Tired of shaky phone footage every time you’re walking and filming? You want smooth cinematic clips without hauling a big rig or learning complicated gear. It should be easy now.

I’ve personally field-tested this product and compared it with a couple of close rivals. I pushed it through busy streets, quick pans, and long timelapses to see what really matters.

If you’re a mobile filmmaker or vlogger, you’ll appreciate its real-world benefits. It delivers steady shots, a tactile focus and zoom wheel, and long all-day battery life. In real shoots.

There’s a trade-off you should know: it isn’t the lightest gimbal around. You trade a bit of portability for rock-solid build and cinema-grade controls. Expect more heft when shooting handheld.

You’ll see how those trade-offs really pay off. keep reading as I reveal a shocking tip about the Zhiyun Smooth 4 Smartphone Gimbal that could change your photo quality drastically.

Zhiyun Smooth 4 Smartphone Gimbal

Professional handheld stabilizer for mobile creators, delivering buttery-smooth tracking, intuitive focus/zoom wheel, and versatile shooting modes. Capture cinematic timelapses and gimbaled motion with long battery life and rugged control.

Check Price

The Numbers You Need

How It’s Built

When I first held the Zhiyun Smooth 4 Smartphone Gimbal it felt like something made to last. The arms are sturdy and the long legs give the whole rig a confident feel. In my testing that meant far less wobble when I was moving around with a phone mounted.

The big focus/zoom wheel is the standout for me — I loved having real-time control at my thumb. It makes pulling focus or dialing in a zoom during a take feel smooth and intuitive, which is huge for beginners trying to get cinematic shots. I did wish it had a small joystick for quick directional nudges, though.

Buttons are laid out where your thumb naturally rests, so switching modes or starting a recording is simple on the fly. A little tripod screws in and turns the gimbal into a steady mini-setup for time-lapses or talking-head shots. After using it for a while I found that the tripod helps when you want to set and forget while learning the controls.

It’s solidly built, but that solidity comes with noticeable heft in handheld use. During long shoots I felt the weight — a strap or resting on the tripod every so often helps a lot. Overall, the build inspires confidence and will get beginners clean, stable footage once they get used to it.

In Your Hands

The Smooth 4 delivers the kind of stabilized footage that makes handheld mobile shoots feel intentional rather than improvised. Walking shots stay composed and pans are buttery when you take your time, while static setups remain rock-solid thanks to the gimbal’s weight and balanced arm geometry. Even in brisk movement the motors smooth out most jitters so footage reads as professional on first watch.

Shooting modes like pan-following, following, locked and PhoneGo are tactile and practical, and switching between them usually feels immediate. PhoneGo in particular snaps the gimbal into a more responsive state for quick moves, but getting flawless transitions requires some practiced hand work. There’s a learning curve: the feature set is powerful, but mastering the nuances of each mode pays off in better results.

Cinematic functions such as Vertigo and object tracking are where the Smooth 4 earns its keep for storytellers. Vertigo pulls create convincing dramatic shifts when you set them up carefully, and object tracking will keep a subject centered for long takes if framing and light cooperate. These tools reward planning and patience more than brute force, producing memorable clips once you dial in the technique.

The large focus/zoom wheel and control layout make on-the-fly tweaks intuitive and useful for single-operator shoots. The included tripod gives stable options for locked compositions, and long runtime with two-way charging keeps it available across a long day. Expect a deliberate, tool-like feel rather than something featherlight—this is designed for thoughtful capture, not casual bopping about.

The Good and Bad

• Smooth footage delivered across walking and static shots
• Excellent build quality with robust support for smartphones
• Long battery life with two-way charging capability
• Dedicated focus/zoom wheel for precise control

• Relatively heavy compared to some competitors
• Lacks a joystick control
• Does not provide face tracking

Ideal Buyer

The Zhiyun Smooth 4 is aimed at mobile filmmakers and vloggers who demand pro-level results from a smartphone, whether you’re shooting travel videos, short films, or branded content. It delivers rock-steady footage with a tactile control layout built around a large focus/zoom wheel, supporting heavier phones and long shooting days. If you value precise manual control and cinematic polish without hauling a DSLR rig, this gimbal was made for you.

Creators who chase cinematic moves — think Vertigo pulls, object tracking for narrative shots, and quick PhoneGo transitions for run-and-gun coverage — will get the most from the Smooth 4’s motion range and dedicated controls. Real-time focus and zoom control lets you execute smooth rack focuses and subtle reframes during interviews, product demos, or vlogs. The long battery life and two-way charging also make it a strong option for events, long shoots, and travel content creators.

Beginners who want reliable stabilization but plan to grow their craft can learn the Smooth 4’s interface and unlock cinematic features over time. Professionals who need tactile controls, sturdy build quality, and extended run time will appreciate its durability despite being heavier than ultra-compact gimbals. If you prioritize control, battery life, and cinematic tools over pocketable size or face-tracking automation, this is a very sensible buy.

Better Alternatives?

We’ve already dug into the Zhiyun Smooth 4 — its big focus/zoom wheel, long battery life, and solid build make it a strong choice for mobile filmmakers. But no single gimbal fits every shooter, and depending on how you work you might want something lighter, more compact, or better at action shots.

Below are three real-world alternatives I’ve used. I’ll point out where each one shines compared to the Smooth 4, where it falls short, and the kind of shooter who’ll get the most out of it.

Alternative 1:

DJI OM 5 Smartphone Gimbal

Compact foldable stabilizer with integrated extension rod and magnetic phone mount, offering advanced subject tracking, gesture controls, and quick-launch features. Ideal for travel vloggers craving smooth, hands-free cinematic footage.

Check Price

The DJI OM 5 is all about being small and easy to carry. I used it on trips where I didn’t want to bring anything heavy — it folds up tight, and the little built-in extension rod is great for higher or wider angles without a separate selfie stick. For quick set-ups and run-and-gun vlogging it beats the Smooth 4 simply because it gets in and out of the bag faster and is less of a hassle to use on the street.

Where it loses to the Smooth 4 is in raw control and feel. The OM 5 has great software tracking and gesture shots, but it doesn’t have that big, tactile focus/zoom wheel the Smooth 4 gives you for fine real-time adjustments. It also feels a bit lighter in build — fine for most phones, but if you’re mounting a heavier phone or want the heaviest-duty feel, the Smooth 4 feels more reassuring in hand.

Pick the OM 5 if you’re a travel vlogger or everyday creator who values portability and smart features over pro-style controls. If you want something that’s fast to set up, easy to carry, and helps you capture smooth clips quickly, this is the one. If you need exact manual control and the heaviest-duty build, stick with the Smooth 4.

Alternative 2:

3 Axis Smartphone Gimbal

Three-axis handheld stabilizer delivers rock-steady footage across pan, tilt, and roll axes, with intuitive controls, lightweight design, and modes like panorama and time-lapse to elevate everyday mobile videography.

Check Price

This generic 3-axis gimbal is the sort of no-nonsense stabilizer I reach for when I want good steady shots without spending a lot. It’ll smooth out walking shots and pans very well, and the simple controls make it easy to teach someone else to use. In real shoots it’s lightweight and less intimidating than the Smooth 4, so it’s great when you want to move fast or hand the rig off to a friend.

Compared to the Smooth 4, it’s more basic. The motors and software feel less refined when you push it—fast movements or sudden turns can show a bit more wobble than the Smooth 4 handles. You also miss out on pro features like the big focus wheel and some cinematic modes. Battery life and build feel are usually a step below the Smooth 4 as well.

This gimbal is for beginners, hobbyists, or anyone on a budget who just needs steady footage without fancy extras. If you don’t need the Smooth 4’s focus wheel or longer runtime and want a simple tool that gets the job done, this is a handy and affordable choice.

Alternative 3:

Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus Smartphone Gimbal

High-performance mobile stabilizer engineered for action shots, offering upgraded motors, responsive Sport mode, precise subject tracking, and extended runtime. Smooths fast motion and delivers pro footage for creators.

Check Price

The Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus shines when you’re moving fast. I’ve taken it on bike runs and quick-changing shoots where Sport mode and the responsive motors kept footage usable where lighter gimbals would blur or twitch. It’s a great pick if you need a gimbal that can handle action and quick direction changes without losing the subject.

That said, the Hohem isn’t as polished as the Smooth 4 in feel and app support. It smooths motion well, but the buttons and controls aren’t as refined, and it doesn’t give you the same manual control options like the Smooth 4’s focus/zoom wheel. In steady, cinematic setups the Smooth 4 still feels more purposeful; in fast-moving situations the Hohem can edge it out.

Choose the Hohem if you shoot a lot of action — sports, running, biking, or quick outdoor work — and want a gimbal that keeps pace without costing as much as higher-end models. If your focus is slow, precise cinematic moves and hands-on control, the Smooth 4 will still be the better tool.

What People Ask Most

Conclusion

The Zhiyun Smooth 4 stands out for delivering reliably smooth footage, dependable battery performance, and a control layout built around a dedicated focus/zoom wheel. Its cinematic modes and direct, tactile controls make handheld smartphone filmmaking feel deliberate, controllable, and far more cinematic than phone-only shooting. After field-testing it across run-and-gun shoots and planned productions, its stabilization and practical control scheme are what earned my recommendation.

Those strengths come with clear trade-offs that matter in everyday use and travel. It’s noticeably heavier and less pocketable than compact rivals, and the absence of a joystick and automatic face tracking means some modern conveniences are missing. Plus, there’s a learning curve before you can reliably extract its cinematic tricks.

For mobile filmmakers and serious vloggers who want precise, professional control and cinematic options, the Smooth 4 represents strong value and a sensible investment. If you prioritize ultra-lightweight portability or instant, automated subject tracking, a more compact or feature-different gimbal might suit you better. Overall, it’s a purpose-driven tool—unequivocally for deliberate shooters willing to trade convenience for control.

Zhiyun Smooth 4 Smartphone Gimbal

Professional handheld stabilizer for mobile creators, delivering buttery-smooth tracking, intuitive focus/zoom wheel, and versatile shooting modes. Capture cinematic timelapses and gimbaled motion with long battery life and rugged control.

Check Price