Vello BG-N16-2 Battery Grip for Nikon D5500 & D5600 DSLR Cameras

I forget how I deduced that this might work with the D3500. I know the battery itself for the D5600 & D3500 are the same, maybe the battery chamber itself or dimensions are also the same. The grip's overall design is different than grips I've used for D3200/D3300, so I wouldn't expect this to work with those. Maybe the D3400 though.Anyway, this works great as I theorized ! Solid feel, looks nice when attached. There is a nook to store your battery door, and, in addition to a standard tripod mount, even a connector point on the bottom for a strap or safety tether connector strap ala BlackRapid. I have not seen this feature before on other grips.Keeping in mind this product isn't marketed for the D3500, and there is no Nikon equivalent to this grip, the little connector cable that comes with this grip does not have a connection port on the D3500. Perhaps there is an adapter that could make this work, but I've never really gotten these external shutter buttons to work consistently anyway, if I don't lose the cable itself. So not a dealbreaker for me.For me, the fact that it makes the D3500 literally easier to grip plus double battery life using Nikon EN-EL14a's is a win. I have had trouble using 3rd party batteries with grips but not the Nikon brand.The tray that holds the two EN-EL14a's is a different design than I've seen in the past with grips for this series of camera. The tray slides in from the side like a Nikon tray rather than having a back door. I really like how the batteries snap into the tray, but this makes them not hot swappable. No access to the batteries once they're in. You either have the tray in there with power, or no tray no power. No back door to keep one battery in while you swap out the other.Finally, the included AA battery tray, to my absolute surprise, works great with the 6 Eneloop Pros I put in there. I imagine any other 6 identical AA batteries would also work with this. I have not used the AA tray with Nikon grips in the past, but I think I might for this, have it loaded and in my bag for backup.All in all, very satisfied, works great with the D3500, and would definitely purchase again. One of the best 3rd party trays I've used. Recommended!

My husband is a photographer. He really likes this and says that it increases the battery life significantly. I only gave it four stars because he also said that it’s quite heavy.

I don't know if this just the one I was sent but, it was only able to work when I used EN-EL14A batteries. Did NOT work with EN-EL14. when I used the 14 batteries, the camera (D5600) gave me a message to use only approved batteries. then it shut the camera off.So, check the batteries you have, or buy new ones that say they are EN-EL14A.