iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For short-form video made for viewers holding a phone upright, record vertically. Choose horizontal when the scene needs width—such as a group, a broad landscape, or several details shown together—or when you expect viewers to watch in a landscape player. The right choice depends on the destination and the shot, not on a universal rule that one orientation performs better.
Choose the orientation that fits the viewing context
| Consideration | Vertical (portrait) | Horizontal (landscape) |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Upright-phone viewing and portrait-first short-form feeds | Wide scenes, groups, side-by-side details, and landscape viewing |
| What the frame emphasizes | Provides more vertical room for a centered person or tall subject; limits width | Captures more width for scenery, demonstrations, or multiple subjects |
| Reusing the footage | Can suit portrait-first placements, though other layouts may crop it or cover parts with interface elements | Works naturally in widescreen contexts; cropping it to portrait can cut off information at the sides |
Before recording, consider where the video will appear and what must fit in the shot. If the answer is an upright short-form feed and one main subject, portrait is a practical starting point. If the width of the scene carries important information, use landscape instead.
How mobile platforms display each format
YouTube mobile playback
YouTube Help says its Android app automatically adapts the player to the video’s dimensions. Vertical, square, and horizontal videos can fill the screen, so horizontal footage is not inherently unusable on a phone. The exact presentation depends on the video and the app interface. YouTube Help: watch videos in full screen.
YouTube Shorts
YouTube says creators can upload vertical videos as Shorts, which can be up to three minutes long. That makes portrait a sensible choice when Shorts is the intended destination, but it does not mean every mobile video or every platform requires a vertical frame. YouTube Help: get started creating YouTube Shorts.
#1 Best Overall
- 100% LIFETIME PROTECTION: Enjoy reliable performance with lifetime coverage, guaranteeing your tripod is always protected against any defects or issues.
- Ultimate Materials & Engineerin: EUCOS's phone tripod utilizes modified Nylon PA6/6 for all-weather durability. The engineered polymer delivers exceptional crush/shear resistance and toughness, achieving optimal rigidity-flexibility balance.
- Rapid Extension Tripod for Phone: Glide the rod in a single, fluid motion to convert it from a compact tripod into a full 62" selfie stick. Achieve instant elevation for dynamic filming.
- Studio-Grade Phone Rig: Safely harness phones from 2.2" to 3.6" wide with pro-level clamping and effortless framing. Built-in cold shoe expands your creative options with lights and mics.
- Hands-Free Control: The Wireless remote enables instant pairing with smartphone and remote capture from up to 33ft/10m. Ensures rock-solid stability for blur-free photography and Start/Stop video recordings effortlessly—all without device contact.
YouTube ad placements
Google’s guidance for video ads says a 9:16 vertical ad appears larger than a horizontal video in the initial portrait-held mobile experience. It can fill the screen in fullscreen mode, but the visible presentation may vary with placement, overlays, and device rotation. This describes Google’s ad surfaces, not all YouTube viewing or other apps. Google Ads Help: about video ad formats and aspect ratios.
When to make both portrait and landscape versions
If the same footage needs to work in both portrait-first and widescreen placements, plan for both compositions rather than assuming one crop will preserve everything. Google recommends supplying 16:9 horizontal, 9:16 vertical, and 1:1 square assets for its video and app ad campaigns; it also allows ratios between those examples. Placement and overlays can affect what viewers see. These are ad-asset recommendations, not universal requirements for organic video.
Rank #2
- Steel-Reinforced Steadiness：Featuring a tri-functional design, this 66-inch aluminum phone tripod stand integrates a steady base, telescoping arm, and multi-angle phone holder - an all-in-one solution for content creation, from overhead product shots to full-body portraits
- Intuitive Angle Control： Precision-engineered locking flanges enable instant switching between portrait, landscape, and 45° angled shots. Universally compatible with mobile phones ranging from 2.2" to 3.6" widths without slippage, making it a versatile addition to your Tripod & Monopod Accessories
- True Mobile Rig Flexibility：Engineered for steady everyday use rigidity, this adaptable cell phone tripod mount ensures rock-solid grip on smartphones. Its built-in Cold-Shoe slot enables seamless attachment of vlogging accessories like LED panels or mics
- Vibration-Free Content Creation： Integrated wireless Bluetooth remote (10m range) eliminates touchscreen interference. Perfect for capturing crisp stills or initiating smooth video recordings hands-free – an essential tool among modern Tripod & Monopod Accessories for solo creators
- In the Box: 66" Metal iphone tripod stand, 360° rotatable phone mount, 10m range phone camera remote, Includes 36 months of technical support and product coverage
- Keep faces, essential action, and any important on-screen text away from the frame edges.
- Check that a portrait crop of landscape footage still communicates the scene; a crop can remove people or context at either side.
- For important releases, prepare separate framing or edits for each destination when a single crop would compromise the shot.
Does vertical video get more views?
There is no established universal performance advantage for either orientation. Google’s advertiser guidance reports results from its own global 2024 campaign data: adding vertical video to Demand Gen campaigns led to more than 35% higher conversions on Shorts; adding it to video view campaigns increased Shorts view-through rate by over 40%; and adding it to video reach campaigns increased Shorts viewability by over 45% and average watch time by 20%. These are Google-reported advertising results in specific campaign contexts, not a controlled comparison across platforms or a forecast for an individual creator. Google Ads Help.
Recommended Free Tools
A 2024 study by Caroline Violot, Tuğrulcan Elmas, Igor Bilogrevic, and Mathias Humbert analyzed 70,000 channels, 9.9 million Shorts, and 6.9 million regular YouTube videos uploaded from January 2021 through December 2022. Shorts generally had more views and likes per view but fewer comments per view; patterns varied by category, and education and political content did not show the same Shorts advantage. The study covers YouTube channels that posted Shorts and does not establish a general mobile audience preference for portrait over landscape. Study abstract.
Rank #3
- 【Sturdy and Stable】: Made of premium aluminum alloy and stainless steel, Liphisy phone tripod with remote keeps your device stay securely in place for still shots and video recording.
- 【Multi-angle Shot】: With a max height of 64”, this tripod stand with a 210-degree rotation head and 360-degree rotation holder allows you to capture shots from any angle, catering to different photography needs.
- 【Wireless Remote Included】: Package includes a wireless remote that connects to your cell phone easily, making it a breeze to snap photos or video recordings.
- 【Height Adjustable】: The height of this cell phone tripod with remote can be adjusted from 17” to 64” and the easy lock mechanism makes it really easy to set up. It gives you an excellent vantage point for capturing photos and videos.
- 【Wide Application】: Compatable with different phone and camera, this tripod is great for photography and video recording, perfect for travel and home use.
Check performance data carefully
If you compare your own YouTube Shorts results over time, account for YouTube’s view-counting change on 31 March 2025. Since that date, a view counts when a Short starts or replays, without a minimum watch-time requirement; the former metric is now called “Engaged views.” A change in the view total across that date may therefore reflect a different counting method, not a change in orientation or audience response. YouTube Help: Shorts views and engaged views.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 62" Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick Combo: Extendable phone tripod for iPhone and Android, combining a tripod stand and selfie stick in one lightweight design for selfies, photos, videos, vlogging, live streaming, and family gatherings.
- Adjustable Height & 360° Rotation: The tripod extends up to 62 inches to support standing shots, group photos, video calls, and content creation. The 360° rotating phone holder allows vertical or horizontal shooting.
- Stable Phone Holder for Daily Recording: Designed for hands-free video recording, online meetings, tutorials, livestreams, and social content. The phone holder keeps your device positioned securely for clear, steady shots.
- Wide Compatibility with Phones and Cameras: Fits most smartphones from 2.8" to 5.7" wide and includes a universal 1/4" screw mount for compatible cameras, action cameras, webcams, and camcorders.
- Wireless Remote & Complete Kit: Includes 1 phone tripod/selfie stick, 1 universal phone holder, 1 adapter, and 1 wireless remote shutter. Backed by 12-month after-sales support for everyday shooting needs.
Rank #4
- Portable All-in-One Tripod for iphone: Vimose newly designed all-in-one tripod combines a phone tripod and selfie stick. It offers exceptional portability with a compact folding design, collapsing to just 12.5 inches, making it easy to carry and perfect for travel and everyday use.
- Adjustable Height & Flexible Shooting: Our iPhone tripod can extend up to 62 inches and features an upgraded 360° rotating &180° tilt phone holder. It allows for flexible angle adjustments and easy capture of wider views, adapting to different shooting scenarios to ensure you always get the perfect shot.
- Stable & Durable Phone Tripod Stand: Crafted from lightweight yet premium aluminum alloy, Vimose tripod for phone delivers exceptional durability, impact resistance and water-resistant performance for long-lasting use. It features a wider leg spread for greatly improved wind stability, while the high-friction rubber base effectively prevents horizontal slippage. Combined with anti-slip silicone pads, Vimose tripod stand boosts load capacity and anti-tipping performance, making it sturdy and reliable for both indoor and outdoor use, even in damp or drizzly conditions.
- Detachable Wireless Remote for Easy Shooting: This selfie stick for iPhone supports up to 33 feet range, is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and offers quick pairing and easy use. The remote can be stored in the handle to prevent loss and securely holds smartphones 2.2 to 3.7 inches wide.
- Versatile Cell Phone Holder for Every Occasion: This tripod is ideal for selfies, TikTok live, family photos, vlogs, live streaming, YouTube videos, travel recordings, FaceTime, and Instagram. With broad compatibility, it caters to content creators and everyday users alike, providing stable support for all your shooting needs.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
