Hohem iSteady V3 review

The iSteady V3 is the third generation of this popular mobile gimbal stabiliser, designed for use with the latest smartphones. Although Hohem is less well known than brands like DJI and Insta360, the company has made significant strides with this generation of the gimbal. The design is more refined than previous iterations, offering solid build quality that reflects an advancement in product design.

One of the standout features of the iSteady V3 is its built-in tripod and the quarter-inch thread on the base, which allow for more stable setups. The modular AI unit, which sits on the side, incorporates advanced tracking capabilities. Then there’s the more common foldable design, similar to competitors, making it highly portable.

The Hohem app, available for iOS and Android, is at the heart of the gimbal’s feature set, enabling access to all the different options and settings. The App is user-friendly, free from intrusive ads, and provides all the necessary tools to get started with shooting. Simply tap the camera button, and you’re ready to go.

Where the Hohem iSteady V3 differs from the competition is that the AI unit can stand alone. So, if you want to use a different video app with the gimbal, such as the iOS camera App with the cinematic option, you still can. Still, with the tracking working independently, this is a major feature that excels overall in the competition.

In our review, we paired the iSteady V3 with the iPhone 15 Pro and Vivo 100, and the App worked seamlessly with both smartphones. The iSteady V3 is a strong contender in the field of mobile gimbal stabilisers, providing a great solution for anyone looking to vlog or record video that appears professionally stabilised.

Previous iterations of the Hohem iSteady have always been functional, reactive, and innovative. However, they’ve often felt a bit plastic and shiny, which detracted from their overall appeal. The iSteady V3 marks a complete reworking of this design, bringing it more in line with competitors like the DJI Osmo Mobile and the Insta360. The V3 is designed to fold away into a very compact form quickly, and unlike some earlier compact stabilisers, it has a reassuring weight that feels more substantial and high-quality.

Setting up the gimbal is straightforward. Simply plug it in and charge it using the USB Type-C cable, then clamp your mobile phone into place. The clamp includes a handy sticker to ensure you insert your phone correctly, keeping the cameras clear of all arms. A great design feature of the V3 clamp is its V-shape, which prevents it from pressing the phone’s buttons, even if it covers them.

Before powering on, the built-in tripod in the handle grip can be used to find a level for balancing, which is a nice touch and means that there is no need to screw in a mini tripod. The three legs pull out, enabling you to place the gimbal on a surface, which all helps to ensure everything remains level. Once set up, you can power it up and connect your phone via Bluetooth to the iSteady V3. This process is straightforward using the Hohem app.

Hohem provides two control options for the gimbal: the grip control pad and the AI camera with gesture control. Gesture control allows you to use hand gestures to activate different modes, start recording, and frame the video. The AI tracking feature lets you draw a box around the subject you want to track, and the gimbal will follow it around the screen as it moves. What’s special about this gimbal is that the AI camera can control the gimbal without an App and just use hand gestures, which is incredibly clever.

When it comes to the more traditional method of control this involves using the physical control panel on the grip, which includes a joystick, mode button, record button, and up/down buttons, along with small LED lights indicating the current mode.

One notable feature is that, unlike the competitors, this is a detachable control pad, which can be removed and used as a remote control. This is particularly useful if you want to start and stop recording or adjust the framing of the video from a distance.

As is common with this style of gimbal, there’s a telescopic rod that can be extended to increase the gimbal’s reach. It’s a completely mechanical mechanism, but it works well and is easy to use.

The iSteady V3 offers a significant upgrade in build quality and design, providing a robust and intuitive experience for users. The added weight and high-quality finish give it a premium feel, and the ergonomic design ensures it fits comfortably in your hand for extended use.

When it comes to features, the Hohem iSteady V3 boasts an impressive list, which can be extended further with optional accessories for a more professional feel. One notable accessory is the Hohem Microphone MIC-01, a wireless mic system. When used with the mobile gimbal stabiliser, it enhances your video setup, providing a professional audio solution, so for many users looking at this gimbal, it’s something that is well worth considering.

The standout feature of the iSteady V3 is its AI tracker module and fill light, which is among the most advanced and fastest on the market. This module’s interesting quirk is that it can be mounted forward or backward-facing to adapt to how the gimbal is used.

To activate the tracking using the Joy App, you simply draw a box around your subject, and the mobile phone will track it seamlessly. This AI tracker is extremely effective, keeping up with relatively fast movements and ensuring that your subject remains in focus. Moreover, it can track not only humans but also animals, making it perfect for recording pets in action.

Also on the AI Camera module is the fill light, which features an array of adjustable LEDs. The fill light allows you to adjust the colour temperature from warm (2700K) to neutral (5000K) to cool (6500K) light, as well as the brightness, which can be continuously dimmed from 4% to 100%. With a peak illuminance of 110 lux, using the side wheel on the gimbal is sufficient for most lighting conditions.

As previously mentioned, the iSteady V3 includes a retractable extension rod, a feature that is becoming more common in modern gimbals. This 25cm rod allows for a wider perspective when taking selfies, enhancing the overall quality and versatility of your shots. The build quality of this telescopic rod is excellent, with no noticeable flex or flimsiness.

A unique feature of the iSteady V3 is the detachable remote. This remote control can operate the gimbal both when mounted on the grip and when removed. It offers the same speed and accuracy in either configuration, enabling you to control the gimbal from a distance. This feature is useful for presentations or workshops, where you might need to adjust the gimbal without physically touching it.

The iSteady V3’s design is compact, portable, and foldable. The telescopic rod folds into the base grip, and the main arm folds over the top, allowing the entire gimbal to be neatly stowed in a backpack’s side pocket.

Finally, the Hohem Joy app provides access to a range of settings, features, and options. You can switch the AI tracking on and off, apply video presets, and quickly create videos with music tracks and AI enhancements. These include portrait adjustments, skin smoothing, and filters, making the iSteady V3 a comprehensive tool for creating professional-quality videos.

Setting up the Hohem iSteady V3 is straightforward. The gimbal’s built-in tripod features thin metal rods that pull out from the base, creating a stable platform on any level surface. This ensures the gimbal remains level for balancing and makes it easier to set up and start using quickly.

Once the tripod is set up, the main gimbal arm can be unfolded, making it ready to mount your mobile phone. Before mounting the phone, it’s worth mentioning the detachable light and AI camera module that attaches to the side of the smartphone clamp. This module, included in the box, simply clicks into position and can be positioned to face either forward or back. This means that you can adapt the AI for different situations, say if you’re taking a selfie or filming someone else.

Starting up the gimbal involves pairing it with your mobile phone via the Hohem Joy app. The App is intuitive, and once the gimbal is powered on and the App is loaded, the pairing process starts automatically and completes within seconds. After pairing, hitting the camera button in the App’s interface gets you ready to start filming. This really is one of the simplest Apps and hardware combos.

Looking at the base functions of the iSteady V3, like all other gimbals, it offers several modes that allow you to adjust how the gimbal responds to movements. In PF Mode (Pan Follow), the roll axis is locked, allowing the gimbal to pan left and right following your movements. In PTF Mode (Pan and Tilt Follow), the roll axis is locked, but the gimbal allows the phone to pan left, right, and tilt up and down, following the operator’s movements. This is the most commonly used mode for versatile shooting. POV Mode (Point of View) activates all three axes, allowing the gimbal to follow the operator’s movements and providing a dynamic, drone-like look. Finally, L Mode (All Locked Mode) locks all axes, keeping the phone stationary regardless of the gimbal’s movements, ideal for achieving the most professional and smooth footage.

The control pad on the gimbal handle features control buttons and a joystick for manual movement and adjustment. What’s interesting is that the control pad is detachable and can be used as a separate remote control, enabling you to control the gimbal from a distance. This feature is particularly useful for filming workshops or online tutorials where you need to adjust the gimbal without physically touching it.

The AI camera and fill light module are what really separate the use of this gimbal from its competitors and enhance the gimbal’s performance. Starting with the fill light, which is easily activated and adjusted for brightness and colour temperature using the dial on the side of the grip. Through this, you can quickly click to warm or cool the illumination and then rotate the dial to increase or decrease the brightness of the light. As the light is side-mounted, you can see a light and shadow effect on your face that helps add a little more depth than the look that would be achieved by direct light.

The AI camera offers advanced tracking capabilities, allowing for human and animal tracking, making it perfect for all sorts of situations. This AI camera really is the standout feature of the iSteady V3. Simple hand gestures can be used to activate the AI camera, start and stop recording, and adjust the composition through the App or without. Unlike competitors, this built-in AI camera can be used with the App control or independently, so if you want to use your video app but with the gimbal’s advanced tracking and gesture control, then you can. However, starting and stopping recording would need to be done manually.

The gimbal also includes various pre-programmed video modes and AI enhancements for quickly creating professional-looking videos. These features allow you to add music, effects, and filters to your videos, enhancing the overall quality and appeal. The performance of the Hohem iSteady V3 is truly impressive. It offers a range of advanced features and ease of use that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to achieve professional-level video stabilisation with their smartphone.

The market for mobile gimbal stabilisers is fiercely competitive, especially with leaders like DJI’s Osmo Mobile and Insta360’s advanced models, which integrate AI and boast superb stabilisation features. Against such stiff competition, the Hohem iSteady V3 needed to offer exceptional quality and functionality.

In terms of build quality, Hohem has made significant strides. The iSteady V3 demonstrates a considerable leap forward in product design and construction, positioning it close to the standards set by DJI and Insta360. While DJI and Insta360 might still hold a slight edge in overall refinement, the iSteady V3 stands out with its robust build and well-thought-out design.

Feature-wise, the Hohem iSteady V3 excels with its AI integration, built-in LED light, and an array of user-friendly features. Its simplicity of use, combined with the lack of complicated app interfaces that sometimes plague other brands, makes it a great choice. Moreover, the iSteady V3’s cost-effectiveness, priced approximately £30-£40 lower than its competitors, adds to its appeal without compromising on quality or functionality.

If you’re looking for a high-quality mobile gimbal stabiliser that transforms your smartphone into a professional video rig, the iSteady V3 is an excellent option. Beyond its stabilisation capabilities, the detachable remote control and AI camera offer a fully featured video production setup in a compact device. Adding the optional microphone completes the package, providing a comprehensive solution for vloggers and solo content creators.

The Hohem iSteady V3 is a well-made, feature-rich, and affordable gimbal stabiliser that offers great value for money. It’s a versatile tool that can enhance your video production quality significantly, making it a strong contender in the competitive market of mobile gimbal stabilisers.