Thousands of people, if not millions of them, go on a hunting trip every year. This is a fun activity for many, and for others, it becomes more of a profession. Whatever the reason why you want to delve into the forest and shoot some game, if you have some experience with hunting, then you already know just how patient you sometimes need to be in order to get some game out in front of you.
Luckily, as technology is evolving, you no longer have to lay down next to a tree, camouflaged, and waiting for some game to walk by. With today’s technology, the entire hunting game is becoming something more convenient and something that requests fewer patients from the one who is hunting game in the forest.
Many examples of technology that eases the entire operation can be mentioned – but today, we are going to take a good look at the top rated trail cameras.
A trail camera can be one of your best assets when you are out hunting, as this type of technology gives you a good overview of where your targets are hanging out, when they are at specific locations, and gives you an opportunity to develop a strategy that will yield more game for you to shoot, but also take up less of your time – this means you no longer need as much patience when you decide to opt for a trail camera.
| Key Features | Rating | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 20MP iNVISIBLE Infrared night vision flash 70ft flash range Trigger time: 0.5s 1080p video with sound SD Card slot up to 32GB | 3.7 | $$$ | |
 | 10MP Trigger time: 0.5s HD video with sound SD Card slot up to 32GB | n/a | $$ | |
 | 4MP Trigger time: 0.67s 100ft flash range HD video with sound | 4.1 | $$$ | |
 | 4MP LEDs invisible IR flash Trigger time: 1s 35ft flash range HD video | 3.4 | $$ | |
 | 12MP LEDs invisible IR flash 720p HD video 75ft flash range | 2.9 | $$$ | |
 | 12MP Black invisible IR LEDs flash Trigger time: 0.65s 1080p video with sound SD Card slot up to 32GB | 3.3 | $$$ | |
 | 8MP Black invisible IR LEDs flash Trigger time: 0.6s 720p video with sound SD Card slot up to 32GB | 3.8 | $$$ | |
 | 6MP 12 IR emitters flash 50ft flash range Unknown trigger time | 3.7 | $$ | |
 | 12MP 65ft flash range Trigger time: 0.7s 1080p video with sound SD Card slot up to 32GB | 3.4 | $$ | |
 | 5MP IR LED Infrared flash 50ft flash range SD Card slot up to 16GB Unknown trigger time | 3.5 | $$ |
Reviews of the Best Trail Cameras
When we first started to look at the trail cameras that are available right now, we were shocked to see just how many brands have made their own versions of these digital pieces of hunting equipment. No wonder people are often finding themselves in situations where they have no idea which camera they need to buy for best performance.
Luckily, we were able to filter out the weaker options that will only waste your money, and set up a list of the 10 best trail cameras that are available right now, in 2019, to not only make your game hunting sessions faster, but also much more convenient than they have ever been in the past.
1. Moultrie M-999I No Glow Game Camera
Let’s start with our favorite trail camera and the best one that we were able to find. The Moultrie M-999I No Glow Game Camera will fit into smaller budgets as the camera is available for under $200 and features an appropriate Mossy Oak Camo exterior, which ensures the camera can easily blend into the surroundings in the forest. The camera features a special iNVISIBLE Infrared technology, which is exclusive to the Moultrie brand, in order to capture clear images and video even in the dark – yes, and the camera does come with video recording capabilities.
- Shoots 20MP photographs for crystal clear details
- iNVISIBLE Infrared flash can offer night vision up to 70 feet
- The trigger speed is under half a second, which makes this an exceptionally fast camera
- The camera can record video in 1080p and includes a microphone
- Only one design available
- No details available on the maximum storage capacity supported by the camera
2. Stealth Cam G42 No-Glo Trail Game Camera STC-G42NG
- 10MP camera technology allows for high-quality photographs
- Extremely fast reflex trigger ensures the game is quickly captured once detected
- Burst mode can take up to nine photographs on each trigger
- Supports an SD card for storage (Maximum SD card capacity: 32GB)
- While the camera is good, the device could have included a higher resolution camera at its price
- No continuous video recording functionality
3. Browning Strike Force Sub Micro
No products found.The Browning Strike Force Sub Micro is an excellent all-around option as it is very compact in size, while also providing a camouflage that can generally blend in with a variety of environments. The product runs on AA batteries and features an exceptionally long battery life, ensuring the camera can be placed at the appropriate spots in the forest for a more significant period of time. This option is also more affordable than a lot of the competing trail cameras that you will find available and can be purchased in packages of one, five, six, or ten.
- Quality exterior design allows for better blending with surroundings
- HD videos can be recorded along with photographs
- Extended battery life for more convenience
- Comes with Browning Buck Watch software
- No significant discount provided when buying 10 of these cameras in bulk
- No details on the maximum support memory for SD cards
4. Primos Truth Cam 35
The Primos Truth Cam 35 is an excellent option if you are not too limited on your budget and you are willing to spend more than $200 on a device that will give you better overall performance. The only downside to this particular product is the weaker camera resolution, but it makes up for this drawback by offering High-Definition time-lapse functionality, along with the ability to record both video and sound with the camera.
- Excellent camouflage design on the exterior of the camera
- A 45-degree detection system that works with a PIR sensor
- Exceptionally good battery life
- Easily toggle between different modes
- Maximum camera resolution of 4MP
- Shorter LED range for night vision than most alternative options
- Trigger speed is longer than some cheaper options
5. Kodiak Trail Camera
No products found.The Kodiak Trail Camera focuses on being invisible to game that walks by the camera, while still being able to capture crystal-clear images of every buck, deer, or another animal that passes by. The camera offers high-quality photography capabilities, along with the ability to record high-quality videos. The camera can also be controlled and adjusted wirelessly, ensuring you do not have to go back to the spot where you mounted it to make simple adjustments.
- Built-in 12MP camera lens
- Records video in 720p
- High-quality built-in microphone for audio recording
- Wireless transmission of both videos and photos
- Built-in invisible IR system
- The manufacturer seems to be out of stock frequently
- Video recording only supports 720p
6. BestGuarded HD Waterproof Infrared Night Vision Trail Camera
No products found.The BestGuarded HD Waterproof Infrared Night Vision Trail Camera was built for the forest. This one also features an exceptionally well-crafted exterior design that ensures a flawless blend with the natural surroundings. The product is perfect for a variety of functions and comes with a quality lens that can record video and capture high-resolution photographs. The product also features a long capturing and detection distance and a fast trigger speed.
- Features a 12MP camera for high-quality photography
- Records video in 1080p with sound
- High-quality PIR motion detector fitted in the camera
- Can record up to 75 feet away from the camera
- Limited settings available for recording video when the motion detector is triggered
- No remote access features available
7. Bushnell 8MP Trophy Cam HD
The Bushnell 8MP Trophy Cam HD is one of the best options that you can opt for. The technologies used in this particular camera is often considered unsurpassed by most of the competitor trail cameras that you will find on the market, and the price of the product definitely shows it. The product does come with an exceptionally high-quality camera lens and can record video according to programmed settings. The Hybrid Capture Mode that comes built into the camera also offers more advanced tracking of the game in the wild than other camera sensors.
- Includes a high-quality camera that takes up to three images on each motion trigger
- Uses a unique Hybrid PIR sensor with a 60 feet flash distance
- PIR sensor can be adjusted manually
- Supports SD cards up to 32GB
- At way over $1,000, this camera only comes with an 8MP lens
- Video recording does not support 1080p
8. Stealth Cam PX12
- Can record video along with photographs
- Up to six photos can be taken at a time with burst mode
- Photographs include date and time stamp, as well as moon phase stamp
- Features an external LCD unit
- Only a 6.0MP camera, which means images will not be as good as with many of the other options that are available
- No details provided on trigger time
- Does not seem to record sound with video
9. Amcrest ATC-1201
The Amcrest ATC-1201 comes with an appropriate camouflage exterior, and a range of convenient internal features that will certainly make your hunt easier – all of these features are packed into one affordable trail camera. The camera includes an LCD display unit on the front of the system and features a quality camera lens for better photographs. Night vision features up to 65 feet capturing capabilities, and the automatic motion detecting system can be manually adjusted between three levels.
- 12MP camera ensures higher quality photographs
- 1080p video recording capabilities
- Supports up to 32GB SD card for storage
- High-quality PIR sensor with a 100-degree field-of-view
- Warranty of the camera is limited
- No details on whether a mic is installed in the camera
10. Moultrie Game Spy A-5 Gen 2 Trail Game Camera
No products found.
The last one on our list is another great option for those looking for a cheap way to get started with trail cameras. The product comes with a basic camera lens and can provide photographic functionality when it is dark outside. A burst mode option is also included in the camera to capture three consecutive photographs when motion is detected. The trail camera can also be used to record video instead of photos when triggered.
- Low Glow infrared camera especially developed for hunting purposes
- 50 feet flash range
- Uses high-quality IR LED infrared technology for night vision
- Can record video
- Very basic game camera with no special features
- Seems like the camera only supports 16GB SD Cards
- Fitted with a relatively poor quality 5MP camera
Buyers Guide to the Best Trail Camera
When you do a simple search for a trail or game camera, you will be quite surprised at how many of these products have already been released on the market. In reality, they really are not something new, but rather just a significant improvement on an older technique, thanks to the implementation of recent technological advancements.
Now, this is where a serious issue comes in. A lot of people will just choose a random trail camera in order to avoid wasting time when they see that there are hundreds of these products that they need to filter through to find one that suits their requirements.
This will most likely cause you to waste a lot of money. Instead, when you want to browse and filter through many of these products, take the following tips into account – they will speed up the process, while still making sure you do not buy a cheap and worthless trail camera.
Camera Quality
We would recommend starting with the camera quality – or, more specifically, the quality of the photos that the camera will take. For many people, a trail camera is not just about telling them when and where certain animals are located, but also to have amazing photos to show at the same time. Higher quality photos can also provide more detailed information on the location of certain animals.
Outdoor Functionality
Trail cameras are used in forests and the wild, locations where the game can be hunted. For this reason, it is always crucial to ensure the camera you wish to buy is resistant to rain (water) and other weather conditions that may develop while it is mounted to a tree.
Night-Time Photography
You do not only want to collect data during the day but most likely at night too. For this reason, ensure the camera you are planning to buy has a night vision feature. At the same time, look for a camera that uses infrared technology instead of a flash.
Battery Life
The battery life of the trail camera you are interested in is important too. The longer the battery life, the longer you can leave the camera mounted in the forest to collect valuable data for you on the habits of the game that you wish to hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trail cameras do I need to buy?
A lot of people who are only getting started with using trail cameras to assist in their hunting sessions are not sure if they should buy only one single camera, or rather opt for multiple ones.
Essentially, this is only a question you can answer. Consider how much your budget allows and how large an area you wish to collect data on. A single camera can only provide data on a limited area. When you put up more cameras along the trail, you’ll be able to gain data that is even more valuable, but this will cost you more.
Conclusion
When it comes to hunting, people no longer have to rely on the same strategies that were used a century ago. Today, technology comes to our aid and gives us the opportunity to make an investment in the future of our hunting opportunities. With some devices, you can greatly improve your rate of success every time you go out into the woods to hunt. When you grab one of these trail camera, for example, you get a chance to dive deeper into the whereabouts and habits of your prey, allowing you to know exactly when you need to be where for a successful shot.