What are the best battery grips for the Canon 5D Mark IV?

Question

so i finally pulled the trigger on a used canon 5d mark iv for my upcoming wedding season and im honestly buzzing right now. i have a big gig in seattle next month and really want that extra vertical grip for all those portraits im gonna be taking. plus i have big hands so the extra bulk helps me keep things steady.

i did some digging and obviously the official canon bg-e20 is the gold standard but man it is pricey for what it is. i saw the vello one on bh and it looks decent for a fraction of the cost but then i read some reviews saying it drains the battery when the camera is just sitting in the bag? that sounds sketchy and i dont want my gear dying mid ceremony. also saw stuff about the neewer ones being hit or miss with the weather sealing which is a big deal since it rains like crazy in washington.

here is what i am looking for:

budget is around 100-150 max

must have solid weather sealing for rain

no battery drain issues please

the buttons should feel snappy not mushy

is there a middle ground that isnt the crazy expensive canon one or am i just stuck paying the brand tax for peace of mind? anyone have luck with off brands that actually last more than a year?

jack.hansen · Accepted Answer

> solid weather sealing for rain I totally get the concern about the Seattle weather! It is no joke when you are shooting a long wedding day out there. I have used the Meike MK-5DR Vertical Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV for several seasons now and it is honestly fantastic! The reason I love this one is the build quality compared to the price. Most cheap grips feel like hollow plastic, but this one has a nice weight and the rubber texture matches the 5D body perfectly. Its got a decent gasket system that provides much better protection against moisture than the bottom-tier options. Plus, the shutter button has that distinct, snappy click you are looking for! Just a quick tip tho: pair it with Canon LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Batteries to avoid the communication errors that cause drain. It is a brilliant way to save cash without sacrificing reliability!

austin.green · Answer

Unfortunately, the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV was a huge letdown for me.mushy buttonsbad battery drain It's honestly risky for pro work in the rain.

brightbeachbound · Answer

tl;dr: for seattle rain and pro wedding work, skip the cheapies and find a used Canon BG-E20 Battery Grip for EOS 5D Mark IV on mpb or keh. they usually go for 110 to 140 bucks used and its way better than gambling on a knockoff. honestly over the years ive tried so many third party grips to save a buck... the Vello BG-C14 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark IV is okay for studio stuff but the weather sealing is basically non-existent compared to the oem one. i had a cheap neewer grip basically stop working during a portrait session because of some light drizzle. plus the battery drain issue is a real thing with the cheaper circuit boards they use. since you're shooting weddings you need that peace of mind... the buttons on the official canon one are super snappy and it feels like a tank. in my experience, the third party ones always feel a bit hollow. just grab a used genuine one and dont worry about your gear dying mid ceremony.