I'm planning a big trip with my 80D and need reliable backup power. Are the official Canon LP-E6N batteries worth the premium, or are third-party brands like Wasabi safe? I'm also looking for a compact USB dual charger to save space. Does anyone have a specific travel setup that hasn't failed them on long shooting days?
- Seconding the recommendation above.
- Try the Wasabi Power LP-E6N Battery 2-Pack and Dual USB Charger for ~$25.
- It’s basically the cheapest way to get dual USB charging for travel tbh.
Late to the party but I totally feel your pain on the battery cost. I remember doing a two-week trek through the mountains with my 80D a few years back and I was literally obsessing over power management the whole time. Canon charges a fortune for their Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery, and honestly, for most travel situations, you can get away with spending way less if youre smart about the specs, right? I've actually had a really solid experience with some of the mid-tier third-party options that actually include the fully decoded chips so they still talk to your cameras battery info screen. Here's what worked for me: 1. BM Premium LP-E6N High Capacity 2600mAh Batteries - These have a slightly higher capacity rating than the stock ones, and highkey, I didnt notice any weird heat issues even during long timelapse sessions. 2. Neewer Dual USB Battery Charger for LP-E6 - This thing is basically the size of a deck of cards. It runs off a standard micro-USB, so you can charge it from a power bank in your bag while youre walking. Super handy tho.
3. The "Safety" Factor - Canon's own batteries have better thermal protection, it's true. But if youre not shooting in 100-degree heat constantly, third-party brands are usually fine. Basically, I found that having three cheap batteries was way more useful than having one expensive one. Just make sure whatever you buy is "fully decoded" or you wont see the percentage on your LCD!! gl with the trip, sounds like a blast.
Ok so, as someone who prefers a DIY approach to gear maintenance and power, i've found that the best way to handle 'self-service' power on the road is to move away from individual cells for heavy days. Tbh, i've spent way too much time testing the internal resistance of various brands to see how they handle thermal throttling. Here’s my expert take on why a custom power rig beats just buying more OEM spares: - **Voltage Sag:** Cheaper clones often have poor voltage regulation. This can cause the 80D to shut down early even if the battery says 20% left. I always check for a fully decoded IC chip to ensure the camera actually reads the telemetry correctly.
- **Direct Charging:** If you want to skip the charger block entirely, look into the SmallRig LP-E6NH USB-C Rechargeable Camera Battery. It has a built-in USB-C port, so you can charge it via your laptop or a car port directly—basically a self-contained charging system.
- **The Dummy Battery Hack:** For long landscape days, I skip the internal cells and use a Case Relay Camera Power System with a massive USB-C PD power bank. It’s a reliable DIY power station that lasts 5x longer than any single cell. Honestly, if you're technical enough to monitor your discharge curves, the third-party route is totally viable.
> Are the official Canon LP-E6N batteries worth the premium, or are third-party brands like Wasabi safe? i've used both for years and been super happy, no complaints here. so basically the OEM ones have better thermal sensors—which is HUGE for safety during heavy use. before i suggest a specific travel setup tho, i gotta ask: are you shooting mostly video or just stills? and whats your daily shot count looking like? basically wanna see how hard youre gonna push the cells.
No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.
Good to know!