The best rifle bipod
Quick answer: the Magpul Bipod for M-LOK (around $110) is the best rifle bipod for most people. Magpul lists it at 11 oz, with 50 degrees of tilt, 40 degrees of pan you can lock out, and legs from 6.8 to 10.3 inches, and it bolts straight onto an M-LOK handguard. Owners on OpticsPlanet rate it 4.4 out of 5 from 206 reviews; its weak point is leg flex under a hard preload. For a bolt-action hunting rifle with a sling stud, the Harris S-BRM 6 to 9 inch bipod (around $120) is the classic, and 106 of its 108 reviews recommend it. For precision shooting on a Picatinny rail, the Atlas PSR BT46-LW17 is the rigid, fully adjustable pick at a much higher price. The MDT Oryx is the Magpul's lightweight M-LOK rival, the Harris 9 to 13 inch model is the tall one for prone over grass, and the UTG Tactical OP (around $55) is the budget choice.
A bipod's job is to hold the rifle still and let you load into it the same way every shot. The right one depends first on what it mounts to (M-LOK slots, a Picatinny rail or a sling stud), then on height, then on whether you need the rifle to tilt and pan. Every card names the exact model we checked. Where we read the maker's own page (Magpul, Atlas, UTG and MDT) we used it; Harris's site was blocked to us, so the Harris specifications are labelled as the retailer listing's.
Rifle bipods compared
| Bipod | Best for | Mount | Height (in) | Tilt / pan | Weight | Owner rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magpul Bipod for M-LOK | Overall | M-LOK | 6.8 to 10.3 | 50° / 40° | 11 oz | 4.4 (206) | around $110 |
| Harris S-BRM 6-9 in | Hunting | Sling stud | 6 to 9 | Swivel / none | 13 oz | 4.8 (108) | around $120 |
| Atlas PSR BT46-LW17 | Precision | Picatinny lever | 5.2 to 9.6 | 30° / 30° | 13.61 oz | 4.9 (123) | around $350 |
| MDT Oryx (M-LOK) | Light M-LOK rival | M-LOK | 7.2 to 10 | 50° / none listed | 11 oz | 4.8 (35) | around $100 |
| Harris LM S 9-13 in | Tall, prone over grass | Sling stud | 9 to 13 | Swivel / none | Not listed | 4.9 (58) | around $130 |
| UTG Tactical OP TL-BP78 | Budget | Picatinny or stud | 5.8 to 7.51 | None listed / 15° | 12 oz | 4.7 (233) | around $55 |
Magpul, Atlas, MDT and UTG figures are from each maker's own product page; Harris figures are from the retailer listing. Heights are as each source measures them (MDT from the pivot point, UTG at 90 degrees). Owner ratings are OpticsPlanet's, shown with the number of reviews. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best rifle bipod overall: Magpul Bipod for M-LOK
M-LOK mount · 6.8 to 10.3 in, seven half-inch detents · 50° tilt, 40° pan, pan lockable at 0° · 11 oz (Magpul) · card: MAG933-BLK, black
around $110exact price on OpticsPlanet
🏆 2019 Golden Bullseye Accessory of the Year (the Magpul Bipod line) (source: Shooting Illustrated)
The bipod most people should put on an AR-15 or a hunting rifle with an M-LOK handguard. Magpul lists it at 11 oz, with legs that run from 6.8 to 10.3 inches in seven half-inch detents, 50 degrees of tilt and 40 degrees of pan from one tool-less knob, and a pivot block you can rotate to lock pan at zero while keeping full tilt. It folds forward to just under 2.3 inches deep, takes most Atlas-pattern replacement feet, and Magpul makes it in the USA. Shooting Illustrated named the Magpul Bipod its 2019 Golden Bullseye Accessory of the Year. It has the second-largest owner record on this page, 206 reviews, and owners keep praising the low weight, the easy M-LOK install and pan and tilt at this price. The trade-off is just as clear: 19 of the 206 reviews say they would not recommend it, and 15 of those cite flex, wobble, looseness or a lack of sturdiness, while other owners say that bit of play is exactly what lets them preload it.
Pros
- Pan and tilt from one knob, and pan locks out at zero for precision work (Magpul)
- 11 oz, the joint lightest weight published for the bipods on this page (with the MDT Oryx)
- Bolts straight into M-LOK slots with no adapter; folds flat under the handguard
- Accepts most Atlas-pattern replacement feet (not the 5-H style), per Magpul
Cons
- Leg flex: 15 of the 19 reviews that would not recommend it cite flex, wobble, looseness or a lack of sturdiness
- No quick detach: it bolts on with M-LOK hardware, and seven owners on the listing name the lack of a quick-detach mount as a con or a wish
- The legs lock straight down at 90 degrees or fold forward; no 45 degree or rearward positions
- The knob can work loose: Magpul's own instructions say to re-tighten it until the hardware takes a set
Best for: an AR-15, AR-10 or hunting rifle with an M-LOK handguard, where weight and pan and tilt matter more than absolute rigidity. For hard preloading in precision matches, Atlas owners describe the Atlas as the more rigid option.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Magpul Industries |
|---|---|
| Mount | M-LOK (separate listings exist for Picatinny and sling stud versions) |
| Height | 6.8 to 10.3 in, seven 1/2 in detents (Magpul; the retailer description says 6.3 in minimum) |
| Leg positions | Stowed forward or locked at 90 degrees |
| Tilt / pan | 50 degrees tilt (25 each way), 40 degrees pan (20 each way); pan lockable at 0 degrees |
| Folded | Just under 2.3 in deep, 3.3 in wide |
| Weight | 11 oz |
| Materials | Steel, Mil-Spec hard anodized 6061 T-6 aluminum, polymer |
| Feet | Rubber; accepts most Atlas-pattern feet except 5-H |
| Made in | USA (Magpul) |
| Spec source | Magpul's MAG933 product page and installation instructions |
| Model on this card | MAG933-BLK (UPC 840815119319); also sold in Flat Dark Earth |
“This one has all the features that a bipod 3x as much costs.”
Aaron Shaw, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet
Best hunting bipod: Harris S-BRM 6-9 in Bipod
Sling swivel stud mount · 6 to 9 in, notched legs in 1 in steps · spring-loaded legs · swivel (tilt) base · 13 oz (retailer listing) · card: S-BRM
around $120exact price on OpticsPlanet
The classic bolt-action hunting bipod, and the one other bipods on this page keep getting compared to. The retailer lists the S-BRM with legs that extend from 6 to 9 inches and lock in 1 inch notches, spring-loaded legs for fast deployment, a base that swivels (tilts) to level the rifle on uneven ground, 13 oz, a built-in sling stud so you keep your sling, and USA as the country of origin. It clamps to the front sling swivel stud found on most hunting rifles. Owners are close to unanimous: 106 of 108 reviews say they would recommend it, and they single out how solid it feels, how fast the legs deploy and the swivel. The limits repeat too. It tilts but does not pan, which one owner asks Harris to change, and at least seven owners mention buying or wanting an add-on lever or lock for the swivel tension, which is not included.
Pros
- Spring-loaded legs deploy fast, with positive 1 inch notches
- Swivel base levels the rifle on uneven ground
- 106 of 108 reviews say they would recommend it
- Mounts on a standard sling stud and keeps a sling attachment point (retailer listing)
Cons
- Tilt only, no pan; one owner writes "Just wish Harris would start offering a pan option rather than swivel."
- No swivel lever: owners add an aftermarket lever or Pod-Lok to set the tension by hand
- Sling stud only: an M-LOK or Picatinny rail needs a separate adapter
- Two owners question the "Ultralight" name at 13 oz; it is heavier than the Magpul or MDT
Best for: a bolt-action hunting rifle with a front sling stud, shot prone or from a bench. On an AR-15 with an M-LOK handguard, the Magpul fits without an adapter.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Harris Engineering |
|---|---|
| Mount | Sling swivel stud, built-in sling stud |
| Height | 6 to 9 in, leg notches in 1 in increments |
| Legs | Spring loaded |
| Swivel | Tilts to compensate for uneven terrain (no degree figure published) |
| Weight | 13 oz |
| Materials | Anodized aluminum alloy with tempered spring steel stress parts (retailer description) |
| Country of origin | USA (retailer spec table) |
| Spec source | Retailer listing (Harris's own site was blocked to us) |
| Model on this card | S-BRM (UPC 051156113090) |
“Harris feels sturdier with less wobble when loaded.”
J, owner (NM) via OpticsPlanet
Best precision bipod: Atlas PSR Bipod BT46-LW17
Picatinny, ADM-170-S lever · 5.2 to 9.6 in · 30° preloaded pan and cant · 5 leg positions · 13.61 oz (B&T Industries) · card: BT46-LW17
around $350exact price on OpticsPlanet
The precision bipod: rigid, adjustable in every direction, and the most expensive bipod here by a wide margin. B&T Industries, which makes Atlas bipods, lists the BT46-LW17 at 5.2 to 9.6 inches (6.8 at 90 degrees), 13.61 oz, built from 6061-T6 aluminum with 7075-T6 inner legs, with 30 degrees of preloaded pan and 30 degrees of preloaded cant, legs that lock at 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees, non-rotating legs, and an ADM-170-S lever that clamps on and off a Picatinny rail without tools. B&T states it was selected for the USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle weapons system, and it is made in the USA. Owners are close to unanimous: only one review, the most helpful critical one, says it would not recommend it. They praise how solid it locks up, the quick lever and that the legs do not walk, and many say it cost a lot and was worth it. The trade-offs are real: one owner notes each leg deploys separately with a button, it needs a Picatinny rail, and that critical review found the rifle twisted after each shot unless it was level.
Pros
- Legs lock at five angles, including 45 degrees forward and back, so you can load it (B&T)
- 30 degrees of preloaded pan and cant, tension set with one knurled knob
- ADM-170-S lever moves it between Picatinny rifles in seconds, per owners
- Only one of 123 reviews would not recommend it
Cons
- The most expensive bipod on this page by far
- Legs deploy one at a time with a button; one owner lists "Slower deployment of legs"
- The most helpful critical review found it can "twist" after a shot unless the rifle is level
- Needs a Picatinny rail; it will not mount to a sling stud or M-LOK slot directly
Best for: precision and long-range rifles on a Picatinny rail, where you load the bipod hard and want it to stay put. On a budget, the Magpul gives you pan and tilt for much less.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Atlas Bipods (B&T Industries) |
|---|---|
| Mount | Picatinny, ADM-170-S lever (tool-less, adjusts to rail width) |
| Height | 5.2 to 9.6 in (6.8 in at 90 degrees); the retailer lists 5 to 9 in |
| Leg positions | 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees; leg length in five positions 3/4 in apart |
| Legs | Non-rotating |
| Pan / cant | 30 degrees preloaded pan, 30 degrees preloaded cant |
| Footprint | 8 to 11 in |
| Weight | 13.61 oz |
| Materials | 6061-T6 aluminum, 7075-T6 inner legs, Type III hard coat anodized, stainless components |
| Made in | USA (B&T Industries) |
| Spec source | B&T Industries' BT46-LW17 product page |
| Model on this card | BT46-LW17 (UPC 810040220142) |
“legs do not spin so it doesn't walk”
Dntouch, owner (WI) via OpticsPlanet
Best lightweight M-LOK alternative: MDT Oryx Bipod (M-LOK)
M-LOK mount · 7.2 to 10 in · 50° cant · polymer legs · 11 oz (MDT) · card: 106740-BLK, black
around $100exact price on OpticsPlanet
The Magpul's closest rival: another 11 oz M-LOK bipod at a similar price, sharing its name with MDT's Oryx chassis. MDT lists 11 oz, a 7.2 to 10 inch height range measured at the pivot point, a 9 to 11.5 inch footprint, 50 degrees of cant with a tension lever, high strength polymer legs, numbered leg positions, buttonless stowing and high-traction rubber feet; MDT lists no pan. Owners on this smaller record, 35 reviews, like the weight and the value, and several bought it to match an MDT chassis or stock, two of them naming FDE and olive. One owner says it feels more solid than the Magpul. The complaints are consistent: three owners found folding the legs awkward or not intuitive, one says polymer is less sturdy than metal and "this can be felt", and the most helpful critical review returned it because the cant would not lock tight.
Pros
- 11 oz with 50 degrees of cant, per MDT
- M-LOK mount with no adapter; colors match MDT chassis and stocks, per owners
- Numbered leg positions and shielded button internals (MDT)
- One owner says it feels more solid than the Magpul
Cons
- No pan listed by MDT, only cant
- Three owners found stowing the legs awkward; one "had to really pull down hard first then fold"
- Polymer legs: one owner writes "Polymer will never be as sturdy as most metals"
- The most helpful critical review says the "cant won't lock down tight and moves"
Best for: an MDT chassis or any M-LOK rifle where you want cant and light weight and do not need pan. If you want pan too, the Magpul has it.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | MDT |
|---|---|
| Mount | M-LOK (a sling stud version is a separate listing) |
| Height | 7.2 to 10 in, measured at the pivot point |
| Footprint | 9 to 11.5 in |
| Cant | 50 degrees, tension lever |
| Pan | None listed |
| Weight | 11 oz |
| Material | High strength polymer |
| Guarantee | 30-day money back, then lifetime support (MDT) |
| Spec source | MDT's Oryx Bipod product page, matching the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | 106740-BLK (UPC 682157408108); also sold in FDE and olive drab |
“Feels more solid than magpul bipod, purchase worth making.”
1STSHOOTER, owner (FL) via OpticsPlanet
Best tall bipod for prone over grass: Harris LM Series S 9-13 in Bipod
Sling swivel stud mount · 9 to 13 in, notched legs · spring-ejected legs · swivel hinged base (retailer listing) · card: S-LM
around $130exact price on OpticsPlanet
The tall version of the Harris, and the tallest bipod on this page. The retailer lists legs from 9 to 13 inches (its feature list says seven height settings, while its general Harris text says six), legs that eject by spring action, a hinged swivel base that tilts side to side for uneven ground, and USA as the country of origin; it lists no weight. Owners buy it for three reasons: a 30 round magazine, tall grass, and a tall shooter. Two owners went from the 6 to 9 inch model to this one, and one owner keeps both. None of the 56 listed reviews says they would not recommend it. The limits are the Harris ones: at least seven owners add, recommend or ask for a lock or lever for the swivel, and the retailer's own expert answer says most AR pattern rifles do not have the sling stud it needs. Even these legs are not tall enough for every sitting position: one 6'3" owner calls themselves too tall to use it sitting.
Pros
- The tallest here: 9 to 13 inches, for 30 round magazines and prone over grass
- Spring-ejected notched legs and a swivel base (retailer listing)
- None of the 56 listed reviews would not recommend it
- Owners who moved up from the 6 to 9 inch Harris say the extra height suits prone and shooting over grass
Cons
- Needs a sling stud; the retailer says most AR pattern rifles do not have one
- No swivel lever or lock included; owners add a Pod-Loc or similar
- Not always tall enough to sit: one owner is "too tall to use sitting but fine in the prone position"
- One owner reports weak leg springs and a large tilt-lock knob that differs from the listing photo
Best for: prone shooting over grass or brush, with a 30 round magazine, or for a tall shooter. Owners are split on it for bench shooting: one finds it a little tall there, while another owner swapped a 6 to 9 inch Harris for this one for bench and prone.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Harris Engineering |
|---|---|
| Mount | Sling swivel stud |
| Height | 9 to 13 in, notched legs (seven settings per the retailer features; six per its general Harris text) |
| Legs | Eject by spring action |
| Base | Hinged, swivels (tilts) side to side |
| Weight | Not listed by the retailer |
| Country of origin | USA (retailer spec table) |
| Spec source | Retailer listing and its expert answers (Harris's own site was blocked to us) |
| Model on this card | S-LM (UPC 051156012133) |
“The 9-13in legs it makes it much easier with a 30 round magazine.”
Christopher Davis, owner (FL) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget bipod: UTG Tactical OP Bipod (TL-BP78)
Picatinny or sling swivel stud mount · 5.8 to 7.51 in at 90° · 15° pan · rubber feet · 12 oz (Leapers) · card: TL-BP78
around $55exact price on OpticsPlanet
The lowest price here and the largest owner record of any bipod on this page, 233 reviews across the listing's four versions. Leapers lists the TL-BP78 at 12 oz, 5.8 to 7.51 inches at 90 degrees (the retailer calls it 6.1 to 7.9 in center height), 1.75 inches stowed, 15 degrees of pan, rubberized feet that cannot be swapped, aluminum construction with a steel top platform, and both a Picatinny mount and a swivel stud adaptor in the box, backed by Leapers' repair or replace warranty for the product's lifespan. Owners compare it to a Harris again and again, and many say it comes close for far less money. Read the height before you buy. This is the short version, and at least eight owners say a short UTG is too low for a 30 round magazine and to get the taller one, though a few others found room for one. Several owners also had to file or adjust the swivel stud adaptor to fit, and one ripped the stud out of a polymer stock.
Pros
- The lowest price on this page
- Two mounts in the box: Picatinny and sling swivel stud (Leapers)
- Pan of 15 degrees, per Leapers
- Repair or replace warranty for the product's lifespan (Leapers)
Cons
- Short: at least eight owners say the short version is too low for a 30 round magazine
- Owners report filing or adjusting the swivel stud adaptor to fit their rifle
- One owner warns it ripped the swivel stud out of a polymer stock
- Feet cannot be swapped, and owners disagree on how much it pans
Best for: a bench or prone rest on a budget with 20 round magazines or a bolt gun. With 30 round magazines, pick the taller version on the same listing or the Magpul.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | UTG (Leapers) |
|---|---|
| Mount | Picatinny, swivel stud adaptor included; needs 1.18 in of rail |
| Height | 5.8 to 7.51 in at 90 degrees (Leapers); 6.1 to 7.9 in center height (retailer) |
| Stowed | 1.75 in |
| Pan | 15 degrees |
| Feet | Rubberized, not interchangeable |
| Weight | 12 oz |
| Materials | Aluminum, steel top platform |
| Warranty | Repair or replace a defective product for its lifespan (Leapers) |
| Spec source | Leapers' TL-BP78 product page |
| Model on this card | TL-BP78 (UPC 4712274525610) |
“The Leapers bipod quality was very comparable at a quarter of the price.”
Ron, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet
How to choose a rifle bipod
- Start with the mount. M-LOK slots take the Magpul and MDT Oryx directly. A Picatinny rail takes the Atlas lever mount or the UTG. The Harris bipods clamp to a sling stud, which most bolt-action hunting rifles have and, per the retailer's expert answer, most AR pattern rifles do not.
- Pick the height for your position and magazine. Prone with a bolt gun or a 20 round magazine suits 6 to 9 inches. With a 30 round magazine or grass in front of you, owners reach for taller legs: the Magpul goes to 10.3 inches and the Harris LM to 13. Owners of the short UTG say it is too low for a 30 round magazine.
- Decide if you need cant, pan or both. Cant levels the scope on a slope; pan lets you follow a target without moving the feet. The Magpul and the Atlas have both, the Harris bipods and the MDT tilt only, and Leapers lists pan for the UTG.
- Rigid or light. The polymer-bodied Magpul and MDT are the lightest published weights here, at 11 oz, and owners of both mention flex or a less solid feel than metal. If you load a bipod hard for precision shooting, Atlas owners describe the aluminum Atlas as the more rigid option.
- Moving it between rifles. The Atlas lever clamps on and off a Picatinny rail without tools. The Magpul and MDT bolt into M-LOK slots, and seven Magpul owners wish it had a quick-detach mount.
- Budget for the extras. Harris owners often add a swivel lever or lock, and on an M-LOK or Picatinny rifle a Harris needs an adapter, which adds to its cost over the Magpul, MDT and UTG, bipods that mount directly.
Leg flex, preload and why owners argue about it
Loading a bipod means leaning your shoulder into the rifle so the legs take up their slack before the shot. The Magpul reviews show why that matters. Owners who dislike it describe legs that flex or wobble; owners who like it describe the same play as room to preload, and one writes that the legs have "just enough play in the locked position to 'preload' before you fire." Harris owners describe their legs as more solid under load, and Atlas owners praise legs that lock up without walking. None of this makes a light bipod wrong: for a carbine or a hunting rifle it is a fair trade for less weight up front. For hard preloading on a precision rifle, choose the stiffer design. For a precision bipod whose OpticsPlanet listing gives it lockable pan with separate pan and cant tension, our MDT CKYE-POD Gen 2 review covers that design and how it compares with the Gen 3; it is not one of the picks on this page. For standing and kneeling shots where a bipod cannot reach, our Warrior Tripods review and FatBoy Elevate tripod review cover shooting tripods; they are not bipod picks.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the retailer's bipod category sorted by most reviews and left out foregrip and bipod combinations. For each bipod we opened the full model list to find the new, orderable model each card links to (used and demo units set aside) and read every owner review we could open on the listing, including every low-star one. We checked specifications against the maker's own page for Magpul, Atlas, UTG and MDT, and Magpul's installation instructions for the top pick; Harris's site was blocked to us, so the Harris cards use the retailer's listing and say so. Claims we found only in secondary research and could not confirm at the source were left out. Our scores are our opinion; owner ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best rifle bipod?
For most rifles with an M-LOK handguard, the Magpul Bipod for M-LOK. Magpul lists it at 11 oz with 50 degrees of tilt, 40 degrees of pan that can be locked out, and legs from 6.8 to 10.3 inches, and it carries 4.4 out of 5 from 206 owner reviews on OpticsPlanet. Its trade-off is leg flex under a hard preload. For a bolt-action hunting rifle with a sling stud, the Harris S-BRM. For precision shooting on a Picatinny rail, the Atlas PSR BT46-LW17. On a budget, the UTG Tactical OP.
What is the best bipod for an AR-15?
Match the bipod to the handguard. On an M-LOK handguard, the Magpul and the MDT Oryx bolt straight on. On a Picatinny rail, the Atlas PSR clamps on with its lever and the UTG bolts on. The two Harris bipods need a sling stud, and the retailer's own expert answer says most AR pattern rifles do not have one, so they need an adapter. With 30 round magazines, height matters: owners of the short UTG say it is too low, while the Harris 9 to 13 inch model is bought for exactly that.
What is the best bipod for hunting?
The Harris S-BRM clamps to the front sling stud most hunting rifles already have, deploys its spring-loaded legs fast and tilts to level on uneven ground; 106 of 108 owner reviews recommend it. If your rifle has an M-LOK handguard, the Magpul is lighter at 11 oz and adds pan. For prone shooting over grass, the taller Harris 9 to 13 inch model.
What is the difference between pan and cant on a bipod?
Cant, also called tilt or swivel, rolls the rifle side to side so you can level the scope on uneven ground. Pan turns the rifle left and right without moving the feet. On this page, the Magpul (50 degrees tilt, 40 degrees pan) and the Atlas PSR (30 degrees each, preloaded) are the two whose makers list both. The MDT Oryx lists cant only, the Harris bipods swivel but do not pan, and Leapers lists 15 degrees of pan for the UTG.
Is the Magpul bipod too flexible for precision shooting?
Owners are split. Of the 206 reviews on OpticsPlanet, 19 say they would not recommend it and 15 of those cite flex, wobble, looseness or a lack of sturdiness; several other owners say the small amount of play is what lets them preload it before the shot. If you load a bipod hard in precision matches, the aluminum Atlas PSR, which owners praise for locking up without walking, is the rigid-design choice on this page, at a much higher price.
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