The best cellular trail cameras enable you to monitor wildlife at a distance, via your smartphone. Also known as camera traps, you can place these small cameras in a natural environment and they'll capture animals as they pass.
Cellular trail cameras help you to see animals behaving naturally, and get photos of shy wildlife that would otherwise be scared off. If you're a wildlife photographer trying to determine whether it's worthwhile setting up your full cameras for wildlife, scouting locations first with a trail camera is a great idea.
The best cellular trail cameras are similar to the best trail cameras, which allow you to pop in a SIM card. But rather than having to wait until you fetch the camera to see the images, you can upload them immediately to a cellular network. This can be truly game-changing for wildlife and nature photographers as well as huntsmen.
Some cameras come bundled with a SIM and a no-contract plan, so you don't have to stick with your regular phone network. Most, though, will require some kind of monthly financial commitment if you want to access images remotely.
Below, we list the best cellular trail cameras available today, at a range of budgets. And we'll give you all the information you need to choose the right one.
Many cellular trail cameras just don't record video. But the DS4K Transmit will record 4K color video to the memory card, and send you a low-res GIF to your phone. There is 32MP still too - and it can switch between Verizon and AT&T to find the best signal. Read more below
At a significantly lower price point than others, the Link-Micro-LTE is a device well-suited for those who want to get several lenses in the same area and keep an eye on the movements of bigger animals, for research or game management.Read more below
The Spypoint Link-Micro-S-LTE makes it easy to transmit photos of wildlife straight to your smartphone, moments being captured. The battery is long-lasting thanks to the solar panel, making it an independent trail camera you can leave alone for days while still enjoying the images it captures. Read more below
Only available in the UK or Europe at present, but it impresses with the ability to switch batteries without disturbing the camera, and have a large color LCD screen. And it records and transmits video too. Read more below
The CelluCORE 30 is a relatively new trail camera from Bushnell, upping resolution from the previous CelluCORE 20 to, you guessed it, 30MP. This automatically puts it streets ahead of the vast majority of other cellular trail cameras. Read more below
If you’re planning on running a cellular trail camera, you normally need to be prepared to pay extra for image storage (a cloud service) and, of course, for the cellular data account. Moultrie has adopted a different approach, offering those aspects within their power for no extra charge. Read more below
With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including trail cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, webcams… and, above all, drones.
Best cellular trail cameras in 2024
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Best cellular trail camera overall
(Image credit: Stealthcam)
1. Stealthcam DS4K Transmit
Best overall with 4K video recording
Specifications
Stills resolution: 32MP
Video resolution: 4K@30fps
Data storage: Via SD, SDHC or SDXC card, up to 128GB
LCD: Backlit mono text for settings
Power: 12x AA (lithium recommended)
Cellular technology: LTE
Cellular plans: Verizon, AT&T, International
Size: 89 x 62 x 140mm
Reasons to buy
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4K video at 30fps
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Fast 0.2 second trigger
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Auto Verizon & AT&T switching
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"No-glare" coating on PIR and IR arrays
Reasons to avoid
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Cellular connection transmits lower-resolution 720P video
The DS4K Transmit isn’t the cheapest trail camera, but it doesn’t disappoint in features either. Many cellular cameras take the view that 4K video is difficult to transmit by 4G/LTE connections, so the feature is left out entirely. Here the camera can still record them locally even if though it only sends 720P GIFs via its cellular connection. Previews can be seen in the Command Pro app on your cellphone, and images are stamped with time, date, and moon data.
Setup isn’t a painful process either; all that is required is a QR code scan and the following steps. The camera’s 32MP stills can be caught in a burst of 9 images per triggering, and the device houses 42 850nm LEDs. Placing it in a location for any length of time will need lithium batteries, and it’s worth remembering that the reliable sensing zone is closer to 60ft /20m).
At a significantly lower price point than others, the Link-Micro-LTE is a device well-suited for those who want to get several lenses in the same area and keep an eye on the movements of bigger animals, for research or game management.
Spypoint’s app certainly doesn’t neglect location data coming from the cameras or taking advantage of other available data (like weather services) but ultimately this is just as suited for strapping around trees and sending back images via a 4G LTE network as the Link-S-Dark above. You’ll need to change the batteries more, though, and note that like the Spypoint Link-Micro-S-LTE you can't record video.
Power: Solar, rechargeable lithium ion or 8x AA batteries
Cellular plans: LTE
Reasons to buy
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Shoots for ages thanks to solar panel
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Photos transmitted straight to smartphone
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100 free transmitted photos a month
Reasons to avoid
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No movie recording option
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Need to subscribe to transmit Full HD photos
The Spypoint Link-Micro-S-LTE makes it easy to transmit photos of wildlife straight to your smartphone, moments being captured. The battery is long-lasting thanks to the solar panel, making it an independent trail camera you can leave alone for days while still enjoying the images it captures. You can also retrieve higher-resolution images from the camera’s memory card later.
With a 0.4-second trigger speed and 80-foot detection and flash range, this cellular trail camera offers good value for money. Like the Spypoint Link Micro LTE (number 6 on our list), the only major downside is that it doesn't capture video clips.
Zeiss has a long heritage in optics, making binoculars, lenses, and spotting scopes, but has only just got into trail cameras - and this means, for the moment, its models are only available in the UK and Europe, although a US launch is planned. We tested out its flagship Secacam 7 model - which looks and feels chunky but is built like this for a reason. Its neat trick is that you can open the battery compartment without disturbing the camera - so there is no risk of you altering the framing. The eight batteries can changed quickly, as the whole cartridge can be swapped in and out.
Another great addition to the design is that it has a built-in color LCD screen - so you can review footage on-site and ensure that the framing is perfect as you set it up.
Stills capture is not as high a resolution as some other models - the sensor is just 5MP, but it can interpolate images up to 12MP. Video capture, however, is in color (or mono when using the infrared night mode) - and not only can this be captured in Full HD (1920x1440), but it can be transmitted over cellular networks at this resolution, too.
If you’re planning on running a cellular trail camera, you normally need to be prepared to pay extra for image storage (a cloud service) and, of course, for the cellular data account. Moultrie has adopted a different approach, offering those aspects within their power for no extra charge. You’ll still need to fork out cellular coverage, but cloud storage and species recognition are bundled with the very reasonably priced camera.
With 24 megapixels and an adequate trigger speed of 0.7-sec, there is no real compromise on the core specifications either; HD video with audio is also recorded. Admittedly there isn’t a solar panel in the box, like the Spypoint Link Micro (another fine budget choice), but a solar accessory is available.
Data storage: Via SD, SDHC or SDXC card, up to 512GB
Night vision: Yes, via infrared
Audio recording: Yes
LCD: 2in color
Power: 16 AA Batteries
Cellular technology: LTE 4G (e.g. US, UK)
Cellular plans: AT&T, Verizon, no-SIM
Reasons to buy
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High-resolution camera
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Large battery bay
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Data recording includes air pressure
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2-inch LCD viewer inside
Reasons to avoid
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Can't download video by cellular
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Big downloads push up monthly plan
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Relatively expensive
Here's another great cellular trail camera, that offers a lot to like. Once the 16 batteries have been slotted into the back of this it forms a chunky unit, which means you can be confident that the power-hungry cellular radio circuitry will last a decent while. Open the door and the back-lit 4-way menu button and on-screen menu make setup straightforward. And of course, it also serves as a real viewfinder when positioning – ace.
Video enthusiasts will appreciate the system’s ability to monitor and keep recording subjects that keep moving while photographers will love the resolution compared to some of the more game-orientated options. Those operating in busier areas will appreciate the optional security box too.
Remote setup options not available on off-brand cameras
This cube-like chunk is big enough to house eight AA cells and the 4G LTE tech to turn any existing trail camera into a cellular one.
Naturally, the manufacturers would prefer your original was a Spypoint too, but they’re not picky. In theory, at least any camera which uses an SD card – and that seems to be most – should do the trick. An SD-like adapter at the end of a flat cable must be negotiated through the weatherproofing of your original device and inserted into the SD slot
It's not specifically designed for wildlife watching, but the Arlo Go 2 is a cellular security camera that will certainly spot animals wandering near it. It can connect to Arlo’s remote monitoring software (app or web tool) and is easy to view events and initiate two-way talk. Settings can also be changed remotely, for example switching from black and white night vision to illuminating subjects with its floodlight. The battery life is lower than most of the dedicated cameras, though it can be charged via a magnetic connector from below and a solar adaptor is available.
As we said, this might not a trail camera as such, but if your trail and your hunter’s cabin need remote monitoring for security as well as animals, then there is much to be said for this approach.
With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones.
Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones.
