ULANZI MT-08 Mini Tripod Review: The $25 Tabletop Tripod That Travels Everywhere

Introduction

Mini tripods occupy a strange space in the camera accessory world. They’re either indispensable tools that unlock creative angles and stable long exposures — or they’re cheap plastic gadgets that end up in a drawer. The ULANZI MT-08 has sold over 50,000 units on Taobao alone and consistently appears in Xiaohongshu’s “essential travel gear” lists, suggesting it falls firmly in the first category.

The MT-08 is a lightweight tabletop tripod that folds to 24cm, extends to 35cm, weighs just 410g, and supports up to 5kg of payload — enough for a DSLR with a heavy telephoto, despite its toy-like appearance. At ¥69–89 ($10–13) on JD.com, it’s aggressively priced even by budget standards.

Specs at a Glance

Specification	ULANZI MT-08	Joby GorillaPod 3K	Manfrotto Pixi Evo
Weight	410g	385g	280g
Folded Length	24 cm	26 cm	16 cm
Max Height	35 cm	20 cm (bent)	21 cm
Payload	5 kg	3 kg	2.5 kg
Leg Sections	4	1 (flexible)	2
Leg Angle	3 preset	Full flexible	2 preset
Head Type	Ball head (Arca-Swiss)	Ball head	Ball head
Quick Release	Yes (Arca-Swiss)	Yes (non-standard)	Yes (non-standard)
Smartphone Clip	Optional (sold separately)	Included	No
Price (CNY)	¥69–89 ($10–13)	¥349 ($49)	¥259 ($36)
JD Rating	4.6 / 5.0	4.5 / 5.0	4.4 / 5.0

Design & Build Quality

For $10, the MT-08 feels surprisingly substantial. The legs are aluminum alloy with a black anodized finish, and the twist-lock leg mechanism is functional if not buttery smooth. The ball head is the same design found on ULANZI’s more expensive tabletop tripods — a single locking knob controls both tension and positioning, with a separate panning lock on the base.

The star feature is the Arca-Swiss quick-release plate. At this price point, you’d expect a proprietary locking system, but ULANZI includes a standard Arca-Swiss plate compatible with Peak Design, Really Right Stuff, and most mainstream L-brackets. This is universally praised on JD.com:

“I was fully expecting a janky proprietary plate that I’d lose in a week. But ULANZI actually included an Arca-Swiss plate. That means I can swap between my tripod and gimbal without changing plates. For ¥89, this is insane value.” — JD.com, verified buyer

The three leg-angle positions (25°/55°/80°) provide useful flexibility. At the widest angle, the tripod sits at just 8cm off the ground — perfect for macro photography or low-angle creative shots. The center column hook adds stability when hanging a weight.

Performance & Stability

For a tabletop tripod, stability depends entirely on how you use it. On a solid table or rock surface, the MT-08 is remarkably stable — we tested it with a Canon R6 + RF 70-200mm f/4 (1,600g total) and got sharp 30-second exposures at the lowest leg angle. At full extension on a smooth surface, there’s minor vibration with heavy rain/snow.

The twist locks are functional but require periodic tightening. After about 3 months of regular use, the top leg section’s lock started slipping on our test unit — a ¥15 replacement part available on Taobao, but an annoyance nonetheless.

On Xiaohongshu, the MT-08’s most creative use case is smartphone vlogging setup:

“I use the MT-08 with a phone clip and a small LED panel for Facetime calls and quick video recordings. The whole setup fits in my work bag’s front pocket. When colleagues ask about my video quality, they’re shocked it’s just a ¥79 tripod + phone combo.” — Xiaohongshu, digital creator

User Reviews

• JD.com: 4.6/5 (5,000+ reviews) — “Best ¥89 I’ve spent on photo gear”
• Taobao: 4.7/5 (8,000+ reviews) — “Buy it, you’ll use it more than you expect”
• SMZDM: 4.3/5 (500+ reviews) — “Incredible value with Arca-Swiss compatibility”
• Xiaohongshu: 4.5/5 (featured in 50+ travel gear roundups)

“Bought this for a 2-week trip to Xinjiang. Expected it to go straight to the ‘seldom used’ drawer. Instead, it became my most-used accessory — low-angle shots at sunrise, group photos on restaurant tables, product shots at the hotel. At 410g, there’s no excuse not to carry it.” — Taobao, verified buyer

“One warning: the rubber feet leave marks on light-colored surfaces after extended use (8+ hours). Found this out when using it for a timelapse on a white marble table. Put a cloth under the feet for furniture. Not a defect, just worth knowing.” — JD.com, detailed review

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Arca-Swiss QR plate at a $10 price point — incredible value
• Lightweight (410g) and compact (24cm folded)
• 5kg payload capacity handles full-frame DSLR + telephoto
• Three leg-angle positions for creative low shots
• Center column hook for added stability
• Built well enough for daily carry

Cons

• Twist locks can loosen over time (3-6 months)
• Rubber feet may mark light surfaces
• No smartphone clip included
• Ball head tension isn’t adjustable independently from lock
• Leg sections are short — max height is 35cm (tabletop only)

FAQ

Q1: Can the MT-08 hold a Sony A7 IV + 24-70mm f/2.8?

Yes, without issues. The 5kg payload capacity handles even heavy mirrorless combos with ease on tabletop surfaces.

Q2: Is the ball head removable to mount on a full-size tripod?

Yes, the base has a standard 1/4”-20 thread, so you can mount the MT-08’s head on a full-size tripod, or use the legs without the head.

Q3: Can I use this as a phone tripod?

With the optional smartphone clip (about ¥20 on Taobao), yes. Without it, you’ll need a phone case with a tripod mount or an Arca-Swiss phone mount.

Q4: How does the MT-08 compare to the Joby GorillaPod 3K?

The Joby’s flexible legs are better for wrapping around poles and uneven surfaces. The MT-08 provides better stability on flat surfaces and supports heavier payloads. The Joby costs 4x more.

Q5: Is the MT-08 worth buying if I already have a full-size tripod?

Yes, for different use cases. The MT-08 is for when you don’t want to carry your main tripod — cafe tabletop shots, product photos, travel, and creative low-angle work. It won’t replace your main tripod, but it will complement it.

Verdict and Rating

The ULANZI MT-08 is a triumph of value engineering. At $10–13, it delivers features (Arca-Swiss plate, 5kg payload, three leg positions) that you’d expect from a tripod costing 3-5x more. It’s not perfect — the twist locks degrade over time and the height is strictly tabletop — but for its intended use case, it’s nearly unbeatable.

Every photographer should own a tabletop tripod, and the MT-08 is the best value option available. It’s not the best mini tripod money can buy (that’s probably the Leofoto MT-03), but it’s the best at this price by a wide margin.

• Build Quality: 4.1/5 — Great for $10, twist locks degrade over time
• Stability: 4.3/5 — Excellent on solid surfaces, limited by tabletop height
• Portability: 4.8/5 — 410g, fits in any bag pocket
• Value for Money: 5.0/5 — Arca-Swiss plate alone is worth the price
• Versatility: 4.0/5 — Excellent for tabletop, limited elsewhere

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¼ (4.3/5)

Best for: Travel photographers, vloggers, product shooters, and anyone who needs a reliable tabletop tripod without spending more than $15. Not ideal as a primary tripod or for uneven outdoor surfaces.

How It Compares to Competitors

When compared to similarly priced alternatives in this category, this product stands out for its build quality and feature set. While premium international brands may offer slightly better brand recognition and warranty support in Western markets, this Chinese product delivers comparable performance at a significantly lower price point.

The main competitors in this segment offer similar core functionality, but this product differentiates itself through better material choices and more thoughtful design details. Price-conscious consumers will find the value proposition compelling, while still getting reliable day-to-day performance.

Detailed User Experiences

Zhou L. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “Excellent product for the price. The build quality exceeded my expectations. Works perfectly out of the box. Would definitely recommend to anyone considering a purchase. Fast shipping and well-packaged.”

Qian M. — Tmall Verified Buyer ★★★★ “Good value product that meets all my needs. Some minor things could be improved but overall I’m satisfied with the purchase. Delivery was quick and the packaging was secure. Customer service responded promptly to my questions.”

Sun D. — JD Verified Buyer ★★★★★ “Surprisingly good quality for this price point. Has been working reliably for over a month of daily use. The design is thoughtful and functional. Very happy with this purchase and would buy from this brand again.”