Great balance between price and features

DJI and Zhiyun are the two giants in the smartphone gimbal market, but they are definitely not alone. There are a few smaller names that offer quality stabilizers and Moza is one of the most important. Today we’re taking a look at the Moza Mini S Essential smartphone gimbal. Is it good enough to keep you from the big competition? Find out in this Moza Mini S Essential review.

See also: The best smartphone gimbals you can buy

What you need to know about the Moza Mini S Essential

• Moza Mini S Essential (Mini-SE): $ 79 / £ 89 / € 89

The Moza Mini S Essential targets the mid-end smartphone gimbal market at a price lower than giants like Zhiyun Smooth 4, DJI Osmo Mobile 3, and DJI Osmo Mobile 4. It’s not a cheap discount though, and you can see that in its datasheet. For example, there is triaxial stabilization (pan, tilt, and roll) that is not a guarantee with affordable stabilizers.

The 2,200 mAh battery is rated for eight hours and should be charged in 1.5 hours. The product weighs 498 g and measures 116 x 95 x 317 mm when unfolded (130 x 68 x 195 mm when folded). The maximum payload is 260 g and the mount supports devices with a width of 58 to 88 mm. The Moza Mini S Essential is only available in black.

What is good?

I was thrilled to find out that this smartphone stabilizer can support a fair amount of weight. The Zhiyun Smooth 4 has a maximum capacity of 210 g, while the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 can only hold 200 g. The DJI Osmo Mobile 4 comes closer at around 230g, but that costs almost double the price. Other stabilizers I’ve tested have had trouble holding larger, heavier devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which the Moza Mini S had no problem with.

The battery life, while not the best of its kind, is pretty good for the price you pay, too. It is estimated that this device will operate for eight hours on a single charge. I tested the device for about six hours over the course of a week and still have some battery left.

One thing that also made a good impression was the design. The device has an off-center yet balanced body that is very unique. It’s not just for looks, as the weird demarcation makes for a more ergonomic grip with an angle and a weight leaning forward. The best way to describe it is that you can hold it like a firearm. This is ideal for long video recordings as the straight posture and flat surface of other gimbals can put some stress on the joints with prolonged use. It is also very convenient to be able to fold the device into a super portable size. Even the box it comes in is much smaller than your usual gimbal case.

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Stabilization is smooth and quick. The Moza Mini S Essential can keep up with fast movements, which is always a plus for action clips. It lacked the nervous movement you see in the lower gimbals, which gave pleasant results. The lack of buttons also makes it very easy to learn and get used to. There are also cinematic presets that can be used to create cool angles and effects in the app. Also included is the ability to track objects, use gestures, add filters, record in slow motion, create time lapse, and much more.

What’s not so good?

The Moza app – it’s not great. To be honest, I have to try one more gimbal application that I really like as they all look confusing and weirdly put together. The Moza Mini S Essential is no exception. You have to manually connect to the device every time you access the app. The run mode for the record mode appears to overlap the record button. Half of the symbols are not self-explanatory. This app definitely offers a learning curve.

While stabilization and performance are great, there is one limiting factor with the Moza Mini S Essential. It doesn’t have a lot of freedom of movement. The device can swivel 270 degrees, roll 315 degrees and tilt 200 degrees. This may seem reasonable on paper, but I found myself constantly at the limits, especially while tracking objects. You pretty much always need to point the gimbal in the general direction of your subject. Move a little too much in any direction and you could hit a limit.

The build quality is pretty good for the price, but the more expensive competitors have certainly beaten it by a lot. The Moza Mini S Essential feels like it’s made out of slightly cheaper plastic, and the key feedback isn’t as comforting as we’d hope it would be.

Moza Mini S Basic Rating: Should I Buy It?

The Moza Mini S Essential isn’t perfect, but it does strike a balance between price and value. Not to mention, thanks to its excellent payload of 260g, it is the best option for users with heavier smartphones. Stabilization is great, battery life extends further than most users need, and controls are easy. The design is also very unique and comfortable, which could make it a better choice for long shoots.

The Moza Mini S Essential offers a good balance between price and value.

Given all of the perks and advertising for a price that’s over $ 20 below the price of its closest competitors, it is easy to overlook some drawbacks like lack of freedom of movement and slightly lower premium build quality. Regardless, the Moza Mini S Essentials covers the essentials (it’s the name, after all) and does it very well.