6 Tips on How to Choose the Best Selfie Stick GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Android 79 79 people found this article helpful
6 Tips on How to Choose the Best Selfie Stick
Find the best device for perfecting your selfie
By Jason Hidalgo Jason Hidalgo Writer University of Nevada, Reno Jason Hidalgo is an award-winning technology and business journalist whose writing has also appeared in Engadget, USA Today, and the Reno Gazette-Journal. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 23, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS What to Know
The selfie stick's clamp must be large enough to accommodate your device. An extending plastic clamp is often the most secure.To use with a camera or GoPro, make sure the stick offers a camera mount. For portability, look for a stick that shortens easily.Consider a remote trigger for hands-free action. For rear camera use, consider a mirror attachment that reflects your phone’s display. This article discusses the top six features to consider when purchasing a selfie stick to perfect your personal images. Size Matters
Lots of folks tend to focus on the “stick” part of the selfie stick when mulling their options. One of the important pieces of any selfie stick, however, is the cradle attachment that houses the phone. If you use a smaller device, then you’ll be good to go, in general. If you have a larger smartphone such as the iPhone 6 line, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, or even an odd-shaped duck such as the LG G Flex 2, however, you might find that the clamp might not be sizable enough to hold your device. This is especially true of older selfie sticks that were released before ginormous phones became the new standard. As such, make sure the clamp is large enough to accommodate your device of choice. Nice Grip
Speaking of selfie stick cradles, not all clamps are created equal. When looking at clamping mechanisms, you’ll want to think about ease of use and security. The two most common styles we've seen on the market involve either a pull-away wire clamp or an extending plastic grip with fasteners. The metal wire grip has the advantage of being quick and easy to set up but the grip can be a bit iffy if you bump it into something or subject it to sudden, strong movement. The extending plastic clamp can take a bit longer to fasten, but once it’s locked in, it should be pretty secure. When choosing the latter, make sure its edges have good “bite,” so to speak, as we’ve seen some with loose grips that pretty much defeat the purpose of such a clamping mechanism. Mount Up
Everyone loves a versatile gadget. Although most folks use selfie sticks with their smartphones, they can be a useful accessory for small cameras and video cams as well. If you’re interested in using your stick with a device such as the rugged JVC Everio Quad-Proof camera or even a GoPro, for example, you’ll want to get one that comes with a camera mount option as well. This usually involves a fat screw that can attach to the bottom of any regular camera. While we’re on this subject, we also recommend getting a stick that comes with a good ball joint for either the camera mount or even the smartphone cradle. This gives you plenty of options for positioning when you’re out and about. Just make sure you watch out for cheap swivels that don’t work as well or break easily. The Long and Short of It
Obviously, it’s great to have a selfie stick with enough length to get as many of those panoramic sights in view. But length is just part of the equation. Portability is important for selfie sticks as well, so you’ll want to get one that shortens adequately for ease of carrying when traveling or walking around. While we’re on this subject, take note of the extension mechanism as well. Some sticks such as the iStabilizer Monopod, for example, feature a simple, stiffer mechanism akin to an old car antenna. Then you’ve got other options like the Satechi Bluetooth Smart Selfie Arm, which has a looser extension mechanism but comes with a lock to keep it in place once extended to the ideal length. Hands-Free Well Sort Of
Although you can program your smartphone to use a shutter timer before taking a picture, a remote trigger is more convenient for taking lots of images with your selfie stick. For basic sticks, you can get a separate remote that allows you to remotely trigger your smartphone’s camera (same with some dedicated still and video cameras as well). Some sticks such as the aforementioned Satechi, however, come with a smartphone-compatible remote that that lets you trigger a shot straight from the handle. Mirror Mirror on the Stick
If you prioritize the quality of images, well, you’d get a DSLR. Seriously, though, we’re talking about phones here and as far as the devices go, the rear camera is usually way better than the front camera that people normally use when taking selfies. If you want to use the rear camera but still see your phone display for proper framing, some sticks also come with a mirror option or attachment that reflects your phone’s display. Consider one of those if you want the best pics from your smartphone while using a selfie stick. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use a Selfie Light Fugetek FT-568 Selfie Stick Review: A Sturdy, High-End Selfie Stick How to Take a Selfie on iPhone What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It The 3 Best Selfie Sticks, Tested by Lifewire The 7 Best Smartphone Tripods of 2022 How to Set Up and Use Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K Action Camera Review: Great Quality At a Budget Friendly Price How to Charge Your GoPro Camera and Batteries How to Install Security Cameras The 6 Best Ring Lights for Cameras in 2022 Patekfly 12 Flexible Tripod Review: A Quirky Little Assistant What Android Auto Is and How to Use It The 11 Best Selfie Apps of 2022 Acuvar 50-inch Aluminum Camera Tripod: A Mini Version of a Typical Tripod The Art of Selfie-Taking: How to Take a Good Selfie Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies