Best Battery Grips of 2026

The Sony VG-C4EM is the grip we recommend when an Alpha 7R IV shooter needs the camera to keep its weather sealing and magnesium feel. It matches the body's dust and moisture resistance and uses the same magnesium chassis rigidity, so it does not feel like a bolted-on accessory. It holds two NP-FZ100 batteries and duplicates the camera's controls for vertical shooting.

We like how the extra height changes the hand position. The grip gives your little finger a place to sit and balances a long lens without making the camera feel top-heavy. At 10.24 ounces it adds real weight, but that weight is doing useful work. The controls fall where your fingers already expect them, which is the advantage of an OEM grip.

The value question is real: this costs more than most third-party grips here, and it does not add a built-in timer or other extras. What it does add is confidence in the fit and sealing, which matters if you shoot in bad weather or with expensive glass. The sealing and magnesium build are the reasons to pay for it; the daily payoff is a camera that feels balanced in portrait orientation.

Canon's BG-R10 is the factory grip for the EOS R5 and EOS R6, and its main appeal is that there is no compatibility guesswork. It is designed for those two bodies and improves handling when you turn the camera to portrait orientation. The fit is the kind that makes the camera feel like a taller version of itself rather than an accessory.

We appreciate that Canon kept the brief simple. The grip adds height and a fuller hold for vertical shooting, and there is no adapter or workaround involved. There is no built-in timer or unusual extra here, and that is fine: the reason to buy it is the factory fit and the confidence that comes with it. If you already own an R5 or R6, this is the least fussy way to add a portrait grip.

The focus is the point: this is the cleanest answer when you want the factory fit. We recommend it for anyone who wants the camera to feel like a taller version of itself. The extra height is most useful with a heavy RF zoom, where the fuller hold takes pressure off your wrist.

The MB-D15 comes with two battery holders: one for an EN-EL15 and one for six AA batteries. That flexibility is the reason we keep it on the list for D7100 and D7200 shooters. The grip adds a portrait-orientation shutter release and command buttons, and it gives the camera a fuller handhold with longer lenses.

We were struck by how much the grip improves the balance of a D7100 or D7200 with a heavy lens. It holds an extra battery, so you can keep shooting when the body's pack runs down. The controls sit where your fingers expect them, and the AA holder is a useful fallback when you are away from a charger.

The value question is mixed. This is a factory Nikon grip, and it feels like one, but it costs more than the third-party alternatives. If you shoot portraits or long lenses regularly, the handling gain is worth it. If you only need more battery life, a spare EN-EL15 is the cheaper answer.

The MB-D18 is the most complete Nikon grip here: it gives the D850 a vertical shutter release, AE/AF lock, multi selector, and main and sub-command dials, and it can run from EN-EL15(a) or AA batteries. We like that the controls are the same ones you use horizontally, not a stripped-down set.

The big draw is power flexibility. With the supplied holders you can use EN-EL15(a) or AA batteries, and the grip feels solid on the D850 with a long lens. It lets you leave the body's battery out entirely. We were also impressed by how naturally the vertical controls fall under your fingers.

The catch is the price and the extra bulk. This is a premium accessory, and it makes an already substantial DSLR bigger. For anyone who works in portrait orientation or needs the extra capacity, that is a fair trade. If you only occasionally turn the camera sideways, a spare battery is the more sensible spend.

The MK-A9's built-in intervalometer is the reason to look at it instead of the cheaper Sony-mount grips. It can set delay, exposure time, interval, and number of shots, which turns the grip into a time-lapse tool as well as a portrait handle. It fits the A9, A7R III, and A7III and holds NP-FZ100 batteries.

We like that Meike did not just copy the grip shape and stop there. The rubberized finish feels good in the hand, and the vertical shutter and controls make portrait shooting more natural. The timer is the standout: it is the kind of feature you do not know you need until you are setting up a sunset sequence and do not want to tether a laptop.

The MK-A9 is not the most polished grip here. The controls are the area to check first, not because they fail, but because third-party button feel varies. If you want the simplest, most proven Sony-mount value pick, the Neewer is the safer default. If the intervalometer is the feature that solves your problem, the Meike earns its place.

If you have a Canon EOS R5, R5C, R6, or R6 II and want the BG-R10 layout without the factory price, the Hersmay is the obvious place to start. It holds up to two LP-E6, LP-E6NH, or LP-E6N batteries and gives you a vertical shutter, AF-ON, multi-function button, and main dial. It covers more bodies than the Canon BG-R10, including the R6 II and R5C.

The control set is the main reason to choose it over a bare battery holder. You can keep your hand in the same position when you rotate the camera, and the main dial and AF-ON button are where you expect them. The grip also provides a stable platform for portrait work, which matters with a heavy RF lens.

The catch is that this is a third-party accessory, so the long-term feel of the buttons and contacts is the thing to watch. Those are the compromises that come with the lower price. If you want the Canon badge and the factory warranty, the BG-R10 is the safer buy; if you want the wider body coverage, this is the more flexible option.

The flexibility is the reason it stays on the list even without the Canon badge. It is the only grip here that covers the R5C and R6 II under one model number, which matters if you move between bodies. That is the practical advantage that earns it a place.

The MB-D3100 is the budget route for Nikon's entry-level DSLRs: D3100, D3200, D3300, and D5300. It holds one or two EN-EL14 batteries, adds a vertical shutter with half-press, and gives the camera a taller grip for portrait orientation. The signal cable is included for the vertical shutter, and there is a tripod screw mount on the base.

We like that it brings the two things most people want from a grip—more battery capacity and a more comfortable vertical hold—without asking much. It gives your hand more room in portrait orientation, and the second battery is a real convenience on a day out. The grip also gives the camera a bit more to hold with a longer lens.

The battery tray is the weak spot: contacts can be fussy, and some units can lose connection if the batteries do not sit just right. That is the kind of thing to check before a shoot, not after. If you need a grip for occasional portraits and travel, it is a lot of value. If you shoot professionally or cannot risk a shutdown, spend more on the MB-D15 or carry a spare battery.

That caveat is why we rank it below the factory Nikon grips. If you already own two EN-EL14 packs, the value is especially clear; if not, factor in a second battery before you compare it with the MB-D15. The tripod mount means the grip can stay on the camera between setups, which is a small convenience that adds up.