Tripods are incredibly versatile and powerful tools that can enable photographers of all skill levels and backgrounds to capture images that would otherwise be difficult if not impossible to pull off. These wonderfully simple tools give us increased control and creative freedom, and I believe they are one of the most important accessories that every photographer should have.

If you’d like to learn more about different types of tripods and which is right for your style of photography, feel free to read THIS ARTICLE.

Of course, tripods are great, and having a sturdy and well-built set of tripod legs is essential. But that’s only part of the equation. Not only do you need a solid platform to set your camera on, but you also need a quality tripod head that will meet your needs as a photographer. In past articles, I took a deep dive into the best tripods including the best professional tripods, the best budget tripods, and of course the best travel tripods. In today’s article, we’re going to take it one step further and dive into tripod heads specifically. And even more specifically we’ll be looking at Gimbal Heads.

When it comes to capturing stunning wildlife photographs, having the right equipment is essential. One of the most important tools in a wildlife photographer's arsenal is the gimbal head. Unlike traditional tripod heads, gimbal heads are specifically designed to support and balance long and heavy super-telephoto lenses, making them ideal for tracking fast-moving subjects and capturing sharp images.

Gimbal heads provide fluid movement and allow photographers to pan and tilt their cameras smoothly, which is crucial when photographing animals in motion. Whether you're capturing birds in flight, mammals on the run, or simply need to maneuver your camera quickly and efficiently, a gimbal head can make all the difference in achieving those perfect shots. And because they’re perfectly balanced you won’t have to worry about your heavy lens falling over and smashing into your tripod which can easily occur with a ball head.

In this article, we will explore 10 of the best gimbal heads currently available on the market. Our curated selection includes a range of options from budget-friendly choices to high-end professional gear, ensuring that there is something for every level of photographer. Each of these gimbal heads has been tested and reviewed extensively, earning high praise from users for their performance, build quality, and reliability. Although there is a wide range in price on today’s list all of these gimbal heads have received a ton of great ratings and reviews.

So, if you're ready to enhance your wildlife photography with a gimbal head, read on to discover our top picks. Let's dive into the world of gimbal heads and find the perfect one for your needs!

Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II with Quick Release Base

• Price: $595

• Load Capacity: >100 lb

• Weight: 3.15 lb

• Height: 9.25”

The Wimberley WH-200 is a top-of-the-line gimbal head favored by professional wildlife photographers for its robust construction and fluid motion. This is by far one of the most widely used and praised gimbal heads and it has received a staggering number of 5-star ratings and stellar reviews. And with an advertised load capacity of over 100 pounds, you’ll be able to use any lens. If you can afford the price point, this is a great option.

Oben GH-30 Gimbal Head

• Price: $250

• Load Capacity: 44 lb

• Weight: 3.2 lb

• Height: 9”

The Oben GH-30 is an excellent entry-level and affordable gimbal head that offers great performance for its price. It's relatively lightweight, easy to use, and provides smooth motion for tracking wildlife. I personally use this gimbal head and I love it. For $250 it’s hard to beat. This gimbal head also comes in a carbon fiber version, which is a great option. We simply selected the aluminum version for today's article because it has a higher number of great ratings and reviews. 

Magnus GH-M1 Gimbal Head

• Price: $70

• Load Capacity: 30 lb

• Weight: 2 lb

• Height: 8.3”

For those on a tight budget, the Magnus GH-M1 offers incredible value, providing a stable platform for relatively heavy lenses without breaking the bank. It certainly won’t stack up head-to-head with a professional-level gimbal head but for the price point, this thing is great. And it has received loads of solid reviews and ratings.

Benro GH2 Aluminum Gimbal Head

• Price: $375

• Load Capacity: 50lb

• Weight: 3lb

• Height: 9.5”

Benro’s GH2 is known for its durability and ease of use, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals alike. This is a very solid and fluid gimbal head that will be able to handle a wide range of lenses in all sorts of conditions. If you’re looking for a really solid option that won’t cost an arm and a leg, then this just might be what you’re after.

Sirui PH-20 Gimbal Head

• Price: $280

• Load Capacity: 40 lb

• Weight: 2.4 lb

• Height: 9”

The Sirui PH-20 offers a great balance between performance and price, featuring smooth adjustments and solid build quality. This is especially true when you consider that it’s a very lightweight and robust carbon fiber gimbal head available for under $300 USD. If you want a great carbon gimbal head that won’t break the bank then this is a great choice.

Gitzo Gimbal Fluid Head

• Price: $639

• Load Capacity: 17.6 lb

• Weight: 3 lb

• Height: N/A

Gitzo’s Gimbal Fluid Head is an award-winning and top-rated offering that provides fluid movement that is perfect for video and still photography. This gimbal head offers premium performance for demanding photographers. It may not be able to handle quite as much weight as some other gimbal heads but nonetheless, it is a great product.

Jobu Design BWG-J3K Jobu Jr.3 Gimbal Kit with Swing-Arm HM-J2

• Price: $339

• Load Capacity: Max: 50 lb, Recommended: 12 lb

• Weight: 1 lb

• Height: 7.13”

This lightweight and compact gimbal head from Jobu Design is ideal for travel and on-the-go wildlife photography. If you want something that’s quite small and very lightweight, then this is a great choice. It’s worth mentioning that due to its small size and lightweight build, you shouldn’t use this gimbal head with very tall, large, or heavy lenses.

Movo Photo GH800 Carbon Fiber Professional Gimbal Tripod Head

• Price: $180

• Load Capacity: 33 lb

• Weight: 2.75 lb

• Height: 10”

Movo’s GH800 combines strength and lightness with its carbon fiber construction, offering a great option for those needing a lightweight yet robust gimbal head. And with a staggering price point of only $180, this thing is a bargain. With lots of very solid reviews and a very low price point, the Movo Photo GH800 is a very solid and affordable carbon fiber gimbal head.

Zenelli CARBONZX Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head

• Price: $1,319

• Load Capacity: 154 lb

• Weight: 1.98 lb

• Height: 9”

The Zenelli CARBONZX is a high-end gimbal head designed for professionals, featuring exceptional build quality and precision. With a 100% hollow carbon fiber construction and a staggering maximum load capacity of 154 pounds, this thing is a beast. If you want one of the best gimbal heads money can buy that’s also ultra-lightweight then this is just what you’re looking for.

ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro Aluminum Gimbal Head

• Price: $700

• Load Capacity: 50 lb

• Weight: 2.4 lb

• Height: 9.75”

The ProMediaGear GKJr is a premium gimbal head that offers smooth, reliable performance, making it a great choice for serious wildlife photographers. This thing is incredibly durable, the motion is silky smooth, and overall this is a great gimbal head with the ratings and review to prove it.

Conclusion

 And there we have it. This has been our curated list of 10 of the best gimbal heads currently available. Again, this list was presented in no particular order, and we wanted to provide a nice variety of products that range in price and functionality. If you’d like to learn more about tripods and tripod heads, be sure to read our article covering all things tripods. We also have an article covering the top 10 ball headsas well. I hope this guide has been helpful and informative and I’ll see you on the next one! 

Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.

When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.

At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.

Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.

Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.

You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com