Even if your digital camera battery is working well, it is always convenient to have a spare on hand. Having an extra charged battery can allow you to keep shooting great photos or videos when your first battery runs out. It means you don’t have to stop to recharge anything, and you don’t need to find an outlet or battery source right away.

Whether you need a new camera battery or you just want to invest in a spare for your DSLR camera, video camera or mirrorless camera, begin shopping by prioritizing brand compatibility. Manufacturers usually design batteries specifically tailored to each camera model or a handful of models. So, you need to ensure the camera battery you choose will work with your camera.

Checking your camera’s user manual can help you make wise decisions about all kinds of essential camera accessories since it often includes compatibility specifications. Don’t forget to grab a camera adapter and camera charger to power up your batteries between uses.

First of all, the way you charge your battery has an impact on its lifespan. Avoid recharging it for longer than necessary. The heat from charging will slowly deteriorate a rechargeable camera battery’s materials, wearing down the battery life over time. So, you don’t want to leave your camera battery plugged in constantly when not using it. You simply want to plug it in until it reaches a full charge.

Batteries, including lithium-ion camera batteries, are also susceptible to cold. A lithium-ion camera battery, also known as a rechargeable li-on battery, will lose its charge much more quickly in cold conditions than in warm environments. For that reason, it is good to keep cameras and spare camera batteries close to your body for warmth if you are shooting photos or videos in winter or at night.

If you do need to recharge camera batteries in the field, keep a power bank on hand. You might also consider investing in a battery grip, which attaches to the bottom of your camera and acts as a secondary battery source. Additionally, a spare memory card, just like a spare battery, can allow for more photo-taking in a single session.