hohem iSteady XE Kit 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone

The Hohem iSteady XE Foldable Smartphone Gimbal enhances the stabilization of your smartphone videos with professional-quality results.

Utilizing high-torque motors and automated movement programs ensures the creation of steady and captivating shots.

Its straightforward controls and foldable design make it a superb option for travel vloggers and other content creators on the move.

Features & Performance

The iSteady XE stands out with its impressive design, weighing just under 0.6 lbs, providing an ultra-lightweight solution for videographers on the move.

This pocket-sized powerhouse is perfect for on-location shoots or vlogging while traveling, offering both portability and functionality.

Fueled by a robust battery with an 8-hour lifespan, the iSteady XE ensures uninterrupted shooting throughout the day. Charging is a breeze, taking around 2 hours to reach full capacity through the convenient USB-C port.

A notable feature is the one-button zoom control, allowing smooth and shake-free zooming in and out during video recording. This feature enhances the overall user experience, resulting in professional-level footage.

The iSteady XE excels in compatibility, supporting smartphones of various sizes and weights, and accommodating even larger devices with heavy cases.

Despite some operational limitations with larger phones, its foldable design compensates by offering unparalleled portability, making it an ideal travel companion for any setting.

Beyond stability, the iSteady XE provides flexibility in shot compositions. Effortlessly switch between portrait and landscape modes with a single button, catering to creators who require quick transitions between filming styles.

With a user-friendly interface and an easy-to-navigate mobile app, the Hohem Pro App enhances the overall experience. Offering tutorials and guides, it caters to both beginners and seasoned content creators.

The gimbal features four distinct shooting modes – pan follow, pan and tilt follow, all lock, and all follow – catering to various content types, from vlogs to action shots and cinematic clips.

A standout feature is the active tracking technology, utilizing facial recognition and AI to keep subjects in focus.

Coupled with 3-axis stabilization technology, the iSteady XE empowers content creators to produce high-quality, smooth, and professional-level footage.

While the Hohem app is available, the iSteady XE seamlessly integrates with default camera apps, offering quick and responsive control.

This capability positions the smartphone as a powerful tool for content creation, competing with more advanced cameras.

Hohem iSteady XE Specifications

Setup and Operation

The setup and operation processes are user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced users.

During the initial setup, we tested it with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, fitting comfortably within its adjustable range of 2.17 to 3.54 inches.

One standout feature during setup is the gimbal’s automatic balancing capability, eliminating the need for manual balancing commonly found in other gimbals.

This not only simplifies the process but also saves users valuable time and effort. Hohem enhances stability further by providing an additional tripod attachment.

Operating the gimbal is equally intuitive. Powering it up involves a simple three-second press and hold of the M Button.

Once activated, the device quickly and seamlessly connects to the hohem Joy App via Bluetooth.

Serving as the control center, the app offers various creative shooting templates and convenient features.

The user-friendly app unlocks a range of features, including gesture control and active tracking.

Gesture control allows users to initiate or stop video recording with a straightforward hand gesture, particularly useful for solo filming.

On the other hand, active tracking ensures the gimbal automatically follows a moving subject, keeping it within the frame and in focus throughout the entire shoot.

This versatility makes it a highly adaptable tool catering to diverse filming scenarios and user preferences.

Gimbal Control and Functionality

Once successfully paired, the M Button serves as a versatile mode switch, allowing you to navigate through various working modes—Pan Follow, Pan & Tilt Follow, All Lock, and POV (Point Of View) mode—with a single press.

Additionally, it enters standby mode with a double press and initiates auto-calibration when pressed five times.

The gimbal provides a flexible control system featuring a multi-functional Joystick and Zoom Slider.

The Joystick manages Pan and Tilt rotation, while the Zoom Slider facilitates smooth zooming in and out during your shoot, accessible via the App.

The Joystick’s responsiveness makes position adjustments enjoyable, lending a touch of familiarity to users with gaming experience in motion-controlled hardware.

The learning curve for first-time users is minimal, thanks to hohem’s commendable development of a user-friendly system.

The controls are straightforward and highly accessible, with well-positioned buttons on the handle for easy operation.

After spending some time with the device, users should have no trouble controlling it without needing to look down at the buttons.

The Shutter Button adds convenience, enabling a single press to capture a photo or start/end a video.

Photo and video mode switching is achieved with a double press, while a triple press switches the camera between front and rear.

The Function Button, another crucial feature, facilitates switching between landscape and portrait mode with a single press, re-centering the gimbal with a double press, and activating the 180° Inception Mode or spin shot with a triple press.

Various Operating Modes

To switch between operating modes, press the M button once.

Pan Follow

When you turn the handle left or right, the camera will track the handle’s movements. The tilt motor remains stationary within the angle range of -45° to +45°. If the movement exceeds this range, the gimbal will follow the tilt movement, and the roll motor will be locked without tracking the movement.

Pan & Tilt Follow

This is the default operating mode. When you turn the handle left, right, up, or down, the camera will follow the handle’s movements. The roll motor is locked without tracking the movement.

All Lock

The roll and pan motors are locked without tracking the movement. The tilt motor does not follow within the angle range of -45° to +45°. If the movement exceeds this range, the gimbal will follow the tilt movement.

POV (All Follow)

First-person point of view provides complete 360° movement, allowing you to pan, tilt, and roll freely.