hohem iSteady V3 vs hohem iSteady X3

The hohem iSteady V3 is the model that made the line worth recommending. The payload rating went up to 300 g, which is the number that lets a phone wear a case and a wireless mic receiver at the same time without the motors complaining. The AI tracker is a small module that magnets onto the phone clamp and follows a face with its own sensor, so it works in the camera app, in a streaming app, in anything.

The handle hides a fold-out tripod and the battery runs about 13 hours, long enough for a full day of clips. Gesture control starts and stops recording with a raised palm, which is more useful than it sounds when the phone is at arm's length.

The catch is the extension: there is none, so a higher angle means a longer arm. Owners rate it 4.4 across more than 500 reviews, the best score in the line.

The hohem iSteady X3 is the X3 SE Plus with a small fill light in the box, for a few dollars more. Same three axes, same 280 g class payload, same app-only tracking, same 9 hour class battery.

The fill light is small: enough to lift a face at arm's length indoors, not enough for a night street. If that is the difference you want, this is the cheaper way to get it than the M6 kit. Owners rate it 4.2 across about 200 reviews.