Gopro batteries have always been a huge subject in the GoPro world. Especially when Hero7 was first launched having proprietary battery firmware. At the time only the GoPro brand would function in Hero7 Black. This did eventually change in later firmware updates. Since then another example with Hero8 black, the camera is even more sensitive. If you use older Hero5,6 or 7 (all black versions) in Hero8 some higher frame rates and stabilization modes are not available. Some have said that this is GoPro forcing you to buy only from them. This is possibly true only they really know. What is a fact is that the Hero8 in high frame rates and stabilization modes require quick high power consumption. This is what the blue bottom version batteries deliver to your GoPro camera.

Third-party GoPro Batteries

I used to use these third-party batteries almost exclusively when I was using older Hero4 cameras. Ever since they started having the camera read what battery was in it, I have stayed with GoPro branded option. If you are super tech-savvy and interested in the microprocessor that does this Hypoxic has some very in-depth GoPro tear down articles to check out. In recent years since Hero8, I have chosen to not chance it in having a battery compatibility issue. Since this blue bottom battery change, I have stayed with GoPro branded option. Yes, a downside costing a few dollars more, but I have found it worth the extra cost.

I am not saying that third-party options are not fine to use. Two companies that have made Hero8 batteries (blue bottom batteries) with success are Vemico and Wasabi. I have heard from other users and on the Reddit GoPro forum that these companies have both made Hero8 versions that work great. Each of these third party manufacturers also offers triple battery chargers. I consider batteries as one of the key GoPro accessories to first get for new GoPro users. It is early we are only a few months or so into the launch of Hero9 Black and it’s the new larger battery. I’m positive there will some great options from these third-party companies for Hero9 batteries. Both Vemico and Wasabi now have GoPro Hero9 battery options.

With the new Hero9 GoPro introduced a new larger battery. GoPro increased the size of the battery from 1220 mAh to 1720 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Not only did the capacity to get a boost, but they have added some help in colder weather environments. I am not sure if this is something that was done to the battery itself or how than camera works with the battery. Once we are fully in winter I plan to test this further.