The 6 Best Manfrotto arms (2023 reviews)

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Are you looking for collection of best manfrotto arms ? This page is just for you.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: Manfrotto Variable friction Arm
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Best For precise positioning of light fixtures or gobos:
Buy: Manfrotto magic Arm
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Best For mounting strobes:
Buy: Manfrotto Arm
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Best For overhead recording:
Buy: Manfrotto Articulated Arm
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Best For stereo vision setups:
Buy: Manfrotto side Arm
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Best For gobos:
Buy: Manfrotto Versatile Articulated Arm
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Best Overall: Manfrotto Variable friction Arm

Manfrotto Variable friction Arm
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If you often find yourself confused about good arm, this is your end point. These are a very universal tool for photographers, videographers, etc. With moderate fiction, movements are smooth but, once locked down, it holds a medium sized DSLR or light head without budging. This arm is great for positioning things of any shape and size. It is flexible, as adaptable (as you are) and simple to use. It comes with the added benefit that if you want the arm to follow movement (pan) you have the option to partially lock it.

It's easy to go too far and have the whole assembly fall apart on you. The "instructions" are basic safety precautions.

Why We Like This:
  • Super handy, and does the trick
  • Variable friction and locking of arm obtained by adjusting knob
  • Holds, lights, mics, backdrops, monitors, etc
  • Holds really well with minimal tightening

Best For precise positioning of light fixtures or gobos: Manfrotto magic Arm

Manfrotto magic Arm
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Compared with other products by Manfrotto, the manfrotto magic arm has a convenient design. This tool is meant for light weight applications so if you want to mount a 600 WS mono light on it it wont work. It is easy to mount studs or threaded adapters. Compared to a traditional C-stand arms and Gobo heads, this is smaller and lighter, which may be its strong point. It is made very well and works like a charm.

The stud ends work great in a Manfrotto Superclamp. This arm has a nice reach, lots of adjustability, and is light for how strong it is. It can be handy for many photo uses so if you want to mount a 600 WS mono light on it it wont work. This works very well for something that doesn't weight much and you can afford to keep a few of them on hand.

Why We Like This:
  • Very flexible and sturdy to a point
  • Absolutely perfect for a non-photographic experimental application
  • Flexible arm and suitable for any angle to adjust

Best For mounting strobes: Manfrotto Arm

Manfrotto Arm
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The manfrotto arm's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. It's an investment that pays dividends with every successful shoot. It really must be oriented rightly relative to other attachments and equipment or the whole thing wants to tip over or tip over. It's not as long, but is more versatile. The hexagonal stud allows six positions and those positions are 20 degrees to the left or right of center. It's also reversible with 3/8" and 1/4" screws on opposite ends for accessories like cold shoes and ball heads.

The arm is rock solid and feels like a permanent part of the clamp. It's great for flagging or gelling a light, or when you need to blast several lights through a scrim. It's great for mounting strobes.

Why We Like This:
  • A great accessory for your super clamp
  • Holds cfl light head like a champ
  • Good investment for long term

Best For overhead recording: Manfrotto Articulated Arm

Manfrotto Articulated Arm
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The manfrotto articulated arm's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It comes with the ever needed camera bracket. It is provided with a camera bracket with 16mm spigot and camera attachment, while the bottom attachment is provided with a double. The unit has three arms and four articulated joints. The joints snap into the locking position so there is no fear of not fastening them properly and having your camera fall. The weakest point however is the tripod-end attachment, which is really better suited to a light bracket than a tripod.

The single post has a 3/8th thread for which a bushing is necessary if you only have a 1/4-inch screw on a tripod. The arms are sturdy and extremely easy to lock when in the desired position.

Why We Like This:
  • Handles and some other parts are a strong plastic
  • Great device for precise camera positioning
  • Strong, lightweight mount for many camera/mic/lighting uses

Best For stereo vision setups: Manfrotto side Arm

Manfrotto side Arm
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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate arm. The product is exactly that - it's a simple product that hits all the right notes. This works great with the Manfrotto 183 projector table. It provides excellent stability plus it is a really nice accessory arm. This side arm allows positioning of two heads on a 90degree perpendicular angle. The 2 sliding head mounts move smoothly along the arm and the locking levers tighten securely, even though they are plastic. It's great for a simple setup with a camera and laptop but there's so many more ways it can be used.

This is a very heavy duty well constructed arm that is more than capable of holding a table to place a computer on and a head to place a camera on.

Why We Like This:
  • Very sturdy product that can be used in a bunch of different ways
  • Black is heavy but provides excellent stability
  • One of the new comers and featured product

Best For gobos: Manfrotto Versatile Articulated Arm

Manfrotto Versatile Articulated Arm
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The manfrotto versatile articulated arm is the best convenient product on the market today. This Manfrotto magic arm is an articulated arm with centre lever to lock all 3 movements. It is great for gobos or small light fixtures. This item has the typical Bogen/Manfrotto excellent build quality. It comes with a central locking system. It is good as the variable friction version but it's as solid as needed. The Magic Arm really helps you to find and hold that exact spot. These things are built like tanks and will last you much, much longer than a few of your camera bodies.

Why We Like This:
  • Very good set of helping hands
  • Good range of motion, not so robust build quality in the joint
  • Versatile articulated arm with central locking system