Trying to capture stable, well-framed photos and videos using just your hands can be incredibly frustrating. I remember constantly struggling to get steady shots, especially in low light or when trying to record myself. Wobbly footage and awkward angles were common issues that severely limited what I could create. Finding a reliable, portable solution for mounting my devices felt essential, otherwise, all my efforts to produce engaging content would be undermined by poor quality visuals. The right tool, like the ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod, could have made a world of difference back then.
A flexible tripod is a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their mobile photography, videography, or content creation. These tools primarily solve the problem of needing a stable base for your camera or phone in situations where traditional tripods are impractical or impossible to use. They allow you to wrap legs around poles, branches, fences, or simply stand securely on uneven surfaces, opening up a world of creative angles and hands-free operation.
The ideal customer for a flexible tripod is someone who shoots on the go, whether it’s for travel vlogs, nature photography, social media content, or even just group photos without needing to ask a stranger. If you work in a studio environment with dedicated lighting and large cameras, or primarily need a very tall, heavy-duty setup, a flexible mini camera tripod might not be your main solution, and a traditional tripod or light stand would be more suitable. However, for versatility and portability, they are excellent.
Before buying one, consider the weight capacity – ensure it can comfortably hold your specific phone, camera, or other device, potentially with accessories. Look at the material of the legs; durable, grippy rubber is key for secure wrapping. Check the head type – a ball head offers the most flexibility for adjusting angles. Also, think about extra features like cold shoe mounts for adding lights or microphones, which are invaluable for video creators.
- ▶【Universal Phone & Camera Tripod with 2 in 1 Integrated Design】Featuring in upgraded and integrated design, MT-33 tripod expands itself in the usage of other smart devices other than phone. The...
- ▶【360° Panoramic Ballhead for Horizontal & Vertical Shooting】Designed with 360 rotatable degree universal ballhead, our phone & camera tripod can adjust various angles for shooting, allowing...
- ▶【Premium Rubber Legs for Different Environmental Needs】Crafted of high elastic rubber, this mini cell phone tripod possesses rigidness and flexibility, which is not easy to break after repeated...
Introducing the ULANZI MT-33
The ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod presents itself as a highly versatile, integrated solution for mobile and camera users alike. Its core promise is stable support and creative flexibility in a compact, portable package. When you purchase the MT-33, you get the tripod itself with its flexible legs, the integrated phone clip/camera mount, and a detachable 360° ball head, often coming in sleek black.
This flexible tripod is specifically designed for the hybrid shooter – someone who switches between using their smartphone and a lightweight camera (like a mirrorless, action cam, or compact DSLR). It’s not intended for heavy professional camera setups but is a fantastic upgrade for those relying on phone gimbals or struggling with basic phone stands. While other flexible tripods exist, the MT-33 stands out with its integrated phone clip (no need to screw on a separate one) and multiple cold shoe mounts, offering more expansion possibilities than many competitors in its price range.
Here’s a quick look at the ups and downs:
Pros:
* Extremely flexible and grippy legs allow mounting in creative places.
* Integrated phone clip and 1/4″ screw mean seamless switching between phone and camera.
* 360° rotatable ball head provides excellent angle control.
* Multiple cold shoe mounts and a 1/4″ thread for adding accessories like mics and lights.
* Sturdy build quality for its size and price point.
Cons:
* Legs can be quite stiff initially, requiring effort to bend.
* Some users might have concerns about the long-term durability of the legs with frequent, extreme bending.
* It’s larger and heavier than some ultra-minimal flexible tripods, though still very portable.
- [Ultimate Materials & Innovative Processes] EUCOS take crafting the ultimate phone tripod stand with Nylon 6/6, making the tripod shell indestructible and comfortable. The perfect blend of toughness,...
- [Break-Proof Phone Tripod] : Kaiess uses advanced material and craftsmanship to make this tripod more delicate and durable than other metal tripods. You can use it at the beach pool or wet place and...
- 【Lightweight & Easy to Adjust】Upgraded trapezoidal flap lock tripod adjusted from 19.5" and 74" to meet different height needs for variety shooting environments and photography. 18" compact size...
Exploring the Features and Their Benefits
Let’s dive deeper into what makes the ULANZI MT-33 such a useful tool, looking at its key features and how they translate into real-world benefits for your content creation.
Highly Flexible and Grippable Rubber Legs
The defining feature of this type of octopus tripod is its flexible legs. The ULANZI MT-33 uses what the description calls “high elastic rubber.” In practice, these legs are incredibly pliable yet firm. You can bend and twist them into almost any configuration imaginable. What’s crucial is their grippiness. The rubber material creates excellent friction, allowing the legs to firmly wrap around objects like railings, poles, fence posts, tree branches, or even the back of a chair.
The benefit here is immense versatility in placement. If you’re vlogging on the go, you can easily attach your camera or phone to something nearby to get a stable shot of yourself or your surroundings. If you’re doing landscape photography, you can wrap the legs around a rock or a tree trunk to get a unique low-angle perspective that a traditional tripod wouldn’t allow, or simply level it on incredibly uneven ground. This flexibility liberates you from needing flat, stable ground and encourages more creative shooting locations and angles, leading to more dynamic and engaging content. While they are stiff when new, which can require a bit of effort to adjust, this stiffness also contributes to their ability to hold a position securely once set. This rigidity is key to preventing sagging or slipping, ensuring your valuable gear stays put.
Innovative 2-in-1 Integrated Design
One of the most clever aspects of the ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod is its integrated mounting system. The top attachment features a design where the phone clip is built right in, but it’s not fixed. It’s adjustable; you can expand it to securely hold a smartphone (fitting widths from 60-85mm, covering most modern phones, including larger ones like the iPhone 16 Pro mentioned by a user). When you contract or squeeze the phone clip closed, it reveals a standard 1/4″ screw thread underneath.
This integrated design provides a seamless transition between devices. Instead of fumbling with screwing a phone adapter on and off the 1/4″ screw every time you switch from shooting with your phone to your action camera or a small mirrorless camera, it’s simply a matter of expanding or contracting the clip. The benefit is efficiency and convenience. For content creators who use multiple devices, this saves time and reduces the risk of losing small adapter pieces. It truly makes the MT-33 a comprehensive solution for both smartphone and camera users, as highlighted by reviewers who use it successfully with both their phone and various cameras.
Smooth and Adjustable 360° Panoramic Ball Head
Atop the flexible legs sits a 360° rotatable universal ball head. This is a standard feature on many tripods, but its quality and range of motion are crucial. The ball head on the ULANZI MT-33 allows for fluid adjustments in all directions, giving you precise control over your framing. You can easily tilt the connected device up, down, or sideways, and pan it horizontally a full 360 degrees. There’s a knob on the side of the ball head that allows you to quickly tighten and lock the head firmly in your desired position.
The major benefit of this ball head is flexibility in composition. Whether you need to shoot in landscape or portrait orientation, get a high-angle shot looking down, or a low-angle shot looking up, the ball head makes it simple to achieve the exact framing you need. The 360° panoramic capability is particularly useful for capturing sweeping views or aligning shots precisely. The detachable nature of the ball head means you could potentially use it on another tripod or piece of equipment if needed, adding another layer of utility. One user specifically mentioned how easy it is to switch between landscape and portrait mode, which is essential for social media content creators.
Integrated Cold Shoe Mounts and 1/4″ Screw Thread for Expansion
Recognizing the needs of modern content creators, especially vloggers, the ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod incorporates valuable expansion options. It features two cold shoe mounts: one conveniently located on the top of the integrated phone clip and another on the side of the ball head itself. Additionally, there is a standard 1/4″ screw thread on the side of the ball head (distinct from the main mounting screw) specifically designed for attaching accessories via a magic arm or similar mount.
These expansion points are incredibly beneficial for anyone building a portable video or vlogging setup. The cold shoe mounts allow you to easily attach essential accessories like a compact LED video light to illuminate your subject or a shotgun microphone to capture clear audio, directly onto the tripod. This keeps your setup compact and integrated, rather than requiring separate stands or mounts. The side 1/4″ thread offers compatibility with more advanced rigging, such as mounting a small monitor or an additional accessory via a magic arm. This foresight in design significantly increases the utility of this mini flexible tripod for creating higher-quality videos and vlogs on the go.
Robust Construction and Materials
While compact and flexible, the build quality of the ULANZI MT-33 feels solid. As mentioned, the legs are made from premium rubber which provides both the necessary flexibility and a sturdy feel. The ball head often utilizes machined aluminum components, giving it a sense of durability and precision when locking angles. The overall impression is one of robust construction that can handle regular use and the demands of being wrapped around various objects.
The benefit of this build quality is reliability and confidence. Knowing that the tripod is well-made gives you peace of mind when attaching your valuable phone or camera. The specified weight limit of 2 kilograms reinforces that it’s designed to hold typical smartphones, action cameras, and many compact mirrorless or DSLR bodies with smaller lenses securely. While some users express a slight concern about the long-term resilience of the legs under constant, aggressive bending, the initial stiffness and material suggest it’s built to withstand considerable stress compared to cheaper alternatives. The solid construction contributes to its stability, ensuring your shots are steady.
What Users Are Saying About the ULANZI MT-33
Having explored the features, it’s always helpful to see what others who have used the product extensively think. I found numerous positive remarks online from users who have integrated the ULANZI MT-33 into their setup. Many were impressed by the sturdiness of the flexible legs, noting that they hold their position well whether standing on a surface or wrapped around something. The dual functionality, easily switching between holding a large smartphone and a mirrorless or action camera using the integrated clip and screw, was a frequently praised feature, described as very convenient, especially for vloggers. Users also highlighted the value for money, feeling it offers a lot of functionality and solid build quality at a very competitive price point compared to alternatives. The flexibility for positioning and the ability to add accessories like lights or microphones via the cold shoe mounts were also mentioned as significant advantages.
Summing Up the ULANZI MT-33
The frustration of shaky videos, blurry photos, and limited shooting angles can seriously hinder your creative output and make your content look amateurish. A reliable, flexible support system is crucial to achieving stable, professional-looking shots and unlocking new creative possibilities.
The ULANZI MT-33 Phone Tripod is a fantastic tool to solve this problem. Its ingenious 2-in-1 design seamlessly handles both phones and cameras, while the highly flexible and grippable legs allow you to secure your device in places no traditional tripod could reach. Add the precise 360° ball head and the expansion options for accessories, and you have a versatile, portable studio in your bag. If you’re a mobile creator, photographer, or vlogger looking for stability and creative freedom on the go without breaking the bank, the ULANZI MT-33 is an excellent fit. To learn more and get yours, click here to check it out .ca.
Last update on 2025-07-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API