Hohem iSteady M6 Smartphone Gimbal Review | The Good and Bad

The Hohem iSteady M6 is a 3-axis smartphone gimbal with a 360° infinite horizontal pan axis, an OLED display and up to 18 hours of battery life. It has a magnetic reversible AI sensor for app-independant face tracking that doubles as a RGB fill light.
I’ll provide an overview of the gimbal before going through 7 things I love about this gimbal, and 5 things I’m not so keen on. To help you decide if it’s the right gimbal for you.
If you want to skip forward or back at any time in this video, please use the chapter markers UA-cam creates from the timestamps down below and in the pinned comment.
--------
As an Amazon affiliate, I get a small commission from purchases made via any Amazon links.
Amazon link:
Hohem iSteady M6 Kit: geni.us/bnXD7
Insta360 Flow: geni.us/LzoQ
DJI Osmo Pocket 3: geni.us/RoKziqm
Purchase from Hohem (not an affiliate link):
store.hohem.com/products/hohe...
Written article: thetechnologyman.com
(This article is updated if I find any issues longer term with the gimbal)
--------
You can find most of the recent tech I've reviewed recently all in one place on my Amazon page. I also have a list some of my recommended tech and my current camera equipment for filming:
UK: amazon.co.uk/shop/thetechnolog...
US: amazon.com/shop/thetechnologyman
--------
Music in video from:
Epidemic Sound:
www.epidemicsound.com/referra... (FREE 30 day trial with this link)
--------
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:28 Overview
3:35 Pros 1: Build quality
3:54 Pros 2: OLED display
4:25 Pros 3: AI Camera
5:15 Pros 4: RGB fill light
5:50 Pros 5: Camera movement range
6:32 Pros 6: Ultra Wide Mode
6:52 Pros 7: Stabilisation
7:33 Cons 1: Balancing
8:13 Cons 2: Bulky, doesn't fold
8:26 Cons 3: Awkward changing between portrait and landscape
8:42 Cons 4: Hohem Joy App limited
9:49 Cons 5: AI camera magnet weak, slow charging, output to charge phone slow
10:41 Conclusions
--------
#hohem #hohemgimbal #filmmaking

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Please let me know if you want me to do a comparison video against its main rivals and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. The Pocket 3 costs more, but you don’t need a smartphone, it has a larger 1” sensor and you can record directly to memory cards! Or if you’d like me to do a tutorial video on this gimbal also let me know.

[@celik_murat]

Highly excellent content thank you sir

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thank you!

[@AManoftheMeeple]

I am at the stage where I can't decide between the Hohem or the Zhiyun 5s. Any thoughts to help sway me one way or the other?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

I haven’t reviewed the Zhiyun but it really depends if you want tracking with 3rd party apps. This is by far the best feature of this gimbal - I’m not too keen on using the manufacturers’ apps. If you just need smooth footage and aren’t filming yourself I’m sure either will be fine!

[@bkboss44]

Which mode should be used to follow a runner around a track at a track meet?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

I'd try the PF mode - you can get a nice tracking shot.

[@bkboss44]

Thank you!

[@BjornWalton]

Does the zoom feature work without a 3rd party application ?

[@TheTechnologyMan]

No it only works with the Hohem app.

[@edsensation]

Buyers beware, this gimbal is not only overpriced but comes with massive issues. Their customer service is horrible as well. The Gimbal locks its motors internally and beeps a bunch of times then it auto shuts off rendering it useless. Look at the videos on youtube, tons of people complaining about its malfunction.

[@TheTechnologyMan]

Thanks for the warning - one thing that is difficult to test is customer support. Personally I'd but off Amazon if you're concerned then you won't need to deal directly with Hohem.