best trail cameras

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.

We evaluate different sizes and resolutions to determine how each trail camera stands up to the elements.

We test how easy a trail camera is to set up, how robust it is, and whether it is energy-efficient. These are things our readers want to know before making a purchase.

We assess trigger speed to determine how quickly a trail camera’s shutter opens and closes.

We test the basic features of trail cameras such as weather resistance and the quality of the lens.

We evaluate how much memory a trail camera has to determine how many photos and videos it can hold at one time.

Many trail cameras have infrared flash to prevent animals from getting spooked. This is an important feature for nighttime activity, which we explore in our research.

We test trail camera battery life to get an idea how long the camera can go before it must be refreshed.

Trail cameras cost as little as $60 and as much as $700. We research all price points to find the best trail cameras for all budgets.

Some trail cameras come with extra features such as a security box, memory card, or video capabilities. When an extra is offered, we test to determine whether it adds true value or is a nice-to-have feature.

Some trail cameras offer remote transferring so you can quickly send images from the camera to your smartphone. This is a great feature for ease of use, so we note it during our testing.

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.

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.

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.

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.