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Best Trail Cameras

Updated October 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
SPYPOINT Flex-M Twin Pack Cellular Trail Cameras
SPYPOINT
Flex-M Twin Pack Cellular Trail Cameras
Most Comprehensive

This camera doesn't require a WiFi connection and is excellent for game tracking.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This camera doesn't require a WiFi connection and is excellent for game tracking.

Pros

It offers multiple modes, including photo, video, time-lapse, and time-lapse+. Time-lapse is excellent for interval photos, and time-lapse+ triggers the detection sensor alongside interval shots, which is ideal for monitoring a broad outdoor area. Users can access activation, personalized maps, and real-time weather updates through the smartphone app.

Cons

The battery life is mediocre at best.

Wildgame Innovations Terra Extreme Megapixel IR Trail Camera
Wildgame Innovations
Terra Extreme Megapixel IR Trail Camera
Bargain Pick

An affordable camera that performs well for the price, but figuring out how to use it can be a challenge.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

An affordable camera that performs well for the price, but figuring out how to use it can be a challenge.

Pros

An affordable but durable model that offers good picture quality for the price. Lightweight and energy-efficient. Detects movement up to 65 feet.

Cons

Has a learning curve to master its functions and the confusing owner's manual isn't very helpful.

Moultrie Edge Cellular Trail Camera
Moultrie
Edge Cellular Trail Camera
Most Versatile

An advanced camera that supports multiple nationwide networks.

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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

An advanced camera that supports multiple nationwide networks.

Pros

Auto Connect technology automatically connects to the strongest signals from nationwide networks, and the sensor captures sharp 33-megapixel pictures and HD 720p video with sound at any time, day or night. It offers unlimited cloud storage, and users can view and manage their captured content through the smartphone app.

Cons

Photos and videos are occasionally slow to come through the app.

GardePro A3 Trail Camera
GardePro
A3 Trail Camera
Customer Favorite

Trail camera includes features hunters want like great image quality, adequate storage, and wide-angle motion sensors.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Trail camera includes features hunters want like great image quality, adequate storage, and wide-angle motion sensors.

Pros

Night vision capabilities make this great for night or low light conditions. 20mp camera and 1080p HD video provide crisp, clear images and the motion sensor picks up movement in 3 detection zones. Can hold up to 128GB of footage with use of an SD card.

Cons

SD card and batteries not included with the purchase of this trail camera.

GardePro E6 Trail Camera
GardePro
E6 Trail Camera
Helpful Features

Multiple connectivity options and a high-megapixel sensor make this camera ideal for tracking deer and other wildlife.

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Helpful Features
Bottom Line

Multiple connectivity options and a high-megapixel sensor make this camera ideal for tracking deer and other wildlife.

Pros

It's compatible with Bluetooth and WiFi, and the GardePro mobile app lets users manage their photos and videos. Users can also monitor their cameras as long as they're within the supported wireless range, and the optical lens has a 110-degree view. The 940nm no-glow infrared technology delivers excellent night vision for up to 75 feet.

Cons

Some users report that it's necessary to be within 3-4 feet of the camera for a smartphone to connect.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
August 19, 2021
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
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Best trail cameras

Samantha Bookman
Written by Samantha Bookman

Updated October 2024

Trail cameras can make hunting and wildlife observation easier by giving you an extra set of eyes day or night. Often motion activated, these cameras come in different sizes and resolutions, so you can find one that will give you the views you need the most.

The best trail cameras offer high-quality images and rugged construction that can stand up to the elements. Other important features or capabilities to consider, especially for hunting wildlife, include infrared imaging for night use, trigger speed, recovery time, and the type of battery and memory the camera uses.

Since there are many different options to consider when buying a new trail camera, we have recommended a few of the best options for you to check out. This guide will educate you on the features you should consider before selecting a trail camera to take with you into the wild.

Treated properly, a trail camera will offer years of performance. It’s built to be rugged, with an outer case that resists water intrusion and cushions the camera if it falls off its mount.

What to look for when buying a trail camera

The basics

  • Weather resistance: If a trail camera can’t stand up to the elements of rain, snow, sun, and wind, all of its other features are useless.
  • Lens: A high-quality lens is essential to get clear, sharp, detailed pictures, whether day or night.
  • Megapixels: While the number of megapixels isn’t the single deciding factor in the quality of a trail camera’s images, look for cameras offering 10 megapixels and up.

Trigger speed

The interval between the time a deer or other wildlife comes into a trail camera’s field of view and when the camera’s shutter opens is critical.

It’s the difference between getting a great picture of a buck, antlers and all, or just his rear end as he leaves the detection zone.

Infrared flash

This is an important feature if you want to capture nighttime activity.Instead of a visible, bright white flash, an infrared flash is a burst of light on a wavelength that people and game can’t see. This prevents game from being spooked into avoiding the area.

Recovery time

Camera performance is about more than resolution.

In this part of our review, we look at the different images that each model produces, how they're captured, and the different flash types provided.

Memory

A trail camera should have enough memory to hold hundreds of pictures or several minutes of video (if the camera has that option).

Consider how long the camera will be in position, how difficult it will be to access the camera to retrieve images, and how frequently the camera will take pictures or video.

Battery

Batteries should have a long life.

They should also stay dependably charged even in challenging weather conditions.

Extra features that are worth the money

  • Security box: Expensive trail cameras can be targets for thieves.
  • Memory card: An SD or microSD memory card can add several gigabytes of storage to a trail camera and can be easily removed or replaced.
  • Video: A trail camera with video capability can enrich the viewing experience. With video, you can observe animals’ feeding and movement patterns.
  • Remote transfer: Cameras with 3G or 4G capability can send images to your smartphone, as long as there is cell reception in the placement area. While pricey, remote transfer saves on storage and means you don’t have to visit the placement area as frequently.
  • Onboard viewer: An LED/LCD viewscreen built into the camera lets you view images without having to offload to a computer or other device. However, viewing screens can increase the potential for moisture-related damage, adding another weather-sensitive component to the camera.
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Expert Tip
Dry the outside of the camera case before opening to prevent moisture from getting into the internal works.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips for getting great pictures with your trail camera

  • Don’t get frustrated if your first storage card is filled with pictures of an empty clearing or maybe a glimpse of a deer’s hindquarters. Just reposition the camera and adjust its sensor sensitivity.

  • If sensors are set too high, they can be triggered not just by creatures darting or flying by but by foliage or brush moving in the wind. If the camera is aimed at a spot with a lot of tall grasses or brush, lower its sensitivity. If it’s aimed at an open area, such as a wide clearing, set the sensitivity higher.

  • Detection range is an important factor in proper positioning. A camera with a sensor range of 80 feet isn’t going to pick up movement beyond that. An infrared flash range of 80 feet is not going to capture nighttime images beyond its limit, and game may not show up clearly when moving at the edge of the flash range.

  • When game enters the detection zone, the camera begins snapping photos or taking video. The zone’s size is indicated in degrees. A detection angle of 45° means the camera won’t be triggered until a subject walks into that cone-shaped 45° zone.

  • Set up your camera far enough from trails and feeding and watering areas that it won’t be easily detected.

  • For daylight pictures, avoid placing the camera at an angle where it will catch the sun’s glare.

  • Take note of the background. A dense tangle of brush or leaves can affect an image’s contrast, causing the finer features of an animal — such as a deer’s antlers — to blend into the background.

  • Blowing snow can block the lens and sensors, so research the prevailing wind direction of the area where you’re setting up. Adjust the camera’s position during winter months to reduce snow piling up on the lens.

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Testing trail cameras
We spent 42 hours researching 107 trail cameras before choosing our top picks. We then purchased our favorite model and tested it in our lab.
STAFF
BestReviews

How much should you pay for a trail camera?

There’s a large selection of trail cameras on the market today, ranging in price from $60 to $700.

Inexpensive

Low-budget models retail for $60 to $70. The lower the price, the fewer the features.

Quality and durability can be an issue with the lowest-priced cameras, too, though many are fine for those just starting out.

Mid-range

In the $100 to $200 range, you’ll find trail cameras with 1080p HD resolution and limited video capability of up to 60 seconds per trigger.

Placing a camera on a game trail? Set it at a 45° angle to the trail, rather than head on. Deer will be less likely to notice the camera, and it will give a wider field of view.

Staff
BestReviews

Expensive

At the high end, expect to pay between $300 and $700 for cellular-equipped, high-memory, top-resolution trail cameras with every extra feature.

Reduce the risk of a stolen trail camera by mounting it at least 10 feet high, above most adults’ viewing lines, and inside a sturdy security box.

FAQ

Q. Where is the best place to mount a trail camera?

A. Set up your trail camera in a relatively sheltered area, such as under the cover of a branch, where rainwater won’t fall on it directly. Position it away from straight-line wind if possible. Many owners build a camouflaged blind for their camera, using branches and leaves from trees or shrubs in the area. This hides the camera from game and people in the area. Just make sure not to cover the lens, sensor, or infrared flash.

Q. How often should I check on my trail camera?

A. Check on the camera regularly. Not only will you want to make sure it’s taking good pictures, but you’ll want to transfer those pictures to another storage device or computer to free up space. You can also make adjustments to its position and sensitivity settings, change the batteries if needed, and make sure the housing is clean and dry.

Q. Is it okay if water gets on my trail camera’s lens?

A. Water droplets on the outside of the camera are pretty much unavoidable; wind-driven rain or snow can impact any viewing device. However, moisture inside the camera housing can shorten the life of the entire camera.

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