This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
For a selfie stick that lives in your bag, I found that being light and steady matters more than reach. The Xiaomi Selfie Stick Tripod Mini only extends to 52 cm, but it is noticeably better made than Amazon Japan’s best-selling four-legged stick, weighs much less, and doesn’t twist sideways when you move it. That makes it my pick for everyday carry.
What I tested
- Xiaomi Selfie Stick Tripod Mini (Bluetooth remote, built-in tripod)
- A four-legged compact selfie stick that was Amazon Japan’s best seller at the time, which I had reviewed on its own earlier
- Both used with an iPhone 17 Pro Max, the heaviest phone I had to hand
What I found
- Build quality: the Xiaomi’s finish and moulding are clearly a step above. The best seller feels plasticky, its sections slide in and out unevenly, and it rattles a little when fully collapsed.
- Weight: 152.7 g for the Xiaomi versus 217.5 g for the best seller in my measurements (Xiaomi lists 155 g).
- Reach: 52 cm versus 103 cm. With today’s wide front cameras, 50 cm was enough to get myself in the frame.
- Stability while moving: extended and moved sideways with an iPhone 17 Pro Max, the best seller’s pole twists at a joint so the phone turns. There is nothing to tighten. The Xiaomi had no sideways play.
- Tripod use: the Xiaomi stands fine indoors; fully extended it sways, so I wouldn’t trust it outdoors in wind.
- The Xiaomi remote has separate standby and shutter buttons and uses a replaceable battery (opened with a SIM-tool-style pin). The phone clamp just fits a Pro Max.
| Xiaomi Selfie Stick Tripod Mini | Best-selling four-leg stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Amazon Japan, at recording) | ¥2,580 | ¥1,889 (on sale) |
| Weight (measured) | 152.7 g | 217.5 g |
| Max length | 52 cm | 103 cm |
| Folded length | About 17 cm | About 17.5–18 cm |
| Stand | Tripod, stored in the handle | Four legs |
| Sideways wobble when extended | None noticed with an iPhone 17 Pro Max | Twisted at a joint with an iPhone 17 Pro Max |
Who it’s for
The Xiaomi suits anyone who wants one small, light stick to keep in a bag for occasional selfies or vlogging on the move. If you really need a metre of reach and will mostly shoot standing still, the cheaper best seller can still work.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. The build-quality comparison is around 1:00 and the best seller’s wobble around 5:40. My earlier stand-alone review of the best-selling stick is here:
Limitations
These are hands-on impressions from one sample of each, mostly with a heavy iPhone. A lighter phone may wobble less on the best seller. The best-selling stick is a generic Amazon Japan listing and may not be sold under the same name elsewhere. Prices were Amazon Japan’s at the time of recording.
Products
Xiaomi Selfie Stick Tripod Mini: on Amazon Japan
Best-selling four-leg compact selfie stick: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Camera & Desk Setup (42) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.