How do you choose the right selfie stick?

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Hoe kies je de juiste selfiestick?

A selfie stick is an incredibly handy tool for photographing or filming yourself. On vacation, you see many people using them, and not without reason: with a selfie stick, you capture yourself with all the sights. Because your camera is further away from you, you get more in the picture.

Are you going on vacation, or do you want to capture yourself with your surroundings for another reason? Then it's useful to buy a selfie stick. In this blog, we'll guide you through the points to consider when purchasing a selfie stick.

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Telesin 3 meter Premium Selfie Stick voor GoPro - Carbon - GoPro Selfie sticks

Length and adjustability

Perhaps the most important aspect of a selfie stick is its length and adjustability. Selfie sticks come in all shapes and sizes. You can find selfie sticks with a (medium) short range, but also selfie sticks with a long reach. How long your selfie stick needs to be depends on what you want to use it for. Below you will find different applications for specific selfie stick lengths.

(Medium) short selfie sticks (150 cm or smaller)

  • Close-up selfies and duo photos
    Handy for getting a bit more in the frame than with just your arm.
  • Vlogging on the go
    Compact and easier to hold while walking or talking to the camera.
  • Travel and daily use
    Easy to carry in a bag or jacket pocket and quick to grab.

Long selfie sticks (larger than 150 cm)

  • Group photos with more distance
    Useful for getting larger groups or more background in the frame.
  • Shots from a higher or wider perspective
    For example, above a crowd, on the beach, or at viewpoints.

Creative content and remote sports shots Provides more freedom for dynamic shots where you are not too close to yourself.

Telesin 3 meter Premium Selfie Stick voor GoPro - Carbon - GoPro Selfie sticks

Firmness and stability

Another factor you need to consider is sturdiness and stability. This is especially important for selfie sticks that extend a long way. The longer a selfie stick is, the less stable it will be. You're essentially holding up a sturdy fishing rod, and due to the weight of your phone or camera, selfie sticks made of lighter materials can bend slightly. Selfie sticks made of sturdier materials are more resistant to this, but are often heavier. Below you can see an overview of the advantages of selfie sticks made of lighter materials versus selfie sticks made of heavier materials.

Advantages of lightweight selfie sticks

1. Easier to carry

A lightweight selfie stick is convenient for travel, day trips, and on-the-go use. It's easier to put in your bag, and you'll hardly notice you're carrying it.

2. More comfortable to hold

Especially during longer shots or when vlogging, you'll notice the difference. A lower weight means your arm and hand will tire less quickly.

3. Quicker and more practical to use

Lightweight models are easy to grab for a quick selfie, video, or group photo. This makes them ideal for daily use.

Advantages of heavier material selfie sticks

1. Often a more stable feel

A heavier model often feels sturdier, especially when the selfie stick is extended further. This provides more confidence when taking photos and videos.

2. Often more suitable for larger smartphones

For larger or heavier smartphones, a more robust selfie stick can be more pleasant to use. The construction often feels more stable and better balanced.

3. Can feel more robust and durable

Heavier materials often give a solid impression. Especially with more intensive use, this can contribute to a more durable and stronger feel.

Please note: heavier does not automatically mean better, and lighter does not automatically mean less sturdy. The construction, locking mechanism, and finish also play a significant role.

View all our selfie sticks

  • Ulanzi MT-44 Selfie stick Tripod for phone and camera - 146cm

    €32,95
    €32,95
    Ulanzi MT-44 Selfie stick Statief voor telefoon en camera - 146cm - Selfiesticks

  • Ulanzi MT-09 GoPro vlogging tripod, hand grip & selfie stick

    €22,95
    €22,95
    Ulanzi MT-09 GoPro vlog-statief, handgreep en selfie stick - GoPro Selfie sticks

  • MOJOGEAR Selfie Stick Extra Long - 160cm

    €23,95
    €23,95
    MOJOGEAR Selfie Stick Extra Lang - 160cm - Selfiesticks

  • Ulanzi MT-16 Vlogging Tripod, Camera Holder & Selfie stick with cold shoe mount

    €29,95
    €29,95
    Ulanzi MT-16 Vlog Statief, Camerahouder & Selfie stick met Cold Shoe Mount - Selfiesticks

  • MOJOGEAR super strong selfie stick bluetooth remote shutter KIT

    €24,95
    €24,95
    MOJOGEAR superstevige selfie stick met bluetooth afstandsbediening KIT - Selfiesticks

  • Telesin 3 meter Premium Selfie Stick for GoPro - Carbon

    €64,95
    €64,95
    €69,95
    Telesin 3 meter Premium Selfie Stick voor GoPro - Carbon - GoPro Selfie sticks
    Sale

  • Yunteng Selfie Stick Vlog Tripod with Bluetooth remote control shutter YT-9928 for smartphone and camera

    €24,95
    €24,95
    Yunteng YT-9928 Selfie stick met statief voor smartphone en camera - Selfiesticks

  • Ulanzi SK-03 Selfie Stick Tripod 1.6m with Bluetooth shutter

    €46,95
    €46,95
    Ulanzi SK-03 Selfie Stick Statief 1,6m met Bluetooth remote shutter - Selfiesticks

  • MOJOGEAR MG-TS1 Flexible Selfie Stick Tripod with Bluetooth Remote

    €29,95
    €29,95
    MOJOGEAR MG-TS1 Flexibel Selfie Stick Statief met Bluetooth Remote - Selfiesticks

  • Telesin MNP-002 Selfie Stick 120 cm for action camera and smartphone - Carbon

    €39,95
    €39,95
    Telesin MNP-002 Selfie Stick 120 cm voor actioncamera en smartphone - Carbon - GoPro Selfie sticks

  • Ulanzi Go Quick II GoPro Selfie Stick Tripod Magnetic

    €23,95
    €23,95
    Ulanzi Go Quick II tripod: Magnetische GoPro Tripod & Selfie Stick - GoPro Tripods

  • Telesin MINI Selfiestick Phone Tripod - with Magsafe & Remote

    €36,95
    €36,95
    Telesin MINI Selfiestick telefoonstatief - met Magsafe & remote - Selfiesticks
MOJOGEAR Selfie Stick Extra Lang - 160cm - Selfiesticks

Grip and mounting

With a selfie stick, the grip and attachment are also important. The grip is important because that's where you hold it. Naturally, you want a selfie stick to feel comfortable in your hand and not slip easily. The grip can be made of a different material than the rest of the selfie stick, which reinforces the grip on the selfie stick. Furthermore, some selfie sticks also have the option of attaching a wrist strap: this ensures that the selfie stick doesn't fall into the abyss if it slips out of your hand during use.

The attachment is fairly self-explanatory, but it is a very important factor. There are all sorts of connections for all sorts of different devices. When buying a selfie stick, consider carefully what kind of camera you want to attach to it: a smartphone camera, action camera, or "regular" camera. And even if you already know what kind of attachment you need, you still have many different options. For example, for a phone, you have a standard phone holder or a magnetic holder; for action cameras, various brands require a different type of attachment; and for "regular" cameras, various connections are also possible. So, before purchasing a selfie stick, first thoroughly research what type of attachment your camera needs, and if you have a choice, which one you want.

Ulanzi SK-03 Selfie Stick Statief 1,6m met Bluetooth remote shutter - Selfiesticks

Extra Features

Not essential, but nice and useful: extra features. While in 2016 people walked around with a simple selfie stick to vlog themselves, selfie sticks nowadays have a lot of different functions. In certain situations, some functions can be your best friend. Below, we list some of these functions and in what situations they come in handy:

  • Bluetooth remote / wireless control
    Several models have a Bluetooth remote to take photos and videos without touching your phone. Super handy, as you don't have to set a timer or start a recording before the camera is in position.
  • Remote integrated into leg / gimbal control
    The Ulanzi RMT-01 has a remote shutter in one of its legs, and the Hohem RS01 remote goes even further with photo/video, zoom, joystick adjustments, and mode switching for iSteady gimbals.
  • Built-in tripod / selfie stick-tripod combination
    There are multiple 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 models that you can use as both a selfie stick and a tripod. The Hohem RS01 even combines a selfie stick + tripod + gimbal remote in one.
  • Quick release for action camera
    The Ulanzi Go Quick II has a magnetic quick release mount with a rotating system, so you can easily and quickly switch your action camera from the selfie stick to handheld use.
  • Cold shoe mount for accessories
    The Ulanzi MT-70 has a cold shoe mount to attach, for example, a microphone or LED light.
  • Use two phones simultaneously
    The Ulanzi MT-70 explicitly states that you can use two phones simultaneously, useful for livestreams or for filming horizontally and vertically at the same time.
  • Built-in power bank
    The Telesin CSS-001 is quite unique: a selfie stick with an integrated 10,000 mAh power bank, including QC3.0 and PD3.0, so you can charge while filming.
  • Dust and water resistant / suitable for underwater use
    Our collection includes a model that is explicitly dust and water resistant for rainy or snowy conditions, and a carbon model that is suitable for underwater use.

Use cases

Not every selfie stick suits every user. Therefore, it's wise to consider beforehand how you primarily intend to use the selfie stick. If you're taking it on a trip, a compact and lightweight model is often the best choice. This way, it fits more easily in your bag and you're more likely to take it with you during a city trip, hike, or day out. Do you mainly use a selfie stick for vlogging? Then stability, grip, and flexibility are particularly important. While filming, you want the selfie stick to feel comfortable in your hand and not vibrate or wobble too much. A model with a tripod function or a (built-in) Bluetooth remote can also be very convenient.

Other characteristics also play a role for daily use. If you want to quickly take a selfie, a group photo, or occasionally record a video, ease of use is often more important than maximum length. In that case, a selfie stick that extends quickly and is easy to operate is usually the best choice. If you frequently create content in different locations, extra features such as water resistance, an additional Bluetooth remote, or a sturdy phone holder can make a difference. So don't just choose based on price or appearance, but primarily on the situation in which you will actually use the selfie stick.

Conclusion

There's more to buying a selfie stick than you might expect. In this blog, you've learned what you need to consider. Below is a brief summary:

Length and adjustability
Choose a selfie stick with a comfortable length. Do you want to capture a lot in the frame? Choose a longer selfie stick. Do you want to take quick selfies and prioritize ease of use? Choose a shorter selfie stick.

Sturdiness and stability
Pay close attention to the sturdiness and stability of a selfie stick, depending on what you'll use it for. Sturdier often means heavier, so it really depends on how often you'll use it and how often you'll need to transport it.

Grip and attachment
When choosing a selfie stick, ensure that the grip is good and that the attachment is compatible with the camera you want to use.

Additional features
Carefully consider what additional features certain selfie sticks have and whether they suit your purposes.

Use cases
The most important thing is to buy a selfie stick that fits your use case. For example, you don't need a selfie stick with an underwater function if you just want to capture everyone in a selfie with friends on vacation.

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