Just catching up on this thread. Respectfully, I'd consider another option before going the budget route. Ngl, I've tried many grips over the years and for a weather-sealed body like the 90D, cutting corners usually ends in tears... especially if ur out in the elements with wildlife. * Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip: I know the price was called "robbery" earlier, but honestly, it's the only one that truly matches the weather resistance of the Canon EOS 90D. The buttons feel identical to the body and there's ZERO communication lag with the Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery.
* Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip for Canon 70D, 80D, and 90D: It’s a decent budget pick, but it lacks the rubber gaskets. It feels kinda "plasticky" and the shutter button is definitely mushier than the OEM version. If you're worried about the cost, my best practical tip is to check the used market on sites like MPB or KEH. You can usually find a used official grip for around $80-90, which is basically the same price as a new Vello but with way better reliability. It’s a much safer bet for long-term use tho. gl!

In my experience, you're highkey right to be worried about those cheapo grips failing mid-shoot, but honestly, the Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip price is just robbery lol. If you want that pro feel without spending $180, I've had decent luck with the Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip for Canon 70D, 80D, and 90D. It's usually around $60, so basically a third of the price of the official one and the electronics actually talk to the camera properly without that annoying battery drain stuff. Here's what I recommend for your budget:
- Vello BG-C10 Battery Grip – Best value, buttons aren't mushy at all.
- Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Canon EOS 70D 80D 90D – Super cheap (approx $35), but build quality is kinda 'meh' tbh. Anyway, just watch out for the weather sealing because those budget ones basically have none compared to the camera body... but for sixty bucks?? It's a steal. Just dont leave it out in a literal downpour and youre fine. 👍

Had a bit of time to think about this more. Tbh, I've spent way too much time testing the voltage drops on these third-party units. One thing people overlook is the internal resistance of the contact pins. I actually used the Pixel Vertax E14 Battery Grip for Canon 90D for a solid year on my 80D before moving to the 90D. The reason I liked it over the super cheap stuff was the copper alloy contacts they use. When you use a grip, you're basically adding a middleman to the power delivery system. If the tolerances on the battery bay aren't perfect, the Canon LP-E6NH Lithium-Ion Battery might wiggle just enough to break the circuit for a millisecond, which resets the camera's buffer. That's a total nightmare for sports or wildlife. Here is what I noticed with the Pixel:

• Better spring tension on the battery locking mechanism
• Shutter button has a distinct two-stage feel, not mushy
• No idle drain issues when using original Canon cells While the official Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip is definitely the king of tolerances and weather sealing, the Pixel is a solid technical alternative if you're on a budget but still care about the electronics. Just make sure the pins stay clean so you dont get those annoying communication errors.

Been thinking about your dilemma and I want to offer a word of caution from someone whos been down this road. Years ago, I tried saving a few bucks on a generic grip for my old 70D and it ended up being a nightmare. The internal circuitry was so poorly shielded that it actually caused a small short that fried my secondary control dial. Its just not worth the risk to the mainboard of a camera as nice as the 90D. If you really cant stomach the Canon price, I would suggest looking at the Meike MK-80D Professional Battery Grip for Canon 70D 80D 90D. I used one of their units for a while and the build is slightly better than Neewer, tho you still need to be careful with the weather sealing. None of these third-party options have the same rubber gasket quality as the Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip for EOS 70D 80D 90D. If you are out in the field doing wildlife and there is even a hint of drizzle, those copper pins on the bottom of your camera are vulnerable. Moisture seeps into the seams of the cheaper grips way faster than youd think. Just make sure to keep a plastic bag or cover over it if things get damp.

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I totally agree with OceanWave about the risks of frying your internals. Ngl, I have been using my gear for years and I am just way more satisfied knowing I dont have to worry about my camera bricking because I tried to save fifty bucks. Reliable gear is everything when youre out in the middle of nowhere for a wildlife shoot... it just isnt worth the stress of a connection failure mid-burst. Before you pull the trigger on anything tho, I gotta ask: is the weather sealing a non-negotiable for you on your Canon EOS 90D or do you mostly shoot in dry conditions? Also, are you more focused on the vertical shutter ergonomics or is it purely about needing the extra juice for those long sports days?

Curious about one thing: are you using the original Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery or are you using off-brand ones too? Communication glitches and battery drain usually happen when the grip can't "talk" to the battery correctly, so it's good to know what you're working with first. I've been shooting Canon for years but honestly just started digging into 90D grips myself, so I'm still learning the specifics. Basically, here is what I've found: - The Canon BG-E14 Battery Grip is the only one with legit weather sealing. If you're doing wildlife in damp conditions, that's highkey important.
- Aside from the Vello mentioned earlier, the Vivitar Pro Series Multi-Power Battery Grip for Canon EOS 70D, 80D, 90D is another budget choice, though the build quality is kinda hit or miss.
- Idk if the cheap ones work for sports cuz the shutter button can feel sooo mushy compared to the body... Anyway, let me know about ur batteries!