Which wireless remote shutter works best with Canon EOS 80D?

Question

Hey everyone! I’ve been using my Canon EOS 80D for about a year now, mostly for portraits and some street photography. Lately, I’ve been getting more into landscape and night photography, which means I’m dealing with a lot of long exposures. Using the 2-second timer is okay for some shots, but it's getting a bit tedious for complex setups, and the Canon Connect app on my phone is honestly a bit hit-or-miss with the connection dropping at the worst times.

I’m looking for a reliable wireless remote shutter that works seamlessly with the 80D. I’ve looked at the official Canon BR-E1, but I’ve read some conflicting reviews about the Bluetooth pairing process being a headache. I’m also open to third-party options like Vello or Pixel if they offer better range or more features for a better price. I’d really prefer something that doesn't require a direct line of sight like the older infrared remotes did, as I often need to trigger it from behind the camera or from a few meters away while I'm adjusting lighting.

Does anyone have experience with specific models that play nice with the 80D’s autofocus? I'm hoping to spend around $30-$50. Should I stick with the official Canon gear, or is there a third-party remote that offers more bang for the buck?

Shazza Outback · Accepted Answer

Ok so, i've spent way too many nights fumbling in the dark with landscape gear to not have a strong opinion on this lol. Basically, most people assume the Canon BR-E1 Wireless Remote Control is the logical choice since it's "official," but tbh the 80D's Bluetooth implementation is a bit dated and can be a total pain to re-pair every time you cycle power. For long exposures, you really want something LITERALLY bulletproof. In my experience, 2.4GHz radio frequency (RF) remotes are vastly superior to Bluetooth or IR for what ur doing. IR is basically useless if ur standing behind the camera, and Bluetooth lag is real... it's just not fun. The technical advantage of RF is that it uses a dedicated receiver plugged into the 2.5mm sub-mini jack on the side of ur camera—it's a physical signal path that just works without needing line-of-sight. I would suggest the Vello FreeWave Fusion Wireless Remote Shutter Release for Canon. It fits ur budget perfectly and comes with a receiver that slides into the hot shoe and plugs into the side port. It handles the half-press for autofocus perfectly and has a massive range of like 300 feet. Another solid option I've used is the Pixel RW-221 Wireless Shutter Remote Control for Canon. Both are waaay more reliable than the phone app... honestly, the Canon Connect app is lowkey a nightmare for complex setups. gl!

Ava · Answer

yo, for your 80D, i'd probably suggest 2.4GHz RF systems over Bluetooth. They're way more reliable for long exposures imo. * Pixel TW-283/E3 Wireless Shutter Release LCD Timer: Best for complex intervals.
* JJC JM-E2 Radio Frequency Wireless Remote: Simple, bulletproof range. The Pixel's screen is killer for night shots, but make sure to check the cable connection. Honestly, RF beats the official gear for stability every time. cheers!