Insta360 Flow vs Hohem iSteady M6: Portable vs Creative Gimbals
By Naila Syifa
Updated January 2024
If you're in the market for a new stabilizer for your smartphone, you might be wondering which one to choose between Insta360 Flow and Hohem iSteady M6. Both of these handheld gimbals have a lot to offer, but there are some key differences between them that can help you decide which one is right for you.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at both stabilizers and compare them in terms of price, design, features, and battery.
Key Takeaways
Insta360 Flow has better portability, ease of use, and more advanced AI tracking. On the other hand, Hohem iSteady M6 supports more creativity with its 360° Infinite Rotation and RGB fill light features.
Insta360 Flow
Portable All-in-One Gimbal
✓ 3-Axis Stabilization
✓ Built-In Selfie Stick, Tripod, Power Bank
✓ Deep Track 3.0 Technology
✓ Foldable and Lightweight
Hohem iSteady M6
Smart Creative Gimbal
✓ 3-Axis Stabilization
✓ Magnetic Fill Light
✓ AI Vision Sensor
✓ 360° Infinite Rotation
#1 Price
Hohem iSteady M6
The Insta360 Flow and Hohem iSteady M6 are priced quite similarly, costing around US$159 for the standalone version. The Insta360 Flow Creator Kit, at a higher price of US$209, adds some accessories like cables and a spotlight, which is useful for low-light situations.
Meanwhile, the Hohem iSteady M6 Kit includes a fill light with an AI vision sensor and is more expensive at US$229. However, when on sale, you may find it at a similar price point to the Insta360 Flow Creator Kit.
#2 Design
Insta360 Flow
The Insta360 Flow is a 3-axis gimbal with a built-in tripod and selfie stick, which is an excellent feature for vloggers or those who love taking photos and videos. It also has a foldable design and weighs only around 369g, making it easy to carry around. The magnetic design allows you to mount your phone quickly, and its powerful motor allows for a maximum payload of 300g.
The Hohem iSteady M6 has a more straightforward design. It has no built-in tripod or a selfie stick, but the box comes with a tripod included. The 0.91” OLED display is what makes the M6 stand out, allowing you to check the gimbal mode, battery life, and other important settings easily. Despite being heavier at 551g, the M6 can handle phones weighing up to 400g without any issues.
#3 Features
Hohem iSteady M6
Insta360 Flow has a huge advantage with its advanced tracking technology, the Deep Track 3.0. This technology, with features like All-Angle Tracking, Zoom Tracking, Person Re-Identification, and Subject Recovery, allows for more precise and smoother tracking of moving objects even in complex scenes and crowded environments.
Hohem iSteady M6 also supports subject tracking thanks to its AI vision sensor. However, it is not as advanced as the Flow's Deep Track 3.0 technology and is only available if you purchase the M6 Kit.
DeepTrack 3.0 in the Insta360 Flow
The AI vision sensor in the M6 Kit is integrated with a magnetic fill light, which allows you to adjust the CCT and RGB light intensity to suit different lighting purposes. The snap-on Spotlight accessory is also available for the Insta360 Flow Creator Kit, but it only allows you to adjust the brightness and the color temperature, not the RGB color.
Hohem iSteady M6 also stands out with its 360° Infinite Rotation, which allows for more creative shots and smooth transitions between different angles. The Insta360 Flow has a more limited axes rotation, but it is equipped with beginner-friendly features like Shoot Genie and supports 1-Step Rapid Deploy for quick and easy setup.
#4 Battery
Hohem iSteady M6
The Insta360 Flow has a larger battery capacity of 2900 mAh compared to the Hohem iSteady M6 with a 2600 mAh battery. However, the Flow has a shorter battery runtime of 12 hours compared to the M6's 18-hour battery life.
It is important to note that these battery runtimes are based on optimal conditions and may vary depending on usage and environmental factors. Hohem stated that when using AI tracking and when the fill light is at full power, the battery life can be reduced to around 6-8 hours.
Insta360 Flow vs Hohem iSteady M6
Final Thoughts
Insta360 Flow
Insta360 Flow stands out with its portability and advanced AI tracking technology. It also has a built-in tripod and selfie stick, making it an all-in-one solution for vloggers and content creators who want to capture smooth and precise shots on the go.
Hohem iSteady M6 is heavier and less portable, but it has a longer-lasting battery life for all-day use. Its AI tracking feature is available only when you purchase the Kit version, but the included fill light can be helpful when creative lighting is needed. In addition, its 360° Infinite Rotation feature provides better flexibility for capturing creative shots.
Ultimately, the choice between the Insta360 Flow and the Hohem iSteady M6 depends on your specific preferences and relates to which features and functions are most important to your needs.
If you like to read more on Gimbals, check out our other relevant guides here:
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs DJI Osmo Mobile 5
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs DJI Osmo Mobile SE
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs Zhiyun Smooth 5S
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs Insta360 Flow
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 vs Hohem iSteady M6
Insta360 Flow vs Zhiyun Smooth 5
Zhiyun Smooth 5 vs 5S
Don't miss out on tech
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest tech trends and guides on the best gadgets around.
Recommended reading
Tineco Floor One S5 vs S5 Steam: What else other than steaming?
Tineco Floor One S5 Pro 2 vs Stretch S6: Same Price, Different Strengths
