful, whether you are at a concert, on vacation, or just hanging out. If you’re looking to outfit your smartphone, we have some nifty accessories for anyone from the vlogging pro to the regular joe.
SmallRig 1.55X Anamorphic Lens for iOS & Android
Swappable lenses lend enormous flexibility to the regular camera, so it’s a shame that smartphone lenses aren’t interchangeable in the same way. Enter SmallRig’s 1.55X Anamorphic Lens. This neat attachment allows users to capture video in an extremely wide 2.76:1 aspect ratio for a more cinematic shooting style.
This lens can also create unique lens flares, adding significant panache to your next smartphone shoot. Additionally, users can utilize an array of lens filters via the 52mm magnetic mount. With simple installation and a lot to offer, this lens is a pleasure to experiment with and will yield footage that stands apart from the quotidian.
OBSBOT Me AI-Powered Selfie Smartphone Mount
If you are looking to establish a stationary setup for vlogging, a phone mount is going to be a key accessory. We like Obsbot’s Me AI-Powered Selfie Mount because it makes content creation incredibly easy, especially if you prefer to work solo. Sporting a built-in 120° wide-angle sensing camera, this phone mount can track you and keep you centered while you move around.
The brushless motor yields seamless panning for smooth, near-cinematic quality. Unlike similar phone mounts, the Me’s built-in camera and neural network AI allow users to film on any app of their choice, rather than being confined to a camera-specific tracking app. Plus, the simple gesture controls mean users can spend less time fumbling focus or framing, and more time creating. Compatible with many apps, including Teams, the Me is also a great option for work-from-home presentations.
Godox LEDM32 Smartphone Mini Light
While smartphones have come a long way with their cameras, their lighting efficacy leaves much to be desired. Attachable lights, like the LEDM32 Mini Light from Godox, are a great way to improve your light output for vlogging.
The LEDM32 can get surprisingly bright and clips to the front or back of your smartphone. It also features dimmable settings so you can find the perfect amount of light for your shot. While it is designed for smartphone use, this LED can be easily clipped onto a camera, laptop, or tripod in a pinch. It is versatile, lightweight, and compact—an accessory that can always be kept in your bag for when you need it.
Godox Round Mini RGB LED Magnetic Light
At a higher price, Godox also offers the Round Mini RGB LED Magnetic Light, an off-camera option that is more feature-rich than the LEDM32.
This compact light features a range of color temperatures from 2500K to 8500K alongside adjustable hue, color, and brightness. It also has 14 special effects to emulate situational lighting like a flickering candle or the glow of a TV.
Notably, it has three different mounting options, so remember to pack accordingly if you are going out for a day of shooting. To attach this light to your phone, you will need to use the included hook-and-loop adhesive discs. A compatible tripod or any magnetic surface will work, as well. Overall, this light is a sensible option for more stationary vlogging, small-scale creative productions, and object photography.
PGYTECH MantisPod Pro
Speaking of tripods, you might consider snagging one for your vlogging setup, especially if you are vlogging on the go. Offering a lot of flexibility and control, we like PGYTECH’s MantisPod Pro. This tripod packs a lot into a little package―with a 360° mount, an adjustable ball head, a dovetail cold-shoe mount, and various tripod leg configurations, it is a great option for vloggers who work with cameras as well as smartphones.
We think the MantisPod Pro is especially worthwhile because of its numerous configurations. With 7 unique shooting modes, users can swap between a standard 3-leg tabletop tripod setup, a shooting grip, and a selfie stick, among many others. Its ability to extend creates more distance between you and your smartphone, meaning you can fit a lot more in the frame comfortably. With easy setup in mere seconds, this is a great do-it-all addition to your vlogging kit.
SmallRig Handheld Video Rig
Of course, not everyone is looking for a tripod. If you are on the move and want to outfit your camera with plenty of accessories, you might benefit from SmallRig’s Handheld Video Rig. This aluminum-alloy phone cage comes with a handle grip accessory for shooting comfortably while reducing camera shake.
This video rig also features two cold shoes for mounting mics, lights, and other accessories on your smartphone. Users can also purchase cold-shoe mounts that can be screwed onto the frame for even more mounting points. Additionally, the rig supports lens mounts with separately available Sirui lenses, adding even more creative potential to this nifty gadget.
Please note, this rig is only compatible with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Luckily, SmallRig offers many phone rigs and cages, so we recommend checking them out if this product doesn’t work for your smartphone.
Zhiyun Smooth-Q4
Shaky footage can make or break an otherwise great vlog, so it’s important to capture content that is smooth and stabilized. Of course, this is much harder when walking and vlogging, which is why we like Zhiyun’s Smooth-Q4. This gimbal-stabilizer combo features a slew of gimbal modes, recording functions, and editing tools. It also includes a handy magnetic fill light with four brightness levels.
We like this tool for its ease of use and extensive feature list. Users can toggle between landscape and portrait modes with the touch of a button or alternate between photo and video seamlessly. Users can also choose from five different gimbal modes for optimal stability depending on the shoot. With a run time of 15 hours, vloggers can capture smooth footage all day without worry.
DJI Mic 2-Person Microphone/Recorder System
Audio quality is another element that can make or break a vlog. Vloggers and general content creators looking to elevate their content might consider DJI’s 2-Person Microphone/Recorder System. This wireless digital microphone/recorder combo offers vivid audio quality to smartphones, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras.
This system is incredibly easy to use. The miniature clip-on microphones fasten directly to you or your subject’s clothing, or can be used like a handheld mic. The mics also double as backup recorders for worry-free operation. The tiny receiver plugs directly into the Lightning/USB port of your smartphone or laptop.
Featuring straightforward touchscreen operation, this system is easy to pick up, whether you are a beginner or pro. It also has broad compatibility spanning many devices, so it can be used if you work with cameras, or plan to in the future.
SmallRig All-in-One Smartphone Mobile/Vlogging Video Kit
With our individual components laid out, let’s look at some kits. SmallRig’s All-in-One Smartphone kit is a great option for new vloggers looking for everything they could possibly need. This kit includes a universal phone cage, a desktop tripod, a power-bank holder, two side handles, a shoe mount, an LED light, a microphone, and all the subsequent accompaniments such as mounts and assembly hardware.
It is incredibly modular and customizable. While the kitted attachments like the mic and light are included, they are easily swappable with other accessories. The cage and attachments can be configured for either vertical or horizontal shooting, and the included tripod and handles make stable filming in either orientation a breeze. Our only recommendation is to make sure the kit inclusions are compatible with your smartphone before purchasing.
RØDE Vlogger Kit
For a slightly lower price, RØDE offers a simpler Vlogger Kit in configurations for different kinds of smartphones. This low-profile content creator kit forgoes the flashy cage and cables in favor of a more barebones operation.
Included are a condenser microphone, an on-camera light with a diffuser and eight color filters, a tripod, a phone holder, and the accessories to make everything work. The microphone is powered by your smartphone, so be sure to bring a battery pack and schedule time for charging if you are going out for a day of shooting.
It is also worth noting that, to make full use of the accessories, your phone will need to be in landscape orientation. The phone grip can be mounted sideways to accommodate portrait orientation, but you will need to finagle the accessories.
Did we leave out your favorite smartphone vlogging accessories? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
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