Comparing cheaper alternatives to the original

The original Canon BG-E8 is an extraordinary example of what to outrageously inflated prices Canon offers its accessories. No wonder that camera owners almost automatically look around for alternatives and there are also plenty of those.
Probably probably has only the original gumming with really identical look and perhaps the pressure points of the buttons are slightly better than it is the case with imitations. But the price ...

A battery grip has many advantages (edgewise Photography, weight shift, longer battery life, displacement of the battery as a heat source, AA batteries, etc.). But in this review do not want to go into it, but instead compare the products of different manufacturers.

The Meike Battery Grip will cost this country about 40 to 45, or about one-third of the original. The functionality is identical and also otherwise the replica differs only slightly from the original.
The rubber coating looks definitely different than that of the camera (see, my client images for a direct comparison), but only on closer examination clearly is. Otherwise, there are minor differences in printing (naturally manufacturer name etc.) and engravings (for example, there is the original BG-E8 engraved explanations of how the batteries must be inserted). The On / Off switch is a little "looser".
But in my view there is nothing really essential (!), Which would make the Meike Battery Grip noticeably worse than the original.
That is, if you get a reasonable processed model. In my case, unfortunately, the part on which the contacts for the camera sit from the beginning slightly wobbly and there were also occasional dropouts. But I think that's not a common problem, but rather an isolated case, so a Sunday piece. The return was in my case without any problems (on Amazon).

It is however even more favorable than the version of Meike (and of Phottix etc.). Namely, there is a version that I as NoName call because on the packaging no manufacturer's name is called. This battery grip costs here at Amazon to the 25, is thus again significantly cheaper.
Pro Battery Grip for Canon EOS 550D 600D / Rebel T2i T3i SLR cameras
The gum among others, this handle looks but pretty cheap. But if that does not matter, which can save a few euros here also again. The NoName-Battery Grip has absolutely the same functions.
Personally, I have therefore decided for this variant (review, there are also mine).

Note:
The batteries from other manufacturers often sold bundled with the battery grip I can recommend also quite. I have certainly not had any bad experiences.

Conclusion:
To buy the original, I consider personally as a waste of money to the window, but who can afford it will probably still want to pick up the original.
The BG-E8 by Meike (and Phottix etc.) is a good investment, even if one little attaches importance to the optics.
Who the optics is indifferent who should try out the NoName variant.
In any case, I recommend at the non-originals but a trader with good return policy.