About this guide
The key feature that matters for a 360-camera monopod isn’t stability — it’s disappearing. Because a 360 camera captures the full sphere around it, a standard-diameter selfie stick shows up as a fat black line in every shot; the fix is a genuinely thin, narrow-diameter pole that the camera’s own stitching software edits out. Here are 10 real monopods and selfie sticks built for exactly that, spanning the Insta360, Ulanzi, and Ricoh Theta ecosystems.
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The picks, in detail
Insta360 Action Invisible Selfie Stick (39.3″)
Insta360's own first-party invisible stick, sized and diametered to match Insta360's stitching algorithm for a clean disappearing act.
- 39.3-inch (100cm) extension
- Narrow-diameter aluminum pole
- 1/4-inch mount, compatible with most Insta360 cameras
- Built and tuned by Insta360 specifically for its own cameras’ stitch line
- Confirmed current price directly from Insta360’s own store
- Fixed length — no tripod-mode fold-out
Insta360 2-in-1 Invisible Selfie Stick + Tripod (41.3″)
The same invisible-pole concept with a fold-out tripod base built into the handle, so one accessory covers both handheld and set-down shots.
- 41.3-inch extension
- Fold-out tripod legs in the handle
- Aluminum alloy construction
- One accessory replaces a separate stick and a separate mini tripod
- Slightly heavier and bulkier than the stick-only version
Ricoh TM-2 Selfie Stick
Ricoh's own selfie stick for the THETA series, using a small tilting camera platform designed so the platform itself doesn't appear in the stitched image.
- 5-tier extension, 9.1 to 32.7 inches
- Tilting camera platform
- Aluminum pipe with rubber grip
- Purpose-built by Ricoh for THETA cameras specifically
- Confirmed current price at Walmart
- THETA-specific mount — not built for GoPro/Insta360-style action cameras
Ricoh TM-3 Selfie Stick
Ricoh's slimmer, shorter follow-up stick, described by 360-camera reviewers as invisible to any 360 camera thanks to its narrower profile, trading reach for a cleaner disappearing act.
- Slim profile, extends to about 16.6 inches
- Designed specifically to minimize its own visibility in-shot
- THETA-series mount
- Narrower than the TM-2, so it disappears more reliably at the cost of reach
- Shorter maximum extension than the TM-2
Ricoh TD-1 Monopod Stand
A stationary floor-standing monopod for THETA cameras that telescopes up to 60 inches, letting you set the camera down hands-free instead of holding a stick.
- Telescopic, extends from about 22 inches to 60 inches
- Quick-release mounting platform
- One-touch height adjustment
- Frees your hands entirely — set it and step out of frame
- Switches between stationary stand and handheld use via the quick-release plate
- Significantly pricier than a handheld selfie stick
Ulanzi MT-58 Invisible Selfie Stick (120cm)
A widely-stocked third-party invisible stick compatible across GoPro, Insta360, and DJI 360/action cameras rather than locked to one brand's ecosystem.
- Extends from about 29.5cm to 121cm
- 1/4-inch universal threaded mount
- Lightweight aluminum construction
- Cross-compatible with multiple camera brands instead of one proprietary mount
- Third-party pole diameter may not disappear quite as cleanly as a first-party Insta360 stick on every model
Ulanzi VL02 2.7m Carbon Fiber Extended Invisible Selfie Stick
A much longer carbon-fiber pole for dramatic, elevated third-person shots, still built to the narrow invisible-stick diameter.
- 2.7m (8.86ft) carbon fiber extension
- Waterproof handle grip
- Compatible with Insta360 X5/X4/X3, GoPro, and DJI Osmo 360
- Far longer reach than any of the sub-1.5m sticks on this list, for genuinely elevated angles
- Costs noticeably more than the shorter sticks, and a longer pole is harder to keep perfectly in-line with the lens
Ulanzi VL04 ClipMate Extension Pole (44.88″)
A mid-length universal pole with a clip-style mount, positioned between the MT-58's shorter reach and the VL02's much longer carbon-fiber extension.
- Extends from 9.25″ to 44.88″
- Universal 1/4-inch mount
- Compatible with Insta360 X5/X4/X3, GoPro, and DJI Osmo 360
- Good middle-ground reach for everyday handheld shooting
- Not carbon fiber, so it flexes slightly more than the VL02 at full extension
HSU 59″ Invisible Selfie Stick for Insta360
A budget-friendly, longer-than-average invisible pole explicitly listed as compatible across Insta360's X5/X4/X3/X2/X and ONE R/RS lines.
- 59-inch (150cm) extension
- Narrow invisible-stick diameter
- Also compatible with GoPro and DJI action cameras
- Longer reach than the Insta360-branded stick at a lower price
- Third-party build quality is less established than Insta360 or Ulanzi’s more well-known lines
Ricoh TM-1 Monopod
An earlier Ricoh monopod for the THETA line, sized and finished specifically so the pole and its mounting hardware minimize visibility in a 360 shot.
- Compact monopod design
- THETA-specific mount
- Purpose-built for minimal in-shot visibility
- A lower-cost Ricoh-brand option than the TD-1 stand
- Shorter reach than the TD-1, and mostly superseded by Ricoh’s newer TM-2/TM-3 sticks
What each one costs
Typical price, cheapest first. Tap a name to jump to that pick and its buy link.
Compare any three
| Insta360 Action Invisible Selfie Stick (39.3") | Insta360 2-in-1 Invisible Selfie Stick + Tripod (41.3") | Ricoh TM-2 Selfie Stick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | around $55-$60 | $52.83 |
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Buying tips
- For the invisible effect to actually work, the pole needs to stay narrow enough to fit between the lenses and perfectly in-line with the camera — off-angle shots will show the stick.
- First-party sticks (Insta360’s own, Ricoh’s TM-series) are tuned to that specific brand’s stitching software; third-party poles (Ulanzi, HSU) are cheaper and cross-compatible but may disappear slightly less cleanly on some firmware versions.
- The Ricoh TD-1 stand is the odd one out here — it’s a stationary floor stand, not a handheld stick, for genuinely hands-free 360 capture.
- Longer poles (Ulanzi VL02 at 2.7m) give more dramatic elevated angles but are harder to keep dead-straight with the lens than a shorter stick.
- Check your specific camera model against each stick’s compatibility list before buying — mount threading and diameter tolerances vary by camera generation.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.