The best trail cameras serve as discreet guardians of the wilderness. Whether you’re monitoring game or observing local wildlife, both non-cellular and cellular trail cameras offer a subtle means to record images and videos of animal activities. Crafted to seamlessly blend into the natural surroundings, these cameras are robust, weather-resistant and engineered to withstand challenging weather conditions. Even if your intention isn’t to channel your inner Elmer Fudd for backyard wildlife watching, trail cameras also double as reliable home security devices.
The best trail cameras help you spot wildlife from afar.
You are watching: The Best Trail Cameras To Keep An Eye On Wildlife In 2023
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
In search of a trail camera for your property or preferred hunting grounds? Our team of gear experts compared dozens of models to bring you the best trail cameras you can buy today. Right now, the Bushnell Core DS No Glow Trail Camera is our top overall pick. But if you’re on the hunt for something different, we’ve also included budget-friendly options, trail cams that store information on a standard SD card and cellular trail cams that instantly deliver content to your phone, too. Read on to see them all. Or, if you’re not sure what trail camera you need, skip to our comprehensive guide on how to choose the best trail camera below.
With a solid foundation in outdoor equipment and a deep understanding of camera technology, we’ve meticulously curated a list of the best trail cameras that reflects our commitment to quality. Our team has tested, researched and written their way through hundreds of guides on camping essentials, including stories on the best binoculars and top headlamps. We understand that selecting the right trail camera is crucial, which is why we’ve compared the most critical specs between models, ensuring that your choice aligns perfectly with your needs.
We also update this article regularly to ensure it’s as current and accurate as possible. It was last updated in Septeber 2023 to name the Stealth Cam Deceptor No-Glo Trail Camera as the best night performance trail camera. We also added a section below to elaborate on how we chose the best trail cameras.
To compile this list of the best trail cameras, we first sought out the most reputable hunting, fishing and optics brands. After narrowing it down to the likes of Bushnell, Stealth and others, we then evaluated each model in aspects of photo and video resolution, night vision capabilities, battery life and power (what batteries does it use or is it powered by something else, like a solar panel?). To further hone in on the features buyers care about most, we compared our findings to customer reviews. You’ll find that every option on our list averages no less than 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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We then made sure to provide a variety of options for different budgets and needs. For example, since the Bushnell Core DS No Glow sports a near $200 price tag, we included more affordable options like the Campark T90 and Moultrie Micro-42i. Lastly, we checked that every trail camera on the list is in stock and available to purchase at online retailers like Amazon and Cabela’s.
Investing in a trail camera requires you to consider everything from image quality to battery life to storage capacity and beyond. Like most modern technology, there are hundreds of trail cameras on the market boasting nearly-identical specs, which makes the decision process all the more overwhelming. For that reason, we’ve identified the most important factors to consider when investing in a trail camera.
Image quality is an essential factor to consider when shopping for a trail camera. If photos or video come out grainy, blurry or discolored, odds are higher that you won’t know what you’re looking at, rendering your trail camera useless. When assessing image quality, you should consider the resolution, color accuracy and clarity of the images captured by the camera.
The detection range refers to the area in which the camera can detect motion. Consider the size and sensitivity of the detection zone to ensure that you capture all movements in the area of interest. If you’re setting up your trail camera in an open field, you’ll want a larger detection range that picks up animals in the distance.
The trigger speed is the time it takes for the camera to capture a photo or video after detecting motion. A camera with a fast trigger speed will ensure you don’t miss any animals, including those moving quickly through the frame. Generally speaking, you’ll want to look for trail cameras with trigger speeds of less than 0.5 seconds. Some high-end trail cameras, including units on this list, boast trigger speeds of 0.02 seconds.
The battery life of a trail camera will dictate how often you need to swap batteries or charge battery packs. Most trail cameras use very small amounts of power to ensure they keep working over the course of months or years, but you might consider investing in a solar-powered camera that has unlimited battery life if you live in a sunny environment.
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Storage capacity refers to the amount of data (photos and video) a trail camera can hold. Cameras with large storage capacities will capture more footage and reduce the likelihood that you’ll need to swap or clear memory cards.
Some trail cameras have wireless connectivity features that allow you to transfer images and video to your mobile device or computer, but others require you to remove internal storage cards and upload content to your phone or computer. You should consider a camera with wireless connectivity if you want quick, easy access to your footage.
Trail cameras are designed to withstand harsh weather, rough handling and the occasional run-in with wildlife. Most trail cameras are camouflaged and fortified, but take a look at the reviews if you’re concerned with a unit’s build quality and long-term durability.
Trail cameras use different types of flashes to capture images and videos, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The primary types of trail camera flashes are:
If a game camera and a trail camera sound like the same thing, that’s because they are. They’re interchangeable terms used to describe a camera primarily used for wildlife monitoring or scouting in outdoor environments.
Deer do not typically avoid trail cameras, but they can sometimes be cautious of or curious about these devices. Deer may notice the presence of a trail camera if it emits a visible flash or sound when taking photos, which could startle them. To minimize the chances of spooking deer, many trail cameras are designed with infrared or no-flash technology to capture images discreetly. Additionally, placing the camera at the right height, camouflaging it and minimizing human scent around the camera can help reduce the chances of deer reacting negatively to its presence.
Some states have banned or regulated trail cameras due to concerns about their potential impact on hunting ethics and wildlife disturbance. The use of trail cameras can be seen as giving hunters an unfair advantage or disrupting wildlife behavior, leading to these regulations.
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