The 9 Best Manfrotto magic arms (2023 reviews)

If you want nothing short of the best possible arm for your daily usage, this product is certainly a worthy investment. The Manfrotto 244 variable friction magic arm comes close to being a jack of all trades. It includes an extensive range of camera tripods and heads, lighting stands and accessories. The friction arms with the connecting knob can handle far greater weight load than the stated 6.61 lbs. The one knob locks everything down solidly and holds like a vise.

The versatility of this arm is amazing, and worth every penny. It is very sturdy. They are solid, easy to set up and very stable.

Why We Like This:

High quality, it will last forever
Clamps down super tight and gives tripod like stability many places tripods can't go
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best articulating Arm: Manfrotto Variable friction Arm

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If you often find yourself confused about convenient and suitable arm, this product is your solution. This Magic Arm with Variable Friction is much better. It features as 143n, but a large locking knob takes the place of the cam-lever. 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 is flexible, as adaptable (as you are) and simple to use. The variable friction is a welcome addition making it a critically improved version for a solid, professional quality studio standby.

The overall length of the manfrotto arm is 23" when extended out, including the accessory pegs. It is for a lighter object where you don’t need to tighten so much the adjustability can be very handy. The magic arm works pretty good for most applications.

Why We Like This:

Very sturdy, works great and is easy to adjust
Reliable heavy duty support for cameras, lights, recorders and ipads
Handy device for maximum flexibility / positioning
Variable friction and locking of arm obtained by adjusting knob

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

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The manfrotto boom arm's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This is the best accessory for the Westcott Orb. This single articulated arm with two sections is a great studio tool. It is great for mounting a small strobe into a specific position. It is easy to mount studs or threaded adapters.

This arm has a nice reach, lots of adjustability, and is light for how strong it is. This tool is meant for light weight applications so if you want to mount a 600 WS mono light on it it wont work.

Why We Like This:

Compact and light weight, just not terribly sturdy or strong
Absolutely perfect for a non-photographic experimental application
Three adjustment elbows allow nearly any angle or position
Highly recommended for light weight work

Best For overhead recording: Manfrotto Articulated Arm

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Compared with other products by Manfrotto, the manfrotto articulated arm has a convenient design. This 38" bushing could easily be overlooked because it is screwed in to the camera bracket. It is provided with a camera bracket with 16mm spigot and camera attachment, while the bottom attachment is provided with a double double. The deeply grooved serrated interlocks provide maximum stability and adjustability. It is perfectly and holds the camera in place with no problems.

The weakest point however is the tripod-end attachment, which is really better suited to a light bracket than a tripod. The joints snap into the locking position so there is no fear of not fastening them properly and having your camera fall. This unit allows for elevating the specimen, to separate from the background and photograph from above. It is easy to lock when in the desired position.

Why We Like This:

Flexible platform for extending the camera reach
Excellent, very flexible and easy to use
Is sturdy enough to support a fairly heavy camera
Great device for precise camera positioning

Best For gobos: Manfrotto Versatile Articulated 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 Manfrotto magic arm is an articulated arm with centre lever to lock all 3 movements. It is great for gobos or small light fixtures. The locking mechanism is excellent and very firm. It comes with a central locking system.

This item has the typical Bogen/Manfrotto excellent build quality. These things are built like tanks and will last you much, much longer than a few of your camera bodies. 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.

Why We Like This:

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

Best For ceiling: Manfrotto swiveling Arm

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Manfrotto makes beautiful and great arm with classic and smartly choosen materials. A telescopic feature makes this product even more compact than before and a camera bracket allows precise camera angles. It is perfect for filming "over-head" with a light weight camcorder for making you tube "how to" videos. It adjusts well and is easy to use. It comes with a removable 143bkt camera bracket. It is totally worth the cost, well built, and solid construction. It is a more versatile version of bogens single articulated arm. It is perfect for wall mount or ceiling mount.

Why We Like This:

Works very well with positive locking
Really sturdy and versatile, worth the investment
You will be able to move and tilt the camera

Best Strong Arm: Manfrotto Extendable sliding Arm

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Best part: manfrotto extendable sliding arm costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. This is a good device for mounting a light or camera to a table or elsewhere using a superclamp. The mount on this Manfrotto 396B has the larger 3/8" screw hole. It features two ball joints to add to that it is perfectly, five stars. The sturdy system handles a dslr with ease. It lowers the center of gravity and keeps the tripod stable.

The camera bracket has some leeway to move the camera sideways, which is very convenient. It will be more stable and feel more secure.

Why We Like This:

You can definitely position the camera any direction you choose, up or down
Heavy duty yet lacking in flexibility
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For small light fixtures: Manfrotto magic Arm

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These are the features of the new double articulated arm range. It's got large teeth in the elbow mechanism, so when you start to tighten it down, it moves to the closest notch. It has been developed to provide greater robustness than the 196 range and to support heavier loads (upto 5kg), though keeping versatility thanks to its extendable sliding arm system (extends upto 860mm), further enhanced by its quick lock system. It's perfect for small light fixtures or gobos.

Why We Like This:

Lot of satisfied buyers
One of the new comers and featured product

Best premium: Manfrotto magic Arm

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This Manfrotto's product might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive in this year, thanks to multiple improved premium features over the past few months.

Why We Like This: