8 Best Off-Brand Camera Batteries (Safe Third-Party Options)

Photographers buy lots of backup camera batteries and charge them faithfully. But they can be pricey. This article will highlight the best third-party batteries for your camera brand. And we’ll answer concerns about buying third-party camera batteries.

The BM Premium LP-E6NH batteries are the best for Canon users. The BM Premium EN-EL15c batteries are best for Nikon users. And the Neewer NP-FZ100 batteries are best for Sony users. These are all safe, reliable, and save you some money!

What Are Third-Party Camera Batteries?

A third-party camera battery may also be called “off-brand” or “aftermarket.” It is a camera battery made by companies that did not create the original battery.

Each camera company makes a line of batteries to work with their cameras. Brands like Canon create their own “original” camera battery. And they’re called the Original Equipment Manufacturer or “OEM.”

Camera companies often upgrade their batteries to add more power. Or they use differently sized units in some product lines. That’s why using the correct counterpart is best to avoid compatibility problems.

The names of these aftermarket camera batteries are not catchy or memorable. They are numbers and letters that make sense only to the camera company. So always ensure you compare like with like when looking at compatibility and price.

Go to our FAQ section at the end for answers to all the most common questions about third-party camera batteries. These include any questions about the safety or effectiveness of off-brand camera batteries.

8 Best Third-Party Camera Batteries

There is a mind-boggling array of third-party batteries, so we can’t be exhaustive. Here are some of the best choices for the most popular camera makers. These include Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm.

And if you buy a third-party battery, don’t automatically assume there’s no warranty. Some companies stand behind products. For instance, BM Premium offers a one-year product warranty and safety guarantee!

The BM Premium version of the LP-E6NH is about a third of the cost of a Canon camera battery. Plus, they come in a two-pack with a charger. The company offers a one-year warranty and a safety guarantee.

Many photographers like BM Premium’s battery and rate it highly. Most users reported that these batteries functioned exactly like their Canon counterparts. This includes shooting at a high frame rate. They’re good quality and dependable.

BM Premium offers EN-EL15 batteries at half the cost of Nikon camera batteries. And you get two plus a dual battery charger. Both Nikon and BM Premium batteries have 2280 mAh. The BM retailer offers a safety guarantee and a one-year charger warranty.

Photographers like the product and rate it highly. But some users reported batteries faded faster than Nikon.

One user reported an issue with the batteries shutting down their camera. Another person told of a video recording error. But most photographers found that these batteries worked fine.

For the same price as one Sony NP-FZ100, you can get two Neewer NP-FZ100 batteries plus a charger. This one has the same capacity as Sony batteries.

Some photographers report error warnings with batteries from other companies, but not Neewer. It seems to work well, with many users rating it very well.

And customers seem to really like the accompanying charging unit. It’s lightweight and portable. Plus, you can charge it through your laptop, car, wall plug, or power bank.

Wasabi and FirstPower are similar in cost. Wasabi NP-W126 Wasabi batteries (with charger) have a higher capacity of 1400 mAh.

Some photographers report that they last as long as the brand name. Others found that they drain faster. But all in all, the battery seems to work fine with no camera errors.

A two-pack with a charger from Powerextra costs a little less than the BM Premium LP-E6NH. The batteries have a higher capacity of 2950 mAh compared to Canon batteries. Plus, they come with a USB port and cable for USB charging.

There are reports of the battery draining faster than Canon batteries. But reviewers seem happy, and many give it a high rating.

This battery supports high-speed shooting and stays cool during video recording. You may be unable to tell the difference between a Powerextra battery and one made by Canon.

Wasabi’s EN-EL15c batteries are even less expensive than the ones made by BM Premium. You get two batteries for about a third of the cost of ones made by Nikon.

It is slightly less powerful at 2000 mAh versus the 2280 mAh Nikon. But Wasabi offers a three-year warranty on this product.

Most photographers give the battery a decent review. But there are some concerning issues. Users found that it doesn’t hold a charge like OEM. Some reported communication errors with their camera.

Others who have used Wasabi products before had problems with this unit. But many feel these are worth the cost.

You can get two (or three) Powerextra batteries with a charger for two-thirds of the cost of a Sony battery. The capacity is higher than the original at 2500 mAh. Ratings are high for the battery. And lots of users give it a good rating.

But reviews are mixed. Some users report that they last as long as the brand name. Others find that it drains faster. But all in all, the battery seems to work fine with no camera errors.

An NP-W126 two-pack with a charger from FirstPower is less than half the cost of a Fujifilm brand battery. And the third-party batteries have a slightly higher capacity of 1500 mAh.

There seem to be no compatibility issues with the cameras. And they have the same power as Fujifilm batteries. But there have been some issues with the battery swelling. Users did appreciate the one-year warranty and the manufacturer’s responsiveness in addressing issues.

Third-Party Camera Batteries FAQs

Over the years, I have bought third-party camera batteries. And I have had good experiences with them. But other users report problems. So, are off-brand batteries safe to buy? Do they work? Are they worth it? Let’s find out!

We answer some frequently asked questions about aftermarket batteries. These will cover some pros and cons of off-brand batters.

Is It Safe to Use Third-Party Batteries for Cameras?

In general, yes, it’s okay to use off-brand batteries. Extreme problems are rare. Photographers use third-party batteries when supplies are low, and OEM batteries are unobtainable.

Some reviews of third-party batteries note worrisome problems. The most alarming is a battery making your camera explode! Here are some of the other worst-case scenarios:

• The camera does not recognize the battery
• Batteries swell over time or become hot
• Aftermarket batteries ruin cameras

Reports of these issues appear rare with aftermarket batteries from established companies. Most reviewers are okay with their choice. And their concerns are not super dramatic.

Are Third-Party Camera Batteries Good?

The general answer is yes. But it is impossible to generalize about quality. There is a wide array of companies that make aftermarket camera batteries. Some aftermarket batteries are better than others.

Why Should I Buy Aftermarket Batteries?

The most common reason to buy third-party batteries is the affordable price. A third-party camera battery costs less. And good replacement batteries are generally a quarter to half the cost of OEM batteries.

Camera manufacturers design OEM batteries. So they come at a premium cost. Buying even a few extra name-brand batteries may cost you hundreds of dollars. The Nikon Z battery released in 2022, the EN-EL18d, costs a whoppingly high price!

You are paying the extra price for peace of mind to some extent. Camera companies know that some photographers feel better buying the brand name. So the higher price is not necessarily because the product is better.

You may be unable to tell the difference between the brand name and the third-party battery. But in some instances, you may get what you pay for. So, it’s important to go with reputable third-party manufacturers.

Do Third-Party Batteries Last Long and Have the Same Power?

Users sometimes report that aftermarket batteries do not last as long as brand names. They may deplete faster when taking photos. Or they may have a shorter life span. Sometimes, this is expected. Third-party batteries do not necessarily give you the same capacity as their equivalent.

A battery may be compatible with your camera but not have the same specs. Take, for example, the milliampere-hour (mAh) for Nikon’s EN-EL15c and the Wasabi equivalent.

The brand name battery has 2280 mAh. The Wasabi has 2000 mAh. All other things equal, the higher number in the battery gives you more operating time.

Lower-powered batteries may not achieve your camera’s max frame rate (or burst mode). This is not necessarily a problem. Just don’t expect more than you are buying. But third-party batteries are not always less powerful than their original counterparts. Many good aftermarket batteries have more storage capacity.

Are Aftermarket Batteries Worth It?

Yes. Their affordable cost outweighs potential problems. Photographers aren’t worried about their digital cameras being damaged or blowing up. Most are concerned about the longevity of batteries and whether they are worth the price.

Users sometimes report issues, mainly involving camera batteries not remaining charged as long as the OEM ones. Or they have limited battery life in comparison.

Users are aware of the potential problems. But they’re willing to take the risk for a significant discount. Plus, problems can happen with any battery, including OEM batteries. For instance, Samsung recalled their Galaxy Note 7 phones after reports of batteries overheating.

Conclusion: Best Third-Party Camera Batteries

The worst feeling in the world is holding a camera with a dead battery. You might own the most expensive digital camera in the world, but it is useless without a battery. These are some of the best third-party camera batteries around. In the end, photographers want quality batteries that won’t disappoint them in the field.

As you can see, you can buy the best third-party batteries at half the cost of brand-name batteries. And they function as well or nearly as well as the originals. It’s worth getting 80% or more performance for 50% of the price!

Canon users should go for the BM Premium LP-E6NH batteries. Nikon users should buy BM Premium EN-EL15c batteries. And Sony users should buy Neewer NP-FZ100 batteries. These are all safe, reliable, and offer excellent value!