I’ve been using the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 for several weeks, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a travel tripod and more

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: two-minute review

We photographers often obsess over gear, even if we may try to deny it. Despite this uncomfortable truth, it’s always great when you find something that reduces the amount of kit you need, which is exactly what the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 does.

With Tripod, Desktop, Monopod and Trekking Pole Modes, plus the Smartphone Clip for attaching your phone to the tripod, the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 is one of the best travel tripods available. This level of versatility means you can have one tripod to provide a range of solutions, which can be unbelievably useful when traveling.

It’s a well-built tripod and looks and feels more expensive than it is. The ball head is also excellent quality and offers dual panning controls. The tripod plate is on the long side, extending beyond the edges of the head. This is because the Arca-Swiss compatible plate transforms into a smartphone holder for attaching your smartphone to the tripod.

Knobs and dials are finished in a pleasing red that contrasts with the chrome and black finishes elsewhere and match the leg angle release buttons and center column locking knob on the legs. However, I didn't find the chrome or chrome-look finish at the top of the three legs to be the most visually attractive.

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The four-section legs are made of carbon fiber and feature twist locks. What I really like here is that the thinnest bottom leg sections are still chunkier than the middle sections of many other travel tripods. This makes the legs satisfyingly rigid when fully extended and improves stability as a result. The leg release buttons for changing the leg angle can be fiddly, but aside from this, they’re great.

The main limitation of the tripod, however, is that the maximum height is 1570mm / 5.15ft. On the plus side, the minimum height is 175mm / 6.9in, and the weight of the tripod and head is just 1.65kg / 3.64lbs. As a travel solution, this is perfect, but you’ll need a full-size tripod if you want something taller and/or weightier.

In the tripod kit, you also get three short carbon fiber legs made up of two sections, which feature a twist lock. These are for the Desktop Mode, which requires you to split the centre column using a hex key and then insert the shorter section with the base to attach the ball head. Transforming into this Mode is the fiddliest, but it’s still much more convenient, and reduces weight, compared to carrying both a travel and a desktop tripod.

Without the ball head attached and with the desktop legs angled out at 90 degrees, you can create a support for use in Monopod Mode. It’s nowhere near as effective as dedicated monopods with three mini legs built in, and certainly nowhere near as stable, but it’s still a potentially useful and welcome feature.

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The Trekking Pole Mode simply requires you to remove the leg without the foam and extend it, although there’s nothing to suggest the two legs with foam couldn’t be used as a pair of trekking poles instead. When you use a leg, or two, in this mode, you have to remove the rubber foot at the bottom of the leg. This can be used to cover the screw thread at the top of the leg while also revealing the metal spike at the bottom.

The maximum payload of the legs is 20kg / 44lbs, but since the head’s maximum payload is 10kg / 22.04lbs, this is the figure to go with. However, 10kg is still a respectable payload and will accommodate the vast majority of camera and lens combinations. The maximum payload of the legs also explains how one leg, or possibly more, can be used safely as trekking poles.

The Freewell 5-in-1 is a fantastic tripod that does everything it claims to, and does it well. The only use of the five that doesn’t appeal to me is the Trekking Pole Mode, because if I know I'll need trekking poles, I’ll always take them with me. However, if you’re hiking and feel the need for a trekking pole, the ability to utilize the tripod leg or even a couple of them is useful.

I’m a fan of small desktop tripods with Arca-Swiss ball heads, so I can use L-brackets with them for low-level shots, and this one fits the bill. For me, it’s Tripod, Desktop and Monopod Modes which are the most effective. The robust metal smartphone holder built into the tripod plate is a work of genius. In fact, the overall implementation of the different Modes illustrates innovative design that takes the humble tripod beyond expectations.

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: key specs

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: Price and availability

The Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 launched on October 8, 2025, and is priced in US dollars at $330, which at the time of writing converts to £246 / AU$500. This is a reasonable and attractive price for a carbon fiber travel tripod, and excellent value when you consider the versatility of this model. Amazon sells Freewell gear, so the tripod will likely be available on Amazon soon.

The tripod comes with a smart padded carry bag with handles and a shoulder strap. Inside the bag are the short Desktop Mode legs, a carabiner clip that can be screwed into the tripod to hang filter kits, and a couple of hex keys. The larger one is used to tighten the legs, and the smaller is used to split the center column. Splitting the center column allows you to set the tripod to Desktop Mode and also use the shorter legs as a base in Monopod Mode.

Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1: Also consider

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

The Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod is a small, lightweight travel tripod with three functions and a different basic design from the Freewell. Just like the Freewell, it can support multiple camera types, including smartphones, but it's ultimately more limited because it doesn't offer the same number of modes or functions.

Read our Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod review

Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod

The Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod is a unique model due to its articulating center column, which isn't a common travel tripod feature. It's well-made, but one of the heavier travel tripods available at 4.4lbs / 1.98kg.

Read our Vanguard VEO 3T+ 234CB travel tripod review

Should I buy the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1?

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How I tested the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1

• The tripod was tested for several weeks
• Handling, stiffness and rigidity were assessed
• All five uses were tested

I tested the Freewell Real Multi Tripod 5-in-1 over several weeks, mainly for stills photography but also for some videography, despite it not being a video tripod. The tripod was tested in all five modes to assess effectiveness and handling.

I used the tripod with several different camera and lens combinations, shooting subjects including landscapes, cityscapes and product photography. I carried the tripod extensively using the carry case and also with the tripod attached directly to my camera bag.

First reviewed October 2025