Selfie Sticks

What a selfie stick is for

A selfie stick is an extending pole with a phone clamp at one end and a handle at the other. Its job is to put the phone further away than your arm can reach, so a selfie takes in more people and more of the view, and the arm holding the phone is no longer the biggest thing in the picture. It suits travel, days out, family photos and anyone who films themselves talking.

The selfie sticks here

The sticks in this range are the kind that do three jobs. Each extends as a stick, has small legs folded into the handle that open out into a short tripod, and comes with a small Bluetooth remote, so the phone can stand on a table while you join the group. Each has a small fill light on the head as well, which brightens a face in a dim room or on a video call.

• Pocket sticks fold to under 19cm long, weigh under 200g and extend to around 74cm: enough for a group selfie.
• Long sticks extend to about 1.7m, for a wide view over a crowd or a whole family on a beach.

The clamp turns, so the phone can be held upright for short social videos or on its side for photos.

How to choose a selfie stick

Think about where it will live. A pocket stick goes everywhere and gets used. A long one reaches further but is a bag item, and it is less steady at full stretch. As a tripod, a selfie stick is lighter than a proper one, so stand it on firm, flat ground, keep it short outdoors, and for filming that needs real height look at tall tripods. Check the clamp's width against your phone in its case.

Questions people ask about selfie sticks

Does the remote need an app?

The remotes on these sticks pair by Bluetooth and work with the phone's own camera app. Pair it once at home, before you need it.

Can I take a selfie stick to a concert or a match?

Often not. Many stadiums and arenas, Wembley Stadium and the Emirates Stadium among them, list selfie sticks as banned, and an event's own list can be stricter. Check before you go, and anywhere busy keep the stick short.

What powers the remote?

Most of these remotes run on a small coin cell. The government's product safety office warns that button and coin cells can badly injure or kill a child if swallowed, so keep the remote and any spare or used cells out of reach of young children, and go straight to A&E if you think one has been swallowed.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Tripods with remotes
• Phone tripods
• Remote shutters
• Clip-on selfie lights
• For travellers
• Guide: Phone tripods, gimbals and selfie sticks