Scroll TikTok or Instagram for even a minute and one thing becomes clear: travel has gone vertical. Short-form video now drives modern wanderlust, turning unknown cafés, hidden beaches, and boutique hotels in Amsterdam into viral must-visit places through 1000+ views reels and posts overnight.
The scale is huge. The hashtag #travel has generated well over 220 billion views on TikTok, while most Gen Z travellers now say social media is their primary source of trip inspiration. In other words, today’s travel decisions are increasingly shaped by creators – not traditional guides, even those made nicely like these at softervolumes.com.
And yes, the earning potential is real. Industry estimates suggest influencer marketing spending has surpassed $25+ billion globally, with travel remaining one of the most brand-friendly niches. Micro travel creators can earn anywhere from $110 to $1,600 per sponsored post, while established mid-tier influencers often charge $5-6,000+ per campaign. Top video blogger names such as Murad Osmann (@muradosmann), Drew Binsky, and Kara and Nate have turned travel content into full-time businesses worth millions.
The most interesting part? Many successful travel video content creators today film on smartphones. What separates viral content from forgettable clips is rarely the phone itself – it’s the supporting gear that improves stability, lighting, sound, and overall polish.
The barrier to entry has never been lower, but the competition has never been higher. Showing up with shaky footage and poor audio simply won’t cut it in 2026.
The good news: you don’t need a Hollywood budget to compete.
Below are six affordable, travel-friendly smartphone vlogging essentials that can dramatically upgrade your video quality – and help you start building your own audience in the booming travel creator economy.
The Ultimate Smartphone Vlogging Gear Kit for Aspiring Travel Creators
Starting your journey as a travel creator requires the right equipment. Rocking up with your smartphone alone won’t do the trick; you should aim for polished, professional quality to bring in the views.
Still, you don’t need to break the bank to compile a high-tech vlogging kit that will help your content stand out from the crowd. Here are six smartphone vlogging gear essentials that you should pack if you want to document your travels like a pro.
DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal: Essential for Stabilizing Videos
- From $89.00
A gimbal serves as a stabilizer, helping you to shoot smooth, cinematic footage without shaking. It counteracts hand movements while walking or panning, and can even help you to perform complex movements like tilts and subject tracking, depending on what you’re filming.
This portable gimbal features ActiveTrack 4.0, which is a smart algorithm that tracks subjects with improved stability. It operates a powerful three-axis motor that keeps your smartphone steady even when you’re moving at speed.
The gimbal holds your phone in place with a magnetic clamp, so you don’t need to worry about balancing or calibrating it, unlike some other products.
Another USP of this gimbal is the ShotGuides software, which automatically recognizes your environment and recommends optimal shot sequences. As a beginner, you’ll benefit from the on-screen tutorial to polish your videography skills.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.4/5.0 (13,280+ reviews) |
“The DJI OM 5 is a significant leap forward in the world of smartphone gimbals, boasting advanced stabilization technology, a sleek design, and user-friendly features that cater to both novice and professional videographers.” Benjamin, Amazon Buyer.
EUCOS 62 Phone Tripod: For Hands-Free Operation
- From $22.99
When you’re creating static video sequences, a good tripod replaces your gimbal. It lets you film up-close-and-personal encounters without camera shake, helping you create smooth, professionally framed footage.
The EUCOS 62 tripod, in carbon black, features an adjustable mount adaptor, making it easy to switch your phone between horizontal and vertical orientations. It’s a universal tripod suitable for most smartphones, weighing just 0.8 lbs for easy carrying.
It comes with a wireless remote that lets you control the stand from 10m (33ft) away, which can be super useful for wildlife photography when stealth shooting is a priority.
The tripod doubles as a 62” selfie stick, saving you from having to purchase one separately.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.6/5.0 (19,405+ reviews) |
“This EUCOS 62″ phone tripod is very sturdy and well-made. My phone fits perfectly, and the adjustable holder made setup quick and easy. It extends smoothly and works great as both a tripod and a selfie stick.” Stephen, Amazon Buyer.
PICTRON U200 Handheld LED Ring Light: To Cast Even Light in Your Videos
- From $79.95
An LED ring light can take your videos to the next level. It provides soft, flattering lighting when used effectively, and can eliminate shadows and reduce blemishes when shooting close-ups.
This lighting rig is a handheld device with four adjustable light-emitting surfaces that you can switch between depending on the scene you’re shooting. It’s a step up from smaller smartphone lighting rings, offering much broader coverage and adjustable settings.
The star attraction is its brightness control, which ranges from 10% to 100%, giving you full control over the lighting in your videos.
The light features an 8,000mAh battery with approximately 2.5 hours of runtime on a single charge, and it doubles as a power bank, charging your phone or tablet.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.3/5.0 (710+ reviews) |
“Game changer helps with the video and picture quality of my work. Ready to assemble and hold. Worth the money.” Fredrecka McIntosh, Amazon Buyer.
DJI Mic Mini Wireless: To Capture Clear & Crisp Sound
- From $79.00
A mini wireless microphone removes the need for bulky, tethered cables and lets you capture crisp, high-quality audio from your subjects as you film. It’s also discreet and can be hidden from view if you wish.
The DJI Mic Mini has a range of 400m (1,312ft) and anti-interference capabilities, allowing remote or secret filming. For $79, you get two DJI mini microphones and a multi-purpose RX (receiver) for your camera or smartphone. It’s all packaged in a secure and handy travel case.
Audio quality is strong, thanks to 48kHz sampling and support for sound pressure levels up to 120dB, which means voices come through full, clear, and distortion-free.
Battery life is another highlight: combined with the charging case, you’ll get up to 48 hours of use, making it a reliable option for long shooting days or extended trips without constant recharging.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.7/5.0 (12,400+ reviews) |
“The DJI Mic Mini is a tiny, no-fuss wireless mic that punches well above its size. Audio is clean and natural, setup takes seconds, and the compact design makes it perfect for creators who want sound without bulky gear.” DOS, Amazon Buyer.
ANKER 20,000mAh Power Bank: For Charging Your Devices on the Go
- From $49.99
Given that creating videos drains your smartphone’s battery quickly, a reliable power bank with a strong battery is pretty much essential. ANKER is one of the top brands in the business, with many options for videographers.
We recommend this 20,000mAh power bank, as it’s available at a great price and perfect for charging all smartphones. You can even charge your laptop or tablet, but the battery will drain more quickly.
This is a super high-speed power bank, capable of taking an iPhone 15 Pro to 58% in just 30 minutes. Charging times vary by device, but you can expect most smartphones to reach 50% in about half an hour.
If you’re using multiple devices when making your videos, you can distribute 87W across up to three devices simultaneously. It has a built-in USB-C cable for easy charging.
This ANKER power bank is also ideal for international travel, as it is airline-approved and permitted in the cabin. Remember, if you’re traveling on an airplane with a power bank, you can’t check it in the hold.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.6/5.0 (5,935+ reviews) |
“I purchased the Anker Power Bank 20,000mAh as a travel backup, and it’s been a dependable option for larger charging needs. Having the cord attached is a big plus—one less thing to pack or lose. A simple choice for travel, long days out, or anyone who wants reliable extra power on hand.” HappyLifePNW, Amazon Buyer.
KEYWING Lens Attachment: For Professional Image Enhancement
- From $19.99
A lens attachment helps to improve image quality, expand your field of view, and introduce special effects to your production that wouldn’t otherwise be available on your smartphone.
For under $20, this three-in-one lens attachment from KEYWING is an easy way to expand what your smartphone camera can do, with each lens designed for a completely different perspective.
The standout is the 20x macro lens, which lets you focus as close as 1.18 to 3.54 inches, revealing tiny details you’d normally never notice, which is perfect for capturing textures or intricate objects.
The 120° wide-angle lens increases your field of view by around 10%, helping you fit more into the frame when shooting landscapes, architecture, or group shots.
For something more creative, the 198° fisheye lens delivers a dramatic curved effect, adding a playful, exaggerated look that makes photos feel more dynamic and eye-catching.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.0/5.0 (4,660+ reviews) |
“I love the fisheye lens picture look, and this gives exactly that! Easy to use, focuses without problem, comes with a little pouch for easy carry, and is made of good quality. Well worth the price.” Trevor, Amazon Buyer.
Start Your Travel Content Creation Journey Today with the Right Gear
For a few hundred dollars, you can turn your smartphone into a highly efficient, feature-rich video-capturing device. The gear introduced above is compatible with most smartphones, including Apple & Android devices.
Here’s a recap of the items that can transform your videos, and why you should consider adding them to your travel bag:
| Product | Price | How it improves your videos |
| DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal | From $89.00 | Stabilizes footage while walking, enabling smooth cinematic motion, tracking, and professional-looking handheld shots. |
| EUCOS 62 Phone Tripod | From $22.99 | Keeps phone completely steady for static shots, framing, time-lapses, and hands-free filming versatility. |
| PICTRON U200 Handheld LED Ring Light | From $79.95 | Provides even, adjustable lighting that reduces shadows and dramatically improves clarity, detail, and overall image quality. |
| DJI Mic Mini Wireless | From $79.00 | Captures clear, professional audio wirelessly, eliminating background noise and improving dialogue clarity. |
| ANKER 20,000mAh Power Bank | From $49.99 | Keeps devices powered all day, preventing interruptions and ensuring longer, uninterrupted filming sessions. |
| KEYWING Lens Attachment | From $19.99 | Expands creative options and offers finer detail, wider framing, and dramatic fisheye visual effects. |
Ultimate Smartphone Vlogging Checklist 2026
- Universal Travel Adapter: To ensure you can charge your power bank in any country.
- DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal: For cinematic, shake-free movement.
- EUCOS 62 Phone Tripod: For steady static shots and group photos.
- PICTRON U200 LED Ring Light: To ensure you always have flattering light.
- DJI Mic Mini Wireless: To capture professional-grade audio.
- ANKER 20,000mAh Power Bank: To keep your “studio” running all day.
- KEYWING Lens Attachment: To add wide-angle or macro creative flares.
- Rugged Camera Backpack: (e.g., McKinnon or Peak Design) To protect your gear from the elements.
- Portable SSD (1TB+): (e.g., Samsung T7) To offload massive 4K video files and save phone space.
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth: An absolute must for keeping your phone lenses smudge-free.
Is 4K video necessary for travel vlogging?
While not strictly mandatory, shooting in 4K is highly recommended in 2026. It provides much sharper visuals and gives you the flexibility to “crop in” on your footage during editing without losing quality – which is perfect for creating both YouTube videos and vertical TikToks from the same clip.
Do I really need an external microphone if my phone is new?
Yes. Even the newest smartphones struggle with wind noise and distance. An external microphone like the DJI Mic Mini focuses on your voice and filters out background chaos, which is the #1 way to make your videos feel “professional” rather than “amateur.”
How much storage do I need on my phone for vlogging?
If you are shooting 4K at 60fps, aim for at least 256GB of internal storage. If your phone has less, you should invest in a portable SSD or use cloud services to offload footage daily, as high-quality video files will fill up a 128GB phone in just a few hours of shooting.
Can a smartphone gimbal replace a tripod?
Not entirely. While a gimbal like the DJI OM 5 is amazing for walking shots, a dedicated tripod is better for long time-lapses, fixed interviews, or shots where you need the phone to be perfectly still for an extended period without draining the gimbal’s battery.
What is the best way to film in low light with a phone?
Smartphones have smaller sensors than pro cameras, so they struggle in the dark. To fix this, always use an external light source like the PICTRON LED Ring Light or try to find “key light” from windows or street lamps. Avoid using the digital zoom in low light, as it makes the footage look grainy.
