The i7 was great! How does the more compact V3 Ultra stack up?
A little while back we reviewed the Hohem iSteady i7, a larger, feature-packed gimbal that impressed us with its stability and creative shooting modes. After publishing that review, we heard from a handful of readers asking: “What about the smaller one — the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra?” I guess that’s a fair question if you’re carrying your camera gear, you want a gimbal that’s small and handy! This one sure is small and handy. Easily slotting into most any camera bag or a pocket in a pinch.
So yes, we got our hands on the V3 Ultra to see how it stacks up. Spoiler alert: if you’ve been looking for a compact, travel-friendly gimbal that doesn’t cut corners, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the V3 Ultra feels solid but lightweight. At just over 350g, it’s noticeably lighter than its bigger sibling, making it the kind of gear you can throw in a daypack without thinking twice. For travel, vlogging, or family adventures, that’s a huge plus.
The foldable design also makes it a natural choice for creators who don’t want their kit to take up half the carry-on space.
Setup and Ease of Use
One of Hohem’s strong points has always been user-friendly setup, and the V3 Ultra is no exception. Balancing takes seconds, and once you pair it with the Hohem Joy app, you get access to a suite of features like:
- AI gesture control for hands-free shooting
- Face tracking that keeps subjects in frame (great for solo shooting)
- A variety of creative shooting modes like hyperlapse, timelapse, and dolly zoom
- Detachable, adjustable (output and colour temp!) LED fill light
- Detachable 1.22″ full-colour touchscreen remote (Works up to 30′ away)
It’s the same experience we liked on the i7 — just in a smaller package.
The Ai tracking (And as you know, I’ve mentioned before about my feelings on Ai haha) …the tracking is easily as good in my experience! Especially good for such a compact gimbal! The gesture control was concise ??
The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra supports 360 degrees infinite pan tracking, so yes, you can literally run circles around your camera! Another example might be working on a workbench, moving around it to different tools, your camera setup in the middle, or you’re on set, shooting menu items and the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra will stand in the middle allowing you to work all the way around the room while the camera follows you.
Performance and Stability
This is where many “compact” gimbals fall short, but the V3 Ultra holds its own. Whether walking through a busy street or chasing kids around the park, footage stayed buttery smooth and professional-looking.
The 3-axis stabilisation is reliable, and the motors feel confident even with slightly heavier phones. If you’re using something like an iPhone 14 Pro Max (Like mine, below) or a large Android, the gimbal still manages just fine.
Interestingly, the photo above (With the little tripod that was already on my desk!) was before I realised the iSteady V3 Ultra already has a built in tripod, I didn’t realise because it was tucked tightly out of the way! Another super-convenient point on the board! ?
Battery Life
Hohem claims up to 9 hours of battery life (or 4 in Ai mode), and in our testing I’d say you would likely get pretty close to those times. For a day of filming, you’re unlikely to run flat unless you’re really pushing it. Charging is quick via USB-C, another tick in the “modern and convenient” box.
Who’s It For?
If you already own the iSteady i7 and love it, the V3 Ultra isn’t trying to replace it — it’s more like its nimble younger sibling. The i7 is perfect when you want maximum stability and creative control, while the V3 Ultra is what you’ll reach for when you’re packing light.
- Travelers will appreciate the compact size.
- Vloggers and solo creators will love the gesture control and tracking.
- Parents and casual shooters will enjoy smooth video without needing pro-level gear.
Final Thoughts
The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra is a reminder that small doesn’t mean limited. It delivers stability, creative shooting modes, and ease of use in a size that’s perfect for everyday carry.
If the iSteady i7 is your go-to for serious shoots, the V3 Ultra is the one you’ll happily bring everywhere else.
You can check it out here on Hohem’s website.
Buy well, buy once — and in this case, the smaller sibling might just be the one you’ll reach for more often ?????
