11 Best Trail Cameras for 2022

The Stealth Cam DS4K was the first 4K no glow trail camera on the market and remains the best. It supports stunning 30MP still photos and has a fast trigger speed of 0.4 seconds. The flash range is an impressive 100ft.

Depending on whether you’re using it in the day or low-light/night, it switches automatically between two sensors. In the dark, it uses infrared for crisp and clear images. The other sensor is optimized for light, so you get improved color accuracy over one-sensor models. 

Regardless of the mode, the camera is completely silent and doesn’t emit light from its LEDs. For capturing wildlife undisturbed, this is what you want. 

Because of the wide-angle lens, you get an excellent field of view. You can sacrifice some of this with a tagline that includes the date, time, temperature, and moon phase.

You can choose modes to capture things effectively. Hybrid mode takes video and still images together. Burst mode snaps between two and nine images every time the sensors are triggered. You can also have fun with the time-lapse mode and set a specific period of time for the camera to be active. 

Flipping between modes is easy, thanks to a pre-set switch.

For storage, the DS4K Stealth camera accepts SD cards up to 32GB. It has an AV and USB output to save you from removing it. Battery life is great - it lasts over a year if you were to take an average of 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours. Even with lots of video, you can expect it to last several months. 

The design is all about durability, encasing the camera in sturdy plastic that can be locked. This protects it from drops and knocks. We also found it ok in moderate rain, though it doesn’t have an official IPX rating. This means it’s not certified for persistent water exposure and definitely can’t be submerged. 

Our only qualm is that despite the 4K, it only delivers 15 frames-per-second. The $299.99 price tag is also quite expensive without being a cellular remote trail cam.

The Rexing Woodlens H6 is an infrared trail cam with dual 4K/FHD cameras. While night footage is restricted to 1080p, it has a higher daytime FPS than the DS4K.

Both modes support audio recording and there is no outward sound when switching between modes, so animals aren’t startled. Photos are taken at up to 20MP via a CMOS digital photography lens. 

Using a 110-degree angle of view, infrared night vision can take images as quickly as 0.2 seconds. Subjects are captured up to 65ft away in impressive clarity. 

You can adjust the sensitivity settings, depending on the size of what you want to capture. We were able to get just shadows with the highest setting, so most people will want it a little lower.

Meanwhile, to record between a set time rather than whenever motion is detected, use the handy scheduler feature. This works for time-lapse photography, as well as standard video. 

The camera is particularly well-designed, sitting inside a closable case that protects it from the wind and rain. It can also be secured with a lock and password, so you don’t have to worry when you leave it in the wilderness.   

You need an SD card for storage and you do not have to remove it to view videos and photos on your TV, as it comes with an AV cable. You can also playback and make basic edits via a built-in 2.4-inch LCD screen and speaker. The system is easy to use.

If you’re looking for the best infrared trail camera, the Rexing Woodlens H6 is hard to ignore. Especially for capturing those night-time critters. You can find it for $259.99.

The Link-S by Spypoint can be accessed remotely by mobile. This is most easily done by using the accompanying trail camera app. Content is automatically uploaded to the cloud and you can set your mobile device to receive alerts. This way you know when there’s something new to download.

The camera itself connects via 4G/LTE, requires a sim card (comes with the cam) and a ‘photo transmission plan’. It is similar to a cell phone plan, accounting for connection to the network and data transmission.

The unlimited plan is $15 a month or the equivalent of $10 if you pay for a year upfront. 

Cellular trail cams are great if you are at a considerable distance from the camera. They’re also useful when you want to just leave the camera to do its thing over a long period. 

SD card is still the initial storage method and the Link-S supports up to 32GB. 

You don’t have to use the cellular feature, but we have listed better options if you don’t need it.  Here the quality is not as good as non-cellular trail cameras. 

You get 720p video and 12MP images. This is still perfectly acceptable for capturing game and wildlife, but nothing beats the detail of 4K and 30MP. 

The S-Link has a bunch of unique features on the iOS and Android app. The AI ‘buck tracker’ identifies antlers easily and filters out any excess images. You can manage multiple cameras, access maps, and check the weather.

Specs include a 100ft flash range and a superb 0.07-second trigger speed. This is one of the fastest on the market.

Another significant feature is the onboard rechargeable lithium battery. This is hooked up to a solar strip at the top of the device. It supplies charge and prolongs battery life when in direct sunlight.

Although this cell trail cam commands a more expensive price of $499.99, for those that benefit from the additional features, we think it’s worth it.

At 30 megapixels and 1080p, the Bushnell Core DS No Glow sure is a top-rated trail camera. Its dual sensors give a maximum quality in the light and above-average detail in the dark. 

There’s also zero light emitted during use, allowing it to hide in nature or used as a trail cam for security.

Video is recorded at full 1080p (60fps) with audio included. The contrast and quality are some of the best we’ve seen. You also don’t have to worry about missing anything. The sensors trigger in just 0.2 seconds. Only the Spypoint camera models beat this.

For storage, the No Glow takes a regular size SD Card. At 16GB, this works out to around 4,600 8MP pictures and over an hour’s worth of HD footage. Bushnell promises an average of 12 months battery life, although this depends on usage.

There’s a python cable lock and a slot for a slate river mount. You should have no trouble attaching it to trees and objects. Weatherproofing keeps the camera functional in the cold, heat, or rain. It’s also durable enough to withstand drops or bites and clawing from animals. 

At night you get an 80ft range, however, if you want to capture smaller animals the best performance is seen within 20ft. Their heat and movement will trigger the motion sensor.

One area needs improvement - the narrow field of view. At 34.9 degrees, other cameras do a better job. Nonetheless, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker. 

Overall, the Core DS No Glow has everything you need from a motion-activated camera if you’re not interested in 4K. You can pick it up for $219.99.

With a 0.4 second trigger speed, the Bushnell Core DS Low Glow provides smooth and clear HD footage at 60fps. It doesn’t matter if you favor the daytime or night-time sensors. You also get stunning 30MP still images at a trigger speed of 0.2 seconds.  

The only time things can look a bit iffy is at dawn or dusk. The sensors haven’t quite switched over, but this is common with most cameras of this kind.

As a low glow cam, it does not block the LED lights completely like the Core DS No Glow. Nonetheless, the effect is subdued enough that you are unlikely to scare away any deer. The camo-shaded shell stealthily attaches to trees to detect movement as far as 100ft. 

Compared to the average field of view, it doesn’t quite hit the mark at 34 degrees. Everything else is on point.

You can capture between one and five images per trigger event. Video clips run for up to 2 minutes at a time during the day and 15 seconds at night. 

Bushnell is known for its excellent detection sensitivity. The Low Glow is no different. You will rarely get slow detection. 

As always, battery life is great. Recording 20 videos every 24 hours would give you just shy of two months' juice. Relying just on photos would give you 60 every 24 hours for almost a year.

We liked the overall design. It’s robust and there is a flip open-color screen and control panel. At the bottom, you will find a pull-out tray to take 6x AA batteries. 

If the 4K options are out of your reach, you can purchase this low glow Bushnell trail cam for $199.99.

The $189.99 Stealth Cam G42NG is one of the best no flash trail cameras for those on a tighter budget. It lets you record in 720p HD and take photos at 10MP without emitting any light. 

The first thing you’ll notice after unboxing is its brick-like sturdiness. When it’s locked down it is durable enough to withstand most passive impacts. Don’t worry too much, though - it comes with brackets and a tree strap. 

Under the cover are a small backlit LCD screen and control buttons, while on the side you’ll find a micro USB port and SD Card slot. This supports up to 32GB for storage.

The battery tray requires eight AA batteries. These will last months if you use lithium rather than alkaline. Alternatively, a power jack lets you connect an external 12V battery box.

The single sensor’s detection rate is slightly lower than the pricier options on our list, but 0.5 seconds is not such a noticeable difference. It’s still a good wildlife cam. You will, however, notice a long second recovery rate, which is the wait time required between shots.

You can make three-minute long videos. Stills can be singular or in bursts of between two and nine images.

G42NG kicks it up a gear with the ‘multi-zone technology’. The camera can cover multiple angles and has a wider field of view. It also has a range of 100ft, so you can be sure all targets will be detected.

Likewise, it has excellent settings, allowing you to switch quickly between pre-sets if you’re in a hurry. By default, these are a single image, three image burst, or 10-second video. You can also use custom mode to get the most out of different settings.

Overall, the video quality is great and does not suffer the saturation of some cheap trail cameras. It can be switched between 480p and 720p. We only had a problem at night time, when the subject was very close to the camera. This produced a washed-out effect.

If you want a reliable trail camera that doesn’t put a dent in your pocket, the Prime Low Glow from Bushnell ticks all the boxes. At just $129.99, you get full 1080p video recording and rich 24MP images – only slightly less than the Bushnell Core DS range.

The responsive sensor automatically switches things over in low light, providing clear infrared imagery at night. You can set sensitivity to low, medium, high, or auto. The latter is acceptable in most cases but there’s enough of a spectrum if you’re not getting the desired results.

Thanks to low glow technology, the constant illumination from its 32 LEDs is not perceptible to most animals, making it perfect as an affordable hunting camera.

You’ll also be able to take images from far along the trail due to its 80ft flash range. Plus, you don’t have to worry about missing your target with a fast 0.3-second trigger speed and one-second recovery rate between shots.

You will find all the expected modes and options - from bursts of up to three images to recording five to 60 seconds of video per trigger event. The time between triggers can also be adjusted up to 60 minutes.

Field Scan gives you a time-lapse of intervals between one minute and one hour for as long as you want. You can even capture two different time-lapse windows. For example, you might wish to compare activity at dawn and dusk over two days.

Bushnell trail cameras always get it right with the design. The tough box-like casing keeps everything secure, yet easily unlocks to reveal the 5-way controls and LCD screen. But when closed, it is completely weatherproof.

At the bottom of the camera, you will find brass inserts for mounting and a slot to screw in a solar panel accessory. This will allow you to prolong battery life, though it will last several months with six AA batteries alone.

Storage comes in the form of SD Card, with up to 32GB supported.

We think the Bushnell Prime Low Glow is the best trail camera for the money. It’s perfect for hunting and monitoring, without the unnecessarily high specs.

Spypoint continues to dominate the trail cam market when it comes to trigger speed. The Solar Dark provides a class-leading 0.07 seconds between detection and images being taken. Even if an animal saw a flash, it is still quick enough to capture it. One of the best wildlife camera options.

Nonetheless, it employs no glow technology so there’s no perceivable light emitted from the camera. This is adjustable if you don’t really need it. We find adding a little glow will increase range at night. 

Furthermore, boost and blur reduction settings optimize the cam when monitoring the likes of pastures and food plots.

The Solar Dark uses solar power via an inbuilt panel at the top, which is bigger than the Link-S. It charges 8 AA batteries and significantly improves their life. You are unlikely to run out of charge in direct sunlight, especially if you use lithium batteries.

We found no fault with the picture quality, which is rich and detailed in the day thanks to the 12 megapixels. The infrared night camera is also good, producing clear images without noticeable washout. 

You can take one or a burst of up to six images at a time. Meanwhile, video with audio is recorded at full 1080p HD for up to 60 seconds. It comes with a time-lapse mode and you can set trigger intervals of up to 30 minutes.

The provided 16GB SD card stores content and the camera will support up to 32GBs, if you have your own. 

Design-wise, it is encased in chunky plastic to absorb shocks and bumps. It can cope with all outdoor weather conditions.

When you open the device, you’re treated to a nice built-in color screen that allows you to playback footage without transferring off your SD Card. This is alongside some simple but effective four-way buttons.

This solar trail camera is one of the best options if you want to prolong battery life without affecting performance. It’s available for a reasonable $199.99. 

The Strike Force Pro XD by Browning takes the absolute best quality images day or night via dual lenses. Because they are separately optimized you don’t get the same restrictions associated with single-lens cameras.

The result - notably sharper and contrasted photos at night, and color-rich photos in the day. You can thank the 24 megapixels and an infrared glow that adjusts automatically based on current conditions.

The camera gives off a red glow, yet it’s not exceptionally bright, making it a good deer camera. The 0.15 second trigger speed is one of the fastest on the market. You can also take eight photos in rapid succession, so the odds of getting a great shot are greatly improved.

Distance is also not a problem for this night vision trail cam. It sports an 80ft detection range and 120ft flash range.

On the video side, you get full 1080p HD and audio. Individual clips can run between five seconds and two minutes during the day. It’s a bit of a let-down that the maximum duration at night is just 20 seconds, however, when others can go 60 or more.

One area the Strike Force Pro stands out is its storage capacity. It supports SDXC memory cards, which offer a maximum capacity of 512GB. You probably won’t use all this unless you never transferred or deleted clips.

In the box, you’ll find a 32GB SD Card and six lithium AA batteries. The battery life is excellent and will last months under average usage. 

Little things like the all-steel tree mount bracket are a nice touch. It’s also fully encased in rugged camouflage plastic, which protects it from the elements and keeps it hidden from prying eyes. 

You will see four control buttons and a 1.5-inch color screen that supports direct playback from the storage card. 

At $189.99 it is a good value choice among our top-rated trail cameras.

At a low MSRP of $99.99, it’s still difficult to pick faults in Spypoint’s Force-20 infrared trail cameras. As the name hints, it delivers 20 megapixels, which is higher than some cameras twice the price. Users also get 720p HD video, with a high frame rate and a nice picture. 

The 48 LEDs used to illuminate its field of view are also higher than others. These are low glow, so despite the number, there is little perceptible light to scare animals. 

Infrared boost technology ensures a good range of up to 80ft and we were pleased with the clarity of night-time images. 

Setting up was easy with the backlit LCD screen and arrow controls, but it would be nice to view footage on the screen too.

We found only one downside - the 0.7 second trigger speed, but this will only cause blurring when an animal is traveling particularly fast. 

The multi-shot mode creates a good selection of images. It supports a maximum of six per trigger. You can take photos at intervals between 20 seconds and an hour with the time-lapse feature.

Video can record for up to one minute at a time and there’s also a continuous mode to keep the clips rolling. If you happen to use up all storage space, it will begin overwriting the oldest clips. 

Both footage and images can be stamped with the date, time, temperature, and moon phase.

Although there’s no official mention of resistance and weatherproofing, the sturdy shell is on the same level as others we reviewed. We didn’t experience any problems when using it in moderate rain.

As with most Spypoint cams, it supports SD Cards up to 32GB and comes with a 16GB card in the box. It also comes with a tree strap. 

Overall, this is our pick for best trail camera under $100.

Ranked by us as the best cheap trail camera, this 16MP waterproof model from Campark has a lot going for it. You can record videos in full 1080p or 720p and configure photo resolution down to 1MP.

All the expected modes are here, including time-lapse, burst, and trigger delay. You can also set the duration of video clips up to 60 seconds.

It detects shots within 0.3-0.5 seconds of entering the 65ft range. An impressive feat for a camera of this price when you factor in a wide 120-degree field of view.

They also won’t be stunned. While the camera isn’t fully no glow, the small red lighting is minimal.

It runs on just four AA batteries, which is less than the standard six. Campark claims it has eight months of standby time, so we can assume if used daily, the battery life is shorter than the average. It might not be the best pick for long-term remote monitoring but for a hunt, it shouldn’t be a problem.

When the device is sealed, waterproofing is rated IP56. Downpours won’t damage the components. A familiar plastic box build is strong enough to take the odd bump in the wilderness.  

We were surprised to find a 2-inch color LCD screen on such a small trail camera. It’s also usually the first thing to go on a lower-priced model. It allows easy review of videos and images without transferring.

One thing you should consider - an SD Card is not included in the box. You’ll have to purchase one separately at a maximum of 32GB.

Overall, image quality is good, especially during the day. Results are clear with accurate colors. At night performance drops off a little, so expect darker images than higher-priced competitors. 

The Campark trail camera is well worth it if you’re on a budget.