The best solar trail cameras
Moultrie Edge Solar
$79.99 listed price, changes oftenPicks by experience level
Beginner
Moultrie Edge Solar$79.99The Moultrie Edge Solar (about $80) builds a solar panel into a cellular camera with low-glow infrared, GPS, and live view, for close to the price of a non-solar equivalent. It's the pick for someone who wants to stop worrying about batteries without paying a big premium.
Check priceIntermediate
GardePro X50S Solar Cellular$99.99The GardePro X50S Solar Cellular (about $100) is another budget-friendly built-in solar cellular option, useful if you want a second brand's ecosystem or a generic SIM plan instead of Moultrie Mobile.
Check priceExpert
SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar$389.99The SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar (about $390) pairs no-glow infrared with an integrated solar panel and battery built for months of unattended runtime, plus live view. Buy it for a genuinely remote site you visit rarely. Skip it if you're only running one camera for a single season on land you check every few weeks; the price only pays off on sites you can't easily get back to.
Check priceHow does a solar trail camera actually work?
A solar trail camera has a small photovoltaic panel, either built into the camera body or attached as a separate accessory, that trickle-charges an internal or external battery whenever there's enough daylight. It doesn't eliminate the battery, it recharges it, so the camera still needs a working battery inside; the solar panel just means you swap or recharge that battery far less often than on a battery-only camera, especially through the brighter months of the year.
The bigger the panel and the battery bank behind it, the more the camera can ride out a stretch of cloudy days without draining flat, which is why premium solar cameras pair a larger panel with a larger internal battery rather than just a bigger panel alone. A tiny panel bolted onto a small battery will recharge fast but also drain fast on a busy night of triggers; a larger integrated system, like the one in the SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar, is built to absorb both a heavy trigger night and several overcast days in a row.
Which solar camera is the best beginner buy?
The Moultrie Edge Solar is the easiest entry point: a built-in panel, low-glow infrared, GPS, and live view, for about $80, only slightly more than the non-solar Moultrie Edge 3. It's a low-risk way to try solar power before committing to a pricier setup.
Which solar setup is best for a genuinely remote site?
For a camera you check only a few times a year, the SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar pairs an integrated solar panel and battery bank with a no-glow flash and live view, built specifically for long unattended stretches. The Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Solar is a strong step-down option if the SPYPOINT's price is out of range.
| Camera or panel | Price | Solar type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moultrie Edge Solar | about $80 | Built-in | Budget set-and-forget |
| GardePro X50S Solar Cellular | about $100 | Built-in | Budget, alternate ecosystem |
| Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Solar | about $229 | Built-in | Trusted brand, mid-premium |
| SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar | about $390 | Built-in | Remote sites, no-glow |
| Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2 | about $75 | Add-on | Existing Moultrie Edge cameras |
| SPYPOINT SPLB-22 | about $127 | Add-on | Existing SPYPOINT cameras |
Can you add solar to a camera that didn't come with a panel?
Yes, most major brands sell a compatible add-on solar panel and battery pack. The Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2 and SPYPOINT SPLB-22 solar panel with battery are brand-matched options; universal panels like the Aothaigro universal trail camera solar panel and Zonkasion 6V/12V solar panel are worth checking if your camera brand doesn't sell its own. Confirm the connector and voltage match your specific camera model before buying.
Does a solar panel work through winter?
Less well than in summer. Shorter days and lower sun angle mean less charging time and less direct light, and solar panels can't do much for a camera buried in shade or facing away from the sun. In freezing weather, pair solar with lithium AA batteries rather than alkaline; lithium holds far more of its capacity in the cold and works reliably down to about -40F, while alkaline batteries lose much of their charge.
Trees also matter more than most buyers expect: a panel that gets full sun in early season, before leaves have dropped, can end up shaded once the canopy changes, and a panel that looked clear of branches in summer can pick up snow load or frost in winter that blocks light entirely until it's brushed off. Check the panel's actual sun exposure at the time of year you need it most, not just on the day you hang the camera.
How we chose these solar trail cameras
These picks reflect each product's published listing details and patterns in verified owner reviews on Amazon; we have not installed or field tested any of these panels or cameras ourselves.
Buying tips for a solar setup
- Mount the panel facing the clearest southern sky exposure available at the site, not just wherever is easiest to reach.
- A solar panel recharges a battery, it doesn't replace one; keep a spare battery on hand for cloudy stretches.
- Don't buy a universal solar panel without checking the connector and voltage match your camera; brand-matched panels avoid that risk entirely.
More picks worth a look
Listed prices change often; the button shows the current price.
Cellular trail camera Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Solar $229.00 The Bushnell CelluCORE 20 Solar (about $229) is a solid mid-premium built-in solar option from a trusted brand with a low-glow flash.
Specs and variants Check price
4G LTE security camera REOLINK 4K Solar 4G LTE Camera $188.99 The REOLINK 4K Solar 4G LTE Camera (about $189) leans security-camera first, with 4K video and built-in solar, a good fit for a gate or remote cabin.
Specs and variants Check price
Solar panel Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2 (3.4W) $75.00 The Moultrie Solar Power Pack Gen 2 (about $75) adds solar charging to any compatible Moultrie Edge camera that didn't come with one built in.
Specs and variants Check price
Solar panel SPYPOINT SPLB-22 solar panel with battery $127.00 The SPYPOINT SPLB-22 solar panel with battery (about $127) is a strong add-on option for SPYPOINT cameras that shipped without solar.
Specs and variants Check priceFrequently asked questions
Do solar trail cameras still need batteries?
Yes. The solar panel recharges the camera's battery, it doesn't replace the need for one. You still install batteries (or an internal rechargeable pack) when you set up the camera; the solar panel just means you replace or recharge them far less often, since the panel keeps the battery topped off in daylight.
How much sun does a solar trail camera panel need?
Direct, unobstructed sunlight for at least a few hours a day works best; a panel in deep shade or facing north generally won't keep up with a battery-hungry cellular camera. Mount the panel facing the clearest sky exposure at the site, and expect reduced charging in winter or heavily wooded areas.
Can I add a solar panel to a trail camera that didn't come with one?
Often, yes. Most major brands sell a compatible add-on solar panel and battery pack, like the Moultrie Solar Power Pack or SPYPOINT SPLB-22, matched to their own cameras. Universal panels exist for other brands too, but check the connector type and voltage match your specific camera model before buying.
Do solar trail camera panels work in winter?
Less effectively. Shorter daylight hours and a lower sun angle mean less charging time, so a solar panel that easily keeps up in summer may fall behind in winter, especially on a cellular camera. Pairing solar with lithium AA batteries, which hold up far better in freezing temperatures than alkaline, helps cover the gap.
Is a solar cellular camera worth the extra cost over a battery-only one?
It depends on how often you can visit the site. For a camera you check every week or two, battery-only is often simpler and cheaper. For a remote site you visit a few times a year, a solar model like the SPYPOINT Flex-S Dark Solar or the budget Moultrie Edge Solar can be worth the premium in fewer wasted trips and less risk of the camera dying between visits.
Researched from published specifications, brand plan lists and verified owner reviews; we do not claim hands-on testing. General information, not professional, legal or security advice. Trail camera rules differ by state: some restrict transmitting cameras during hunting seasons or on public land, so check your state wildlife agency. Recording and audio laws vary; only record where you have the right to.