+1 to what was said earlier about Vello. I use the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV and it's a solid budget pick. But also check the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV if ur realy pinching pennies. It works, but honestly the joystick feels mushy and I worry about weather sealing... i once had a cheap grip glitch out in rain. TL;DR: Vello is the best budget balance.

In my experience, the price of the official Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip is honestly pretty wild. I’ve been using the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV for a bit and it’s actually a really decent option if you’re trying to save cash. It feels solid enough for long portrait sessions and balances heavy glass way better. But yeah, the weather sealing on third-party grips like the Vello or the Neewer NW-5D Mark IV Battery Grip is definitely NOT as good as the Canon one. If you’re shooting in the rain, I’d be careful. Also, the joystick on the cheaper Neewer model can feel a bit mushy... kinda annoying when you’re trying to focus fast. Honestly, for a professional setting, the Vello is probably the safest alternative without breaking the bank. TL;DR: Get the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV for the best balance of price and quality, but the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip is the only way to go for total weather sealing. peace 👍

I have taken apart more of these things than I care to admit over the years to see how the internal circuitry compares to the official stuff. If youre really worried about the joystick and button feel, it usually comes down to the quality of the microswitches and the spring tension they use. In my experience, the Pixel E20 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV is a solid middle ground that people often overlook. The tolerances on the mounting screw are tighter than the super cheap brands, so you dont get that annoying flex when youre using a heavy lens like a 70-200mm. I checked the contact pins with a multimeter once and the voltage drop was negligible compared to the OEM Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip. If youre really on a budget but want decent internals, the DSTE BG-E20 Replacement Vertical Battery Grip is okay, though the rubber grip tends to peel after a year of heavy use. I usually just re-glue them with some high-quality adhesive if it happens. DIY fixes like that make these cheap units much more viable for pro work. Just keep in mind that none of these actually match the full magnesium alloy weather sealing of the official Canon version, regardless of what the marketing says.

I totally agree that the Canon markup is hard to swallow, especially when your basically just paying for the name and the magnesium build. Looking at the market right now, there’s really three tiers to consider if youre stuck between spending $300 or $50: * **The OEM Tier:** The Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip is the only one that truly feels like part of the alloy body. Plus, if you sell your gear later, you get half that money back easy because the resale value stays high.
* **The Feature Tier:** Brands like the Meike MK-5D4 Pro Battery Grip actually add stuff Canon doesn't, like a built-in wireless remote for long exposures. Tbh, it’s a cool bonus if you do more than just portraits.
* **The Budget Tier:** The super cheap generics... honestly, I've seen them cause battery drain issues where the camera stays 'awake' and kills your juice overnight. I’ve used a few brands over the years and the biggest difference isn't just the joystick, its the contact pins. Cheap ones can lose connection if you twist the grip too hard while holding heavy glass!!! If you shoot for money, maybe look for a used official one on eBay?? It might be the best middle ground...

yo, just catching up on this thread and i feel u on the ergonomics thing... long portrait sessions are a literal pain without that vertical grip, right? honestly, i went through this same internal debate when i got my 5d iv because i'm pretty cost-conscious and the official canon price is just wild... anway, before i give u a final recommendation, i gotta ask a couple of things to see what actually makes sense for ur budget:
- how often are u actually shooting in heavy rain or dust where weather sealing is a dealbreaker??
- do u rely heavily on that joystick for fast focus point changes when ur shooting vertically?? basically, i've used both the official one and some cheaper alternatives, and there's a pretty big gap in value and how that joystick feels. the official one is literally like four times the price of the off-brands i usually look at, right? once i know if u actually need that pro-level sealing, i can definitely help u save some cash and find a middle ground... peace!

> I totally agree that the Canon markup is hard to swallow, especially when your basically just paying for the name and the magnesium build. Building on that earlier suggestion, there is another brand that hits a fantastic sweet spot for those of us watching our budget! Honestly, i have been using the Meike MK-5D4 Pro Battery Grip with 2.4G Wireless Remote Control and it is absolutely amazing for daily use. The build quality feels way closer to the OEM than the cheaper options, and the joystick is actually responsive! Plus, that wireless remote is a total game changer for tripod work or long exposures. If you want something even simpler but still tough, look at the Vivitar Pro Series Battery Grip for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. It feels super rugged in the hand and the buttons have a really nice, crisp click.

• Meike: amazing remote and great joystick feel
• Vivitar: incredible durability for the price Both are fantastic alternatives if you want to skip that huge Canon price tag but still need something that feels professional during a shoot!