Best Trail Cameras of 2023
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Regardless of how you use them, there’s no denying the benefit trail cameras give to big-game hunters. From the whitetail woods of the Midwest to the elk-rich Rockies, trail cams allow us to keep an eye on game 24/7, 365 days a year. Those with access to private land enjoy capturing high-resolution images and video of whitetail deer herds throughout the year. And improvements in camera technology have allowed these hunters to target specific bucks and track herd progress. Those who roam public dirt use trail cameras to flatten the learning curve—to quickly learn where game lives and how that game uses a given area.
This year there are still some standard SD-card models, but cellular trail cameras that deliver images instantly seem to be the current craze. In no particular order, here are the best trail cameras that will help hunters find—and tag—more bucks for seasons to come.
Best Overall: SpyPoint Link-S-Dark Cellular Trail Camera
Best Low Glo: Bushnell Prime Low Glow Trail Camera
Best Value: Stealth Cam Fusion Wireless Trail Camera
The Rest of the Best Trail Cameras
Moultrie Mobile Edge Trail Camera
Cuddeback CuddeLink Cell Cellular Trail Camera
Covert WC30-V and WC30-A Cellular Trail Camera
Browning Ridgeline Cellular Trail Camera
Stealth Cam DS4K MAX Infrared Camera
Black Gate Scouting Cameras R4K
Tactacam Reveal Cellular Trail Camera
Best Trail Cameras: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: SpyPoint Link-S-Dark Cellular Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.07 seconds
Detection Range: 100 ft.
Power: 8 AA batteries
Pros
Extremely fast trigger speed
Excellent detection range
Very long battery life with integrated solar panel
Cons
Very expensive
Yes, the SpyPoint Link-S-Dark will transfer your photos via cellular network and store them in SpyPoint’s free app, but that’s not the half of it. The most exciting feature is its battery life. An integrated solar panel and lithium battery work in concert to keep the Link-S-Dark running for months on end. After all, what good is a cellular camera if you’re walking into the woods to replace batteries every few weeks? It also has four flash settings, including Invisible No-Glow, to allow you to customize the current flash level to your liking. The Link-S-Dark has a .07-second trigger speed, a flash range of up to 80 feet, and a detection range of 100 feet.
Best Low Glo: Bushnell Prime Low Glow Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Detection Range: 100 ft.
Power: 6 AA batteries
Pros
Fast recovery rate
Mid-range price point
Good detection range
Cons
Defective battery trays reported
Bushnell knows trail cameras, and it’s Prime Low Glow is a shining example of the emphasis this manufacturer places on quality. This SD-card camera takes 1080p video at 30 fps while recording audio. It has a .3-second trigger that can be manipulated in intervals ranging from one second to a full 60 minutes—making the camera perfect for feeder watch as well as snapping images at well-used trail junctions. The menu was designed to be easy to use, and 36 low-glow LEDs combined with 24 megapixels provide images full of color and detail. The Prime Low Glow has a two-year warranty.
Best Value: Stealth Cam Fusion Wireless Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.4 seconds
Detection Range: 80 ft.
Power: 8 AA batteries
Pros
Affordable
Integrated Python lock latch
Good detection range
Quick trigger speed
Cons
Some users report poor customer service
Another update from Stealth Cam this year is for the Fusion. It’s now paired with the Command App, so users can bank on the transmission of clean images on multiple data plans to fit a wide range of budgets. Best of all, Stealth Cam can solve technical issues remotely, which should ease the anxiety that often comes with a cell cam purchase. Back on the Fusion are fan favorites like the Reflex Trigger Matrix Blur Reduction and Retina Low Light sensitivity.
Moultrie Mobile Edge Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.85 seconds
Detection Range: 80 feet
Power: 8 AA batteries
Pros
Easy to use
Affordable
Doesn’t require an SD card
Cons
Battery drains quickly
Moultrie Mobile is famous for its high quality trail cams—and the Moultrie Mobile Edge is no exception. At $100 a pop, the cellular trail camera is a great value for the money. It uses Auto Connect technology that automatically connects the camera to the strongest signal nearby, instead of relying on a singular cellular network. It also doesn’t require an SD card and has unlimited storage for all your photos and video recordings. We’ve tested and reviewed the Moultrie trail camera and like the superior picture quality (including night vision), easy setup, and feature-rich app. Our executive editor of commerce, Amanda Oliver, has two Edge cams on her property in Maryland and can attest to how well it works—she especially likes that the app automatically analyzes and identifies animal species (and notifies her when it spots something of interest, like a buck or coyote) and finds trends in animal activity based on time of day and location.
F&S’s Executive Editor, Amanda Oliver, has a Moultrie Mobile Edge trail cam on her property in northern Maryland.
Cuddeback CuddeLink Cell Cellular Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.25 seconds
Detection Range: 100 ft. flash range
Power: 4 D batteries
Pros
Links up to 24 cameras
Shoots images and videos
Three modes
Cons
Above average price point
From crank-and-wind film models to digital cams, to those that transport images to smart devices via a cellular network, trail cameras have evolved through the years. But the latest technology always comes at a price. This year, Cuddeback is looking to change that by making cell camera plans more affordable and easier to use. With CuddeLink, they’re allowing users to run two-dozen separate cameras on a $10-per-month plan that provides trail cam addicts with up to 750 images. Better yet, a plan with unlimited images can be had for $30 per month. New Gen 2 firmware gives users complete control over their network, and Home and Remote cameras can be changed from any web browser with ease.
Read Next: 13 Pro Tips For Getting Better Trail Camera Pictures
Covert WC30-V and WC30-A Cellular Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.2 seconds
Detection Range: 100 ft. flash range
Power: 12 AA batteries
Pros
Affordable
Long flash range
Captures both photos and videos
Cons
Some users report photos not showing up instantly
Ready to appeal to those on a budget is Covert’s WC30 wireless AT&T and Verizon models, the WC30-A and WC30-V. Each Boasts a number of features one would find in cameras with a higher price point including a solid trigger speed, high-resolution images, a 2.4-inch color viewing screen, and a flash that will capture game at a distance. These cameras should really be an asset for public land hunters. Measuring 5.7″ x 4.5″ x 3.2″ and fitted with a pipe-through security port, you can tote a number of them to off-the-beaten-path locales. Both cameras transmit high-resolution images and 720p videos to the Covert Web Portal and mobile app.
Browning Ridgeline Cellular Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.135 to 0.7 seconds
Detection Range: 80 ft.
Power: 16 AA batteries
Pros
Adjustable trigger speed
Good flash range
High-res images and videos
Cons
Expensive
The newest addition to Browning’s trusted Defender Wireless Series is the Ridgeline. The best thing about it: invisible IR nighttime flash. This cell cam was designed to provide users with crisp, clear nighttime images without a game-spooking strobe. The Ridgeline will work with AT&T and Verizon coverage, and, of course, amenities like adjustable trigger speed, rapid-fire images, multi-shot modes, programable picture delay, and the like make this camera worth a credit card swipe.
Stealth Cam DS4K MAX Infrared Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.2 seconds
Detection Range: 100 ft.
Power: 12 AA batteries
Pros
Records 4K in daytime
Integrated Python lock latch
Burst mode included
Cons
Only 1-year warranty
Getting a 2022 facelift is Stealth Cam’s popular DS4K MAX. Naturally, favored camera features like 4K video and a 100-foot flash detection range are back, but now users can enjoy the benefits of a 32-megapixel sensor. That’s enough resolution to not only count points, but the number of whiskers on a deer’s nose. The DS4K MAX is fitted with 42 No Glo IR flash emitters, and the technology-challenged crowd will appreciate the camera’s Quick-Set pre-programmed mode. Of course, numerous custom modes are offered, and burst modes can be set to snap between one and nine images. This trail camera runs on 12 AA batteries, and it also has an external power jack for a 12-volt battery box.
Black Gate Scouting Camera R4K
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Detection Range: 65 ft.
Power: 4-8 AA batteries
Pros
Very affordable
Quick trigger sped
Shoots photo and video
Password for access
Cons
Short detection range
While cellular cameras may be the current rave, there’s still a demand for quality digital trail cameras that require a card pull. Many states don’t allow cellular cam use—some just during hunting season and some not at all—and these kinds of cameras are more friendly to your bank account. Black Gate’s R4K gives users three shooting modes (photo, video and photo, and video). Trigger speed tests say the R4K has a .2- to .6-second snap time, and 45 IR LEDs help boost image clarity. It also has a wide detection zone that promises more deer captures. Finally, the camera’s 940NM No Glow Technology avoids spooking game, and setup struggles will be nil thanks to the LCD display screen.
Tactacam Reveal Cellular Trail Camera
Specs
Trigger Speed: N/A
Detection Range: 96 ft.
Power: 12 AA batteries
Pros
Good detection range
Can be used with SD card or with app
Low glow infrared helps not spook game at night
Cons
Expensive
This year Tactacam jumps into the trail-cam arena with a camera built for the masses. Hoping to appeal to those who prefer a walk in the woods to pull a card as well as the cellular crowd, the Reveal can be used as a standard SD-card camera or as a cellular camera through the Reveal App. Monthly plans for AT&T and Verizon users start at $5 per month, and the color LCD screen makes for an easy setup. The Reveal will snap 24-megapixel images of game at up to 96 feet, and adjustable night illumination allows users to get that just-right nighttime setting.
Best Trail Cameras: Final Thoughts
Best Overall: SpyPoint Link-S-Dark Cellular Trail Camera
Best Low Glo: Bushnell Prime Low Glow Trail Camera
Best Value: Stealth Cam Fusion Wireless Trail Camera
Moultrie Mobile Edge Trail Camera
Cuddeback CuddeLink Cell Cellular Trail Camera
Covert WC30-V and WC30-A Cellular Trail Camera
Browning Ridgeline Cellular Trail Camera
Stealth Cam DS4K MAX Infrared Camera
Black Gate Scouting Cameras R4K
Tactacam Reveal Cellular Trail Camera
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