Let's face it! Selecting the best cellular trail camera on a budget is challenging. There's a lot to think about, like the build, features, Image processing, data plans, etc.
For the past three years, I've used several cameras for my home-yard security, and to make a better comprehensive list, I've collab with my friend Josh, who has been a deer hunter for the last six years.
This guide will help you find the perfect camera for your hunting or security needs. We've rounded up the best options under different budgets and features, so you can find the ideal camera without breaking the bank.
What do you need to focus on picking the best Cellular Trail Camera in 2022?
When choosing the best cellular trail camera, you need to consider your budget and what features are important to you. There are a few key things you need to focus on when picking the best cellular trail camera in 2022 as you're going to buy a camera for hunting or security. It won't be a camera for your lifestyle or photography. Instead, it is made to help you get a birds-eye view of your preferred location.
And speaking of a birds-eye view, you need to focus on cellular coverage. Because without this, any cellular game camera turns into a regular one.
It would help if you also focused on the Day and night image processing, And its Photo and video capturing moods.
Without these primary factors, there are more essential issues like the Mobile app's features, Build material, Battery life, IR & PIR range, Image sensor quality, etc. They are explained in the My Methodology section.
Best Value Cellular Trail Camera 
01. SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim
Summary:
This camera is equipped with two SIM cards, allowing you to choose between multiple providers for optimal coverage. It also features an impressive 20-megapixel photo resolution and 1080p video resolution. Plus, with a 0.4-second trigger speed, you won't miss a thing!
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Image & Video
Ease of Use
Maintenance
This summer this device popped up in front of me. I had truly amazed by its features. And I bought it right away for under a hundred bucks (See the Latest Price). For the last 5 months, It impressed me a lot with its images, videos, and most importantly connection stability.
The Spypoint Flex Dual-Sim trail camera is one of the market's most advanced cellular trail cameras. It uses two SIM cards to provide reliable coverage in areas with poor cell reception.
The image quality is excellent, and the camera takes clear pictures day or night. The motion sensor is susceptible and triggers the camera to take pictures when there's movement in front of it. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line wireless trail camera, the SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim is worth considering.
Another cool thing I must shout out, about its mobile application. It may not be a physical part of the camera but it's so much essential for a cellular trail camera. Spypoint's Mobile app is so much intuitive that you won't feel fall behind.
Connection Quality
If you're looking for a wireless trail camera that will give you the best network support, look no further than the SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim. This camera uses the latest and most advanced dual-sim cellular technology. It automatically connects to the most optimal cellular network, regardless of carriers. No longer worry about carrier models and whether your camera will work when you move to a new place.
Photo and Video Quality
Its daytime is phenomenal. As default, it takes 33MP pictures. Its image is well-balanced with sharpness, contrast & color. Nighttime photos are also good, but it lacks sharpness. Other than that, at night time, its images are well-exposed and clear.
And for the video, I’ve no complaints. Its 1080p videos with sound will give you an emerging experience of your absence at night and during the day.
Alongside the regular Photo and video, it can do two more things. Time-Lapse & Time-Lapse+. The Time-Lapse+ function takes photos at your preferred interval & when the camera’s detection sensor is triggered.
Detection and Trigger
Speaking of trigger time, it can capture images within 0.3s. And its direction range is also pretty convincing, I must say. On paper that’s 100 FT straight from the IRs. But on my result, I got a clear view at around 85 FT. Which is better than any average.
Design and Build Quality
Its design is futuristic with some tiny cut out at the top for IRs. These IRs are so much more powerful. And its whole body is made of A-grade polycarbonate. And it can resist water.
Ports and Buttons
Its ports and button layout are very simple. The bottom portion is covered by a door latch. Under that, it has a toggle switch to turn it on or off. Besides that a test button and the SD card format button.
Pros
Cons
My Take
In the 2022s market, the SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim offers a perfect solution for both property owners and hunters in need of a cellular game camera.
Best Affordable Cellular Trail Camera
02. Moultrie Mobile Delta Base
Summary:
I must say Moultrie Mobile Delta Base is the best cheap cellular trail camera on my list.
Moultrie Mobile Delta Base has 24MP Resolution Photos & Videos with Sound. And 0.75s Trigger Speed & 36 invisible IR LEDs.
Key Features:
overall
Build Quality
Image & Video
Ease of Use
Maintenance
Though it’s a low price product, it offers tons of features. It’s comparable not only on paper but also on the field. This cellular trail cam is the perfect device for outdoor enthusiasts looking to connect with nature.
The image quality is excellent, and the camera takes sharp pictures day and night. The motion sensor is so responsive. You may miss any movement in the blink of your eye, but it won't. If there’s movement in front of the camera, it will trigger it to take a picture.
The cellular cam setup process is complex, but Moultrie Mobile does this effortlessly with its intuitive mobile app. And with its stable network connection. You can easily access your photos and videos almost in real time.
Best Well-balanced Cellular Trail Camera
03. SPYPOINT Link Micro LTE
Summary:
SPYPOINT Link Micro is the successor of the SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim. It has 4 High-quality Infrared Flashes for nighttime and a detection range of 80 feet. This camera is entirely built for avid hunters.
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Image & Video
Ease of Use
Maintenance
Before the SPYPOINT Flex Dual-Sim, this Link Micro had its standalone identity for a decade. Its network selection is stable for remote locations.
According to my friend, Josh, “It’s one of the best stable cellular cameras on the market. In terms of image Image processing or network stability.”
And It’s well-known and loved for its nighttime photo and video quality and its fastest 0.5 trigger time. On my test, very few times, I faced blurry images. Daytime images are also good. The only issue I’ve encountered is a lack of details and sharpness in images.
And it’s hassle-free and plugs and plays like other Spypoint cameras. After getting it on hand, just insert 8AA batteries and scan the serial code through its native app. And within a few seconds, this will start working.
Best for Long Range and Night photos
04. Meidase S900 Cellular Trail Camera
Summary:
If your priority is nighttime photos more than daytime, then you should look for Meidase S900. With its 4G LTE network cheap and a 32mp image sensor. You’ll get amazing photos and videos.
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Image & Video
Ease of Use
Maintenance
If you are a deer hunter, the Meidase S900 Cellular Trail Camera is a great choice for capturing quality images of your game. This camera supports both AT&T and T-Mobile cellular networks, allowing you to easily transmit pictures and videos directly to your smartphone.
Its mobile app is not up to the mark but is workable. The app is available both for Android and iOS. For getting your photo and videos you need to fix a schedule. At that time all media will be synced.
The device also has 100ft No Glow Night Vision technology so you can capture clear footage even in low light conditions. And it is the obvious winner for nighttime photos. you will be amazed by its nighttime output.
Additionally, it has the option to lower the video size without losing any quality to improve transmission speed when using cellular service. For this, we need to thank its biffy image sensor. All these features make the Meidase S900 Cellular Trail Camera an ideal choice for those who want high-quality images of their deer hunting excursions.
Best Day Time Celular Trail Camera
05. Yellowstone AI 4G LTE
Summary:
This Camera features 12MP photos and 1080p Video with a range of 65’. Its schedulable hours of operation can help you to save battery life. This camera has active GPS no glow invisible IR for nighttime.
Key Features:
overall
Quality
Image & Video
Ease of Use
Maintenance
I personally love its color science. Its daytime Images are phenomenal. Each and every image is well-balanced and you can get sharp and crisp results with its 12MP sensor. But the nighttime photo is average. I would say, it's average because of the lack of details. And images are noisy. But its video quality is great. For the video, it's an easy recommendation.
Though its network is stable with AT&T and T-Mobile, it can store all the photos and videos on the local 32GB SD card. But before buying this you must know that Your camera, SIM, and data plan are pre-configured to operate only on AT&T and T-Mobile towers simultaneously and can send pictures to any phone over the internet.
This device also has a TFT LCD display. Which is always nice to have.
Connection Quality
The network stability of Yellowstone is very good. My Friend Josh tested this in various locations. From his result, we can say Yellowstone is pretty promising with this camera. But keep in mind that, your network & data plans are pre-configured to operate only on AT&T. To activate the camera for the network, you must set up your account at https://my.yellowstone.ai/login. You’ll need your ICCID and a payment gateway.
Photo and Video Quality
The image quality of Yellowstone AI 4G is so good in the daytime. But the nighttime image is a bit noisy and lacks details. But the resolution is okay by its 12MP sensor.The most interesting fact about this camera is, it’s available with two different lenses. One is standard 52° like other available competitors. And another one is 100° wide like an action camera. That version can capture a 100’ wide view if you place the camera 50’ away from the target object.
For both night and day, its video quality is good and workable. You can find enough details in the video.
Detection and Trigger
Its trigger speed is 0.4 Seconds. And another interesting fact about this camera is its Customizable PIR Motion Sensitivity. This means you can customize the detection range. As default, it's 65’ on the standard 52° model.
And it uses 100% Invisible No-Glow LED.
Design and Build Quality
This camera comes with wildlife camo which means you can hide your camera easily. (7 tips to hide a trail camera from humans).
It is divided symmetrically. On the left side, all the components are placed, and on the right side, only the 12AA battery compartment is. Though it’s 12 it can be operated by either 6AA or 12AA. It also supports external power inputs like solar or power adapters.
Ports and Buttons
At the bottom panel it has its SD card slot and at the left-top side a sim tray. But you shouldn’t remove the SIM. Because it’s pre-configured by the company.And for the button, It has one power toggle with a Setup mood. And 4 Navigation with a select button at the center.Pros
Cons
My Take
From my point of view, this trail camera can be the security companion of your property.
My Methodology to pick the best Cellular Trail Camera
Network Coverage
Most cellular game camera uses third-party network provider like Verizon, At&T, T-mobile, etc. And as they assembled the network chip inside the camera, there is mostly no option to switch after purchases.
So it is essential to ensure network coverage in your area because you need to be able to receive data from your camera.
If there's no coverage, you won't be able to receive alerts or updates from your camera. And overall, you may not be able to use all of the features your camera offers without coverage.
Data Plan
Secondly, the data plan subscription is also essential. Because without an affordable data plan, you won't be able to continue with the cellular feature and remote control.
Mobile App Features
An intuitive mobile app is necessary to control a cellular trail camera remotely. It lets you see what the camera sees in real-time, change its settings, and obtain notifications when something happens.
Monitoring what the camera sees in real-time will help determine whether it is in the proper location and pointed in the right direction.
Cloud Speed
If you're a hunter, you know how important it is to have a good download speed for your cellular trail cameras. After all, who wants to wait hours or even days to access their photos and videos? With a good upload & download speed, you can access your content almost immediately, which means you can make better decisions about your hunt. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a cloud provider for a trail camera:
- Make sure the provider has a good uptime record. You don't want your photos and videos to be inaccessible when you need them most.
- Check the upload and download speeds. The last thing you want is your images to take forever to load or be stuck in a buffer when viewing them.
- Make sure the provider offers 24/7 customer support if you have any issues.
Image processing
Photos and video quality are vital for a trail camera at night and in the daytime, whether you are using this for hunting or security. If your camera produces crappy images, that'll be useless. You must ensure the camera has high-quality night vision according to its daytime image processing. Quality is crucial because you want to see what is happening around your selected property/location 24/7. My listing had to consider a few things:
Well-balanced photos:
For daytime, an excellent white-balanced picture is essential for color accuracy.
Sharpness and contrast:
It is vital for both night and day. You won't get a perfect photo and video without the right amount of sharpness.
Noise reduction process:
It's software processing. Every game camera has their parameter, but every manufacturer can't do it perfectly. Some cameras do it so harshly that all the texture goes away. As a result, they produced a textureless smooth photo. So I focus on the balanced noise reduction process.
Sensor and Capturing Area
There's a saying, "cut your coat according to your cloth," So before buying s trail camera, you should measure your targeted area. And buy by seeing its Lenses' capturing area, IR range, and PIR range. A comprehensive field view means it should be able to capture a large area in its front so that you don't miss anything important.
Build quality
Every trail camera needs solid build quality to function correctly in all weather conditions. In addition, IP certification is a must for any trail camera that claims to be weather friendly. By ensuring that your trail camera has these key features, you can be confident that it will withstand the rigors of nature and provide clear, high-quality images and videos.
Function Accessibility
I carefully focused on the button layout, battery compartment, and latch attachment when sorting out. This means that it should have an easy-to-use button layout, and a good interface will help you to navigate easily.
Energy Consumption
Usually, the battery lifespan is lower than the non-cellular camera because of its LTE connection. But some trail camera supports solar power or any external power source. Therefore, it helps you frequently replace batteries, especially in remote locations.
Conclusion
A cellular trail camera is a great way to watch your property or hunting grounds when you can't be in person. But with so many different models and features on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. I hope my write up will give you a better purchase decision.