What are the best battery grips for Canon 5D Mark IV?

Question

Im seriously about to throw this camera out the window no joke. Well not the camera the grip. I bought this cheap knockoff brand off Amazon a few months back thinking i was being smart and saving money for lenses but it has been a total nightmare lately. Every time I rotate the camera for a portrait shot the power just cuts out or I get that annoying battery communication error on the screen. It is driving me insane because I have a huge wedding shoot coming up in like ten days here in Chicago and I cannot afford for my gear to flake out during the vows.

So I was thinking maybe I should just bite the bullet and buy the official Canon BG-E20 but man it is pricey for what it is. My logic was maybe a mid-range one like the Vello would be fine? But then I read some forums saying the buttons feel cheap and mushy compared to the body. I really need something that is actually weather sealed because we might get rain and I dont want my 5D IV getting fried. Budget is around 200 bucks but I guess I could go higher if it actually works.

What I basically need is:

weather sealing that actually matches the camera

a dial that doesnt feel like its gonna snap off

zero connection drops

Is the Canon one really the only reliable option or is there a third party brand that isnt total junk? I need something that feels solid and wont disconnect when I breathe on it wrong...

faith.stephens · Accepted Answer

Saw your post and honestly, i have been in that exact spot before. Tried saving money on accessories until a third-party grip lost connection during a critical moment in a rainy field. Total nightmare. You might want to consider the long-term risk to your 5D IV body if moisture gets through a subpar seal. I would suggest being very careful with mid-tier options like the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV because while they look okay, the tolerances often arent perfect. For a wedding, the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV is really the only way to go for 100% reliability. It fits like a glove and the weather sealing actually matches the camera body.

Check used markets like MPB or KEH; you can often find genuine Canon grips for under $180 in great condition.

Make sure to wipe the gold contacts on the camera with a microfiber cloth before installing the new one.

Ensure the battery tray locks in with a distinct click, as some knockoffs have soft springs that cause those communication errors youre seeing.

Harper · Answer

To add to the point above: the technical reality is that almost no third-party grip actually replicates the magnesium alloy frame and the specific O-ring seals found on the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip. most of those cheap ones are just polycarbonate and the sealing is basically non-existent. honestly, if you are shooting a wedding in Chicago, you are gonna want the real deal because the 5D IV body has precise contact points that third parties struggle to map perfectly, which is exactly why you are seeing those communication errors. over the years i have found that the tolerances on the pins are just too tight for budget brands. if you want to stay around that 200 mark:

check out a used Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip on a site like MPB or KEH. you can usually grab one in top shape for like 160 or 170.

make sure you are using original Canon LP-E6N Battery packs too. some of those third-party batteries have slightly different casing dimensions that cause them to wiggle inside the tray. ive seen too many mainboards get fried because a cheap grip shorted out during a light drizzle. for a paid wedding gig, the OEM grip is basically just gear insurance.

samuel.evans · Answer

Honestly, i have been super happy with my setup and havent had any issues lately.what is your absolute max budget?do you need that exact same button feel?