Smartphone cameras have undergone substantial improvements over the years, with features like electronic or optical image stabilization, often eliminating shakiness in photos and videos. However, for a more polished, cinematic finish, consumers might want to explore smartphone gimbals. These gadgets are effective in eliminating blur, thereby producing more professional visuals. Particularly for individuals who want a superb video quality while on the move, these compact smartphone gimbals may just be the perfect accessory. An exciting product in this category is the Osmo Mobile SE by DJI. Viewed as a reputable brand in videography products, this gimbals brand's latest model is a compact version of the well-received Osmo Mobile 6, boasting of a longer battery life and relatively cheaper.

The Osmo Mobile SE measures 6.57 x 4.28 x 1.83 inches making it incredibly portable. The gimbal employs the use of brushless motors, which results in a smooth rotation while maintaining powerful stabilization irrespective of the weight of the phone. DJI's proprietary tracking technology is another stand out feature of the Osmo Mobile SE. The ActiveTrack 6.0 is designed to track a subject, keeping it consistently within the frame. This upgraded technology has improved its ability to track distant or highly mobile subjects such as children and pets.

For vloggers or those who find themselves shooting many self-facing videos, good lighting is crucial. The Zhiyun Smooth Q4 gimbal comes with a small fill light emitting over 140 lux of light, making it a game-changer for self-filming or shooting in low-light conditions. The gimbal's handle features a multi-purpose button that allows easy alteration of lighting profiles with just one hand. With such features, the Zhiyun Smooth Q4 can quickly adapt to varied settings resulting in the most excellent video quality. In terms of performance, this gimbal matches other giants in the industry, including DJI.

Another impressive product on the market is the PowerVision S1 3-axis gimbal, touted as the smallest in the world. A physical measurement confirms this statement as the device only measures 5.5 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches when folded. This tiny frame is achieved by folding in all moving parts tightly against the rectangular handle. Despite its size, there have been concerns about its durability due to the heavy use of plastic in its build. Moreover, the gimbal's separate phone holder might render the S1 useless if forgotten, despite its attachment to the device via a powerful magnet.

For those prioritizing portability, the 2-axis Zhiyun Smooth X2 might be a perfect fit. While it may seem inferior to the 3-axis options, these gimbals are worth considering depending on the type of footage desired. These gimbals stabilize the phone along the pitch (tilt) and roll axes only, which refers to up and down movement and left-right shifting respectively. Due to their minimal size, 2-axis gimbals like the Zhiyun Smooth X2, which measures a mere 2.79 x 2.2 x 6.29 inches and weighs only 0.6 pounds, provide a versatile option for on-the-go shooting.

Lastly, there's the MOZA Mini MX, a 3-axis gimbal notable for its battery life of 20 hours, making it perfect for long shooting schedules. Though not the smallest, the MOZA Mini MX is quite portable, measuring only 6.69 x 2.95 x 1.96 inches when folded and weighs less than a pound. It also features a companion app with several functionalities like time-lapse mode and editing tools. However, it may also be used with a phone's in-built camera app.