Gear of the Year: Support

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker

Gear of the Year is here – cast your vote and back the best support of 2025

A camera is only as good as the support it rests on. Whether you’re shooting static interviews, dynamic gimbal moves or going handheld, the right kit matters. This year’s Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year Awards celebrate the unsung heroes of production – tripods, rigs, sliders and stabilisers that keep your shots sharp, smooth and cinematic.

A reliable tripod or monopod is crucial on any shoot. Top picks this year include the OConnor Flowtech 100 and Sachtler Flowtech75 MS with Aktiv8T head – fast, sturdy and easy to handle. For lighter or budget set-ups, the Sachtler Ace M Mk II, Libec NX-300MC and Benro KH26PC deliver solid support with smooth fluid heads.

The Manfrotto 645 Fast Twin and 055 Video remain favourites for their rock-solid reliability, while the Manfrotto XPro Four-Section Video monopod adds portability for run-and-gun filming. It’s been around a long time but still delivers.

Relative newcomers like the Acebil P-25GX and Libec HS-150M blend pro features with good value. For versatility, the Kenro Karoo 3-in-1 and 3 Legged Thing Jay offer flexible, multi-use designs at great prices. There’s no one-size-fits-all for tripods – so let us know what you think is worthy of an award.

For cinematic motion, sliders and dollies add precision and flair. Compact picks such as the Accsoon Toprig S60 and iFootage Shark Nano II offer high-tech features. Hague’s Edge and S800 keep things smooth on a budget, while Konova’s P1 KMS-S3 is a favourite among indie filmmakers, offering app control.

For longer-range shots, the Libec ALX S12 provides great build quality and travel length, while the Tilta Hydra motorised slider takes things a step further – ideal for car rigs and dynamic, multi-axis movements.

Cages and rigs let filmmakers customise their set-ups. Kondor Blue’s Sony Burano Cage System, Vocas Lightweight Base Plate and Wooden Camera Core Accessory System offer robust mounting. Bright Tangerine’s Komodo-X kit brings elite build quality, Zacuto’s Z-Finder Recoil Rig adds optical precision and Smallrig’s Sony FX3 Cage keeps things modular.

Smooth handheld shots are now simpler than ever thanks to tech-packed stabilisers. This year’s nominees include the ultra-compact DJI RS 4 Mini with auto-tracking, powerful RS 4 Pro and robust Freefly Movi Pro Essentials. Meanwhile, Zhiyun’s dynamic duo of the Crane 4 Combo and Cinepeer Crane 4E round up a fast-evolving category.

From static support to fluid motion, this kit keeps your footage flawless. Vote now to crown the best in camera support for 2025!