Yo! I feel u on the cramps... totally been there. If ur doing pro work, here’s my take: - Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip: Best build & *perfect* weather sealing, but literally so expensive.
- Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV: Great budget pick, but buttons feel kinda mushy tbh. Ended up biting the bullet on the Canon and I'm so happy. It's just way more reliable. gl! 👍

Late to the party but I feel ur pain on those prices. I went through this a while back when I tried to save cash by picking up a generic grip for my 5D. Honestly? It was kinda a disaster lol. The buttons felt like mush and the connection was so spotty that the camera would just shut off mid-burst... seriously stressful. Basically, it made my pro gear feel like a cheap toy and I totally regretted it. Quick Tip: Skip the off-brands and hunt for a used Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip on a site like MPB or KEH. You're gonna get that legit weather sealing for way less than retail, and it wont fail you during a long portrait session. Definitely dont risk ur body... gl!

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This ^

Honestly, if you're doing professional event work, do not gamble on the cheap knockoffs. I've seen way too many people try to save a hundred bucks only to have the grip flex or the mounting screw strip while they're using a heavy L lens. It's a disaster waiting to happen. The biggest issue isnt even the buttons, its the lack of proper gaskets. Youre putting a weather-sealed 5D body on a plastic box with zero protection. One light drizzle and youve got moisture getting right into the battery compartment. Also, the electronics in those cheap ones can be super flaky... Ive seen them drain batteries even when the camera is off or fail to communicate with the chips entirely. If you're trying to save money, look for a used OEM model on the secondary market instead. You can usually find them in great shape for half the retail price. Another option is a high-quality hand strap to help with the weight without adding the electronics risk. If your livelihood depends on the shot, dont introduce a weak point into your kit just to save some cash. Its better to just keep swapping batteries than to use a grip that might short out your main board or fail mid-shoot.

@Reply #4 - good point! Susan is totally right about those gaskets. I remember shooting a wedding back in the day with a cheap knockoff on my 5D. It started drizzling, nothing crazy, but moisture seeped right into the battery compartment because there was zero sealing. My camera started acting possessed lol. I eventually switched back to the official Canon grips and honestly, I've been so happy with that choice. It just works well and fits like it's actually part of the camera body. The peace of mind when I'm out in the elements is worth every penny tbh. Basically, everyone here is saying the same thing: the third-party stuff might save you cash, but the mushy buttons and connection issues just aren't worth the stress. If the retail price is too high, maybe look for a used official grip from a reputable shop instead? They're built like tanks and usually last forever.