Creator & Camera Comparisons · Reviewed September 28, 2026
JOBY GorillaPod 1K vs Manfrotto PIXI Mini II: Flexible or Fixed Tripod?
Both mini tripods carry a manufacturer-rated 1 kg load. JOBY adds segmented legs that can wrap or grip; Manfrotto uses fixed legs and a push-button ball lock.
Best for
Creators and travelers choosing a tabletop support for a camera-and-lens combination weighing no more than 1 kg.
Probably not for
Full-height shooting, equipment above the complete payload limit, or unattended mounting where a fall could injure someone or damage property.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | JOBY GorillaPod 1K Kit | Manfrotto PIXI Mini II |
|---|---|---|
| Exact model | JB01503-BWW | MTPIXIMII-B |
| Safety payload | 1 kg / 2.2 lb | 1 kg / 2.2 lb |
| Manufacturer weight | 0.197 kg / 0.43 lb | 0.17 kg / 0.37 lb |
| Published height or maximum height | 25.6 cm / 10.08 inches | 13.5 cm / 5.31 inches |
| Closed length | Flexible 26 cm body | 18.5 cm / 7.28 inches |
| Top attachment | 1/4-20 screw on removable ball head | 1/4-inch screw |
| Leg design | Segmented, flexible and wrappable | Three fixed single-section legs |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
JOBY GorillaPod 1K Kit, JB01503-BWW
The GorillaPod 1K Kit pairs flexible segmented legs with JOBY’s BallHead 1K. JOBY publishes a 1 kg payload, a 197 g product weight and a 25.6 cm height. Its value is positional flexibility: the legs can stand on an uneven surface, form a handheld grip or wrap around a suitable support after you verify the attachment is secure.
Pros
- Flexible legs allow more positioning choices than a conventional tabletop stance.
- The included ball head provides 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt orientation.
Cons
- Every leg joint and wrapped contact point must be set deliberately before releasing the camera.
- At 197 g it is slightly heavier than Manfrotto’s published 170 g figure.
Who it’s for: Choose it when uneven surfaces or careful wrap mounting are regular needs. Pass if you want the simplest repeatable tabletop setup.
Check JOBY GorillaPod 1K Kit, JB01503-BWW on Amazon Paid linkManfrotto PIXI Mini II Tripod, MTPIXIMII-B
The second-generation PIXI Mini uses three fixed legs, aluminum and technopolymer construction, and a ball head released by a push button. Manfrotto specifies a 1 kg safety payload, 13.5 cm fixed working height, 18.5 cm closed length and 170 g weight. Closed legs also form a handheld grip.
Pros
- The fixed legs create a quick, consistent tabletop footprint with no segmented joints to shape.
- Its push-button ball lock makes angle changes simple while the camera is supported by hand.
Cons
- The fixed 13.5 cm height offers no leg extension or independent leveling on an uneven surface.
- It cannot wrap around rails or posts like the GorillaPod.
Who it’s for: Choose it for tables, shelves and a straightforward handheld grip. Pass if surface irregularities or wrap mounting are central to the job.
Check Manfrotto PIXI Mini II Tripod, MTPIXIMII-B on Amazon Paid linkAdd the whole camera setup before comparing payload
The shared 1 kg rating applies to the complete supported load, not just the camera body. Add the lens, battery, memory card, microphone, light, cage, plate and any adapter that stays on the head. Leave reasonable margin rather than treating the published maximum as a target. A lightweight body with a long lens can also place its center of gravity far from the mounting screw.
A phone needs an appropriate clamp, and neither exact base kit should be assumed to include one. Check the clamp, cold-shoe accessory and any threaded adapter separately for compatibility and load. These two tripods can be compared like for like on their 1 kg manufacturer rating, but that rating does not guarantee every oddly balanced 1 kg arrangement will be secure.
Flexible legs trade speed for placement options
The GorillaPod can adapt each leg to an uneven surface or wrap all three around a suitable object. That versatility adds a setup step: shape the legs, verify several contact points, attach any safety tether the situation calls for and test stability while holding the camera. Do not hang equipment over people, traffic, water or a drop simply because promotional photos show a wrapped configuration.
The PIXI opens into one fixed stance. On a broad, level table, that simplicity may be more valuable than a flexible joint system. Its legs do not extend or level independently, so a sloped rock or narrow rail is not its intended surface. The better mechanism is the one that matches the locations you actually use, not the one with more possible poses on paper.
Compare framing height and head movement
JOBY lists the GorillaPod at 25.6 cm tall, while the PIXI’s working height is 13.5 cm. Those values describe different structures and do not prove that one will frame a face correctly from every table. Camera body height, lens angle, table height and subject distance all matter. A small box or shelf may solve the height problem more safely than balancing a tripod near an edge.
Both use a ball head, but the controls differ. The JOBY kit has a removable BallHead 1K with 360-degree pan and a 90-degree tilt slot. Manfrotto releases its ball with a push button and publishes plus or minus 35 degrees for front and lateral tilt. Support the camera while unlocking either head so its weight cannot cause a sudden drop.
Choose around setup, not an assumed stability winner
For a fixed desk shot, the PIXI’s predictable footprint and lower published weight make a clear case. For travel where the surface changes, the GorillaPod’s adjustable legs offer more solutions. The GorillaPod is not automatically steadier, and the PIXI is not automatically safer. Surface, load balance, leg position and the user’s setup all determine whether a particular arrangement is appropriate.
Confirm the exact codes JB01503-BWW and MTPIXIMII-B because both manufacturers sell related kits with different heads, clamps and payloads. The linked products are the base camera tripods, not smartphone bundles. This recommendation is based on published dimensions and mechanisms, with no claim that either was vibration-tested or field-tested for this guide.
Official sources and further reading
Sources reviewed on September 28, 2026. Prices, availability and terms can change; recheck before buying.
Commission disclaimer
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy or sign up through one of them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That commission does not change the price you pay or the criteria used in this guide. Product details, prices, availability, and terms can change, so confirm the current information on the linked page before buying.