15/02/2026 9:15 am
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Hey everyone! I’ve been shooting with my Canon 90D for about a year now, and I’m absolutely loving it for wildlife and local sports photography. However, I’ve started doing more portrait sessions lately, and man, my wrist is really starting to feel the strain from holding the camera vertically for hours on end. Plus, since I use Live View quite a bit during video shoots, my battery seems to drain faster than I’d like.
Naturally, I started looking into the official Canon BG-E14 battery grip. It looks great and I know it's the 'safe' choice, but the price tag is a bit hard to swallow right now, especially since I just dropped a significant amount of cash on a new 70-200mm lens. I’m really looking for a solid "budget" alternative that won't break the bank but also won't fall apart after a month of heavy use.
I’ve seen names like Neewer, Vello, and Vivitar popping up quite a bit in my searches. They all claim to have the same functionality as the OEM version, including the multi-controller and AF-ON buttons, but I'm a bit nervous about the actual build quality. Does the shutter button on these budget models feel "mushy" compared to the camera body? Is the texture of the rubber grip significantly different from the 90D or 80D?
One of my biggest concerns is the electronic communication—I’ve heard some horror stories of third-party grips showing incorrect battery levels or even causing the camera to freeze up mid-shoot. Since I also still use an 80D as a backup body, I'm glad they use the same grip, but I need something that fits both perfectly without any 'wobble' at the connection point.
Has anyone here had a great long-term experience with a specific third-party brand for their 90D or 80D? I'm trying to stay under $60 if possible. Which one offers the best "bang for your buck" in terms of button responsiveness and overall durability?
8 Answers
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15/02/2026 9:15 am
For your situation, I would suggest being pretty careful with some of the super cheap brands you see on Amazon. I've been using the Vello BG-C9 Battery Grip for Canon 70D, 80D & 90D for a while now and it's basically the closest you'll get to the OEM feel without the crazy price tag, but there are definitely trade-offs. Here is why I am a bit cautious tho:
1. Build quality: Some $30 grips literally feel like hollow plastic. The Vello feels solid, but the rubber texture is slightly smoother than the 90D body grip.
2. Electronics: I have seen the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 70D 80D 90D throw "battery not recognized" errors occasionally. It's annoying af when you're mid-shoot and the camera just freezes.
3. Button feel: Cheap ones definitely have mushy shutter buttons compared to the clicky Canon ones. Honestly, if you're on a strict $60 budget, Vello is usually the "safe" bet for non-OEM. Just make sure to check the mounting pin for any wobble before a real gig... you don't want it snapping off! gl!
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15/02/2026 9:40 am
In my experience, I'm usually super cautious with cheap gear, but I've been realy happy with the Meike MK-80D Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 70D 80D 90D. It was only $45! The buttons aren't mushy at all and the rubber texture matches my 90D perfectly. No communication issues or freezing either... honestly a total relief. Just dont forget to tighten the wheel firmly. Works well and saved me a ton of cash!!
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24/03/2026 6:41 am
Like someone mentioned, the weather sealing is usually the weak point on these, but for my use case, it was all about that vertical shutter relief. I bought the Pixel Vertax E14 Battery Grip for Canon 70D 80D 90D a few years back because I couldnt justify the Canon price tag after buying a heavy prime lens. Its been through a lot of portrait sessions and honestly hasnt failed me once.
- The rubber grip actually feels pretty premium, not that oily plastic feel you get with some real cheap brands.
- Shutter button is two-stage and has a decent tactile click to it, not mushy at all.
- Fits the 80D and 90D base perfectly without that annoying wobble when youre mounted on a tripod. One thing though, I did notice the battery door latch felt a bit thinner than the OEM one. Just gotta be a little careful when swapping cells in a hurry. But for the price, its been a total workhorse for my weekend gigs and the battery communication has been 100% accurate.
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15/02/2026 9:40 am
Helpful thread 👍
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16/02/2026 5:50 am
So, looking at the market right now, there’s such a HUGE range of these third-party grips on sites like B&H and Amazon, and it’s basically a minefield. You mentioned doing portrait sessions for hours—are you mostly shooting in a controlled studio or are you outdoors in more dusty or humid environments? I’m asking because while the buttons and dials are one thing, the weather sealing (or lack thereof) on these budget brands is usually where they cut corners compared to the official Canon gear. Also, idk if you’ve looked into this, but are you planning on using strictly original LP-E6N batteries, or are you also using third-party batteries in the tray? I’ve noticed some of these brands have weird communication issues specifically when mixing and matching different battery brands inside the grip. It’d be helpful to know what your current battery situation is like before trying to narrow down which brand tier actually makes sense for your 90D!
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25/02/2026 7:15 am
Noted!
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03/03/2026 9:30 pm
Just found this thread while looking for some 90D tips. I've been using the DSTE Pro Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 70D 80D 90D for my weekend sports shoots and honestly, I'm really happy with how its performed. It doesnt feel like a toy at all, and the shutter button has a nice click to it, not mushy like some of the real bottom-barrel stuff. One thing I've learned with these third-party grips is that the communication can be a bit finicky if the pins get dusty. My quick tip is to just use a clean pencil eraser on the copper contacts if you ever see the battery icon blinking weirdly... fixes it every time. I also did a little DIY fix by adding a tiny piece of gaffers tape inside the battery tray to stop a tiny rattle it had when I first got it. Now it feels just as sturdy as the official one for a fraction of the cost.
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24/03/2026 12:41 pm
Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.
