Budget trail cameras don’t mean they are bad trail cameras. Successfully using trail cams is, in my mind, a numbers game. The more cameras you have scouting for you, the better chance you have of capturing a picture of that trophy buck. That means searching for a camera that combines a budget-minded price tag with consistent performance. 

Sound like an impossible dream? Sure, maybe a decade ago. But like anything involving technology, the longer companies tinker with cameras, the better they get at maximizing performance. Even better, more companies have entered the trail cam market, and competition almost always results in lower prices for consumers. In other words, we’re living in the golden age of trail cameras, with quality models less expensive than ever before. Here are some features to look for in the best budget trail cameras and what we evaluated when we picked the models below. 

How We Picked The Best Budget Trail Cameras

What do you shop for when looking for a budget trail camera? The same qualities you would look for in a more expensive model, but with realistic expectations. Sure, you may not get the tack-sharp pics or lightning-fast trigger speeds of a Cadillac camera, but you can still buy a perfectly serviceable camera at a price that will still let you take your family out for dinner once in a while (or, of course, have leftover money for other hunting gear). 

In addition to using trail cams on a year-round basis for scouting game, I’ve tested them for Field & Stream for several years. I’ve used cameras from most of the major manufacturers and hunt with several buddies who are also avid trail cam users; their input and feedback help me make good choices and informed opinions when selecting cameras.

Best Budget Trail Cameras: Reviews & Recommendations

Specs

• Trigger Speed: .4 seconds
• Detection Range: 70 feet
• Flash Range: 80 feet
• Flash Type: No-glow
• Camera: 42 MP

Pros

• Compact size
• Solid trigger speed
• Good detection ranges

Cons

• No-glow flash might affect night picture quality at longer ranges.

Perhaps the coolest thing about the 42i is its compatibility with Moultrie’s new “Moultrie Mobile” system (provided you add a modem), which links cameras together to send pics to your phone or tablet; in essence, you’re getting another wireless cam without paying the price. The trigger speed is very good for a budget camera, and with a compact size (3-1/4” X 3-1/2” X 2-½”), this unit can be strapped to smaller trees and still be nearly invisible to wildlife. With no-glow flash and its small size, it would be a good choice for a security camera. Moultrie also offers a two-year warranty. 

Best Cellular: SpyPoint Flex-S

Specs

• Trigger Speed: .3 seconds
• Detection Range: 100 feet
• Flash Range: 100 feet
• Flash Type: Passive motion sensor Infrared
• Camera: 36MP

Pros

• Integrated solar-panel charging
• Impressive 100ft detection range
• Multi-carrier Auto-connection
• Great photo resolution, 36MP

Cons

• Requires additional purchase of 8-AA or LIT-22 battery pack

The SpyPoint Flex-S cellular trail camera is a game-changer for both amateur and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. The standout feature is its cellular capability, allowing you to receive real-time photos and updates directly to your smartphone or laptop. The setup is surprisingly straightforward, and the connectivity is reliable even in remote areas, thanks to its dual-SIM and optimized antenna.

The camera automatically connects to the best coverage in the area, working on most common cellular networks. I found the image quality is crystal clear with 36MP, capturing sharp and vivid photos during the day and night, thanks to the four capture modes and built-in infrared LEDs.

I also appreciate the built-in lithium battery and integrated solar panel, which means fewer trips to swap out batteries. The camera’s durability is notable, with its rugged design standing up to the elements. While it’s a bit on the pricey side for a budget pick, the SpyPoint Flex-S delivers on its promises, providing convenience and minimizing hunting property disturbances. Overall, it’s an investment worth considering if you’re serious about remote real-time monitoring with minimum habitat disruption.

Specs

• Trigger Speed: .7 seconds
• Detection Range: 70 feet
• Flash Range: 80 feet
• Flash Type: Infrared
• Camera: 20 MP

Pros

• Solid trigger speed
• Lightweight and easy to mount
• Excellent warranty

Cons

For a camera you can buy for less than $100, the trigger speed on the Force-20 is very good, and the viewing window (used to set up the camera and view images in the field) is 1-½” for easy viewing. Three modes (pics, video, and time-lapse) add to the versatility of this camera, and 48 LEDs result in solid nighttime images for an IR camera.

One of the highlights of this particular cam is the Buck Tracker technology, which uses artificial intelligence to identify species and genders in your photos. This makes it a great choice for hunting, as you’ll get notified when a big buck crosses your camera’s path. SpyPoint cameras are also notoriously lightweight and easy to mount. They come with the company’s “know you’re covered warranty,” which is one of the best in the business. 

Specs

• Trigger Speed: 0.4 seconds
• Detection Range: 80 feet
• Flash Range: NA
• Flash Type: IR
• Camera: 4, 8,16-26 MP (adjustable)

Pros

• Good trigger speed
• Adjustable resolution
• Option for solar power

Cons

• IR flash will result in blurrier night pics

Stealthcam has been in the business long enough to know how to make a good camera at an attractive price. The Prevue 26 checks both boxes. I like the option to adjust the resolution (experience has taught me that lower is generally better, but it’s best to experiment and see what your camera likes best), and there’s a generous- and color-viewing screen in the back for in-field picture review. Finally, there’s the option of adding Stealth’s SOLPAK (not included), which runs the camera on solar power. While not cheap ($69.99), this option can save users a bunch of battery money in the long run (full disclosure; I typically spend around $300 on batteries per year). 

Specs

• Trigger Speed: 0.2 seconds
• Detection Range: 75 feet
• Flash Range: 110 feet
• Flash Type: No-glow
• Camera: 30 MP

Pros

• Blazing trigger speed
• Good detection range
• Excellent flash range

Cons

• Higher price tag for a budget model

I’ve not found a quicker trigger for the price, and the 4K video on the S-4K is tack sharp. Even better, the detection range for a no-glow model is almost unheard of. There are three preset modes for easy setup, but if you’re a camera geek (like me), you might want to mess with the advanced modes. Bushnell also offers a two-year limited warranty.

Specs

• Trigger Speed: 0.3-0.7 second (adjustable)
• Detection Range: 80 feet
• Flash Range: 100 feet
• Flash Type: Infrared
• Camera: 18 MP

Pros

• Very good trigger speed
• Nice video
• Small profile3 

Cons

• Upper end of the “budget” price point

Browning has been doing trail cams right for many years, and they carry that quality from their high-end models right down to more affordable ones. Their Strike Force series is particularly impressive; the adjustable trigger (which on the low end is super-fast for a budget cam) allows adjustment for areas where speed isn’t so critical (mineral licks or mock scrapes), which can save on battery life. Exceptional video on this model for the price and a very impressive detection range for a no-glow camera. The Strike Force HD Max also sports a very small profile (4-¼” X 3”) for such a big-performing camera. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Budget Trail Camera

The most important consideration when buying a camera is your budget. We all want high quality and top performance, but often that means spending more money than we have. We’ve tried to pick cams that represent a range of prices in the “budget” category, so choose the one your wallet can handle. Second, don’t be afraid to check out word-of-mouth experiences from folks who’ve tried the model you’re considering, especially when it comes to customer service. Experienced cam-users can save you a lot of head-scratching when it comes down to choosing the best model for you. Here are some other factors to consider.

Trigger Speed

The trigger speed of a trail camera is the elapsed time between a camera’s sensor detecting game and when it actually snaps a picture. Generally, the faster the speed, the better, especially when your camera setup is likely to capture a moving animal.

Detection Range

The camera’s detection range is the furthest distance at which a camera can detect an animal and trigger a picture in daylight conditions. As a rule of thumb, the greater the distance, the better, as the camera will simply detect more game.

Flash Range

Like detection distance, the flash range of a camera is the maximum distance at which the flash can illuminate the subject for a clean shot. This range can be affected by the type of flash the camera employs (see below).

Flash Type

Standard white flash is the only kind that shoots color at night and typically results in the sharpest pictures. But white flash is also the brightest and may spook game. Red-glow flash is less detectable by wildlife, but the pics are black and white. No-glow is nearly invisible to wildlife (and people, if you also use the camera for security purposes), but flash range and picture quality often take a hit. Deciding which is best depends on your intended use of the camera.

Megapixel (MP) Rating

It’s common for manufacturers to tout their high-megapixel cameras and for buyers to be wowed, as in “an 18MP camera is over four times better than a 4MP model.” Companies can tweak their camera’s resolution by an interpolation process, where the camera’s original megapixels are enhanced or multiplied by the camera’s software. Without getting uber-technical, this process impacts the clarity of the photos. Since manufacturers tout the megapixel rating, we’ll do it too. But fair warning; do some snooping to see examples of photos taken with the camera to get a true idea of image quality.

FAQs

Best Budget Trail Cameras: Final Thoughts

It’s important to remember that, at the end of the day, trail cams are electronic devices, like your computer or cellphone. This means you’re going to have problems or glitches from time to time, and this is true of even the companies that put quality first. So in my mind, customer service is critical. Check out the company’s warranty before purchasing so you’ll know what to expect if your camera fails or you’re having problems. Stick to this guide above and you’ll be sure to find the best budget trail camera for you. 

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.