The 15 best trail camera brands
Stealth Cam, Moultrie and Wildgame Innovations lead our ranking of 15 trail camera brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Trail Camera brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Stealth Cam
Budget-friendly 24MP models and cellular Fusion units make it a common pick for scouting.
Website: stealthcam.com |Brands like Stealth Cam
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Moultrie
Edge cellular cameras send photos over major carrier networks, which suits remote scouting spots.
Website: moultriemobile.com |Brands like Moultrie
Popularity 7.7/10
-
3
Wildgame Innovations
Long-range night vision and cellular options run through its hunting camera lines.
Top products: Terra Extreme· Wraith Lightsout
Website: wildgameinnovations.com |Brands like Wildgame Innovations
Popularity 7.5/10
-
4
SPYPOINT
Dual-SIM and GPS-equipped cellular cameras aimed at scouting over mobile data.
Top products: Flex-M Twin· Flex-M2 Twin· Flex-S Dark
Website: spypoint.com |Brands like SPYPOINT
Popularity 7.1/10
-
5
Tactacam
Live-streaming cellular cameras with solar options suit monitoring remote stands.
Top products: Reveal X 4.0· Reveal Pro 4.0
Website: tactacam.com |Brands like Tactacam
Popularity 6.3/10
-
6
Browning
Covert low-glow models sit alongside cellular units with wireless night vision.
Top products: Command Ops Elite· Dark Ops 14· Strike Force HD Pro X
Website: browning.com |Brands like Browning
Popularity 5.5/10
-
7
Hme Products
Looking for some excellent hunting gear? You're protected by HME. The pop-up ground blind line from Hunting Made Easy (HME) now includes a sizable, 3-person blind. The HME 3-person ground blind was designed to provide the functionality and amenities serious whitetail and turkey hunters desire. It offers plenty of space for several hunters who prefers a roomy blind for accommodating gear and making for a relaxing day out in the field.
Website: hmeproducts.com |Brands like Hme Products
Popularity 4.6/10
-
8
Cuddeback
Rugged cameras built for outdoor use, with cellular and solar accessories in the range.
Top products: Cuddelink IR· Genius
Website: cuddeback.com |Brands like Cuddeback
Popularity 4.0/10
-
9
Campark
Inexpensive 4K and mini cameras, including solar-powered units, sell in high volume.
Top products: TC15
Website: campark.net |Brands like Campark
Popularity 3.8/10
-
10
Bushnell
Core line of trail cameras, including camo no-glow models, sits beside its optics range.
Top products: Core DS-4K
Website: bushnelloptics.com |Brands like Bushnell
Popularity 2.6/10
-
11
Primos
Hunting-focused trail camera from a brand that mainly sells hunting accessories.
Top products: Invader
Website: primos.com |Brands like Primos
Popularity 1.6/10
-
12
RECONYX
Professional-grade wildlife cameras used by researchers and law enforcement, priced above typical hunting models.
Website: reconyx.com |Brands like RECONYX
Popularity 1.6/10
-
13
Tasco
Low-cost 10 to 12MP trail cameras with low-glow infrared, sold beside its optics range.
Top products: Field Trail Camera
Website: bushnelloutdoors.com |Brands like Tasco
Popularity 1.5/10
-
14
BRESSER
BRESSER makes telescopes, binoculars, microscopes and weather stations for astronomers, birdwatchers and home weather enthusiasts. The German optics firm began in 1967, and its range includes thermo hygrometers alongside telescopes. Its products cover observing the sky, looking at nature and...
Website: bresser.com |Brands like BRESSER
Popularity 1.0/10
-
15
SunTek
Trail cameras for hunters and wildlife watchers are made by SunTek, a company that also designs accessories for them. The cameras are built to be quick to set up and easy to use outdoors.
Website: suntek.gr |Brands like SunTek
Popularity 0.7/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth Cam | stealthcam.com | /stealthcam | v | – | – |
| Moultrie | moultriemobile.com | /MoultrieProducts | moultrieproducts | @moultrie | UCqQDJLRihw7dh_qNqiQFXQ |
| Wildgame Innovations | wildgameinnovations.com | /WildgameInnovations | wildgameinnovations | @WGInnovations | WGInnovations |
| SPYPOINT | spypoint.com | /SPYPOINT | spypointcamera | @spypointcamera | SpypointTrailCam |
| Tactacam | tactacam.com | /tactacam | tactacam | @tactacam | Tactacam |
| Browning | browning.com | /browningoutdoors | browningfirearms | @browningarms | Browningvideos |
| Hme Products | hmeproducts.com | /HmeProducts | v | – | – |
| Cuddeback | cuddeback.com | /CuddebackDigital | cuddebackdigital | @CuddebackTweets | CuddebackDigital |
| Campark | campark.net | – | – | – | – |
| Bushnell | bushnelloptics.com | – | – | – | – |
Trail Cameras Buying Guide
Trail cameras are a great tool for hunters, researchers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to observe wildlife or track game. With so many trail camera models on the market, it can be overwhelming to know which one to buy. In this guide, we'll go over some key features to consider when selecting a trail camera.
Resolution
One of the most important things to consider when buying a trail camera is the resolution. The higher the resolution, the clearer and more detailed the images will be. However, a high-resolution trail camera also means larger file sizes, which may fill up your SD cards faster. Here are the most common resolutions to choose from:
- 1 MP (640x480): This resolution is not recommended for capturing wildlife images.
- 3 MP (2048x1536): This resolution is a good starting point for most users.
- 5 MP (2560x1920): This resolution is good if you're planning on printing images.
- 10 MP (3840x2160): This resolution is great for capturing animals in motion and gets you more details from the images.
- 12 MP (4000x3000): This resolution is top-of-the-line and costly.
Trigger Speed
Another important factor to consider is trigger speed. A trail camera with a fast trigger speed will capture images quicker on target animals. A slow trigger speed could cost you images of the animals. Opt for a trail camera that has a quick trigger speed. Most current trail cameras provide a trigger speed of 0.2 seconds or less.
Flash Type
There are two types of flashes available on the market for trail cameras; Infrared (IR) flash and LED flash. Here is what to consider when choosing between the two:
- IR Flash: Unlike LED, an IR flash is invisible to the human eye, taking pictures without alarming wildlife. But, images taken with an IR trail camera typically appear in black and white and have an average distance range of around 50 feet.
- LED Flash: Most trail cameras use LED flash. Although it's visible, an LED flash trail camera comes in either white or red light. Most of these trail cameras come with a powerful flash that has a range up to 100 feet or more.
Recovery Time and Detection Range
Recovery time is the amount of time it takes the camera to be triggered and then reset to take another photo. Long recovery times can mean missing subsequent shots, so it's important to consider a trail camera with a fast recovery time of at least 1.0 second or less.
The detection range, meanwhile, is the distance that a trail camera will sense movement, which determines the size of an area or object to monitor. Choose a camera with a wide detection range depending on the scope of the area you want to monitor. Most models will feature an adjustable range +/- so you can dial in to the appropriate range for your desired area. Detection ranges range from 60-100 feet or higher.
Battery Life
Battery life is another crucial factor to consider when purchasing a trail camera. After all, you don't want to keep changing your camera’s batteries every other day. Most modern trail cameras use batteries cells while others use rechargeable battery packs or even solar power.
If you're using a trail camera frequently, having rechargeable batteries or solar capabilities may be more convenient and cost-effective. Otherwise, the combination of batteries is the most efficient and reliable source. The estimated battery life is generally displayed on the manufacturer's' specifications. However, those specs are aspirational at best.
Storage
When purchasing a trail camera, it's important to think about where you will store the images. This can either be on the camera's internal memory or on an SD card. The internal memory of the camera is usually quite limited, and that’s why an SD card is preferred. A good tip to remember is to get multiple high-capacity SD cards so that you do not have to keep returning to your camera to switch the cards out frequently.
Viewing Options
Most trail cameras allow you to view images directly on the camera, either with a built-in screen or via a hookup to a smartphone or computer. It's best to opt for a camera that includes a built-in screen to see what you're capturing while in the field.
Additionally, most modern cameras come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth compatibility allowing you to access your camera’s images from a remote location using your smartphone or tablet.
Durability and Weather Resistance
The last thing you'll want is for your trail camera to fail after it has been exposed to harsh environmental conditions. It's important to purchase a camera built with durability and weather resistance in mind. Most models come with weather-resistant materials and can endure temperatures as low as -20°F or as high as 120°F.
Also, remember to affix the camera securely with bungee cords or strap to prevent the camera from falling off. That way, the camera and the photographs and reading it captures will be safe.
Price
Price is the ultimate determining factor of what you can buy. The price of trail cameras varies depending on the brand, quality, and features included. A high-end model will have many more advanced features, making it more costly. A lesser-expensive model may have fewer features but get the job done for some nature enthusiasts. It's best to consider what you'll be using the camera for and selecting one that's suitable.
Conclusion
Buying a trail camera can be a difficult challenge, but it doesn't have to be. By considering some critical factors such as trigger speed, resolution, flash type, detection range, battery life, storage, viewing options, durability rough weather resistance, and price, you'll have enough information to decide on the right model to suit your needs.
