REASONS TO BUY
Smooth handling for video
Flick locks easy to use
Compatible with various camera types
Pockets and dividers in the carrying case
REASONS TO AVOID
Panning handle awkward to attach
Not as quick to adjust tripod head
Benro CyanBird AL 2 Review
For photographers venturing into video, this tripod offers smooth panning in a portable package
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ August 20, 2026
RELATED: The Best Tripods of 2026
Our Verdict
Photographers these days are expected to do a little bit of everything, and that now includes video. If you're dipping your toes into the world of video, but don't want to buy a whole new set of gear, take a closer look at the Benro CyanBird AL 2. This tripod has a hybrid photo/video head that offers smooth panning and fluid head control, with smaller folded dimensions than most video rigs. Benro designed this tripod with flick locks on the legs for quick height adjustments, and the mounting plate can accommodate smaller cameras or larger professional-grade cameras. As long as you don't mind the slower adjustability with a 3-way head, this is a great option if you need a tripod for video as much as photo.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The smooth panning head of the Benro CyanBird AL2 makes it great for video. Credit: Zach Lovell
Likes
The Benro CyanBird AL 2 has controlled resistance in the head, allowing smooth panning left-to-right, side-to-side, and up-and-down. For photography, this isn't particularly useful, but it makes moving video shots much easier than with a standard ball head.
The Benro can pan across a landscape or indoor scene easily with the intentional resistance in its head. Credit: Zach Lovell
The carrying case also makes it easy to stay organized, with a large mesh pocket inside and multiple gear loops. We also loved its roll-up style, which lays flat when unbuckled.
Unbuckling the Benro CyanBird carrying bag allows you to find what you need quickly. Credit: Zach Lovell
This mounting plate accommodates more camera sizes than many, though it doesn't have as high of a weight capacity. Credit: Zach Lovell
The mounting plate also fits a ¼-inch screw and a ⅜-inch screw, so you can run a bigger video camera as needed, though keep in mind it only has a weight capacity of 9.9 pounds. This weight capacity is plenty for many cameras, but some professional video cameras can weigh upwards of 30 pounds, so keep the weight of your gear in mind, and know that this is not equipped to handle a pro setup.
At the end of the day, this model stands out most for its ability to capture pans, but falls in the middle of the pack for those taking stills. Aside from the smooth panning head, this tripod has fairly standard features, with flip locks to adjust the leg segments, and bubble level indicator to keep your horizons straight.
Dislikes
3-way heads make for great videoing, but they are slower to adjust, making the CyanBird less ideal for quick adjustments and frequent repositioning. The CyanBird has an aluminum build that makes it fairly durable, but it comes in at 3.52 pounds, which is heavier than average for our tested group.
This head system is great for panning, but it makes for slower shot adjustments. Credit: Zach Lovell
The panning handle can be attached several ways to the head of the CyanBird, but it has an awkward screw-on system that makes it slower to attach, remove, or reposition. If you can spare the space, we opted to leave it on most of the time.
The panning handle includes an integrated Allen wrench if moving the handle from the right to the left sides of the head, but it's awkward to screw on. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Benro CyanBird AL 2?
This is a great tripod for moving video clips, but if you don't need that kind of specialized function, the CyanBird doesn't stand out much. It's not a bad tripod, and it has fairly small dimensions that'll fit in some camera bags, but there are tripods that can do more for your photography, especially for the price. In short, we recommend this to budding videographers transitioning away from stills, but like the flexibility of being able to do both.
This 3-way head tripod is excellent for smooth video, but isn't as user-friendly as a ballhead design. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Tripods Should You Consider?
If you aren't into video, the benefits of the hybrid head become a nuisance. We'd recommend looking for a tripod with a quicker-to-adjust ball head. If you're looking in the same price range as the Benro, the Vanguard VEO 3+ 263CB 160S Carbon-Fiber is our favorite overall tripod for its impressive stability and abundance of shooting positions. For a budget version, check out the small and light SIRUI Lightweight Carbon Fiber Traveler 5C.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Benro CyanBird AL 2 versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $320 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | For photographers venturing into video, this tripod offers smooth panning in a portable package |
| Pros | Smooth handling for video, flick locks easy to use, compatible with various camera types, pockets and dividers in the carrying case |
| Cons | Panning handle awkward to attach, not as quick to adjust tripod head |
| Rating Categories | Benro CyanBird AL 2 |
| Ease of Use (25%) | |
| Stability (25%) | |
| Positional Versatility (20%) | |
| Portability (20%) | |
| Durability (10%) | |
| Specifications | Benro CyanBird AL 2 |
| Measured Weight | 3.52 lbs |
| Load Capacity | 9.9 lbs |
| Head Type | Three way |
| Level Indicator | Yes |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Max & Min Shooting Height | 63 inches to ground level |
| Folded Length | 19.3 inches |
| Included Phone Mount Adapter | No |
—Zach Lovell
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