Tested: The Industry's 8 Best Cellular Trail Cameras

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While the curmudgeon amongst us will forever curse cellular cameras, it's difficult to argue their effectiveness. Having a tool in the woods that surveys an area of land 24/7/365 and then delivers real-time images and photos to your smartphone has changed the hunting game. I put cellular trail camera development up there with the modern-day rangefinder and mechanical broadheads that fly like field points in terms of devices that have maximized hunter success rates.

When and where legal, cellular trail cameras give the hunter a definitive advantage. Extended battery life, courtesy of on-board solar panels and lithium battery packs, allows for months of cellular surveillance without ever having to set foot in the woods. One of the most significant factors to consistent success, especially when chasing mature animals, is to limit your human footprint. Cellular trail cameras do this.

Of course, as with all product categories, the race to create the best cellular trail cameras is on, and hunters are the beneficiaries. As cell-cam makers drive forward to develop new technologies, hunters get more innovative and purposeful features than ever. Today's cellular trail cameras capture images that can be enlarged to poster size and offer high-resolution video with audio capabilities. Many allow you to enter a real-time mode, letting you see what's happening in front of your camera, so you don't inadvertently bump an animal when heading to your treestand or blind. Some feature theft detection, automatic GPS pinning, and more.

Concerning the apps users download, they are next level. Most are easy to operate and allow you to make settings changes to your camera from your phone. Some tabulate buck results so you always know what areas are receiving the most buck traffic and when.

This year was a good one for cellular trail camera makers, which means it's a good year for hunters. Never has there been a better time to invest some coin and bump the effectiveness of your scouting arsenal. We spent almost two months testing eight of the hunting industry's best cellular trail cameras. Here's what you need to know.

How We Tested The Cameras

Every cellular app has an app that it pairs with, and all apps were downloaded. All cameras, even those with on-board solar power, were loaded with standard AA alkaline batteries.

All cameras were left in the field for 52 days, and each was rotated weekly. Over nearly eight weeks, each camera was positioned at a 50-foot distance from a three-way trail intersection, a small kill plot, a man-made pond, and a river crossing.

Concerning trigger speed, every camera was set to photo mode, and I walked, fast-walked, and ran past each camera from 40 feet. To test each camera's capture range, I placed orange cones at intervals of 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 feet. Distances to trails were measured using onX and Hunt Stand line distance tools.

Images and videos were evaluated for clarity, and all videos with audio were downloaded and viewed on a laptop. All apps were compared based on ease of use, and specific features of each camera that will be of value to the hunter were thoroughly tested. Here we go!

Browning Defender Vision Pro LiveStream

A trail camera that changed my opinion of Browning's Defender Series of cellular cameras for the better, Browning's Defender Vision Pro LiveStream is a top-end cellular scouter.

Sleek, slim, and compact, I love the brown tree bark housing with a single-latch lower door and a wide, blade-style antenna. This trail camera pulled the strongest available cellular service, even in remote locales.

One of the most notable features of Browning's latest cellular camera is its ability, via the Strike Force app, to allow users to view what's happening in front of the trail camera in real time. I tested this feature twice; it worked both times. Once, I wanted to see if anything was moving about in front of my trail camera before checking it. The second time was after two smaller bucks crossed a river. I had a feeling a bigger buck would be in tow, and after accessing LiveStream, I was able to watch the 150-plus-inch buck come up the crossing.

My favorite feature of this cell scouter is that all photos are delivered in HD. I hate receiving blurry thumbnails and having to wait and pay for a high-resolution image to come through. The 46MP photos are the best in this year's crop of cellular trail cameras.

Over the 52-day testing period, the camera was moved to four different whitetail locations, and trigger speed and detection range were tested in the field and in my backyard. Set on a river crossing, three-way trail intersection, water hole, and isolated kill plot, the Browning Defender Vision Pro LiveStream captured 402 photos and 111 videos. The camera took 24 blank photos, and it was exposed to a high temperature rating of 110-degrees Fahrenheit.

The .5-second Browning-branded trigger speed is wrong. This camera is quicker than a half-second. Maximum daytime detection range was 120 feet, and maximum nighttime detection range was 100 feet. The deer weren't bothered by the infrared night vision. The only issue I had with this cellular trail camera was its AI recognition. It was correct most of the time, but it branded a buck a doe, and two does were marked as hogs.

Tactacam Reveal Ultra

Tactacam's Reveal family has grown steadily over the years, and models like the 2.0, X 3.0, and Pro 3.0 have helped hunters fill their freezers and create lasting memories.
For 2025, Tactacam introduces the Reveal Ultra, which, according to this scouting camera kingpin, combines every feature that made the Pro 3.0 a fan favorite while adding livestreaming, Active GPS, and what turned out to be my favorite feature: a switchable low-glow/no-glow flash.

The camera is a breeze to set up via the Reveal app and quickly connects to the strongest cellular service available in the area. With 16GB of internal storage and an optional SD card slot, this cell scouter produced excellent battery life, capturing 398 photos over 52 days. Of the eight cellular cameras tested, the Ultra produced the fewest number of false triggers. Images are crisp and clear, and the video, along with its audio quality, is outstanding.

The adjustable flash proved beneficial. I used the no-glow mode on tight river crossings and trail intersections, and the low-glow mode over a water source and a small kill plot. Set at a capture sensitivity level of 6 (adjustable from 0 to 9), the camera, set in no-glow mode, captured a daytime doe at 142 feet. Backyard and in-the-field testing revealed that Tactacam's 96-foot low-glow and 80-foot no-glow capture ranges should be 110 feet and 95 feet, respectively. However, environmental conditions vary throughout the year, and the two manufacturer-branded ratings reflect ranges you can depend on.

Active GPS continues to send coordinates even after the camera is turned off, and you'll receive an alert on your phone if the camera is turned off and it moves more than half a mile. This is an excellent theft feature, and I also appreciate the large 2-inch LCD screen, which significantly boosts setup time. Livestreaming is also a helpful feature, allowing you to see what is happening in front of the trail camera in real time. The trigger speed is excellent, the paddle-style antenna features a slot that holds in tightly when in tow, and the housing is durable and completely waterproof.

Moultrie Edge 3 Pro

When a manufacturer continues to name all-new products after their predecessors, it conveys a message. That message is quality. Enter Moultrie's latest addition to its award-winning Edge line of cellular trail cameras, the Edge 3 Pro.

The most straightforward trail camera in this year's review, all you need to do is download the Moultrie app, follow a few steps, open the camera's lower latch door, and turn it on. I love the colored light indicators for "Connecting" (Yellow), "Connected" (Green), and "Not Connected" (Red). A battery indicator with glowing green bars shows battery life, and for $139.99, this cellular trail camera is an excellent value.

When requested, HD photos and 1440p FHD videos are clear and crisp, and this trail camera shattered its 100-foot detection range. In the field and the backyard testing area, during low-light and periods of intense sun, the camera captured deer-sized game at distances of up to 115 feet. Moultrie's AI works like a charm, and I was able to set up my Edge 3 Pro to automatically switch to video and immediately upload videos when a buck is detected. This is a super handy feature. Battery life is excellent, and no SD card is required, as images are stored and managed directly within the Moultrie App.

Over 52 days, the Edge 3 Pro took 23 blank images out of 345 pictures. The 0.03-second trigger speed is accurate, and the GPS tracking feature performed well regardless of where I moved the camera. Live-Aim lets you look at your smartphone and see exactly where the camera is pointing, which is a nice feature when you're hanging cameras high and angling them downward.

Battery life was excellent with standard AA alkaline batteries. I also tested a second Edge 3 Pro with Moultrie's Edge Series Power Mag Plus battery pack, and after 345 photos and 52 days in the field, battery life is 81 percent. These rechargeable batteries are worth their weight in gold.

Covert Interceptor Solar

I've had bad experiences with several Covert cellular cameras. The good news is that Covert remedied a bunch of problems. One of the best cellular scouters of 2025, Covert's Interceptor Solar and the all-new, updated Covert app join forces to create an easy-to-use cellular trail camera that captures excellent photos, remarkable videos, and doesn't spook game.

Eight standard AA batteries are all you'll need to keep this trail camera operational throughout the entire season. A power cord connects the on-board solar panel to the camera, keeping the Interceptor Pro charged. Aside from removing a small plastic tab between the solar-to-camera connection and plugging in the cord, the solar setup process was painless.

I appreciate the 2-inch LCD screen, the ability to request photos in real time, and the paddle-style antenna pulls every ounce of cellular service. It stays upright even during periods of heavy wind. Covert brands its trigger speed at .4 seconds. It's faster than that. Using a stopwatch and a chip card that attaches to a runner's shoe—the same chip card used in running races—I obtained times of 0.24 and .27 seconds. Battery life often dropped to below 30 percent at night but rose quickly during the day, even in tight-timber areas.

Covert brands the camera's detection and capture range at 90 feet. This is spot-on accurate day or night, and the photos are crisp and clean. From 74 feet, the Interceptor Solar captured a running coyote and centered the coyote in the picture. Over 52 days, this cellular trail camera captured 301 photos, with 23 of them being blank.

The Interceptor Pro features on-board GPS and AI technology, but it's an add-on that requires a separate payment. I didn't pay for it. AI is a handy tool concerning species recognition, but if you're a hunter, you know the difference between a buck and a doe, a turkey and a hog.

You will need to roll the solar-to-camera attachment cord and wrap it with Gorilla tape or zip ties. If you leave it hanging, it will detach, and you will lose solar power.

Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Solar

I'm a fan of Bushnell's CelluCORE camera series, and its all-new CelluCORE 20 Solar is its best cell scouter to date. Besides a simple setup via the controls inside the secure lower-latch door, the Bushnell app is easy to use, and the camera allows for multiple setup options.

I've also grown fond of solar cellular trail cameras. One of the primary purposes of trail cameras is to minimize human intrusion on a property. Solar power further reduces the human footprint. My CelluCORE 20 Solar has been running continuously for 52 days, and although my battery level dips at night and during periods of low light, it recovers quickly thanks to the top-mounted solar panel.

The cell camera isn't as compact as some but not as bulky as others, and I've had zero troubles with the long, thin antenna staying upright and pulling excellent cellular service.

This cell camera automatically connects to the strongest cellular signal in the area, whether Verizon or AT&T, and I appreciate the Camera Status and Battery Life indicator inside the camera. Bushnell provides free, unlimited data for the first 30 days, which was another welcome feature. Concerning the camera's performance, it was excellent.

After 52 days of sitting in torrid temperatures and enduring severe summer and early fall weather conditions, the camera has captured 239 photos, with only two images that showed nothing but terrain. I love that. False images consume SD card memory, and that's something no cellular camera user wants.

Bushnell's Low Glow 80-foot detection/capture range is accurate day and night. Daytime photos are excellent, and I appreciate that I can sort pictures based on weather, wind direction, moon phase, and more. The goal of a trail camera is to help us make informed decisions and hunt in the right areas. Photo sort helps with this. A high-resolution image can be requested, and the CelluCORE 20 Solar captures 20MP images.

This cellular trail camera also records HD video up to 20 seconds in length. Videos are clear and crisp, but there is no audio. The camera comes with an external power cord, which allows you to remove the solar panel from the camera and mount it elsewhere to gather more sunlight if necessary. Trigger time is rapid, and for $199.99, Bushnell's CelluCORE 20 Solar is an excellent trail camera that will serve your scouting needs well.

Muddy Trifecta 180

At $119.99, Muddy's Trifecta 180 is a solid cellular scouter. There are aspects of the camera that I love, and areas where Muddy has room for improvement.

The camera is plenty durable, and I appreciate the top-mounted screw-in antenna, which can be removed for transport. However, the camera took a ton of blank images set in High PIR Sensitivity mode. In fact, the camera flashed triggered so many times that it filled a 32GB SD card after only six days in the field. Sorting through blank images to locate pictures with deer was frustrating. Once I changed the PIR Sensitivity to Low and spaced out the capture delay from 10 seconds to 45 seconds, the camera performed much better.

I love the 180-degree detection. Three active camera zones capture three images per trigger. With the Trifecta 180 placed over a well-used water source, I was able to monitor the water and an adjacent kill plot. The detection range, whether at night or during the day, is remarkable. Muddy brands the detection/capture range as 80 feet but testing captured deer and humans at ranges up to 120 feet during the day and 100 feet at night.

The camera's .4-second trigger speed is spot on. Not once did I get the back half of a deer, and most often, deer were centered in the middle of the brilliantly crisp 32MP photos. Users can also select photo resolutions of 8MP and 4MP, and On-Demand videos allow you to see the goings-on in front of your camera in real time.

Over the course of 52 days, the standard 16 AA batteries kept the camera powered, even with many false triggers. Burst mode captures 1 to 3 photos per activation, and preinstalled SIM cards ensure dual-network coverage. The 1080p full HD videos with audio are excellent, and photo intel, including weather, moon phase, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, as well as species tags, proved to be accurate.

SpyPoint Flex-S Dark

Fitted with an on-board solar panel and No-Glow LEDs, SpyPoint's Flex-S Dark promises remarkable photos and videos, long battery life, and excellent performance.

A sleek, compact cell scouter, especially for one with an on-board solar panel, the Flex-S Dark doesn't spook game, even on tight river crossings or when placed on trail intersections. Over 52 days of testing, I didn't view a single bug-eyed deer picture or capture a picture of a deer and have that deer's rump running away by the time the third (3-shot burst) shot triggered.

The SpyPoint app is easy to use, and the Dual SIM configuration is compatible with any carrier. The photo resolution is remarkable at 40MP, and the 1080p videos are clear, featuring excellent audio. Although this cellular trail camera falsely triggered more than I expected, the total number of false triggers was only 23 out of 492 photos. The .3-second trigger speed is accurate. Backyard testing proved it to be even a tick faster if my stopwatch skills are right, and the detection/capture range proved effective to 115 feet.

This is an excellent trail camera for tight rut funnels, small kill plots, river crossings, and any area where you don't want deer to know there's an object recording their every move. Battery life has never dipped below 60 percent over 52 days, and the camera spent most of its time on a heavily timbered river crossing and an isolated travel corridor under a dense canopy of cottonwoods. For $150, this cellular trail camera is worth every penny, and whether you want to run one camera or 50, the Spypoint Flex-S Dark is an excellent investment.

Stealth Cam Revolver 2.0 360°

With six activity zones that you can run simultaneously or turn on and off, Stealth Cam's Revolver 2.0 is one of my favorite cellular cameras of 2025. Not only are the images and videos ultra-clear, but I love that I get six thumbnails per trigger. This is the perfect camera for both large and small food plots, and I also found it beneficial when placed at a four-way trail intersection. With the 360-degree view, I was able to monitor all four trails with a single camera.

The Command app makes setup easy, and the 2K videos and 4K photos are as good or better than any photos I observed during the 52-day testing period. While I've turned off and removed several cellular trail cameras from my whitetail property, this one remains operational, which speaks volumes about its performance.

I love the 32GB of internal memory, and it can be formatted at any time via your Command app. The camera's trigger speed is remarkable, and the four power LEDs capture deer-sized game to a tested distance of 110 feet, day or night. The deer didn't mind the infrared flash, which has an extremely low glow. Another notable feature is the five minutes of on-demand video this camera provides. Using your Command app, you can turn the camera to live video mode and watch what's happening in front of your trail camera for up to 5 minutes. This process does hinder battery life, but overall, this $149.99 trail camera is worth every penny.

Final Thoughts

The cell scouting age is alive and well, and there's no denying that these 24/7/365 scouting devices will boost your in-the-field success rate. Cellular plans are many, and most are manageable. If legal in your state, even if only during the off-season, cellular trail cameras are a game-changer and a tool that you need to take advantage of.

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