Sooo, I totally feel your pain! When I first picked up my Canon EOS 90D and slapped on a heavy Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, my wrist was literally screaming after an hour. I was in the exact same boat—wanting that extra grip but staring at the price of the official Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip and crying inside lol. Pro tip: You might find this useful—check out the "The-Digital-Picture" website or the B&H Photo user review sections for the Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip for Canon 70D/80D/90D. They’re amazing resources for seeing how these things hold up long-term compared to OEM gear. Basically, the reason the official one costs so much is the electronic "handshake" between the grip and the camera's firmware. Some super cheap clones have crappy chips that dont report battery levels correctly or, like the previous guy said, drain power even when the camera is off. I honestly think the Vello is the best "bang for your buck" option. It feels much more solid than the ultra-budget stuff and the shutter button is actually really responsive, which is huge for event work! I learned that saving $130 feels amazing, but you gotta do your homework on those specific chips. It made such a difference for my balance tho, literally life-changing for long shooting days. Hope this helps you save some cash while keeping your gear safe!! gl!

Yo, I totally get it... that 70-200mm is a beast and basically makes the Canon EOS 90D feel like a toy without some extra bulk. In my experience, I've tried many grips over the years, and while the Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip is the "gold standard," it's honestly kinda overpriced for what's basically a plastic shell with some contacts. I've been rocking the Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 90D for my event work lately. It costs like $40 compared to the $170 Canon wants—literally a steal. The technical specs are basically identical; it supports two Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery packs and has all the dial controls u need. The shutter button feels slightly clickier than the OEM version, but it’s totally responsive. If u want a mid-range pick, the Vello BG-C9 Battery Grip at around $65 is also solid. Honestly, save ur cash for better glass... third-party grips are lowkey fine! 👍

In my experience, seriously watch out for cheap third-party brands! While grips are amazing for balancing heavy lenses, budget versions can be pretty risky. 1. Power drain: Some budget grips literally drain batteries even when the cameras off.
2. Weather sealing: The 90D is sealed, but third-party options usually arent, ruining that protection.
3. Button lag: Budget shutter buttons often feel mushy... I mean, it's pretty risky for fast events!