Best Spare Battery for Canon EOS M1
The Canon EOS M1 remains a beloved compact mirrorless pioneer, but if you’ve owned one for more than a day, you know its biggest flaw: the battery life is notoriously brief. Rated for only about 230 shots, the original LP-E12 cell struggles to keep up with a full afternoon of street photography or video. After years of testing various power solutions for the M-series, I’ve found that the Canon LP-E12 Original is still the king of reliability, though several third-party challengers offer better value for high-volume shooters.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Spare Battery for Canon EOS M1: Detailed Reviews
Canon LP-E12 View on Amazon View on B&H
When you are shooting a once-in-a-lifetime event, the last thing you want is a battery that suddenly drops from two bars to zero. The genuine Canon LP-E12 is an 875mAh lithium-ion cell that offers the most consistent discharge curve I’ve ever seen for the EOS M1. Unlike some cheaper alternatives, this battery communicates perfectly with the camera’s internal firmware, ensuring your remaining shot count is always accurate. It handles temperature fluctuations exceptionally well; I’ve used these in freezing conditions where generic brands simply gave up. While the price is higher than the competition, you are paying for a sophisticated protection circuit that prevents overcharging and ensures longevity—it will likely last for years of charge cycles without swelling. It’s the “set it and forget it” choice for anyone who values peace of mind over saving a few dollars.
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Wasabi Power LP-E12 2-Pack View on Amazon View on B&H
Wasabi Power has been my go-to recommendation for third-party batteries for over a decade. This kit provides two batteries and a compact dual USB charger for less than the cost of a single Canon OEM battery. Each battery is rated at 1200mAh, and while real-world testing suggests they perform roughly equal to the Canon original (around 220-250 shots), having two of them essentially triples your shooting time. The USB charger is a massive upgrade over the wall-plug version because you can charge your spares from a power bank or car port while you’re on the move. I’ve noticed a slight “battery drop” where the indicator stays on full for a long time then drops quickly at the end, but for the price, it’s a negligible trade-off. This is the ultimate kit for travel vloggers using the EOS M1.
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BM Premium LP-E12 View on Amazon View on B&H
If you only pull your EOS M1 out for family birthdays or occasional weekend walks, you might not want to spend much on accessories. The BM Premium LP-E12 is the most affordable reliable option on the market. In my experience, these batteries deliver about 85-90% of the life of the Canon original, which is impressive given they are usually a fraction of the cost. They are fully decoded, meaning they won’t trigger any “non-genuine battery” warnings on your M1’s screen. The main limitation is their shelf life; if you leave them in a drawer for six months, they tend to lose their charge faster than a Canon or Wasabi cell. However, as an emergency backup tucked into the corner of your camera bag, they are unbeatable. They fit the compartment perfectly without any of the sticking issues found in some ultra-cheap white-label batteries.
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Powerextra 2-Pack with LCD Charger View on Amazon View on B&H
The Powerextra bundle stands out because of the intelligent charger included. While most chargers just have a red or green light, this one features a clear LCD screen that shows the exact percentage of charge for two batteries simultaneously. For an EOS M1 user, this is incredibly helpful for managing multiple cells during a long day of shooting. The batteries themselves are 1200mAh and provide excellent performance, easily matching the stamina of higher-priced competitors. I particularly like the textured finish on these batteries; they feel slightly more robust than the glossy plastics used by other budget brands. If you often find yourself wondering if a battery is at 40% or 90% before heading out, this kit solves that problem entirely. It’s a premium ecosystem for your M1 that makes power management much less of a guessing game.
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Kastar 3-Pack LP-E12 View on Amazon View on B&H
If you use your Canon EOS M1 for video or long timelapse sequences, you don’t just need one spare—you need a small army of them. Kastar offers a 3-pack of LP-E12 batteries that provides the highest “shots-per-dollar” ratio of any option on this list. While each individual battery might have roughly 15% less capacity than the OEM Canon version, having three of them gives you a massive reservoir of power. I have found Kastar batteries to be very reliable in terms of fit and finish; they don’t swell over time, which is a common fear with cheap lithium cells. They are a bit slower to charge than the Canon versions, but when you have three on rotation, that rarely matters. For anyone doing heavy-duty work with the M1, this volume-based approach is often the smartest way to ensure you never miss a shot.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose a Spare Battery for Canon EOS M1
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon LP-E12 | Maximum Reliability | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Wasabi Power 2-Pack | Travel & Value | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| BM Premium | Emergency Backup | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Powerextra LCD Kit | Tech Lovers | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Kastar 3-Pack | Video Shooters | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use third-party batteries in my Canon EOS M1?
Yes, the Canon EOS M1 is fully compatible with third-party LP-E12 batteries. As long as the battery is “decoded,” the camera will recognize it and display the battery life meter just like the original. While Canon recommends their own batteries for safety, reputable brands like Wasabi Power or Powerextra have been used safely by thousands of photographers without issue. Just avoid unbranded “no-name” batteries which may lack safety circuits.
How long does the LP-E12 battery take to charge?
Typically, a standard LP-E12 battery takes about 2 hours to charge from 0% to 100% using the original Canon wall charger. Third-party USB chargers may take slightly longer (2.5 to 3 hours) depending on the power output of the USB port you are using. If you are charging two batteries at once on a dual charger, ensure you are using a 2.1A wall adapter for the fastest possible speeds.
Why does my battery die faster in cold weather?
Lithium-ion batteries rely on chemical reactions to produce power, and cold temperatures slow these reactions down, increasing internal resistance. In freezing conditions, your EOS M1 might show a “low battery” warning even if it was just charged. To prevent this, keep your spare batteries in an inner pocket close to your body heat and only swap them into the camera when you are ready to shoot.
Is it safe to leave my batteries in the charger overnight?
Most modern chargers, including the original Canon LC-E12 and reputable third-party options, have “trickle charge” and auto-shutoff features that prevent overcharging. However, for maximum safety and battery health, it is always best practice to remove batteries once they reach 100%. Leaving them on a charger for days at a time can slowly degrade the chemical cells and reduce their overall lifespan over several years.
Can I charge my EOS M1 via the USB port?
Unfortunately, the original Canon EOS M1 does not support in-camera charging via its USB port. This is a common point of confusion for new mirrorless users. To charge your batteries, you must remove them from the camera and place them into an external charger. This is why having a spare battery is even more critical for M1 users compared to newer cameras that support USB-C charging.
Final Verdict
If you are a professional or a perfectionist, the Canon LP-E12 is the only way to go for the most accurate power readings. However, for 90% of EOS M1 users, the Wasabi Power 2-Pack is the smarter investment, giving you enough juice to shoot all day for a fraction of the cost. If you find yourself frequently recording video, consider the Kastar 3-Pack to ensure you never have to stop the action for a recharge.