Best Rifle Bipods of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

The bipod you use depends on your specific needs and the configuration of your rifle. It wasn’t always so complicated. Years back when all rifles had swivel studs as attachment points and there were only a couple bipod makers worth paying attention to, the answer was simple. Go with a Harris. Depending on your situation, that’s still not a bad choice.

But we’ve witnessed an explosion in the variety of bipods in recent years driven by niche applications that make the question of what the right bipod is a bit tougher to answer. This is a good problem, however. Whether you’re looking for a bipod for mountain hunting, precision rifle competition, extreme long-range shooting, or something that will fit a modest budget—there are myriad offerings to choose from. What we’ve listed here are the best rifle bipods of the lot.

Putting The Best Bipods To The Test

The bipods listed here are ones that I and my fellow Outdoor Life editors have used and vetted. They are the ones we take into the mountains, use during gun tests for evaluating rifle accuracy off a bench, and are part of our kit for long-range matches.

The conclusions here are based on years of shooting and hunting experience with the various models and shooting them head-to-head against each other and others in their niche.

Best Rifle Bipods: Reviews & Recommendations

So many cliches can describe Harris bipods. Rock solid. Time tested. Tried and true. They all apply. As an all-around quality bipod that is reasonably priced, the Harris S-series remains a top choice.

The legs on this model extend from 9 to 13 inches when the tab holding the spring-loaded legs is depressed. A wheel on the rear of the bipod controls the tension on the tilt feature. With heavy rifles it can be difficult to keep it tight enough to prevent the rifle from wanting to flop over. If you encounter that, consider getting a replacement wheel with a handle on it that can be cranked down tighter.

The legs only have two positions—stowed or 90 degrees down, and the width of the feet is fixed as well. That said, there are a ton of aftermarket accessories to configure Harris bipods to your liking.

When I’m using a rifle with a single swivel stud up front, the Harris S-series is what I most often turn to.

The polymer Magpul MOE is a stripped-down, basic, affordable, and effective bipod. What you see is what you get with the MOE. The two legs deploy easily by hand and lock into position. Push buttons on either leg lets you extend them from about 7 to 10 inches in ½-inch steps.

The bipod has rubber feet that grip well but can be replaced with common aftermarket feet if you want something different.

The bipod locks onto a swivel stud via a large thumb wheel that is easy to manipulate and tighten. In the stowed position the bipod doesn’t extend very far beneath the fore-end, which is nice. The bipod only weighs 8 ounces, though the silhouette of the Magpul MOE is pretty chunky. While it looks right at home on ARs and modern chassis rifles, it can be an odd match with a more traditionally configured deer gun.

At around 50 bucks, the Caldwell XLA Pivot—which borrows heavily from the original Harris bipod design—is tough to beat. It comes with four different leg configurations: 6 to 9 inches; 9 to 13 inches; 13 to 23 inches; and 13.5 to 27 inches.

It uses a single thumb wheel to clamp onto a swivel stud and has legs that use stout external springs to hold them rigidly in position, whether deployed or stowed.

The legs have index grooves on them to set their height and are tipped with rubber feet. Likewise, the cradle that contacts the fore-end has a rubber lining to prevent marring the stock. The cradle cants a total of 18-degrees to help the shooter level the rifle on uneven terrain.

I’ve used these bipods many times in the past and they are solid performers. There’s nothing fancy about them, but there’s nothing wrong either.

Best General Precision Rifle Bipod: Atlas BT10 V8

I’ve been running Atlas bipods for a long time. I’ve got at least a half-dozen in my inventory in various configurations. For general precision rifle work—whether on a bolt gun or semi-auto AR-type gas rig—they are the best rifle bipod in light of the balance they strike with providing solid support, their ease of use, versatility, durability, and price.

They are nicely machined out of aluminum and aren’t excessively bulky. The legs can be placed in five different positions from 0 to 180 degrees. The legs on this model go from 6.5 to 10 inches in length. That degree of adjustability makes them very adaptable to different types of terrain. The feet can also be swapped from the standard rubber pads to spiked versions.

The spring-loaded collars on the legs, which are used to set the leg length, are relatively easy to manipulate while you’re set up behind the gun, meaning you can make adjustments quickly. This can be a lifesaver whether you’re in the middle of a stage during a match or about to shoot a deer of a lifetime.

Atlas bipods are stiff for their size and can take being loaded hard. The heads they’re built on traverse 30-degrees for panning and they have a bit of cant on tap as well to easily level your rifle. This version weighs about 13 ounces.

Atlas bipods have three attachment options: Quick detach Picatinny (my favorite, though it adds about $60 to the price), permanently secured with two screws to a Picatinny rail, or a modular clamping option for use with other systems (ARMS 17S, Badger Ordnance Tramp, LaRue Tactical LT271, etc.).

A lot of the top competitors in practical precision rifle disciplines like PRS, NRL, RTC and others run—or aspire to run—MDT Ckye Pods. The versatility, speed, and support offered by these bipods is second-to-none. They are arguably the best rifle bipod being made today.

MDT purchased the design from my buddy Ckye Thomas a few years back and moved production to their facilities in Canada. After some growing pains, they worked the kinks out of mass producing this complex design and have rolled out a number of models.

The Gen2 models come in a few configurations. The single-pull leg design is still the most common. The legs adjust from 9.5 to 14.5 inches in length. The leg width is adjustable too—from pinched close together to get the gun up high, to spread ridiculously far apart to keep the rifle close to the ground. The legs can also be independently set at 0, 45, and 90 degrees.

Oh, and the head spins around 180 degrees too. All that adjustability wouldn’t count for much if you couldn’t do it quickly on the clock—but the Ckye Pod makes that easy too.

The double pull system goes from 9.5 to 18 inches. It bumps the weight from 1 pound 6 ounces to 1 pound 10 ounces and bumps the price up $200 as well.

Once you get your hands on one, it isn’t difficult to understand why they cost as much as they do. It’s also worth noting that because they are complicated, you need to maintain them. That means keeping them clean, lubed up, and making sure the fasteners are properly tightened.

If you take care of it, the MDT Ckye-Pod will take care of you and make you a more capable long-range shooter.

Best Ultralight Bipod: MDT Mountain Bipod

If you’re looking for the ultimate lightweight bipod, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better one than the MDT Mountain Bipod. This design, which was purchased by MDT from MTNGear in 2025, is the brainchild of Matt Vincent of New Zealand and is the most stable and versatile ultralight bipod we have ever seen. It weighs only 5.8 ounces and has twist-lock carbon-fiber legs that can extend to 14 inches.

The aluminum clamp has a spring-loaded detent to clip onto Picatinny rail, and an ARCA Swiss model is available too. Tilt friction is adjustable via a single set screw on the bottom of the clamp. You’ll need the included 4mm hex wrench to tighten or loosen it. Each leg has a push-button detent and two positions, up or down. The leg width of the bipod can be adjusted via another button, which allows the left leg to swing outward — similar to the CKYE pod. 

It gives the Mountain Bipod the ability to position the rifle anywhere from three to 16 inches off the ground (measured to the Picatinny rail). Additionally, each leg is capped with a single aluminum spike, which helps keep the bipod from slipping in gravel or other loose ground. These caps are clamped onto the end of the legs and replaceable if worn down.

Once familiar with this bipod, you’ll be able to operate it with one hand and quickly adapt to just about any shooting situation. It provides great stability, which is critical for lightweight mountain guns, but will still appeal to the most stringent ounce counter.

This clever bipod is the brainchild of my friend Rob Gearing. He’s a semi-crazy Brit who spends as much of his time in the backcountry as possible and who’s obsessed with fly fishing, hunting, precision shooting, and lightweight gear.

This bipod is ideal for mountain hunting since it is sturdy, light, and quick to deploy. Unlike most bipods that remain affixed to the rifle, the Javelin slips into socket in an adapter you put on your rifle and is held in place by a strong magnet. The idea is that you carry the bipod, with the legs folded together, in a pants pocket or in your jacket and pull it out when you get set up for the shot. Getting the bipod on the rifle takes only a few seconds.

The bipod weighs in at five ounces or less, so it is extremely portable. It can be had in three fixed-leg lengths: 5.1 in., 7.2 in., and 8.7 in. Their respective weights are 4.6 oz., 4.8 oz, and 5 oz.

The bipod cants to adjust to uneven ground and the system pans easily for traversing onto target. While the Javelin is more than adequate for stabilizing a hunting rifle, it doesn’t provide the same stability as designs geared for competition.

Read Next: Spartan Ascent Tripod Review

Best for NRL Hunter: MDT Ckye-Pod Gen 2 Triple Pull

As the NRL Hunter series has become more competitive with the top shooters seeking every possible advantage, we’ve witnessed an explosion in the number of MDT Triple Pulls being fielded. It brings excellent stability to a variety of positions, helping you eek out extra impacts — but those stage points come at a steep price.

At $1,000 it is a specialized splurge. But it lets you quickly shoot from a high kneeling position with confidence, especially when employed with a rear support, as from a tripod leg or other object. (If you really want to maximize speed and stability with a rear tripod rest, strap on an Armageddon Gear Rear Admiral bag, which creates a cushion between the butt stock and tripod leg.)

As with other MDT bipods, each leg has a push-button lock to position it in a narrow, middle, and wide stance. Another push-button release lets the legs rotate from flat facing forward, to straight down at 90 degrees, with a 45-degree setting the middle. Add to this ability of each leg to extend from 13.5 to 36.5 inches (measured from the base of the foot to the leg’s pivot point), and the RRS ARCA/Picatinny clamping head, which rotates 360-degrees, and you get a nearly infinite number of ways to deploy the tripod to your advantage.

Run out to its tallest position, the Triple Pull gives 37 inches of elevation as measured from the ground to the top of clamp. When shooting prone the clamp height measures 8 inches with the legs spread wide and fully collapsed. That can be dropped to 6 inches by pivoting the legs to the 45-degree position, but unless you’re on flat ground that can be awkward.

The Triple Pull’s weight is also something to consider. Mine tips the scales at 2 pounds, 6.4 ounces. For shooters trying to make the 12-pound cutoff weight for the NRL Hunter “Light” divisions, this will necessitate compromise elsewhere, typically in the weight of the scope. For the 16-pound Open Heavy threshold it is an easier piece of gear to incorporate.

To be clear, this is a complex piece of equipment that requires maintenance and practice to master — and given the number of components it will certainly be more prone to having something break or go awry than other bipods on this list. But as with any good high-performance piece of gear, it has the potential to elevate your game and give you an edge.

Best for NRL Hunter (Runner Up): MDT Ckye-Pod Lightweight Single Pull

For those of us who can’t justify purchasing an MDT Triple Pull for NRL Hunter, this lightweight single pull is a worthwhile option. Especially for shooters who compete in divisions that limit rifle weight to 12 pounds — which includes the scope, bipod, and any other gizmos you might want to attach to your gun.

Since many competitors invest in large precision rifle scopes that eat up a lot of the 12-pound weight allotment, saving some ounces in a bipod while not sacrificing stability is a smart strategy. To make weight while still running a capable bipod, many shooters — myself included — have taken to the MDT Ckye-Pods Lightweight Single Pull. It provides nearly the same stability and versatility as the regular Gen2 models, while cutting 5 to 6 ounces from the system.

In fact, I’m such a fan of this bipod that I’m often taking it with me hunting, even on grueling mountain hunts where every ounce needs to justify itself. It has a clamp that attaches quickly (and securely) to either RRS ARCA rails or Picatinny rails. It’s so sturdy and quick to deploy that when the time comes to make the shot, you’re going to be glad you brought it along.  

Best for Stalking: Spartan Precision Springbok

Spartan Precision Equipment is always thinking outside the box, and their Springbok bipod is a great example of this. It’s an on-the-fly hunting bipod that’s designed to cater to sitting, kneeling, and even low standing shots. It uses Spartan’s proprietary magnetic stud system which allows the shooter to quickly attach and detach the bipod, but uses a flexible rubber fitting to connect the mount to the legs. This system lets the hunter move and position the legs quickly without any buttons or levers. 

In its shortest configuration, the legs are 20 inches long and when splayed out flat, the gun is positioned about 3 inches off the ground. At its longest setting, it can get your rifle approximately 50 inches off the ground. This would be a great option for predator callers who are doing most of their shooting from a sitting position, or if you’re less than six feet tall and might need to make an impromptu standing shot. 

I’m slightly over six feet tall and find it pretty convenient to carry the Springbok in an extended position and quickly snap it into the gun for a low standing shot. It’s a stable and expedient rest, but also works well in more structured positions such as using a tripod leg for rear support. It’s just as adept for on-the-move hunting as sitting in a ground blind. 

How to Choose the Best Rifle Bipod

Most bipods come in different versions. The main differences are in the lengths of the legs, the various attachments they can accommodate, the way they connect to the rifle, and extra features, such as panning and tilting.

The bipods I’ve selected mostly represent a basic version of the brand and model. But if you want a bipod with a specific attribute—say extra long legs for making kneeling shots in tall grass—many of the makers listed here offer variants for those needs.

Bipod Leg Length

Leg length is probably the most critical consideration. The longer the legs, the easier it is to clear obstacles with your rifle. But longer legs add weight and are less stable because they will flex more readily.

For basic prone shooting off a bench or shooting mat, legs that are 6 to 8 inches long that extend another 3 or 4 inches are a good bet. They will work well in some field situations but can literally come up short if you find yourself in a shooting position with a lot of vegetation.

Models with legs that are 9 to 16 inches allow you to shoot more easily from kneeling and sitting positions. And there are some bipods with extra-long leg attachments that can get you as high as 30 inches off the ground.

Bipod Attachment Types

Whichever bipod you go with, make sure it is compatible with the attachment system on your rifle — usually a swivel stud, Picatinny rail, or ARCA rail. You also want to make sure the bipod works well with other accessories on your rifle, such as slings, weapon lights, night vision units, and so forth.  

Sling swivel studs are most common on hunting rifles and while they reduce a rifle’s overall weight, they lack the security and flexibility of a Picatinny or ARCA rail. A Picatinny rail is secure and it’s quick to attach/detach a bipod to a Pic rail. The downside is that not all Picatinny mounts are made to the same spec so you might have to make adjustments to the mount if you swap a bipod between rifles. ARCA rails are becoming more common on rifles, especially precision rifles, because they allow shooters to use tripods and bipods. They’re also fast to attach, secure, and you can quickly reposition an ARCA bipod forward or back. The main con of an ARCA rail is the added weight over a sling swivel stud or even Picatinny.

How To Shoot Off A Rifle Bipod

There are a number of different techniques that can be employed when shooting with a bipod, particularly when the shooting position involves rocks, trees, barricades and other terrain features.

But in general, you want to get square behind the rifle and put a moderate amount of forward pressure into the stock with your shoulder. This will take the slack out of the bipod legs and is commonly referred to as loading the bipod.

You will also stabilize your crosshairs—always a good thing—and help you control the recoil of your rifle. This will improve the precision of your shots and will assist you with getting back on target quickly.

You don’t need to put the entirety of your body weight into the bipod, but you should have enough pressure so that you don’t need a rear support bag to keep the rifle from slipping off your shoulder.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Rifle Bipods

Zeroing in on the right bipod for you involves weighing three main factors. Budget is a big one. A good bipod can be had for $50, but some are north of $500. This leads to the next factor, which is whether you want something for general use or have a niche application in mind. There are several good all-around bipods to pick among, but if you’re outfitting a rifle for mountain hunting or need something that will help you win a match that changes the equation. 

Once you’ve taken budget and application into consideration, then you need to settle on the specific model. As you’ve seen, most bipods come in several different flavors, with different leg lengths, method attachment, and other features. Perform this calculus and you’ll settle on the best rifle bipod before you know it.