13 Best Trail Cameras for Hunting: How to Choose the Right Game Camera

Updated March 2023

Trail cameras, also called game cameras, are extremely useful tools for scouting and acquiring intel on deer in your area. Trail cameras have become increasingly popular over the years because of the valuable information they provide. A trail camera can help to determine movement and activity of deer or other game in a given area prior to hunting it or to find out if a trophy animal is near. This information can save you tremendous amounts of time and energy if you learn a spot is not as productive as you originally thought, allowing you to pursue a better location to hunt. Trail cameras can also help you figure out times during the day when animal movement is the highest. With so many different trail cameras out there with their various features and purposes, this article was written to provide advice on what to consider when purchasing a trail camera, tips on using a trail camera and recommended trail cameras.

Recommended All-Purpose Trail Cameras

Trail Camera Basics

What a Trail Cameras Does – A trail camera is used to help hunters find out what game is in a certain area. Hunters use trail cameras to assist in scouting areas prior to hunting to determine what type, size and amount of wildlife frequent a given area. To do this, trail cameras are placed in specific locations where they offer the best chance of capturing an image of an animal moving through.

How a Trail Camera Works– A trail camera works by using an automatic sensor that is triggered by movement in front of the camera. Most trail cameras have sensors that can be triggered by movement anywhere from 50 to 100 feet. These images are then stored in the camera’s memory until checked by the user. Some trail cameras even have mobile 4G capability that allows for pictures to be sent instantly to a cell phone or computer. Trail cameras are usually strapped to a tree or post a few feet off of the ground to provide the best change of capturing an animal passing by.

Benefits for Hunting– Trail cameras provide a multitude of benefits for hunting purposes. One of the biggest benefits is that trail cameras help hunters to pattern deer movement. Gathering this data is crucial for getting into position on a trophy buck. By placing trail cameras in multiple locations, you can determine which areas have the most deer movement and set your stand accordingly. Alternatively, trail cameras can help to eliminate spots that are not worth your time to hunt because of deer scarcity. This can save you many long sits in a treestand or ground blind without seeing anything by using a trail camera.

How to Choose a Trail Camera and Things to Consider When Purchasing

Megapixels – A trail camera’s megapixels will determine the image quality. In general, the higher the megapixels, the clearer the photos will be. Most trail cameras have megapixels ranging from 6-20.

Field of Vision – Also called the detection zone, a camera’s field of vision is the area covered by the camera. A camera with a good field of vision will have good width and distance. This wider a field of vision, the better chance the camera will capture more photos of animals in the area.

Memory – Some cameras come with internal memory storage, but most use a removable SD card for larger storage capacity. Removable memory cards are convenient for quickly checking photos or downloading images to your phone. I use SanDisk memory cards in all my cameras and have never had a problem with them.

Battery Life – Most trail cameras are powered by AA batteries. This allows for quick and easy changing in the field. You should look at the battery life of a trail camera to make sure it is long enough where you won’t be changing batteries too frequently. Some cameras claim to offer up to an entire year of battery life on 8 AA batteries.

Shot Range – This refers to how far a camera’s sensor reaches. Most trail cameras will have a sensor that triggers the camera to take a photo out to about 50-100 feet. This number is important to know when deciding on a location to place your camera to avoid setting it out of range of where you anticipate animals to travel.

Size – Most trail cameras are relatively small and there are even some micro trail camera models available. Your trail camera should be concealed as much as possible so animals cannot see it. Most cameras come with straps or bungees for mounting to trees. The smaller the camera, the easier it will be to conceal.

Durability – A trail camera will spend a lot of time outside, in all weather conditions. You should always make sure a trail camera is waterproof for use in rain and snowy conditions. Some cameras are even rated for different temperatures and will perform better in freezing temperatures.

Features – Trail cameras can come with a variety of different features including video, 4G cellular capability, picture bursts, and infrared flash for night photos. You should consider what features you want and need depending on how you plan to use your camera.

Trigger Speed – Trigger speed refers to the amount of time it takes the camera to take a picture after the motion sensor is triggered. You want a camera with a quick trigger speed to reduce the chances of an animal leaving the frame before an image is captured.

Price – Trail camera prices vary in terms of features and quality. Some of the lower end trail cameras start around $50 whereas some of the higher end cameras get into the $400+ price range. It all depends on what features you are looking for, the quality of the product and the brand.

13 Best Trail Cameras for Hunting

1. Bushnell Trophy Cam – Bushnell’s Trophy Cam is one of the most popular trail cameras on the market. Hunters from all over have relied on the Trophy Cam for many reasons. This trail camera come in 16, 20 or 24 megapixel models and offers 720p and 1080p video for up to 30 seconds. The Trophy Cam data stamps each image to include the date, time, temperature, GPS coordinates and moon phase. This camera also has two scan windows for increased image capture for dusk and dawn movements. Also, the one year battery life of this camera makes it basically maintenance free. This is a great all around camera that provides all of your essential features including some additional ones.

Features:

LCD display
Low glow LED night vision flash
1.0 second Hyper Image Recovery
720p and 1080p video for up to 30 seconds

Specifications:

Megapixels: 16, 20 or 24
Range: 100 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: 1 year

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

2. Wildgame Innovations Terra Extreme 10 – The Terra Extreme 10 is a high quality trail camera that features a 10 megapixel camera with infrared technology. This camera also has the capability to record videos up to 30 seconds in 720p resolution. The Terra Extreme 10 accepts up to a 32GB SD card and runs on 8 AA batteries. This camera also take photos up to 60 feet away at night with its high-intensity LED infrared illumination. The time, date and moon phase are stamped on each image for helping you pattern that trophy buck. Another plus is that the Terra Extreme 10 can last up to a year without changing the batteries.

Features:

Water-resistant exterior for added durability
Two bungee cords included
60 ft. sensor
21 LED infrared lights

Specifications:

Megapixels: 10
Range: 60 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: Less than 1 second
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: 1 year

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

3. Moultrie M-50i – The M-50i trail camera by Moultrie is a versatile camera that provide crisp and clear high quality images and 1080p video. The M-50i has a fast 0.3 second trigger speed for almost instantaneous image capture. This paired with the invisible infrared LED flash can capture photos up to 80 feed away at night. This camera also has mobile capability that allows images to be sent directly to your phone. The M-50i runs on 8 AA batteries that can take up to 19,000 images before having to change batteries. The M-50i does just about everything you need and is a great option for those looking for a reliable trail camera with top notch capabilities.

Features:

1080p video with audio
Illumi-Night 2 sensor
Mobile capability
Backlit controls

Specifications:

Megapixels: 20
Range: 80 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: 1 year

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

4. Browning Strike Force – The Strike Force trail camera by Browning is a very simple and easy to use trail camera which is why it is so popular. This 16 megapixel camera features a 120 ft infrared LED flash for clear nighttime photos. Every photo taken with this camera is data stamped with the time, date, temperature and moon phase at that time. One key feature of this camera is the 0.8 second recovery time between pictures that allow for more pictures to be captured over a shorter period of time. Overall, the Browning Strike Force is a great option for those looking for a simple to use high performance trail camera.

Features:

720p video capability
Browning Zero Blur technology
Small compact design

Specifications:

Megapixels: 16
Range: 80 feet
Memory: Up to 512GB SDXC card
Trigger Speed: 0.4 seconds
Battery: 6 AA

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

5. Campark Trail Camera – The Campark trail camera is another popular camera that takes 14 megapixel photos and 1080p videos. What makes this camera unique is the 120 degree wide angle lens that allows for broader views in photos. The low glow infrared LED flash on this camera helps to capture clear views of wildlife at night without spooking animals. This camera also has a waterproof design that is made for use in all conditions. The Campark camera comes with straps for easily attaching to a tree. For the low price point of this camera, it is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget camera with all the features of a name brand trail camera.

Features:

3 passive infrared sensors for excellent night photos
1080p video
Waterproof sturdy design

Specifications:

Megapixels: 14
Range: 65 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Battery: 8 AA or DC 6V power source

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

6. Spypoint Link Micro – Spypoint is a very popular brand in the trail camera market that makes some of the best products out there. The Link Micro is a powerful little camera that is one of the smallest, most affordable and easiest to use cellular trail cameras on the market. This camera was designed for everyone who thought cellular trail cameras were too expensive and complicated. The Link micro comes equipped with a 10 megapixel camera with 4 LEDs that provide an 80 ft infrared flash for clear night photos. This camera is also compatible with Spypoint’s mobile and web app for photo viewing on a smartphone or computer. If you have been wanting to try a cellular camera, this is a great option at its low price point and numerous features.

Features:

4G capability
Smallest cellular trail camera on the market
Buck Tracker image recognition
Multi-shot and continuous modes

Specifications:

Megapixels: 10
Range: 80 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB Micro SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.5 seconds
Battery: 8 AA

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

7. Wildgame Innovations Terra Extreme 14 – The Terra Extreme 14 is another great camera by Wildgame Innovations. Wildgame Innovations is one of the leading manufacturers of game cameras and their Terra Extreme cameras are some of the best out there. The Terra Extreme 14 comes equipped with 21-high intensity IR LEDs that deliver 14 megapixel images and 720p HD videos. This camera is also equipped with a passive infrared sensor and an LCD screen that displays time, date, photo count, battery level and camera settings. The Terra Extreme 14 is a highly popular camera that comes at an affordable price with all the features you need.

Features:

Clear LCD display
Passive infrared sensor with up to a 65 ft. range
2 bungee cords included

Specifications:

Megapixels: 14
Range: 65 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: Less than 0.75 seconds
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: Up to 1 year or 30,000 photos

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

8. Reconyx HyperFire 2 – The Reconyx HyperFire 2 is a premium high performance trail camera and is one of the most reliable cameras available. Reconyx is known for producing some of the highest quality trail cameras on the market and their HyperFire 2 is one of their best-selling products. The NoGlow high output infrared night vision on this camera reaches out to 150 feet so you never miss a thing. The HyperFire 2 is equipped with an advanced image sensor that provides high definition images and videos. This camera takes some of the best nighttime images that are both crisp and clear with no graininess or blurring. This camera is also 100% waterproof for use in any environment.

Features:

720p video capability for up to 15 seconds
No glow high output covert infrared night vision up to 100 feet
Operating temperature of -20 to 120 degrees F

Specifications:

Megapixels: 3.1 (1080p HD)
Range: 60
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.25 seconds
Battery: 12 AA
Battery Life: Up to 40,000 photos

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

9. Stealth Cam G42NG – The Stealth Cam G42NG is a great all around trail camera that has premium camera features at an affordable price. Stealth Cam makes quality trail cameras and the G42NG is another great product from them. This camera features a solid 12 megapixel resolution with HD video recording capabilities and has infrared emitters for night photos. The G42NG doesn’t miss a thing with its 100ft image capture range and a quick trigger speed of less than a half of a second. This simple to use camera packs all of the powerful features of higher cost cameras at an affordable price. The G42NG also comes with a simple to use LCD display screen with push buttons. Setting up this camera is a breeze and has the ability to choose from different camera modes. The G42NG also data stamps all of your images with the time, date, moon phase and temperature.

Features:

5-180 seconds HD video recording with audio
42 black infrared emitters with up to 100ft range
External LCD status display screen
Durable weatherproof housing

Specifications:

Megapixels: 12
Range: 100 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.5 seconds
Battery: 8AA

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

10. Moultrie XA7000i Cellular Trail Camera – The XA7000i has become quite popular among hunters interested in cellular trail cameras. Moultrie has delivered another superior product with the release of its XA7000i. This field to phone camera is compatible with both Verizon or AT&T data plans in which images are sent and stored on the Moultrie mobile server where they can be viewed any time and any where. Users can even have the ability to change their camera settings completely remotely via Moultrie’s mobile app. The tough weather tight housing and heavy duty latch keep this camera dry in all conditions. The 20 megapixel resolution on the XA7000i delivers crisp clear photos with each shot.

Features:

80ft detection range with invisible flash
Ability to view images via Moultrie Mobile app
Illumi-Night sensors for clear nighttime images

Specifications:

Megapixels: 20
Range: 80 feet
Trigger Speed: 0.3 seconds
Battery: 12 AA
Battery Life: 3+ months

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

11. Wildgame Innovations Cloak Pro – The Cloak Pro from Wildgame Innovations is one of their best trail cameras yet. This camera is built to capture high-quality images and videos on an extremely easy to use platform. The backlit LCD display and buttons are simple to understand and make setting up this camera seamless. The Cloak Pro features Wildgame Innovations’ Adaptive Illumination Technology that automatically adjusts the amount of illumination based on the camera’s distance to a target, ensuring perfect exposure time. The quick trigger speed on the Cloak Pro means you won’t miss any quick passing shots. Overall, this camera is a solid choice for those who want high quality photos and video capability in a camera at an affordable price.

Features:

Silent Shield Technology
HD photos and 720p video capability up to 15 seconds
Backlit LCD display for easy viewing in low light
Energy efficient for long-term use

Specifications:

Megapixels: 16
Range: 75 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.75 seconds
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: 1 Year

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

12. Meidase Trail Camera – The Meidase wildlife camera is a great trail cameras for hunters that features both high quality photo and video combined with an easy to use 2.4 inch color LCD display. The TV remote style operation buttons make setting up and using this trail camera simple. The Meidase trail camera takes 1080p video and comes equipped with invisible infrared night vision for quality nighttime shots. The quick trigger speed and motion-activated sensor has a 120 degree detection angle that ensures you won’t miss a shot with this camera. The Meidase trail camera data stamps each image with the temperature, date, time and moon phase and is completely waterproof and built to withstand all weather conditions.

Features:

1080p video capability
No Glow night vision
2.4 inch color LCD screen
Waterproof design

Specifications:

Megapixels: 16
Range: 65 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.2 seconds
Battery: 8 AA
Battery Life: 6 months

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

13. Spartan HD GoCam Cellular Trail Camera – The Spartan HD GoCam is a premium cellular trail camera that sends pictures and videos directly to your phone. This camera comes ready to use right out of the box with an easy to understand menu. The HD GoCam features rapid image and video transmission with an infrared blackout flash that reaches up to 80 feet. When you hold this camera, you can tell it is quality. The GoCam has a strong latch coupled with a robust waterproof design that makes it able to withstand all of the elements. Spartan is one of the leading brands when it comes to cellular trail cameras. The HD GoCam is an excellent option for the serious hunter that wants instant updates from the woods.

Features:

Get photos and videos sent directly to your phone
Rapid image and video transmission technology
Convenient image access via mobile app or web portal
Class-leading image quality

Specifications:

Megapixels: 8
Range: 80 feet
Memory: Up to 32GB SD card
Trigger Speed: 0.6 seconds
Battery: 12 AA

Click here to view this trail camera on Amazon

Most Popular Trail Camera Brands

Wildgame Innovations – Wildgame Innovations has made a name for themselves in the trail camera industry with their highly functional, easy to use and affordable products. Hunter from all over trust Wildgame Innovations because of their quality products and reliability. You can’t go wrong with any of their trail cameras and can count on Wildgame Innovations for superior products.

Moultrie – Moultrie is known for their quality game feeders, deer attractants and food plot accessories. Their trail cameras are no exception. Moultrie trail cameras are quality products from a long-standing company in the outdoor industry.

Spypoint – Spypoint is most known for their cellular trail cameras that deliver instant photos and videos to your phone, tablet or computer. Spypoint cameras are highly regarded amongst many hunters because of their quality and durability.

Stealth Cam – Stealth Cam is another popular cellular trail camera company because of their quality products. Stealth Cam has been around for a while and have some of the most advanced cellular cameras. Some of their cameras even take 4K video!

Reconyx – Reconyx is one of, if not the best, trail camera company out there. Reconyx cameras are some of the priciest cameras available but for good reason. These cameras deliver some of the best photos and videos and are built solid. If you are looking for the best trail camera money can buy, a Reconyx might be your best bet.

Tips for Using a Trail Camera

Owner’s Manual – Read the user manual or instructions prior to using. It is helpful to become familiar with the functions and features of your trail camera so you can be sure you are using it correctly. Depending on which trail camera you choose, there may be some advanced functions that you are unaware of.

Practice in Your Backyard – When you first get a trail camera, make sure to test it out in your house or preferably your backyard. Try setting up the camera for a few days on a tree in your yard to make sure it is set properly and functioning the way you want. This will help you learn how each of the features work before setting up and leaving in the woods.

Camera Placement – The last thing you want is your trail camera to spook deer. A trail camera is best placed 3-5 feet off the ground. Most people usually strap cameras to the trunk of a medium diameter tree and conceal as much as possible with brush or branches. You want to set up a camera where you think deer will pass by it. Targeting highly used trails or travel corridors are good options. Make sure you don’t set your trail camera too close to a trail. Setting your camera 10-20 feet off of a trail will give you the best results without alerting wildlife.

Don’t Check to Frequently – The biggest mistakes hunters make when using a trail camera is checking it too frequently. It is best to leave your camera alone as much as possible. Many hunters have ruined spots due to alerting deer close to the start of a hunting season by checking their cameras too often. Each time you go check a camera, you leave behind your scent in an area that would have otherwise been untouched. Be patient and let your trail cameras sit, only checking them when needed. Also, make sure to use any scent control measures that you would during hunting season when checking cameras.

Get a Mobile Card Reader – When you do go to check your camera, you can either swap out your memory card with a new one and check the card on a computer at a later time. I prefer to bring a card reader with me so I can download the photos on the cameras directly to my phone, delete the photos on the card, and put the blank card back in the camera. The BoneView SD Card Reader is a great reader for downloading photos right to your iPhone. Another great photo viewing option is the Wildgame Innovations Trail Pad.

Prevent Theft – Unfortunately, trail cameras are often subject to theft. If you are using your camera on public land or even private land that is known to have trespassers, trail camera lock is generally a good safeguard. Some companies event make enclosed security boxes that cover the entire camera. It also helps to try to conceal your camera as much as possible. A camera that sticks out, is more likely to be seen and stolen.

Summary

As you can see, trail cameras play a useful role is scouting and gaining intel on the locations and movement patterns of animals. Trail cameras can help hunters learn a lot about their local deer herds and what areas they frequent. With all of the different trail cameras out there, you should now be able to decide which trail camera is best for you and your intended use. For more articles and buyer’s guides, please check out other articles on Bowhunting Depot!