There is perhaps nothing more exciting to outdoor enthusiasts than capturing rare footage of wildlife. While I’m sure that most of us would prefer to photograph these encounters ourselves, sometimes we’re just in the right place at the wrong time. Thankfully, we have tools that can capture these moments for us, without the need for us to be there in person. Wireless trail cameras use a variety of triggers and sensors to photograph the action as it happens.
Some of them actually transmit the images directly to your phone. There is no need to worry about a complicated setup process, either. All you need to do is place these cameras down and configure the triggers or timer, and you’re good to go. Let’s explore some of the best wireless trail camera options out there.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of 12 Best Wireless Trail Cameras in 2020
- Top 12 Best Wireless Trail Camera Reviews in 2020
- 1. Victure Trail Game Camera
- 2. Campark Hunting Game Camera
- 3. Spypoint Wireless Trail Camera
- 4. CreativeXP Cellular Trail Camera
- 5. Campark Mini Trail Camera
- 6. TOGUARD Upgraded Trail Camera
- 7. Moultrie Mobile XV7000i Cellular
- 8. Alpha Cam Premium Hunting
- 9. Moultrie Mobile XA7000i Cellular
- 10. Covert Scouting Wireless Trail Camera
- 11. Cuddeback Home Wireless Image Receiver
- 12. RINKMO Hunting Game Camera
- Trail Camera Buying Guide
- Important Terminology
- How to Choose the Right Wireless Trail Camera for You
- Final Thoughts
- Relevant Resources
Comparison of 12 Best Wireless Trail Cameras in 2020
IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Victure Trail Game Camera |
| Check Price |
![]() | Campark Trail Camera |
| Check Price |
![]() | Spypoint Link Micro |
| Check Price |
![]() | CreativeXP Cellular |
| Check Price |
![]() | Campark Mini Trail Camera |
| Check Price |
![]() | TOGUARD Trail Camera |
| Check Price |
![]() | Moultrie Mobile XV7000i Cellular |
| Check Price |
![]() | Alpha Cam Premium |
| Check Price |
![]() | Moultrie Mobile XA7000i Cellular |
| Check Price |
![]() | Covert Scouting Trail Camera |
| Check Price |
![]() | Cuddeback Image Receiver |
| Check Price |
![]() | RINKMO Trail Camera |
| Check Price |
Top 12 Best Wireless Trail Camera Reviews in 2020
1. Victure Trail Game Camera
Victure is a brand that keeps its focus on creating amazing user experiences, and their HC200 trail camera did not disappoint. They constantly update the parameters and performance of their products. The HC200 feels like the culmination of years of testing and research.
When first using this camera, I was stunned at the unbelievably high resolution of the photos that it captured, regardless of whether it was day or night. This is thanks to its automatic day and night sensor that adjusts aperture depending on the light level of the environment it’s placed in.
The night vision on this camera is some of the clearest I’ve ever come across, and it clearly shows the behavior of the animals it captures without disturbing them. The camouflage pattern on this camera allows for an added level of concealment, as it cleverly blends with nature.
In addition to some of the clearest visuals out there, the HC200 also provides 360° sound recording, which provides some amazing audio, as well. If you are looking to record videos, too, the HC200 has you covered. It is capable of recording in 1080p HD resolution in both the daytime and nighttime, so you can see all the action in crystal clear quality.
- Very high-resolution imagery
- Consistent quality regardless of light level
- High-quality night vision
- Excellent concealment
- High-quality audio
- No weatherproofing
- Motion sensor range is short
2. Campark Hunting Game Camera
The CamPark T80 features Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning that you are able to operate it via an app on your phone. All you need to do is download the app and connect with Wi-Fi.
Through this app, you are able to see whatever the camera sees and adjust various settings. Just keep in mind that this is not a webcam, and you will only be able to control it remotely if you are within range.
The T80 also provides some spectacular visuals, with a 20MP camera and 1269p video resolution. The night vision mode is also one of the clearest out there, as the 36 infrared LEDs capture the movements of nocturnal creatures without disturbing them.
It is not only great for monitoring wildlife, but it can also be used to monitor farms and homes. Plus, it can even be used as a way to track animals while hunting. Just keep in mind that you are only able to record videos of up to three minutes in length.
- Can be operated via phone app
- High-quality visuals
- Versatile uses
- Lightweight
- High-quality night vision
- Must be in close proximity to operate via phone
- No batteries or SD card included
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3. Spypoint Wireless Trail Camera
Besides the ultra-small design, the most appealing thing about the Spypoint Link-Micro is its affordability and cellular capability. It is very easy to set up and has a solid detection circuit, so it is unlikely that you will miss anything important.
It is a great choice if you are not looking for amazing overall performance, such as battery life and picture quality, because it still gets the job done effectively. The Link-Micro is a perfect entry-level camera.
As I said earlier, this is a very small trail camera and is almost half the size of most modern trail cameras on the market. Unfortunately, this means that it feels quite flimsy and cheap when handling it, and the latch feels like it could break if you open it too forcefully.
These things are to be expected from a camera with such a low price point, but it is still a great camera overall. Another bonus is that the Link-Micro comes with a couple of batteries and an SD card, which is more than what other companies provide.
- Easy to set up
- Very small and inconspicuous
- Very affordable
- Batteries and SD card included
- Cellular 4G photo transmission
- The design feels flimsy and cheap
- Lower-than-average image quality
4. CreativeXP Cellular Trail Camera
This cellular trail camera from CreativeXP is capable of sending real-time photos directly to your phone or via email to any of your devices. Most people refrain from buying the best wireless trail cameras because they fear setting it up incorrectly, but this device has one of the easiest setup processes on this list.
This camera can be used as a high-quality trail camera if you disable the cellular feature. There are few trail cameras out there that are capable of recording in 1080p and Full-HD videos that also have sound. The quality of night vision imagery is also very sharp thanks to its 56 black IR LEDs.
The motion sensor on this trail camera ranges as far as 65 feet. Plus, the photos that are downloaded from its SD card are often of a higher quality than those that are emailed or sent to your phone, which is not something that I was expecting.
The main selling point of the CreativeXP trail camera is its ease of use and how easily it can be set up. While it does have a battery life that is only average, you can increase it by turning off half of the infrared LEDs or decreasing PIR sensitivity.
- Very easy setup process
- Photos can be received via phone or email
- High-quality videos and sound
- IR LEDs do not glow or attract attention
- Durable build
- Average battery life
- Short-range daytime sensor
5. Campark Mini Trail Camera
If there’s one word I’d use to describe the CamPark Mini, it would be ‘cute.’ As the name suggests, this is essentially a miniature trail camera, with dimensions of 70mm x 105mm x 40mm. The CamPark Mini is perfect for placing in tight spaces to observe nocturnal creatures or just smaller animals, in general.
It is also completely waterproof and dustproof, meaning that it can withstand most weather conditions without taking any damage. With a half-second trigger time, every movement that this camera detects will be recorded in real-time.
Additionally, the pictures and videos that it records are in 1080p, thanks to its 12MP camera that provides crystal clear imagery. The small design of this camera makes it not only easier to transport but allows for more concealment, meaning it will go undetected by the wildlife around it.
- HD videos and images
- Compact design
- Fully weatherproof
- Half-second trigger time
- 120° night vision
- Fragile lenses
- Drains battery life faster than average
6. TOGUARD Upgraded Trail Camera
Another Wi-Fi capable trail camera, this device from TOGUARD connects to your phone via an app. This lets you adjust the camera’s settings and also see what the camera sees in real-time.
Just keep in mind that the remote control capability is limited by range. The TOGUARD wireless trail camera captures photos and videos in 1296p HD resolution, which is one of the highest resolutions available in best wireless trail cameras.
The night vision mode also makes use of Low-Glow technology so that wildlife is not disturbed at night. Unfortunately, there is no SD card included with this camera, but you do receive a variety of other accessories, like a threaded tripod, a mounting bolt, and a USB cable.
- Able to connect to your phone
- Very high-resolution imagery
- Effective waterproofing
- Non-disruptive infrared LEDs
- Several accessories included
- No SD card included
- Limited connection range
7. Moultrie Mobile XV7000i Cellular
The Moultrie Mobile XV7000i allows you to instantly receive images and videos straight to your phone via the Moultrie mobile app. The XV7000i shares all of the same features as Moultrie’s XA7000i – the only difference is in the cellular networks they connect with. The former is connected by Verizon, while the latter is connected by AT&T.
Like the XA7000i, the XV7000i boasts one of the longest battery lives of all the trail cameras out there, with a whopping 3+ months of life on just twelve AA batteries. These batteries not only power the camera itself, but a built-in cellular modem as well, meaning that it will still be functional even when you are not there to check on it.
It also takes some very high-quality night images, which is important for capturing some of the more rare moments in nature. This is thanks to its ILLUMI-NIGHT 2 Sensor, which is specially designed to provide the clearest and brightest night time images possible.
- Extra-long battery life
- Can view images via the mobile app
- Long connectivity distance
- Silent night time cameras
- 3-second trigger speed
- Not compatible with large SD cards
- Cellular connection is flimsy
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8. Alpha Cam Premium Hunting
The AlphaCam Premium Trail Camera provides daytime images in full-color thanks to its 30MP camera. Additionally, videos that this camera captures are compressed to ensure that their quality is as high as possible.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of this camera is its whopping 0.2-second trigger speed, as well as its one-second recovery rate. This allows you to capture even the quickest of encounters in HD.
The Alpha Cam trail camera also boasts an impressive 100-foot flash distance when in night vision mode. Meanwhile, the long-distance motion sensor detects movement from up to 90 feet away.
- 30MP camera
- Compressed videos to maintain quality
- 2-second trigger speed
- One second recovery rate
- 30-month battery life in standby mode
- On/off switch can be challenging to use
- No door to keep batteries in place
9. Moultrie Mobile XA7000i Cellular
The XA7000i is a combination of the reliability and quality that many outdoor enthusiasts have become accustomed to when using Moultrie trail cameras.
The mobile technology of this camera allows you to connect it to your phone to view images in real-time. The XA7000i boasts an 80-foot range of detection, as well as a 0.3-second trigger speed and video resolutions of 1080p.
All of these features run on 12 AA batteries and can last for over three months. This best wireless trail camera also lets you create custom tags for certain animals that you are monitoring so that you can easily view the photos later.
- Mobile app connectivity
- Can view images and videos from any distance
- Data can be purchased through Moultrie
- Very long battery life
- Special night-time sensors to avoid disturbing wildlife
- Camera shuts down when there is no cell service
- Complicated setup
10. Covert Scouting Wireless Trail Camera
The 5472 from Covert Scouting lets you view the images and videos that it captures on your phone, without the need to retrieve them directly from the device. Anything that this camera captures will be automatically sent to your phone to be viewed whenever you see fit.
It features a 0.7-second trigger time and makes no sound when capturing images, thanks to Convert’s unique maXimum Silence technology.
The 100-foot-range infrared camera captures wildlife at a distance without frightening any animals. This camera also boasts a time-lapse mode that allows for more long term captures.
- Easy to control
- Wireless transmission of images and videos
- 64GB SD card provided
- Discreet night vision capture
- Time-lapse mode
- Straps slots are fragile
- Cellular connection was challenging to set up
11. Cuddeback Home Wireless Image Receiver
The straightforward and easy-to-use Cuddeback 1385 can be set up in no time and provides you with an efficient way of receiving photos and videos from your CuddeLink. This device can either be used as a sort of ‘home base’ that your photos are transmitted to, or as a way to extend the range of your CuddeLink devices.
The 1385 Image Receiver is compatible with all CuddeLink cameras and comes with an included bracket strap for added convenience.
- Can be used as a ‘home base.’
- Able to extend the range of CuddeLink devices
- Small and unobtrusive
- Easy to set up
- SD card included
- Battery life is drained quickly
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12. RINKMO Hunting Game Camera
The RINKMO wireless trail camera features a built-in app and Wi-Fi functionality, which allows you to remotely monitor and download the videos that this camera captures. It also boasts an ultra-quick 0.2-second trigger time that captures even the fastest of wild creatures in action.
The sturdy case and waterproof IP66 makes this camera essentially weatherproof, and it will not easily be damaged by wildlife or humans. It also features three passive infrared sensors that save battery power while the camera is in operation.
- Remote control via app
- Images can be downloaded directly to your phone
- High resolution camera – 1080p
- Clear night vision
- Clunky and difficult to disguise
Trail Camera Buying Guide
While you could possibly make do with any trail camera, it is important to know the various types and models of trail cams that are available. This will help you decide which ones will best suit your needs and preferences.
Important Terminology
There have been a lot of fancy words thrown around in this article that may be confusing to more amateur hunters or to those who are unfamiliar with trail cameras. Let’s go over some of the terminology mentioned earlier:
Resolution
Like all cameras, the higher the resolution, the higher the quality the pictures and videos will be. Keep in mind that the maximum resolution that is often listed for a camera is an enhanced value of a much lower ‘base’ resolution. This means that the camera merely includes pixels on top of what the sensor has captured. However, there is some good news, as the base resolution is generally enough to capture some high-quality videos and pictures.
Trigger Speed
This is the one that confuses most amateurs. As you may have guessed, the shutters of trails cameras are motion-activated. The amount of time that elapses between the actual movement and when the photo is captured is known as the trigger speed.
For example, if a dog ran past a trail camera with a trigger speed of 0.5 seconds, it would take the camera 0.5 seconds to capture an image of the dog after its movement is detected. You naturally want the trigger speed to be as low as possible so that the image is captured before the subject moves out of view.
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How to Choose the Right Wireless Trail Camera for You
There are numerous factors that may influence your decision when buying a best wireless trail camera, as different models are capable of different things. If you are looking for a device that doesn’t provide the highest quality imagery available but still captures decent photos of wildlife, you need a smaller trail camera, like the CamPark Mini.
However, if you plan on monitoring an area that is prone to extreme weather conditions, or even if you want home surveillance, you could opt for a more robust model, such as the CreativeXP trail cam.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference. You should also take into account the environment you will be monitoring, as well as how you would like to receive videos and images. Cellular models can send the images they capture directly to your phone, provided they have a cell signal and that you have their respective phone apps.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re monitoring the local wildlife, tracking down and hunting game, or monitoring your home, best wireless trail cameras are reliable and versatile tools. They are offered in what seems like an infinite array of models and types, so hopefully, this guide has made buying your next camera a little easier.
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