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What is the Best Trail Camera?
Trail cameras allow you to take photos of wild animals without being near them or disturbing them.
Also known as camera traps, trail cameras can be situated in wild settings and left to be activated when animals pass nearby.
There are a couple of reasons why you might want a trail camera. For instance, some wild animals are too sketchy for photographers to go near them.
Trail cameras also enable you to take photos of wild animals that are social during the wee hours.
Of course, trail cameras are rugged and weatherproof, so that the build can handle extreme temperatures, snowfall, and water.
Even if you have no interest in wild photography, trail cameras can also be used as outdoor security cameras.
This review has compiled a list of the five best trail cameras, including relatively affordable and high-end models.
Some even have 4G LTE, so whatever your budget, you should be able to get a proper trail camera for your needs.
| 5 Best Trail Camera | Image resolution | Video Resolution | Audio Recording | Display | Data Storage | Night Vision | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browning Defender | 20 Megapixels | Full HD (1080p) | Yes | Yes | SD Card, SDHC or SDXC | Yes (Infrared) | 1 pound |
| Bushnell Core Trail Camera | 30 Megapixels | Full HD (1080p) @60fps | Yes | Yes | SD Card or SDHC | Yes (Up to 80ft) | 1.2 pounds |
| Spypoint Link Micro 4G LTE | 10 Megapixels | N/A | No | No | Micro SD | No | 0.55 pounds |
| Spypoint Link-S 4G LTE Trail Camera | 20 Megapixels | 480p | Yes | Yes | SD Card or SDHC | Yes (Low-glow LEDs) | 3.87 pounds |
| Stealth Cam XV4X | 32 Megapixels | Full HD (1080p) | Yes | Yes | SD Card or SDHC | Yes (Infrared) | 1.04 pounds |
1. Browning Defender
Once you’ve slotted all sixteen batteries into the back of the Browning Defender, you can be confident that the power-hungry circuitry will last long.
In addition, this camera has a display with a menu and a 4-way menu button to help you set it up.
Video enthusiasts will appreciate this camera’s ability to monitor and record wildlife that keeps moving.
In addition, they will also appreciate the resolution in this unit compared to other devices in its price point.
Key Features Include
- Image resolution: 20 Megapixels
- Video Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
- Audio Recording: Yes
- Display: Yes
- Data Storage: SD Card, SDHC or SDXC
- Night Vision: Yes (Infrared)
- Weight: 1 pound
2. Bushnell Core Trail Camera
The clever touch in this trail camera from Bushnell is that it has dual sensors, one for daytime and the other for the night.
The daytime sensor prioritizes color and sharpness, while the night sensor prioritizes clear images and high-contrast clarity.
The Bushnell Core Trail is built to withstand inclement weather, and its No Glow LED bulbs won’t disturb wildlife.
In addition, it can capture images and videos in Full HD (1080p) at 60 fps thanks to its 30-megapixel sensor. This might be all you need in a trail camera.
Key Features Include
- Image resolution: 30 Megapixels
- Video Resolution: Full HD (1080p) @60fps
- Audio Recording: Yes
- Display: Yes
- Data Storage: SD Card or SDHC
- Night Vision: Yes (Up to 80ft)
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
3. Spypoint Link Micro 4G LTE
This little camera from Spypoint is a much simpler proposition than all other trail cameras on this list.
It doesn’t capture footage, just images at 10 Megapixels, but it has an impressive trigger response of 0.5 seconds.
You can also configure the Spypoint Link Micro 4G LTE to capture multiple images once its infrared system detects movement, allowing you to capture several images quickly.
Key Features Include
- Image resolution: 10 Megapixels
- Video Resolution: N/A
- Audio Recording: No
- Display: No
- Data Storage: 10 Megapixels
- Night Vision: No
- Weight: 0.55 Pounds
4. Spypoint Link-S 4G LTE Trail Camera
Standard trail cameras are okay if you want to check the captured footage in intervals or if you want to monitor your backyard. But what if you want to place them in a remote area where Wi-Fi connectivity is not good enough?
The answer is a camera that features cellular connectivity.
Cellular-ready trail cameras can beam footage and send alerts to your laptop, smartphone, or tablet, regardless of where you are.
One of the best cellular-ready trail cameras is the Spypoint Link-S 4G LTE, not only because it can beam footage to you but also because it’s solar-powered.
Key Features Include
- Image resolution: 20 Megapixels
- Video Resolution: 480p
- Audio Recording: Yes
- Display: Yes
- Data Storage: SD Card or SDHC
- Night Vision: Yes (Low-glow LEDs)
- Weight: 3.87 pounds
5. Stealth Cam XV4X
Buying a trail camera with superb resolution, such as Full HD (1080p) or 4K (2160p), makes sense if you’re looking for ultimate image quality for your wildlife photography.
The Stealth Cam XV4X resembles a piece of alien hardware, and it can capture footage in Full HD (1080p) during the day and at night.
In addition, it boasts a mind-boggling 32-megapixel image resolution and a trigger response of 0.4 seconds.
Key Features Include
- Image resolution: 32 Megapixels
- Video Resolution: Full HD (1080p)
- Audio Recording: Yes
- Display: Yes
- Data Storage: SD Card or SDHC
- Night Vision: Yes (Infrared)
- Weight: 1.04 pounds
Final Thought
All in all, trail cameras come in handy when you want to capture animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
All the trail cameras illustrated above are tried and tested for any environment, so it all comes down to your preference.
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