Toprig S4 Review: Best Budget Slider for Video

If you’re in the market for a motorized slider but don’t want to break the bank, the Accsoon Toprig S40might have already caught your eye.

Priced at $350, it’s a much cheaper alternative to options like the Zeapon Micro 3, which is closer to $500.

You can even find it for about $250 when it’s on sale.

Now, this is an honest review. I actually purchased this slider with my own money, so this is my unbiased option but I’ve also been using it for only a month.

Zeapon VS Toprig

The main reason I was drawn to the Toprig S40 is its price.

At $350, it’s one of the most affordable motorized sliders with some extra features in its range, making it an appealing option for anyone who doesn’t want to spend $500 or more.

I’ve had my eye on the Zeapon Micro 3 for a while, but in the end, I couldn’t justify the extra cost for what I needed in a slider.

The Toprig S4 caught my attention not only for the price but also because it offers a parallax effect, and it’s quite a bit lighter.

Accsoon actually discuss all the differences here, but just know that the Zeapon is about twice the weight. But it also has a much better build quality.

However, as I’ll cover later, that budget price does come with a few compromises in other areas, especially with build quality.

Manual Sliding is not great

One feature that might be misleading about the Toprig S4 is its manual sliding capability—or lack thereof.

While you can technically slide it by hand, you’ll always be pushing against the motors, so it doesn’t move as smoothly as a true manual slider.

I personally like the versatility that sliders like the Zeapon offer, where you can switch between motorized and manual modes without resistance.

With the Toprig S4, it’s motorized or nothing, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re looking for dual functionality.

Build Quality

Build quality is one of the areas where the Toprig S4 shows its budget price.

The motor itself feels a bit flimsy, almost like it belongs in a $30 kids’ toy rather than a serious piece of filmmaking equipment.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable pushing the weight limits of this slider, and I’d definitely avoid overloading it, as it feels like it could give out under too much stress.

The buttons and controls have that familiar “made in China” feel—they’re functional, but they don’t inspire confidence that this is a piece of gear built to last.

That said, it hasn’t failed on me yet, and for its price, it’s holding up and doing what it needs to.

If you’re planning to use this slider in controlled environments where it won’t take much abuse, it should be just fine.

This is where the Zeapon shines but this is the 3rd edition of the Zeapon and it’s made in China, so quality is still a concern.

If you’re looking for professional use, you might want to look at higher-end models with more durable components.

Panning and Swivel

One of the Toprig S4’s most appealing features is its panning and swivel capability.

Instead of a pricey rotating base, you just need to loosen the right and left nuts to achieve a kind of “mock” swivel effect.

This isn’t going to give you a full 360 or even 180 degrees, but it’s enough for simple parallax shots.

As for panning, the Toprig S4 does a decent job, although some reviewers have complained about its lack of slow-down at the ends of the track.

Personally, I don’t find this a huge issue for my style of work, but I can see how it might frustrate users who need smoother stops and starts.

Another quirk I noticed is that if you want the slider to change direction, you have to let it run the full distance of the track unless you’ve set an “A” and “B” point.

Sometimes I wish I could just switch direction mid-track, but for now, the extra setup is a minor inconvenience.

Ease of Use and Limitations

Functionally, the Toprig S4 couldn’t be simpler.

You turn it on, hit play, and it starts sliding.

There’s an option to set “A” and “B” points for custom ranges, and you can hit the repeat button if you want it to cycle back and forth.

That’s pretty much it!

It doesn’t come with a battery, so you’ll need to purchase a Sony-compatible battery separately, or you can power it with a 5V adapter if you have one lying around.

I also discovered that it can run off a USB-C cable, which is a handy backup option if you’re short on batteries.

It’s not packed with advanced features, but it does what it needs to with minimal fuss, making it beginner-friendly for those who don’t need extensive control options.

This is another win for Toprig over the Zeapon micro 3.

Mounting

The Toprig S4 comes with a spring-loaded 3/4 thread, which means it can mount to just about any tripod.

In my setup, I mount it directly to my tripod’s quick-release plate with a ball head on top, and it’s been stable and easy to work with.

This flexibility makes it adaptable to a wide range of setups, and I appreciate that I didn’t have to buy any special mounting accessories to get it to work with my existing equipment.

Timelapse Potential

A unique feature of the Toprig S40 is its shutter release function, allowing you to program the frame rate and timing just like an intervalometer.

This could be fantastic for creating time-lapse shots, particularly if you’re into astrophotography or capturing the Milky Way.

However, not all cameras are compatible—I found out the hard way that my Sony ZV-E1 and A6700 don’t support the micro USB required for the remote shutter function.

If you have a camera with the right port, like the Sony A7IV, this feature could be great for astrophotography or any time-lapse enthusiasts.

For now, it’s an option I haven’t been able to fully explore, but it’s a cool addition for users with compatible gear.

Areas for Improvement

Overall, the Toprig S40 is a solid, easy-to-use slider, but there are a few areas I’d love to see improved.

For starters, the lack of manual sliding is a downside, as it would add flexibility for those times when I don’t need motorized movement.

Additionally, having to calibrate the slider each time I use it is a bit of a hassle—hopefully, a firmware update could resolve this soon.

In a fast-paced shooting environment, the extra time it takes to calibrate can feel like an unnecessary delay.

Who Should Consider the Toprig S40?

If you’re a content creator who primarily works in a controlled studio setting, the Toprig S40 could be a great addition to your toolkit.

It’s affordable, easy to use, and provides essential functionality without a lot of extra frills.

However, if you’re a wedding videographer or do a lot of professional shoots, this slider might not be up to the demands of that level of work.

Its build quality and durability may not hold up in a high-intensity, fast-paced environment, so in those cases, investing in a higher-end slider would be a wiser choice.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Toprig S40 is an impressive budget slider that offers solid functionality and ease of use for the price.

It’s not without its limitations—the build quality isn’t top-tier, and it lacks some versatility in manual control—but for $350, it’s hard to complain.

If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly slider that performs the basics well, the Toprig S4 is worth considering.

It’s a practical choice for beginners or casual creators who need a motorized slider without a lot of bells and whistles.