The 5 Best Budget Trail Cameras Under $100 (2026 Field Tested)

The LM2 is the gold standard for budget cellular trail cameras. It connects seamlessly to major LTE networks right out of the box and transmits 20MP photos directly to the SPYPOINT mobile app. The free 100 photo-per-month plan lets you run cameras on public or private land without monthly subscription fees.

If you hunt areas without reliable cell service or prefer checking SD cards by hand, the Bushnell Trophy Cam remains a workhorse. Its ultra-fast 0.3-second trigger speed catches fast-moving bucks without blank frames, and a set of 8 AA lithium batteries will easily last an entire season.

Moultrie solved the biggest hassle in cellular cameras by building in internal memory (no SD card required) and an auto-connecting multi-network modem that grabs whichever carrier has the strongest signal. The 33MP high-definition sensor delivers outstanding zoom clarity.

Stealth Cam has dialed in night-time flash balance. The Deceptor Max prevents the annoying "whiteout" glare common when deer walk close to the lens. With a 0.4-second trigger and automatic network detection, it captures crisp black-and-white nocturnal movement reliably.

If you want maximum resolution and 1296p video at an entry-level price, the GardePro E6 is tough to beat. It features an integrated 2.4-inch color screen on the front so you can align your camera angle and review images right in the field without carrying a card viewer.