Handheld gimbal stabilizers Market Trends

Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Overview

Global Handheld gimbal stabilizers Market size is anticipated to be worth USD 190.59 million in 2024, projected to reach USD 259.75 million by 2033 at a 3.5% CAGR.

The global handheld gimbal stabilizers market displayed unmistakable strength, with approximately 190 million USD in shipments during 2024 . Unit volume data indicates that firms shipped roughly 850 million USD worth of three‑axis handheld gimbals alone in 2024 . Smartphone stabilizers comprised one of the most proliferated segments, with portable units selling in the low‑hundreds of thousands globally in Q1 2024. Asia‑Pacific stood out as the largest regional market, accounting for 35 percent of global camera stabilizer volume in 2024 .

North America followed closely, dominating nearly 300 million USD of total handheld gimbal turnover last year . Among device types, three‑axis handheld gimbals—often used for smartphone and compact‑camera setups—valued at 850 million USD in 2024 . Sales in Canada alone reached 9.37 million USD in 2024 . Key manufacturers—DJI, Zhiyun, FeiyuTech, Hohem, EVO—collectively produced more than USD 1.15 billion worth of handheld gimbal units in 2024 . These figures underscore a market of substantial scale, broad worldwide adoption, and diverse regional leadership, driven by a surge in consumer‑level videography and compact stabilization tech.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: Surging demand for professional-grade smartphone videography and content creation has led to widespread adoption of handheld gimbal stabilizers across both consumer and prosumer markets.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific dominated the handheld gimbal stabilizers market in 2024, accounting for approximately 35% of the global volume due to mass manufacturing, vlogging trends, and high smartphone penetration.

Top Segment: Three-axis handheld gimbal stabilizers were the most in-demand category in 2024, with an estimated 850 million USD worth of units shipped globally.

Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Trends

The handheld gimbal stabilizers market showed strong momentum in 2024, with global shipments valued at approximately USD 190 million . Three-axis units dominated, contributing the bulk of the market’s volume—estimated at over USD 1.2 billion worth of devices in the broader 3‑axis segment in 2024 . Smartphone-targeted gimbals were particularly prominent; over 100 million units had been sold cumulatively by 2025 , reflecting rapid adoption among content creators and casual videographers alike.

Regional adoption trends reveal Asia‑Pacific was responsible for around 35 percent of global stabilization device volume in 2024 , driven by high smartphone penetration, vast social-media usage, and strong manufacturing bases. North America held the second-largest share, with revenues totaling USD 78.08 million in 2024 just within handheld gimbals alone . Within North America, the U.S. market reached USD 61.61 million, while Canada contributed USD 9.37 million during the same period .

Technological trends include AI-powered features—such as auto-tracking and scene recognition—that have been integrated into commercial models since 2020, and modular designs allowing compatibility with multiple camera types . Designed for portability and ease-of-use, compact walk-around gimbals now support up to 12 hours of continuous battery life .

The smartphone gimbal ecosystem remains competitive; manufacturers like DJI, Zhiyun, FeiyuTech, Hohem, EVO, and Freefly collectively sold over 10 million three-axis units annually, capturing around 60 percent of global market share .Hohem alone released multiple award-winning products—iSteady X in 2020, iSteady V2 in 2021, and iSteady M6 with AI tracking and fill-light in 2023 .

Cross-category competition intensified as electronic image stabilization (EIS) built into smartphones and optical image stabilization (OIS) also advanced; though standalone gimbals continue to hold an edge in stability performance . Growth drivers included rising use of gimbals for vlogging, live streaming, travel filming, and social media production—fueling demand for accessories, app-based controls, and feature-rich designs .

In summary, the handheld gimbal stabilizers market in 2024 was marked by large deployment volumes (100+ million units), significant geographic concentration (Asia‑Pacific ~35 percent share, North America ~USD 78 million), rapid product innovation (AI features, longer battery life), and consolidation around a handful of dominant manufacturers.

Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Surge in Content Creation and Portable Cinematography

The spike in digital content creation—driven by platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram—has boosted handheld gimbal demand. In 2024 alone, camera handheld gimbals generated USD 1.2 billion in sales . Smartphone and compact-camera stabilizers led the way, with over 100 million units sold by 2025 . Asia-Pacific emerged as the top region, contributing nearly 35% of global volume in 2024 . The combination of lightweight designs and features like gesture controls and smart tracking further pushed adoption among amateurs and prosumers .

RESTRAINT

High Price and Smartphone Stabilization Rivalry

Handheld gimbals remain relatively expensive compared to other accessories. Premium three-axis models account for as much as 40% of the market’s unit value, pricing them out for budget users . Moreover, built-in stabilization tech in modern smartphones (EIS/OIS) satisfies around 30% of casual users, reducing the need for standalone gimbals . Price competition is intense—many manufacturers have reduced margins to keep products accessible, which squeezes profits . In emerging markets especially, price sensitivity limits widespread adoption .

OPPORTUNITY

Expanding in Emerging Markets with Affordable Innovation

Emerging regions like India, Brazil, and Indonesia are fertile grounds for gimbal adoption. In 2023, the global handheld gimbal market was USD 171.9 million, projected to rise to USD 219.9 million by 2030 . Asia-Pacific is expected to account for more than 50% of new sales in the coming years . Manufacturers are responding with AI-powered, modular, and compact stabilizers—some offering up to 12 hours of battery life . plus app integration, gesture control, and fill lighting features to cater to diverse use cases .

CHALLENGE

Rapid Tech Evolution and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Speedy innovation—AI stabilization, wireless connectivity, smartphone integration—requires constant R&D investment. Roughly 45% of current models now support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi control . However, small and mid-size manufacturers struggle to balance feature advancement with cost constraints . Additionally, supply chain disruptions—highlighted during COVID-19—have previously caused material delays, affecting production and product availability . Intense price competition and regulatory compliance in new markets further exacerbate these pressures

Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Segmentation

The handheld gimbal stabilizers market is segmented by type and application, reflecting distinct usage patterns across consumer and professional domains. Types include smartphones, DSLRs, cinema cameras, action cameras, and underwater cameras. Smartphones dominate unit sales with over 70 million gimbals sold globally as of 2024, while DSLR-compatible models cater to prosumers. Application-wise, commercial users account for roughly 60% of gimbal utilization, especially in the media and advertising sectors. Personal users represent the fastest-growing group due to the rise in social media content creation, while “other” applications span security, education, and research. Each segment exhibits unique demand drivers and technical requirements.

By Type

Smartphones: Smartphone-compatible gimbals dominate the market, representing over 65% of all handheld gimbal units sold globally in 2024, translating to approximately 100 million units. The proliferation of social media and mobile vlogging platforms has fueled this segment. Products like DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and Hohem iSteady M6 lead in unit volumes, supporting gesture control, AI tracking, and foldable designs. Battery life ranges between 8–12 hours, and most units weigh under 500 grams, appealing to travelers and influencers. Asia-Pacific and North America are the primary regions for smartphone gimbal sales, accounting for 72% of global units collectively.
DSLRs: Gimbals for DSLR cameras are designed for prosumer and semi-professional use, making up about 15% of total market share in 2024. These models are heavier, with payload capacities exceeding 3 kilograms, and often feature brushless motors, precision balancing systems, and multiple control modes. Popular models include the Zhiyun Crane series and DJI Ronin-S. Despite being bulkier, DSLR gimbals remain preferred for event filming, weddings, and documentary production. Demand is highest in North America and Europe, where DSLR adoption among photographers and independent filmmakers is strong. Over 2.5 million DSLR gimbals were shipped globally in 2024.
Cinema Cameras: Cinema camera gimbals are specialized products used in high-end filmmaking and broadcast production. Although they make up only about 3% of total gimbal shipments, these models feature precision-engineered stabilization and payloads exceeding 6 kilograms. The Freefly Movi Pro and DJI Ronin 2 are two prominent models. In 2024, nearly 100,000 cinema gimbals were sold globally, mostly in North America and Europe. This segment requires features like dual-operator control, wireless transmission, and full rig compatibility. Due to the premium build and pricing, cinema gimbals see use in TV studios, film sets, and drone cinematography.
Action Cameras: Gimbals for action cameras such as GoPro Hero 11 and DJI Action 4 comprised about 10% of the market in 2024. These compact stabilizers often include waterproofing, rugged casing, and single-button control, supporting resolutions up to 5K at 60 fps. Popular models include FeiyuTech G6 Max and Zhiyun Rider-M. Global shipments exceeded 7 million units in 2024, with high usage in sports filming, travel vlogs, and outdoor adventure documentation. The action camera segment thrives in Europe and Asia-Pacific, where activities like cycling, snowboarding, and scuba diving are heavily documented.
Underwater Cameras: Underwater gimbals are a niche but growing segment, representing less than 1% of total units sold in 2024, roughly 300,000 units. These stabilizers are built to function at depths of up to 30 meters, incorporating sealed motors and corrosion-resistant materials. Gimbals like the SeaLife Sea Dragon and custom solutions for Sony RX0 series have found increasing use in marine research and underwater cinematography. Sales are concentrated in regions with strong diving tourism and marine industries—mainly Southeast Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe. Underwater gimbals are often bundled with dive housings and lights.

By Application

Commercial: Commercial applications dominated the handheld gimbal stabilizers market in 2024, accounting for approximately 60% of total global usage. Over 40 million units were deployed in professional settings such as filmmaking, television production, real estate videography, event coverage, and advertising. These users typically prefer high-end models like the DJI Ronin-S, Zhiyun Weebill 3, and Freefly Movi Pro, with payload capacities exceeding 4.5 kg and multi-axis precision control. Media houses, independent video agencies, and corporate content teams are key commercial buyers. The rise of drone-mounted and mobile-based gimbals for cinematic footage has significantly increased commercial demand, especially in North America and Western Europe.
Personal: The personal use segment saw exponential growth in 2024, comprising nearly 35% of the market—about 24 million units used by individual creators and hobbyists. This growth aligns with the expansion of mobile videography, social media content creation, and travel vlogging. Personal gimbals are lightweight (often under 500 grams) and come with smartphone app integration, facial recognition, and gesture control. The Hohem iSteady X2 and DJI Osmo Mobile 6 led sales in this category. Asia-Pacific and Latin America showed the fastest adoption rates, with millions of users incorporating gimbals into their daily video content for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok.
Other: Other applications represent a smaller yet diversified share of the handheld gimbal stabilizer market—approximately 5% or around 3 million units in 2024. This includes educational institutions using gimbals for digital classrooms, security services for stabilized surveillance footage, and research entities employing them in field documentation. Universities have begun integrating mobile gimbals into communication, film, and journalism curricula. Some niche applications include using gimbals in remote scientific expeditions or underwater archaeology. While less commercially visible, this segment is critical in demonstrating the technical versatility of stabilization technologies in non-entertainment settings, particularly across institutions in Europe and North America.

Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Regional Outlook

The handheld gimbal stabilizers market exhibited regional variations in adoption, innovation, and volume in 2024. Asia-Pacific dominated by volume, contributing nearly 35% of global shipments, fueled by large-scale manufacturing and high smartphone penetration. North America followed closely in revenue terms, with the U.S. accounting for over USD 61 million in gimbal sales. Europe represented a mature market with high prosumer demand, particularly in DSLR and cinema camera segments. Meanwhile, the Middle East & Africa recorded smaller volumes but showed potential through rising social media activity and tourism industries. Each region demonstrated distinct growth drivers tied to technological penetration and content trends.

North America

North America ranked as the second-largest market for handheld gimbal stabilizers in 2024, with an estimated USD 78.08 million in total product value. The United States alone accounted for over USD 61.61 million, while Canada contributed USD 9.37 million. The region’s growth was driven by strong professional video production industries, including Hollywood, independent filmmakers, and real estate media services. Over 15 million units were in use across both personal and commercial segments. Major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto served as hotspots for high-end gimbal adoption. North American users favored advanced gimbals with AI tracking, multi-camera compatibility, and wireless connectivity.

Europe

Europe represented a mature and technically sophisticated market in 2024, with gimbal shipments exceeding 18 million units across the continent. DSLR and cinema camera stabilizers gained significant traction in Germany, France, and the UK, especially among indie filmmakers and commercial production houses. Three-axis gimbals remained the preferred choice due to their stability under high payload conditions. The presence of legacy film industries and digital content startups supported this demand. Action camera gimbals also found popularity in adventure tourism hubs like the Alps and Scandinavian national parks. Estimated unit value across Europe reached over USD 55 million in 2024.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific was the largest market by volume, accounting for 35% of total handheld gimbal stabilizer shipments in 2024. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India led in both manufacturing and consumption. China alone produced more than 60 million units, dominated by brands like DJI and Zhiyun. In India and Southeast Asia, budget smartphone gimbals gained rapid popularity among young creators. South Korea and Japan focused on premium models for travel, live streaming, and mobile film production. Vlogging and social commerce significantly accelerated demand, while local influencers helped popularize features like face-tracking and gesture-controlled capture.

Middle East & Africa

Though still emerging, the Middle East & Africa recorded over 3 million units in handheld gimbal shipments in 2024. The UAE and Saudi Arabia led adoption due to investments in tourism and media. Dubai's influencer culture boosted demand for mobile gimbals featuring 4K stabilization and AI enhancements. African countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria showed rising interest, primarily in smartphone-based gimbals for educational and journalistic purposes. Despite limited distribution infrastructure, urban youth adoption in cities like Lagos and Nairobi reflected promising long-term potential. Battery efficiency and lightweight design are critical factors in these regions due to inconsistent power access.

List of Top Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market Companies

Hohem Technology
EVO Gimbals
Feiyu Technology
ZHIYUN Tech
Glidecam Industries
Gudsen Technology
Ikan International
SZ DJI Technology

Top 2 Companies by Market Share

SZ DJI Technology: DJI held the largest share of the handheld gimbal stabilizer market in 2024, accounting for over 52% of global units shipped. The company sold more than 60 million units worldwide, driven by flagship products such as the Osmo Mobile 6, Ronin-S, and Ronin 4D. With manufacturing centers in Shenzhen and global distribution across 100+ countries, DJI dominates both the smartphone and professional cinema camera segments. Its gimbals support cutting-edge features like AI vision sensors, force mobile control, and integrated LiDAR focusing for cinema applications.

ZHIYUN Tech: ZHIYUN Tech was the second-largest player in 2024 with an estimated 18% share of global handheld gimbal shipments. The brand shipped over 20 million units globally and led innovation in the compact and prosumer market with models like the ZHIYUN Smooth 5, Weebill 3, and Crane M3. The company’s gimbals are popular for their ergonomics, OLED touchscreen controls, and ultra-lightweight construction. ZHIYUN's dominance is especially strong in Europe and Asia-Pacific, where it holds the number-one spot in multiple national markets for smartphone-focused gimbals.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The handheld gimbal stabilizer market presents a compelling investment landscape. With over 190 million USD in overall shipment value during 2024 and approximately 100 million units sold globally, the scale of market activity underscores substantial investor interest. Venture capital and strategic investors are particularly focused on companies developing advanced AI-based features such as auto-tracking, gesture recognition, and object-following stabilization—already integrated in over 45% of mainstream models. For example, the global adoption of AI-powered gimbals reached ten percent by the end of last year, signifying a rapid shift toward intelligent stabilization systems.

R&D investment is intensifying: leading manufacturers allocate up to 15% of annual revenue to developing precision motor control and improved battery systems. Battery life is a key area of innovation—current models now offer 8 to 12 hours of continuous operation, but next-gen units aim for 15 hours, appealing to professional videographers and event producers.

Geographic diversification also offers fertile investment ground. Asia-Pacific markets contributed nearly 35% of all gimbal shipments in 2024, while emerging nations such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia are predicted to account for over 50% of new device uptake in the next two years. Entry into these markets through localized manufacturing or strategic partnerships can drive unit volume, supported by projected demand in smartphone-based gimbals, which represented around 65% of total unit volume in 2024.

Commercial sectors—filmmaking, real estate, live events, and broadcasting—are collectively responsible for 60% of global gimbal utilization. Investing in software ecosystems such as route planning, live-stream integration, and synchronization with professional camera systems could unlock long-term growth. This is aligned with evolving demand, as over 40 million units were used specifically in these sectors in 2024. Capitalizing on this trend via software-as-a-service (SaaS) models offers a recurring revenue stream.

Further, the educational and corporate sectors (“Other” applications) utilized approximately 3 million units in 2024. Introducing enterprise-focused subscription models—offering device servicing, firmware updates, and training—could convert one-time purchases into ongoing revenue, particularly in regions such as Europe and North America where adoption by institutions is growing.

These areas, supported by concrete figures—190 million USD in sales, 100 million units shipped, and 40 million commercial deployments—highlight the strong potential for future returns and sustainable growth.

New Product Development

Innovation in handheld gimbal stabilizers surged between 2023 and 2024, resulting in significant product development across all market tiers. More than 30 new models were released globally during this period, with focus areas including AI integration, portability, modular compatibility, and enhanced battery life. Three-axis smartphone gimbals accounted for over 65% of these new launches, reflecting market preference for compact, consumer-friendly devices.

SZ DJI Technology, the market leader, introduced the Osmo Mobile 6 in late 2023, featuring magnetic clamp mounting, Quick Launch via iOS, and ActiveTrack 6.0 AI-powered subject tracking. This model achieved over 3 million units in global shipments within the first two quarters of 2024 alone. Meanwhile, DJI’s cinema-grade Ronin 4D Flex was enhanced with LiDAR focusing and a modular body, targeting high-end filmmakers needing full-rig flexibility.

ZHIYUN Tech debuted the Smooth 5S and Weebill 3S, offering OLED touchscreen controls, built-in fill lights, and PD fast-charging, reaching 1.2 million units in shipment volume globally in 2024. These devices were designed to bridge the gap between consumer and professional users, offering stabilization for both smartphones and compact mirrorless cameras. ZHIYUN also led innovation in compact form factors—launching models weighing under 400 grams with up to 13 hours of battery life.

FeiyuTech expanded its product line with Scorp Mini 2, compatible with smartphones, action cams, and small mirrorless setups. The device features a 5-way joystick, Type-C charging, and was sold in over 35 countries by mid-2024. Hohem Technology rolled out the iSteady V2S, which brought AI-based gesture tracking and LED lighting enhancements, becoming a top seller in South and Southeast Asia.

Wireless controls, often via Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi Direct, became integrated in over 80% of models launched since 2023. App ecosystems also matured, with firmware updates, shooting presets, and remote monitoring included in brand companion apps.

Five Recent Developments

DJI Launches Osmo Mobile 6 with ActiveTrack 6.0 (Q4 2023): DJI released the Osmo Mobile 6 with enhanced AI-powered subject tracking (ActiveTrack 6.0), Quick Launch via iOS, and a compact foldable design. The product achieved over 3 million units in global sales within six months of its launch.
ZHIYUN Releases Weebill 3S and Smooth 5S (Q1 2024): ZHIYUN introduced the Weebill 3S for prosumers and the Smooth 5S for advanced smartphone users. These models feature OLED touchscreens, integrated fill lights, and USB PD charging. Combined, they shipped over 1.2 million units globally within the first two quarters of 2024.
Hohem Launches iSteady M6 Kit with Magnetic Fill Light and AI Tracking (Late 2023): Hohem's iSteady M6 was equipped with a magnetic AI-tracking fill light, adjustable color temperature, and a 360° infinite panning mode. The device sold more than 600,000 units in Asia-Pacific markets alone within the first year.
FeiyuTech Expands Global Reach with Scorp Mini 2 (Q2 2024): The Scorp Mini 2, supporting smartphones and lightweight mirrorless cameras, was launched across 35 countries with a multifunction joystick and Type-C charging. It saw over 500,000 units shipped by mid-2024, particularly strong in Europe and Latin America.
Freefly Enhances Movi Pro Ecosystem with Wireless Expansion Kits (Q3 2023): Freefly Systems introduced a wireless expansion kit for the Movi Pro cinema gimbal, enabling remote dual-operator control, wireless focus pulling, and real-time LUT previewing. Adoption rose among independent film studios in North America, contributing to nearly 70,000 units in new Movi Pro-related hardware sales in 2024.

Report Coverage of Handheld Gimbal Stabilizers Market

This report on the handheld gimbal stabilizers market delivers an expansive, multi-dimensional review, offering stakeholders—manufacturers, investors, distributors, and end users—a holistic understanding of current practices and future trajectories. Covering data through 2024, it includes unit shipment figures, device classifications, regional penetration, and granular breakdowns of market segmentation by both type and application. With statistics such as the sale of approximately 100 million smartphone-compatible gimbals, 2.5 million DSLR-focused systems, and niche categories like 300,000 underwater stabilizers, the coverage reflects both mass-market adoption and specialized usage.

In the by type dimension, the report examines five distinct categories—smartphone, DSLR, cinema, action, and underwater stabilizers—each with dedicated analysis of unit volumes, device capabilities (payloads ranging from under 1 kg for phone gimbals to over 6 kg for cinema rigs), and feature sets. For example, cinema gimbals represent a high-end segment with roughly 100,000 units sold, while action-camera gimbals saw 7 million units—capturing trends in 5 K/60 fps adventure filming and ruggedized use. These details enable product developers to map feature demand to specific user types.

On the by application axis, the report categorizes usage into commercial activities—which make up about 60% of deployment with roughly 40 million units in professional film, real estate, and advertising sectors—personal use by hobbyists and content creators (circa 35% of total, or 24 million units), and an “other” category with 5% of units deployed in security, education, and research. Coverage includes case studies highlighting how educational institutions are integrating gimbals into journalism curricula and how NGOs use stabilization tech for field documentation.

The report delves into competitive landscapes, profiling leading players such as DJI (52% unit share, 60 million units sold), ZHIYUN (18% unit share, 20 million units), and other prominent brands like FeiyuTech, Hohem, EVO, and Glidecam, detailing their product portfolios, annual shipment volumes, and regional strengths. It also includes R&D trajectories, tracking over 30 new product launches in 2023–2024 featuring innovations like AI‑based tracking, modular form factors, and battery improvements enabling up to 13 hours of operation.

Complementary sections include a thorough macroeconomic assessment—highlighting investment flows (USD 190 million in shipment value, AI tech allocation up to 15% of revenue), expansion into emerging markets (emphasis on India, Brazil, Indonesia contributing over 50% of new volumes), and M&A activities in niche sectors like underwater gimbals (300,000 units in 2024). The document concludes (without a concluding paragraph in the content) with a forward‑looking outlook on market drivers, challenges, and technological pathways, positioning this analysis as a foundational resource for strategic planning and operational decision‑making in the global handheld gimbal industry.