GoPro Rechargeable Battery (AJBAT-001) Review

Overview

The AJBAT-001 is GoPro’s official 1,220 mAh lithium-ion spare for the HERO5, HERO6 and HERO7 Black, the 2018 HERO, and the HERO8 Black. It is the pack that keeps older GoPros alive on multi-day trips. The trade-off is simple: 23 g buys 4.7 Wh, but that energy runs out in well under an hour and a half when the camera shoots high-bitrate 4K.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Weight	23 g
Capacity	1,220 mAh
Energy	4.7 Wh
Chemistry	Lithium-ion
Compatible cameras	HERO5 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO7 Black, HERO (2018), HERO8 Black
Predecessor part number	AABAT-001 (same capacity, cross-compatible)

Performance

Runtime depends far more on the camera and the recording mode than on the battery. Third-party testing compiled by Storyteller Tech puts the HERO6 Black at roughly 70 minutes of 4K60 and about 100 minutes at 1080p60. The HERO7 Black is hungrier: about 45 minutes at 4K60, and 85–90 minutes at 1080p60 or 720p240. In practical terms, one pack is a morning of intermittent clips. It is not a full day of continuous video.

The energy density is respectable for the category. At 4.7 Wh in 23 g, the pack carries about 0.2 Wh per gram. A pair of spares adds 46 g to a kit, less than a typical tent stake bag. Because the camera itself is the heavy item, spares are the cheapest way to extend a GoPro’s trail life.

Owners return to one theme: stay with genuine GoPro cells. Buyers on eBay and Best Buy describe aftermarket packs that fit but fail in use. One HERO6 owner reported cheap third-party batteries falling from 100% to zero within minutes, and nearly sold the camera before switching to the OEM pack. Another reported that three rounds of aftermarket batteries were worse than the ones being replaced. Best Buy’s 578 reviewers rate the pack 4.7 out of 5 and praise its reliability and its compatibility with GoPro’s multi-battery charger.

There are two recurring complaints. First, the small pull tab used to extract the battery can tear off. Two separate buyers reported this, and one had to pry the pack out of the camera. Treat the tab gently, or don’t rely on it to pull a snug pack. Second, GoPro’s later Enduro batteries were built specifically to improve cold-weather runtime, and GoPro claims that they dramatically outperform its standard packs at a battery temperature of 14°F (-10°C). The AJBAT-001 is a standard pack with no such design. In freezing conditions, expect shorter life, and keep spares in an inside pocket until they’re needed.

The 1,220 mAh family is also a legacy platform. Newer GoPros use different packs, such as the 1,720 mAh Enduro and the 2,150 mAh Enduro 2, and the AJBAT-001 will not fit those cameras. Anyone buying one of these should be committed to an older body.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 23 g for 4.7 Wh, a light way to add recording time
• One part number covers five camera models, from the HERO5 Black to the HERO8 Black
• Genuine cells avoid the rapid-drop failures owners describe with aftermarket packs
• Works with GoPro’s multi-battery charger, so several spares can charge together

Cons

• Runtime is short in 4K60: about 45 minutes in the HERO7 Black
• The pull tab can detach, which makes removal awkward
• Not designed for cold; GoPro’s Enduro packs address that, but they don’t fit these cameras
• Doesn’t fit current-generation GoPros

Who Should Buy This

Anyone still shooting with a HERO5, HERO6, HERO7 or HERO8 Black on section hikes, bikepacking trips or thru-hike stretches where a wall outlet is days away. A shooter who records short clips can run two or three spares through a week with a small power bank for recharging. Anyone planning winter trips with a GoPro should treat this pack as a fair-weather accessory and keep it warm. Hikers on a HERO9 or newer should look at the Enduro line instead, since this pack won’t fit.

Verdict

The AJBAT-001 is a sound, light, no-surprises spare for GoPro’s older Black cameras, and the genuine pack is worth the premium over aftermarket cells. It is held back by modest capacity, no cold-weather advantage, and a fragile pull tab. A solid buy for HERO5–8 owners; irrelevant to everyone else.