Hohem’s iSteady Pro 4 is an affordable three-axis gimbal for action cameras with a rated 14-hour battery, an IPX4 splash-proof body and a quick-release clip that replaces thumbscrews. It also doubles as a power bank so you can top up your camera mid-shoot. On paper that is a lot for the current street price around $99–$109. In this Hohem iSteady Pro 4 review 2025 I tested trail running, bike mounts and low-light timelapses to check whether it still earns a spot in my action kit.
Key specs at a glance
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 13/12/11/10/9/8 and similar-size cams (DJI Action, Insta360 One R 4K)
- Stabilisation: 3-axis with iSteady 5.0 algorithm
- Mounting: spring-loaded quick-release clip; no screw juggling
- Battery: 3600 mAh, up to 14 hours; supports camera charging via USB
- Weather: IPX4 splash-proof body
- Rotation ranges: 600° pan, 320° tilt, 320° roll (spec sheet)
Build and handling
First of all, the Pro 4 feels sturdier than its price suggests. The rubberised grip stays tacky when wet and the IPX4 rating handled light rain and trail spray without drama. The quick-release clip is the hero here: I could pop a Hero 12 in or out in seconds, which beats fiddling with a frame and screw while your group rides away.
Setup and balancing
Balancing is simpler than on camera gimbals. Because action cams are compact, the factory arm geometry gets you close; I only made a small tilt-arm tweak for an ND filter. The gimbal powers the camera via a short USB cable so I could time-lapse overnight without swapping batteries.
Stabilisation: when a gimbal beats EIS
GoPro’s HyperSmooth and DJI’s RockSteady are excellent, however the Pro 4 still matters in two cases: low light and long-lens modes. In dusk tests, turning EIS down to preserve detail and letting the gimbal do the heavy lifting preserved more micro-detail in trees and street textures. Secondly, with 2× or 4× digital zoom the extra physical stabilisation reduced micro-jitters that EIS alone could not clean up.
Trail run and bike test
- Trail run: handheld with Hero 12, 4K60, EIS Medium. The Pro 4 smoothed vertical bob; footsteps looked less rubbery than EIS-only footage.
- Enduro bike: chest-mounted on a short pole from the gimbal base. The pan motor held headings better through S-curves, so viewers felt motion rather than wobble.
- Water spray: fresh rain beads rolled off the grip; motors stayed quiet. IPX4 is not immersion, so I avoided full submersion.
Battery and power features
Hohem rates the Pro 4 for 14 hours. My typical day—two hours of running shots, an hour of bike footage and multiple timelapses—ended with 28 percent left. Crucially, I used the gimbal as a power bank to top up the camera mid-shoot, which prevented battery swaps on the trail.
App and modes
I mostly shot without the Hohem app, but when I did, the app let me adjust follow speeds, dead zones and “inception” spins. The Pro 4 supports 600° pan spins for transition shots; it is fun for quick reels.
How it compares
| Model | Best for | Battery | Weather | Mount | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hohem iSteady Pro 4 | Budget all-rounder | Up to 14 h | IPX4 | Quick-release clip | $99–$109 |
| INKEE Falcon Plus | Travel light | ≈10 h | — | Frame clamp | ≈$119 |
| Zhiyun Rider-M (legacy) | Mount variety | — | — | Plate screws | Discontinued |
Limitations
Electronic stabilisation keeps improving, and some riders will be happy with EIS-only footage. Also, the Pro 4 is designed to be used grip-down; inverted underslung work is awkward compared with two-handle rigs. Finally, the motors are tuned for action-cam weight; adding cages or heavy lights risks jitter. Third-party reviewers also noted that the “inception” mode caps total rotations.
Pros
- Quick-release clip makes swaps fast in the field
- 14-hour battery with camera charging over USB
- IPX4 splash-proof for rain and trail spray
- Budget price with solid three-axis smoothing
Cons
- Less useful if you rely entirely on top-tier EIS
- Awkward for long inverted shots
- Rotation limits on “inception” spins
Rating
4.1 / 5
Who should buy the Hohem iSteady Pro 4
If you shoot action at dusk, prefer natural-looking motion blur, or want a simple way to extend camera runtime, the Pro 4 earns its keep. If you mainly film bright daytime rides and are happy with HyperSmooth or RockSteady, you may not need a gimbal at all—save weight and pack lighter.
Final verdict
The Hohem iSteady Pro 4 remains a practical, low-cost way to stabilise action cams and to power them throughout a long day. With fast mounting, long endurance and splash protection, it is the budget action-cam gimbal I recommend in 2025.
Official Product Page: Hohem iSteady Pro 4
Check out the Hohem iSteady Pro 4 on Amazon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which cameras work with the iSteady Pro 4?
GoPro Hero 13/12/11/10/9/8 plus similar-size action cams from DJI and Insta360.
Is it waterproof?
No. It is IPX4 splash-proof for rain and spray, not submersion.
Can it charge my camera while filming?
Yes. The 3600 mAh grip can power the camera over USB while shooting.
Do I still need HyperSmooth or RockSteady?
For bright daytime shots you might not; the gimbal helps most in low light or at longer focal lengths where EIS struggles.
How fast can I mount the camera?
The spring-loaded quick-release clip replaces screws; I swap cameras in seconds.
