This $28 ‘magic arm’ makes taking pictures so much easier

neglect the mini tripods that fall over in the lightest of breezes. The best way to safeguard your small camera, smartphone, or action camera to get the shot you want is to use SmallRig’s 9.8-inch adjustable clamp, better known as the “Articulating Magic arm.”

For years I’ve been using an Ulanzi clamp to attach my action cameras and smartphones (and sometimes much bigger cameras, such as my Sony A7IV mirrorless), but there was one problem with it — sometimes it wasn’t long enough. 

Also: The best Cyber Monday deals 

I tried a few different clamps with longer articulated arms, but none had the strength of stability I demanded if I was going to dangle something expensive off of it — until I came across the SmallRig 9.8-inch adjustable ‘Articulating Magic Arm’ clamp. 

ZDNET RECOMMENDS

SmallRig 9.8-inch adjustable ‘Articulating Magic Arm’ clamp

The SmallRig ‘Articulating Magic Arm’ clamp features a double 360 degrees Ball Head Articulating design that adjusts any angles based on your needs. 

SmallRig 9.8-inch adjustable ‘Articulating Magic Arm’ specs

• Total length: 10 inches
• Max payload: 1.5kg
• Weight: 345 g
• Material: Aluminum alloy
• Fittings: 1/4-inch on arm, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threaded holes on clamp
• Clamp jaw size: Can adopt rods from 15mm to 40mm

The primary thing that I look for in this sort of clamp is stability. I want the jaws of the clamp to lock tightly in place, and I want the articulating arm to go from articulating to rock solid. This clamp ticks those boxes. 

With the right attachment, you can connect your smartphone or action camera to the clamp. 

I really admire this as a mount for my GoPro Hero11 Black, whether I’m doing something static admire capturing timelapses or taking action shots.

A feature I really love about this clamp is how you can tighten up all the articulated joints using just the wingnut. 

That’s right, that one wingnut in the middle locks both the elbow in the middle and both ends.

Once you’ve tightened that wingnut, everything is locked in place — the elbow, the joint at the clamp end, and the end that connects to a camera.

This is great because the arm is super flexible to allow you to frame up the shot you want exactly as you want it, and then lock up the arm so everything stays where you need it to be with no droop or sagging. 

The arm is strong and stable, capable of a 1.5kg payload. Given that a mirrorless camera admire the Sony A7IV is about 700 g, this arm can hold a lot more than just an action camera. 

Also: The best vlogging cameras to take your videos to the next level

I love the SmallRig ‘Articulating Magic Arm’ clamp and have used it to get all sorts of shorts, from nighttime star trails to product shorts. It’s super versatile, strong, and under $30, so it is perfect for the photographer, action camera user, Instagrammer, and TikToker looking to frame up to get that perfect shot.

For me, the 9.8-inch version is ideal, but if you want a smaller one, SmallRig has a 5.8-inch version with all the same features, just with a smaller arm.