ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Insta360 Circulation 2 Professional Creator bundle is priced at $189.
- It has an extended deal with than the earlier mannequin, a extra steady tripod, and a handy magnetic clamp system.
- There isn’t a chilly shoe out there to your mic, and Android assist is a little bit of an afterthought.
extra shopping for decisions
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Immediately’s smartphone cameras are so good you can be a content material creator with out spending hundreds on a devoted digicam. The optical picture stabilization they’ve can also be superb, however you’ll be able to seize extra artistic pictures and shoot in tougher circumstances with a smartphone gimbal.
Insta360’s newest smartphone gimbal, the Flow 2 Pro is among the finest choices out there, with superior options and an affordable value.
Additionally: I tested the best iPhones in 2025: Should you buy the 17, Air, or Pro Max?
I have been utilizing the unique Insta360 Circulation gimbal since 2023, primarily to seize B-roll for my e-bike and working shoe opinions. It is a first rate gimbal, however I’ve to increase the deal with and tripod legs to suit my hand, and one leg broke so the tripod was now not practical. I additionally needed to take away my telephone circumstances to make use of the prolonged clamp connector plate in order that was a bit cumbersome.
The very first thing I seen concerning the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro smartphone gimbal was the longer deal with with silicone grip on the entrance. The tripod was redesigned in order that three metallic legs lengthen down three inches from the bottom after which out to create a strong platform that holds my iPhone 17 Professional Max even when the telescoping stick, which extends out eight inches, is totally deployed.
Along with the improved deal with design and tripod stability, the creator bundle consists of the brand new magnetic telephone mount that attaches to the again of the iPhone’s MagSafe connector. The magnetic telephone mount additionally serves as a dependable kickstand to your telephone with a metallic ring that extends all the way down to prop up your telephone in each portrait and panorama orientation.
Assist for Apple DockKit implies that greater than 200 iOS apps work with the gimbal with none further equipment, permitting creators to make use of their favourite apps with the gimbal because the on-site digicam operator. I personally favor to make use of the Insta360 app with the gimbal and that gives the final word expertise with its Deep Monitor 4.0 monitoring system, however the beauty of this package is that Insta360 helps your individual preferences.
With superior AI monitoring, the gimbal will transfer and preserve the chosen topic, or topics, in view all through the recording. You can even use one other telephone and even your supported Apple Watch as a distant for the gimbal so you’ll by no means miss out on being part of a bunch shot once more.Â
The Insta360 Circulation 2 Professional has an built-in selfie stick that extends eight inches that can assist you seize selfies with the rear digicam, but it surely additionally has a small selfie mirror on the again of the telephone mount. I discovered this handy because the gimbal strikes round, and plan to seize extra selfie footage with the higher rear cameras.
Additionally: I’ve tested every iPhone 17 model, and I’m recommending something different this time
One facet struggled with on the unique Insta360 Circulation gimbal was utilizing the thumb controls. The directional pad and contact delicate ring have been redesigned for improved ergonomics and I used to be capable of rapidly use the varied taking pictures modes with out getting overwhelmed by the choices.
The Circulation 2 Professional offers as much as 10 hours of battery life and features a USB-C port so you’ll be able to prime off your telephone and preserve taking pictures for hours. The creator bundle additionally features a small mild that attaches to the accent USB-C port to supply targeted mild in low mild circumstances. The Highlight accent is obtainable for simply $14.99. An AI tracker module, with an included mild, can also be out there for $39.99 and it offers AI monitoring in third social gathering apps for Android and iOS customers.
Additionally: I found a $170 mobile gimbal that rivals my DJI – and it’s easy to set up
The Insta360 Circulation 2 Professional is clearly optimized for the iPhone, however most core options can be found on Android within the Insta360 app. Those that are not out there on Android are multi-person monitoring, Lively Zoom monitoring, and smartphone distant management. If you wish to use the Circulation 2 Professional with an Android telephone, I like to recommend the AI Tracker module to benefit from Insta360’s superior AI recognition algorithms.
One ultimate function I’ve examined out a few occasions is the built-in teleprompter perform that helps pasting your script into the Insta360 app. You’ll be able to then mount your telephone and document with the selfie front-facing digicam whereas studying the teleprompter. You’ll be able to have the textual content scroll along with your specified timing and even rotate the rear dial to scroll the textual content up the show. I extremely suggest you try the tips and tricks article from Insta360 to optimize your use of the Circulation 2 Professional gimbal.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Though I really like taking pictures on my Sony Alpha digicam, my smartphone is all the time with me and lets me seize extra constant content material. Tthe Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal is small and light-weight, so it additionally has been touring with me in every single place. The gimbal unfolds and allows you to mount your telephone in seconds so I plan to make use of it much more to be able to seize higher content material to share with household, mates, and different viewers.
