Keep your photography smooth with this handy device

A gimbal is a hand-held stand that steadies your phone, and the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is among the top ones out there

- Tushar Kanwar

them as the smaller, consumer-friendly versions of tripods—sturdy enough to accommodate the biggest smartphones around yet small enough when folded for portability. The principle is the same—a smartphone gimbal is a handheld mechanical stabilizer that stabilizes your phone across three axes, smoothening out the jerky movements associated with a shaky hand or a bumpy gait. Now, even if you're out running, hiking or just walking, gimbals like the Flow 2 Pro can help make smooth panning shots and cinematic video effects accessible to everyone. Well, almost... but we'll get to that later.

In its folded state, the Flow 2 Pro is remarkably small and fits easily into jacket pockets or the smallest of bags. Despite being lightweight (350g), build quality and weight distribution with a smartphone attached is excellent, and the hinges, anti-slip handle and buttons all feel premium in use. Untwist the hinge and the Flow 2 Pro snaps into action, and all you have to do is secure your smartphone in the clamp, which magnetically attaches to the gimbal arm with a satisfying clicking sound. And since it's magnetic, you can quickly remove your phone if you want to check your socials or post a quick video without unclamping the mount.