Shortlist
Best trail cameras for badgers and foxes
Cameras that the research we draw on singles out for badgers, foxes and other larger mammals.
How this list is built
A camera is on this list when:
- The research for the camera lists it as suited to: badger, fox, mammal, deer (any of these words).
- At least one review of it has been published (by an independent publication or, where labelled, a retailer). Cameras we only have a spec profile for are left out of this list.
- It is in our database with the manufacturer’s specifications and a checked date. No camera pays to be listed.
The order: cameras with more published reviews come first (more evidence, not a better score); then no-glow before low-glow before white flash (no-glow infrared is the least visible at night); then the longest published detection range. It is a shortlist to compare, not a ranking from testing.
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Bushnell's flagship SD-card camera uses two image sensors – one for daylight, one for night – to get cleaner pictures around the clock, plus 4K video. It is one of the most widely reviewed trail cameras on sale in the UK.
- Trigger
- 0.15 s
- Detection
- Not published
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- AA batteries (number not stated on Bushnell's page; reviewers report 6×AA)
- Reviews
- 4
Strengths noted: Dual sensors optimised separately for day and night; 4K video; Fast 0.15s trigger.
Weaknesses noted: Plastic case feels cheap to some reviewers; Settings take trial and error to master.
Read the research review: Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow Search Amazon for the Bushnell Core DS-4K No Glow
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Browning's 4G cellular camera with a solar panel built into the case, sending photos and short clips to the Strike Force Wireless app and taking on-demand shots. UK versions are sold with a roaming SIM, making it one of the few Browning cellular models usable here.
- Trigger
- 0.2 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- Built-in solar panel + 8×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: Built-in solar panel for long, low-maintenance deployments; Sends photos and video clips to your phone; on-demand capture; Invisible no-glow flash.
Weaknesses noted: Needs a monthly data plan; Daytime images can look grainy.
Read the research review: Browning Defender Pro Scout Max HD Solar Search Amazon for the Browning Defender Pro Scout Max HD Solar
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A dual-SIM 4G camera with its solar panel built into the case, so it can run for long spells without battery changes. LEDs can be switched between no-glow and low-glow, and Spypoint has added Smart Send AI filtering and (from 2026) live-streaming.
- Trigger
- 0.3 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- Built-in rechargeable battery with integrated solar panel
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: Integrated solar panel and internal battery; no trailing cables; Dual-SIM picks the strongest network; Selectable no-glow or low-glow illumination.
Weaknesses noted: 40MP is an interpolated figure; Independent tests found motion blur and uneven night lighting.
Read the research review: Spypoint Flex-S-Dark Search Amazon for the Spypoint Flex-S-Dark
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The no-glow twin of the Recon Force HP5 Ultra, using an invisible infrared flash so it doesn't give itself away at night. It shares the 2in screen, 1440p video and fast adjustable trigger, trading some flash reach for stealth.
- Trigger
- 0.1 s
- Detection
- 24 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 8×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: Invisible (no-glow) flash – good for wary animals and security use; 1440p video with sound; 2in colour screen.
Weaknesses noted: Shorter flash reach (100ft/30m) than the low-glow Recon Force; Shorter detection range (up to 80ft) than its sibling.
Read the research review: Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 Ultra Search Amazon for the Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 Ultra
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The no-glow version of Browning's dual-lens Nano, pairing a day lens and a dedicated low-light lens with an invisible infrared flash. It is small, quick and records 4K video.
- Trigger
- 0.15 s
- Detection
- Not published
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 6×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: Invisible no-glow flash; Dual-lens design for day and night; 4K video with sound.
Weaknesses noted: Shorter flash reach (100ft/30m) than the Strike Force version; Browning doesn't publish a detection range for it.
Read the research review: Browning Dark Ops Pro DCL Nano Search Amazon for the Browning Dark Ops Pro DCL Nano
-
A single-sensor, lower-cost sibling of the DS-4K that still records 4K video and uses a no-glow flash. Reviewers rate its quick trigger and battery life, with night and dusk image quality the main compromise.
- Trigger
- 0.2 s
- Detection
- Not published
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- AA batteries (number not stated on Bushnell's current page)
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: 4K video; No-glow flash with 110ft (about 34m) night range; Quick 0.2s trigger and 1s recovery.
Weaknesses noted: Noisy images at dusk; colour balance can look off; 4K at 30fps shows slight judder on fast motion.
Read the research review: Bushnell Core S-4K No Glow Search Amazon for the Bushnell Core S-4K No Glow
-
A straightforward, compact Browning that covers the basics well: 1080p video with sound, a long 120ft flash and up to a year on batteries. Reviewers see it as a dependable first trail camera rather than a detail champion.
- Trigger
- 0.22 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- Low-glow
- Power
- 6×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 2
Strengths noted: Long 120ft (about 37m) flash range; Up to a year's battery life claimed on 6 AA; Simple to set up – good for beginners.
Weaknesses noted: Low-glow flash is visible to animals and people; Images are soft compared with HP5 and 4K models.
Read the research review: Browning Strike Force Pro X 1080 Search Amazon for the Browning Strike Force Pro X 1080
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The invisible-flash sibling of the Strike Force Pro X 1080, aimed at people who want a simple, affordable Browning that won't flash a red glow. Flash reach is shorter, but the camera is otherwise similarly easy to live with.
- Trigger
- 0.22 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 8×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: No-glow invisible flash; Up to a year's battery life claimed; 100ft detection range.
Weaknesses noted: Shorter 90ft (about 27m) flash reach; Only 1080p video.
Read the research review: Browning Dark Ops Pro X 1080 Search Amazon for the Browning Dark Ops Pro X 1080
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Reconyx's current wildlife-scouting camera brings genuine 4K stills and video to the hand-built HyperFire body, with a long-reaching covert IR flash and a five-year warranty. It replaces the long-running HyperFire 2 and records to standard SD cards up to 1TB.
- Trigger
- 0.25 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 12×AA (NiMH or Energizer Ultimate Lithium only)
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: True native 4K resolution rather than interpolation; Long 45m no-glow illumination; Five-year warranty and US build.
Weaknesses noted: Alkaline AAs not supported; Video drains batteries far faster than stills.
Read the research review: Reconyx HyperFire 4K (HF4K) Search Amazon for the Reconyx HyperFire 4K (HF4K)
-
The non-solar version of the Flex-S-Dark: a small dual-SIM 4G camera with switchable no-glow or low-glow LEDs and Smart Send AI. It is aimed at buyers who want a discreet cellular camera and are happy to manage batteries or add an external solar pack.
- Trigger
- 0.3 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- Not stated on Spypoint page (see notes)
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Compact and easy to conceal; No-glow option for discreet use; Dual-SIM network switching.
Weaknesses noted: 40MP is interpolated; No live-streaming (unlike Flex-S-Dark).
Read the research review: Spypoint Flex-Dark Search Amazon for the Spypoint Flex-Dark
-
GardePro's best-known budget camera has no Wi-Fi or app. It uses a Starvis low-light sensor, three PIR sensors and an invisible IR flash. It is a simple card-and-batteries camera, and it has one of the strongest independent recommendations in the budget bracket.
- Trigger
- 0.1 s
- Detection
- 27 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 8×AA or 12V DC input
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Starvis low-light sensor for better night footage; Fast trigger (maker claims 0.1s) with three PIR sensors; Invisible no-glow IR flash that won't disturb garden visitors.
Weaknesses noted: No Wi-Fi: you have to fetch the SD card; The 64MP figure is upscaled.
Read the research review: GardePro A3S Search Amazon for the GardePro A3S
-
Zeiss's most affordable 4G camera uses a 3MP sensor, 32GB of built-in memory and a small swivelling screen for aiming. It keeps the Secacam app, multi-roaming SIM and invisible flash, and there is a 100° Wide-Angle version for close garden work.
- Trigger
- 0.35 s
- Detection
- 25 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 8×AA
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Lowest-cost route into the Zeiss Secacam system; Built-in 32GB memory, so no SD card to fail; Swivelling screen helps alignment.
Weaknesses noted: Only a 3MP native sensor; 24MP is interpolated; Fixed focus softens very close subjects on the standard model.
Read the research review: Zeiss Secacam 3 Search Amazon for the Zeiss Secacam 3
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Zeiss's top Secacam is a 4G camera with a removable battery magazine, a larger colour screen and a lens set apart from the control flap so you can check framing on site. It ships ready to go with SIM and batteries installed and sends 480p clips and HD stills to the Secacam app, with storage on Zeiss's EU-based cloud.
- Trigger
- 0.35 s
- Detection
- 25 m
- Night
- No-glow
- Power
- 8×AA
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Arrives with SIM and batteries pre-fitted; very quick setup; Multi-roaming SIM works across 35 countries; Invisible 940nm flash with automatic strength control.
Weaknesses noted: Native sensor is only 5MP; 12MP is interpolated; Videos sent to the phone are capped at 480p and 10 seconds.
Read the research review: Zeiss Secacam 7 Search Amazon for the Zeiss Secacam 7
-
The 2026 refresh of Browning's popular Recon Force HP5, adding 1440p video at up to 60fps and a bigger still-image claim. It keeps the long-reach low-glow flash and adjustable trigger that made the original a favourite of UK wildlife watchers.
- Trigger
- 0.1 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- Low-glow
- Power
- 8×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Long 130ft (about 40m) infrared flash reach with three flash modes; 1440p video with sound at 30 or 60fps; Large 2in colour screen for framing and review.
Weaknesses noted: Low-glow flash gives a faint red glow that some animals and people notice; 46MP stills are upscaled – real detail is far lower.
Read the research review: Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra Search Amazon for the Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra
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A compact dual-lens camera with one lens tuned for daylight and another for night, plus 4K video. Browning's RADIANT 6 illumination gives it one of the longest flash reaches in the range.
- Trigger
- 0.15 s
- Detection
- 30 m
- Night
- Low-glow
- Power
- 6×AA (12V external jack)
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Dual-lens design: separate day and night lenses; 4K video with sound; Long 130ft (about 40m) flash range.
Weaknesses noted: Not an invisible flash – Browning doesn't label it no-glow; Small 1.5in screen.
Read the research review: Browning Strike Force Pro DCL Nano Search Amazon for the Browning Strike Force Pro DCL Nano
-
Spypoint's entry-level dual-SIM 4G camera, replacing the original Flex-M. It strips out the screen and built-in solar to keep the cost down, but keeps GPS location, over-the-air updates and Smart Send AI in the app.
- Trigger
- 0.4 s
- Detection
- 27 m
- Night
- Low-glow
- Power
- AA batteries or Spypoint LIT-22 rechargeable pack
- Reviews
- 1
Strengths noted: Cheapest way into Spypoint's dual-SIM cellular system; Even night illumination noted by reviewers; GPS locator and remote firmware updates.
Weaknesses noted: No setup screen; Low-glow LEDs can be visible to animals and people.
Read the research review: Spypoint Flex-M2 Search Amazon for the Spypoint Flex-M2
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Compare the top 4 side by side
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