Best Budget-Friendly Tripod Dolly

A quality tripod dolly is a convenient accessory for any photographer or videographer.

Tripods help keep your camera steady, but they are often difficult to reposition. Tripod dollies make tripods more mobile. As with a camera dolly, a tripod dolly has wheels. However, it also has a base with anchor points for supporting a tripod.

If you want the best tripod dolly, here are seven of the top affordable recommendations.

1. NEEWER Professional Aluminum Alloy Tripod Dolly

The NEEWER Professional Tripod Dolly is a universal tripod dolly designed to fit almost any tripod. It includes a triangular base with large wheels and leg mounts for ensuring that the tripod legs remain secure.

The legs of the dolly are thick and extendable. You can adjust the legs from 10.8 inches to 15.7 inches to accommodate different tripod sizes.

As with most tripod dollies, the legs fold together, making it easier to store or transport the dolly. It also includes a large handle with a comfortable grip for carrying the dolly. With a total weight of just 4.36 pounds, you should have no problem transporting this dolly to your next shoot.

The wheels are standard ball-bearing wheels with locking mechanisms. They should roll easily over most surfaces, including carpet, but may struggle in rocky terrain or grass.

Pros

• Affordable price for a tripod dolly
• The aluminum alloy legs are durable and lightweight
• The legs include mounts for securing the dolly

Cons

• The wheels may not roll easily on bumpy terrain

Check the current price on Amazon.

2. Manfrotto 127 Video Dolly with Three-Inch Wheels

The Manfrotto 127 Video Dolly is equipped with three-inch wheels, making it a top choice for those who film outdoors. A tripod dolly with big wheels helps you easily roll over bumpy terrain with minimal camera shake.

The base and legs are constructed from lightweight aluminum. They also fold for easier storage and transport, but the dolly weighs a little more than some of the other options. It also lacks a handle for carrying the dolly.

The main advantages of this dolly include its larger wheels and stable base. You should not need to worry about your tripod tipping over or getting stuck in the dirt.

Pros

• One of the more durable tripod dollies
• Has larger wheels for rolling through difficult terrain
• Includes rubber stops for greater stability

Cons

• One of the more expensive tripod dollies
• Does not include a carrying handle

Check the current price on Amazon.

3. Davis & Sanford W3 Universal Folding Dolly

The Davis & Sanford W3 Folding Dolly is a convenient, but basic dolly for tripods. It has the standard folding design with a carrying handle and lockable wheels. However, it uses less expensive ball-bearing wheels with simple flip locks.

The leg mounts are adjustable, ensuring that this dolly should work with any tripod. You can quickly tighten or loosen the leg mounts to remove or add the tripod.

Pros

• Easy to fold and carry
• Includes adjustable leg mounts
• Takes up minimal space when folded

Cons

• The wheels may not roll smoothly on rough terrain

Check the current price on Amazon.

4. NEEWER Professional Heavy Duty Tripod Dolly with Rubber Wheels

The NEEWER Professional Heavy Duty Tripod Dolly closely matches the NEEWER Professional Aluminum Alloy Tripod Dolly. As with the previous NEEWER dolly, this option has leg mounts, adjustable legs, and a folding design. However, instead of aluminum alloy legs, this dolly has heavier metal.

The dolly is a little heavier, weighing 5.3 pounds, but should also hold up better when used in rough environments. It also has slightly larger wheels. Instead of two-inch wheels, this dolly is equipped with 2.75-inch wheels with nylon tires.

The nylon tires may wear with repeated outdoor use. Luckily, as with most dollies, you can easily replace the casters. The wheels use the standard thread found on most casters for dollies and office chairs.

Pros

• Durable base and legs
• Folding design with large handle
• Includes a storage bag

Cons

• Weighs a little more compared to other dollies

Check the current price on Amazon.

5. Dolica LT-D100 Professional Tripod Dolly

The Dolica LT-D100 is another heavy-duty tripod dolly. It has wide legs that fold inward for easier storage, along with large wheels with locking mechanisms.

The leg mounts are adjustable to fit almost any tripod. Most of the components are made from nylon instead of heavy metal, which helps keep the design lightweight. This dolly weighs just 4.4 pounds, making it one of the lightest options.

Pros

• The lightweight design is convenient
• Offers greater stability and support for almost any tripod
• The large wheels should roll easily on most surfaces

Cons

• The nylon components may wear easily when used outdoors

Check the current price on Amazon.

6. Ikan EI-7003 E-Image Lightweight Tripod Dolly

The Ikan EI-7003 E-Image Tripod Dolly is a top recommendation for the best budget tripod dolly due to its heavy load capacity. The dolly weighs 6.75 pounds, making it one of the heavier dollies on this list. However, it can hold up to 88 pounds, which is significantly more weight than other options.

If you have heavy gear, this dolly may be one of the most secure choices. It also has lockable leg mounts for keeping the tripod from moving around.

Despite the heavier weight of this dolly, the legs are surprisingly thin. The legs also fold for convenient storage. When folded, this dolly takes up less space compared to the top tripod dollies.

One drawback is the leg mounts. Instead of adjustable mounts, the mounts are fixed and feature a flip-lock. The base should support the average tripod, but some smaller tripods may not reach the leg mounts.

Pros

• Includes three-inch wheels for smoother movement
• Has the highest load capacity
• The slim design takes up less space when folded

Cons

• The leg mounts are not adjustable
• Relatively heavy compared to other dollies

Check the current price on Amazon.

7. VIDPRO SK-22 Professional Skater Dolly for DSLR Cameras

The VIDPRO SK-22 stands out as the best tripod with wheels for shooting from low angles or on a tabletop. Unlike the other options, this dolly does not have a triangular base for supporting tripods. The base and wheels resemble a small roller skate.

Instead of adding a tripod to the base, you simply mount the camera on the base and use the provided articulating arm or grip to maneuver the dolly. This allows you to track shots from a lower angle compared to other dollies.

Pros

• One of the lightest dollies available
• The articulating arm provides a greater range of movement
• The mounts support any camera or camcorder

Cons

• Does not support a separate tripod
• Only suitable for low-angle or tabletop applications

Check the current price on Amazon.

Conclusion – How to Find the Best Dolly for Tripods

When looking for the best tripod dolly, always check the weight capacity. Some of the less expensive tripod dollies can only support up to 30 or 35 pounds, while heavy-duty dollies can support 100 pounds or more.

If portability is important to you, look for a tripod dolly with a folding design and a storage bag or case. You should also compare the weight of your top choices to find the lightest dollies.

The size and type of wheels are also important, as you need larger wheels to roll over difficult terrains, such as pavement or grass. A tripod dolly with pneumatic wheels helps when traveling over rough surfaces. Pneumatic wheels are filled with compressed air and offer greater shock absorption.

Keep these details in mind as you compare tripod dollies to find the right one for your specific video or photo applications.

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