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Wasabi Power Extended Battery for the GoPro HER07, HERO6, and HERO5 Black | Review

Wasabi Power has come out with a new extended battery for the GoPro HERO5 Black that they claim gives you up to 4 hours of recording time. I've been putting it to the test.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5 Black

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 4 weeks ago // Categories: Batteries & Charging
Tags: GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, Wasabi Power

This battery was originally released for the HERO5 Black, but it’s also compatible with the newer HERO7 Black and HERO6 Black models. It is not compatible with the HERO7 Silver and White models because their USB-C ports are in a slightly different position. It is not compatible with the HERO8 Black or HERO9 Black.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black
Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black
Check Price on Amazon
For a while now Wasabi Power has been making good-quality third-party batteries for GoPros and other cameras. I’ve used some of their GoPro replacement batteries in various models for a while, and I recently reviewed their clutch battery grip.

This extended battery is a 2500mAh extended battery that attaches directly to the camera’s USB-C port. It was originally developed for the HERO5 Black, but it will also work with the HERO6 Black and HERO7 Black. It won’t work with other GoPros, including the HERO5 Session or older HERO4 models.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5, HERO6, & HERO7 Black

There are two main parts to it: a dedicated frame housing and the battery itself. The box also includes a micro-USB cable, a GoPro bolt, and a GoPro extension adapter.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5, HERO6, & HERO7 Black

Two things are worth noting upfront. The first is that it’s not waterproof, at least not yet, and not as it’s currently sold in the basic bundle. That’s because to use it, you have to remove one of the camera’s doors to access the USB-C port.

But the folks behind Wasabi Power, at Blue Nook, are apparently developing a waterproof housing to enclose the camera and battery while attached. That housing is apparently still in testing and hasn’t been released yet at the time of writing. UPDATE: I can no longer find any mention of the waterproof housing, so I assume its development has been abandoned.

The second thing to note is that the extended battery covers the camera’s back screen. So you won’t be able to use the touchscreen for viewing or controlling with the battery installed.

Charging It

It charges like any other external battery—just connect with a USB cable to an AC adapter or powerbank. One slight quirk is that the battery uses a micro-USB plug for its charging port, not the USB-C plug that the camera itself uses. So you’ll need to make sure you have both a USB-C and a micro-USB cable with you.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5, HERO6, & HERO7 Black

On the left is the micro-USB socket used for charging the extended battery. The small rectangle to its right is a battery status indicator that uses 4 bars to display the level of charge in the battery (after you push a small button on the other end of the battery).

You can charge the battery while it’s mounted on the camera and in the frame housing—there’s a cutout for the charging port.

Using It

To attach the battery, you have to remove the side door of the GoPro. The doors are designed to clip off easily—and they do. They’re also easy to lose. You can buy replacement doors if need be, but they’re obscenely expensive for what they are.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5 Black

The USB-C plug on the extended battery has to go in the USB-C slot on the camera. For that to happen, you need to remove the cover door (just clip it off).

The battery then plugs in with its USB-C output plug. Technically, you could use it just like that, but the battery is only held in place with the USB-C plug, which isn’t very secure and risks damaging the socket on the camera.

That’s where the frame comes in. It’s a larger-than-usual one that is designed to wrap around the camera and the battery and hold them securely together. Putting it on is a little finicky. The frame is flexible, so it bends to let you put the camera in place. But when you bend it, it also feels as though it’s about to snap. I haven’t snapped it yet, but it feels like it might at any moment. Once the camera is inside, it all locks together nicely and feels solid.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5 Black

With the battery and frame installed.

There are cutouts in the frame for the camera’s buttons and microphones, and you can still access the back screen normally. There’s an extra cutout for the power button on the battery.

Size and Weight

One of the best things about GoPros is that they’re small and light. Adding the battery does impact that, although not by a huge amount.

Weight. The battery itself weighs 2.4 ounces (68 grams). The frame adds another 1.1 ounces (29 grams). For comparison, the camera itself, with an internal battery and memory card, weighs in at 4.2 ounces (118 grams).

So adding the external battery and frame, the whole package comes to 7.5 ounces (214 grams). As I said, it’s not a huge issue, but there are situations where that extra weight might matter.

Size. The battery wraps around one side and the back of the camera. Most of its bulk is out the back. When attached, it roughly doubles the depth of the main body (give or take; it’s actually a bit less than that) and adds a little to the right side of the camera as you’re facing the lens.

The main part of the battery’s body is 0.72 inches deep (18.3mm). The bit on the side adds 0.4 inches (10.7mm). Add the frame adds a little around the sides, but it’s pretty thin.

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5 Black

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO5 Black

From above you can see that it adds bulk to the back of the camera.

Real-World Performance

Wasabi Power claims that you’ll get 4 hours of recording from a fully-charged battery. The extended battery is rated at double the internal battery (2500mAh vs. the 1220mAh for the standard internal GoPro battery). How much actual use you get is determined by a number of different factors, including the recording mode you’re using, how much you’re using the back screen and wifi/Bluetooth connections, whether you’re using the GPS logging, and even the environmental temperature (lithium batteries work poorly in very cold temperatures). So it’s not really possible to give a definitive benchmark.

But as a point of reference, I ran a back-to-back test with and without the extended battery. I used a GoPro HERO5 Black recording HD1080 60fps video (without Protune) and an original GoPro internal battery. It ran for about 2 hours before the battery ran out (1 hr 55 min, more precisely). I then repeated the test with the external battery attached—same camera, same settings, same everything else. It ran for a total of 5 1/2 hours before both the external battery and the internal battery were depleted.

The mileage you get will vary by a number of factors and which functions and features you’re using, but in my experience, Wasabi Power’s claims for this battery are, if anything, rather conservative.

Miscellaneous Notes

While it’s mounted in the frame, you can’t access the camera’s battery or microSD slot or the camera’s ports. And, obviously, the USB-C port is being taken up, so you can’t use it for something else while the battery is attached. In addition, as I noted above, you can’t see or use the camera’s back screen with the extended battery attached.

If you’ve been using third-party batteries in your GoPro, you might have run into an issue in late-2016 when GoPro updated its firmware with an unannounced change that prevented third-party batteries from working. Since then, third-party manufacturers have come out with new models that work with the new firmware. Wasabi Power claims that this battery won’t be affected by firmware updates, presumably because, in terms of interfacing with the camera, it works just like any other external USB power source.

Wrap Up

If you need to use the camera’s back screen or if you need something waterproof, the Wasabi Power 2500mAh External Battery isn’t going to work for you. The waterproof aspect should be fixed at some point in the future with the release of a new waterproof housing designed to go over the whole package, but for now, I’m not aware of a release schedule for it.

If you need to use the back screen, Wasabi Power has another interesting option that’s worth a look: a clutch grip that has an integrated battery. It works with any of the GoPro models, not just the HERO5 Black, but it’s still not waterproof. I have a detailed write-up of it here.

Overall, I’ve found this external battery, which attaches directly to the camera, to work well. As a power source, it works as expected and adds significantly to the usable shooting time. When wrapped by the dedicated frame housing, it’s secure and solid, and while it does add bulk, it’s still a relatively compact package and easy to mount in most types of (dry) places you’d want to mount a GoPro.

Buy At

Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black
Wasabi Power 2500mAh Extended Battery for GoPro HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black
  • Boost your HERO6 or HERO5 runtime with 2500mAh of extra power
  • Get 4+ hours of recording time! Not affected by firmware updates
Check Price on Amazon

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2020-11-13 at 20:08. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 3, 2021

Categories: Batteries & Charging
Tags: GoPro HERO5 Black, GoPro HERO6 Black, GoPro HERO7 Black, Wasabi Power

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

Comments

  1. lee clarke says

    November 14, 2017 at 3:44 am

    any news on a UK release ?

    Reply
    • David says

      November 14, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      Good question, but I don’t know of any.

      Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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