For your situation, I totally get the struggle... I remember shooting an 8-hour wedding with just the body and my hand was basically a claw by the end lol. Honestly, I tried a cheaper Neewer Battery Grip for Canon EOS 6D Mark II first cuz I wanted to save some cash. It worked okay for a bit, but the shutter button felt kinda mushy and the plastic felt thin. Plus, the weather sealing basically isnt there, which is scary if it starts drizzling during a shoot. I eventually swapped it for the Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip and honestly, the difference in build quality is huge. It feels like part of the camera, not just an add-on. If you're doing professional work where reliability is key, I'd say just pay the 'Canon tax' for the peace of mind. **TL;DR:** Go with the Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip for pro reliability. If thats too pricey, the Vello BG-C16 Battery Grip for Canon 6D Mark II is the best budget alternative, but skip the super cheap ones! 👍

Wait, are you shooting outdoors a lot or mostly inside venues? If you're gonna be out in the elements, i'd be really cautious about anything other than the official one. Weather sealing is a huge deal if you're stuck in the rain or dust. Before you buy a cheap knockoff, you might want to consider looking at a used Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip. Since everyone is moving to mirrorless, the prices for EF gear on sites like MPB or KEH are actually pretty great right now. Scored mine for way less than retail and the build quality is night and day compared to the plastic ones. If you absolutely have to go new and cheap, maybe check out the Meike MK-6D2 Battery Grip. It's okay, but honestly, be careful with the potential battery drain. Some third-party grips keep drawing power even when the camera is off, which is super annoying. Just make sure to pop the batteries out when you're done for the day if you go that route. Holler if you want me to help you find some reliable used listings.

I definitely agree that skipping the ultra-cheap knockoffs is the right move for professional work. I mean, the last thing you want is a communication error between the grip and the body right in the middle of a wedding ceremony. Basically, if the Canon price tag is too high, well actually, I would suggest looking at the Vello BG-C16 Battery Grip for Canon 6D Mark II as a solid middle ground. It uses higher quality polycarbonate and the buttons actually have a decent click to them, which is a major deal-breaker on the generic brands. Quick tip for those on a budget: honestly, just check the used market for the original gear. You can usually snag a used Canon BG-E21 Battery Grip from a reputable dealer for about sixty percent of the retail price. It is the best way to maintain the weather sealing integrity and ensure the voltage regulators match the camera's specs perfectly. Just give the contact pins a quick wipe with some isopropyl alcohol before you mount it to ensure a clean connection.