What is the best battery grip for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV?

Question

Does anyone know what the best battery grip for the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is? I just got this camera used and honestly im so excited but also super overwhelmed because there are so many buttons and things to buy. My sister asked me to take photos for her wedding in Seattle this September and im terrified the battery is gonna die right in the middle of the kiss or something. I saw some pros using these big blocks on the bottom of their cameras and I think thats what I need since it holds two batteries at once right?

I looked online and the official Canon one is really expensive like way over my budget right now since I just dropped all my savings on the setup and a 50mm lens. Are there any other brands that wont break my camera or make it explode? I saw some for like fifty dollars on Amazon but that feels too good to be true. I really need:

something that makes it easier to hold the camera sideways for portraits

something that wont lose connection while im shooting

something that doesnt feel like cheap hollow plastic

I have no idea if I should just save up for the real one or if the off brand ones like Neewer or whatever are okay for a beginner like me who just wants to make sure I have enough power for a long day. Sorry if this is a total noob question I just dont want to mess anything up before the big day...

7_44mssd · Accepted Answer

Congrats on the 5D IV, its a beast. Honestly tho, I would suggest being super careful with those $40 knockoffs you see online. One time a cheap one I tried had a shutter button that felt like a sponge plus it kept disconnecting right when I needed it. If you cant swing the cash for the Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV, definitely check out the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV. Its basically the gold standard for third-party grips and feels way closer to the official one. It wont feel like hollow plastic and the buttons actually have a decent click. Just make sure to tighten the wheel down really well so it doesnt wiggle. You definitely dont want a loose connection during the wedding kiss, that would be a nightmare.

megan.robinson · Answer

Late to the party but you definitely need to check out the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV! Ive used mine for three years now and its been amazing. I actually dropped my camera once (scary!) and the grip stayed locked on tight. It feels super solid, not like that hollow plastic youre worried about. Honestly, its a total lifesaver for long wedding days!

hudsonriverviews · Answer

Ive been shooting weddings for over a decade now and it's totally normal to feel anxious about battery life... honestly the real Canon one is overkill for most people starting out. Over the years Ive tried many third-party options and in my experience the Meike MK-5DR Professional Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV is the best middle ground between price and reliability. It usually costs around eighty bucks and feels way more substantial than those hollow generic ones you see on Amazon.

build quality feels less like a toy

buttons have a distinct click for vertical portraits

seal fits tighter against the camera body One thing tho, make sure you use solid batteries like the Canon LP-E6NH High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery. Even the best grip is useless if the cells inside are cheap knockoffs that dont hold a charge. Tightening the locking wheel with a coin helps prevent any wiggling so you stay connected during the ceremony.