Top battery grip recommendations for Canon 80D and 90D users?

Question

Hey everyone! I’ve been shooting more long events lately with my Canon 90D and find myself swapping batteries way too often. I’m also doing a lot of portrait work, so having those extra controls for vertical shooting would be a huge help for ergonomics. I know the official Canon BG-E14 is the standard choice, but it’s quite an investment. I’ve seen third-party options from brands like Neewer or Vello, but I’m worried about whether the build quality and weather sealing actually hold up under heavy use. For those of you using a grip on your 80D or 90D, do you think the OEM version is worth the extra cash, or is there a specific third-party model you’d recommend?

Emily · Accepted Answer

Yo, grips basically just extend power and add vertical buttons. Ngl, for pro event work, weather sealing is HUGE and cheap ones skip the gaskets. Honestly, I’m satisfied with the Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip on my 90D cuz it matches the body’s build perfectly. It’s way safer for heavy use. If you’re a pro, just get the OEM one... the peace of mind is worth it tbh

natalie.boyd · Answer

Basically, the main risk with cheap grips is electronic pin alignment... if those contacts aren't PERFECT, your 90D might throw an error code mid-shoot! Ngl, for your situation, I think the Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip for Canon 70D, 80D & 90D is amazing. It's usually around $75 and wayyy more reliable than the $30 knockoffs. Just be careful with heavy rain tho! TL;DR: Vello is a fantastic budget-friendly alternative.

Addison Nicole Flores · Answer

Late to the party but I wanted to share my experience. I've been a photographer for years but I'm honestly a total beginner when it comes to battery grips. I finally decided to try a Meike MK-80D Battery Grip for Canon 80D 90D because I wanted to see if the vertical controls actually helped without spending a ton. I'm a bit of a DIY enthusiast but the electronics still make me nervous. I've been trying to do my own basic maintenance to keep it running smooth. It's been a learning curve for sure! Here are my quick tips for self-service:

Clean the connection pins with 90 percent isopropyl alcohol to prevent communication errors.

Regularly tighten the mounting screw since third-party grips can sometimes vibrate loose more easily than the OEM ones. I'm still wondering if there's more I should be doing to protect the camera body though? It's been working fine so far but reading about fried boards definitely makes me a bit paranoid haha.