Long battery life is crucial for continuous operation, especially in remote locations. I aim for cameras with at least six months of battery life under typical usage. Also, ensure the camera is weatherproof and sturdy enough to withstand the harsh outdoor conditions common in the UK. Additional features

Cameras in 2023 - FindThisBest (UK) Top 8 Best AA Trail Cameras in 2023 - FindThisBest (UK)

It’s well built, IP66 weather-resistant and, thanks to its internal display, straightforward to use. Stills are saved at up to 20 megapixels, and videos are recorded at 1080p. While there’s certainly some digital upscaling going on, the files deliver clear levels of detail, day and night. The infrared night vision uses a wavelength of 940nm so it’s not as bright as an array of 850nm IREDs but it is less visible to wildlife. In the context of a suburban or country garden, this is less important than it sounds. While it’s true that in the wild they’re likely to be put off by artificial light, creatures who live in and around human settlements are undeterred. The distinction only really applies to animals in areas without electricity.

Capture photos and videos of your wild visitors with our guide to the best wildlife cameras

The SL503 has managed to avoid all the mistakes other brands are guilty of. The battery compartment is removable so you don’t have to take down the camera. The SD port is on the outside so you don’t have to open the case. A 6cm colour screen assists with setup and the 6 buttons on the control panel are all you need to configure the installation. I’m willing to bet most people will buy a second SD card that they can swap out manually when the first one is full. Note that the SD card is often not included in the price so will be an extra expense. The CEYOMUR WiFi Bluetooth Wildlife Camera is a great choice due to its advanced features and excellent performance, both day and night.

NEXCAM Wildlife Camera Mini 16MP 1080P Trail Camera with NEXCAM Wildlife Camera Mini 16MP 1080P Trail Camera with

If you’re seeking a reliable and high-quality wildlife camera, the CRABGO Wildlife Camera 36MP 1080P is an excellent choice for capturing stunning images and videos of wildlife in your garden. Some trail cameras also have an infrared flash, which illuminates scenes on a wavelength that wildlife won't notice. If you're after nocturnal subjects, this is definitely worth getting. One of the most important aspects of a wildlife camera for me is the image quality. High-resolution images capture more details, making it easier to identify and appreciate the animals being photographed. Look for cameras with at least 12 megapixels for clear and detailed images. Trigger speed and detection rangeAny of the cameras on this list are enough to satisfy your needs. They’re all good and, for the most part, eminently affordable. Resolution Pro tip: The default 4K bitrate of wildlife cameras is 30Mbps which is low for 4K but you can raise it to 40Mbps by dropping the frame rate from 30fps to 24fps. That’ll get you a total of just over an hour’s recording time on a 64G card.

Wildlife Camera Mini 16MP 1080P Trail Camera with Hongc Wildlife Camera Mini 16MP 1080P Trail Camera with

It features a small no-glow lamp, allowing you to peek inside the box day and night, and connects directly to your television via a 20-metre cable. It uses a standard RCA cable; an HDMI adapter is included to upscale the footage but raw image quality is limited to standard definition. The 0.2s triggering and 120° wide-angle detection range are fantastic for capturing every movement of wildlife in the area. With a durable IP66 water-resistant design, this camera is suitable for outdoor usage and harsh environments. The included 32GB SD card and mounting strap make installation a breeze, although you might want to upgrade to a larger SD card over time.In contrast to the stripped-down nuts-and-bolts bare essentials of the Bushnell E3, the BlazeVideo A262 has more bells and whistles than a steam-powered Christmas tree. Trigger response time: A camera’s trigger response time refers to the delay between an animal appearing and the camera responding. Generally speaking, the shorter the response time, the better. Too slow, and the animal may have already left before the picture has been taken – but anything below 0.5 seconds should fare just fine. Key specs – Max video resolution: 4K; Max stills resolution: 32 megapixels; Detection range: 33m; Response time: 0.2s; Recovery time: 0.6s; Flash: 940nm no glow; Flash range: 33m

NEXCAM Wildlife Camera Solar Powered Trail Game Camera WiFi NEXCAM Wildlife Camera Solar Powered Trail Game Camera WiFi

Pro tip: Set the motion detection sensitivity to low or it’ll be triggered by every gust of wind and you’ll end up with hundreds of pictures of nothing at all. The camera can run for up to 12 months off of a single set of AA batteries and is also compatible with Bushnell’s solar panel system. The minimum focal range of the E6 is 1.5m. If you want to record animals at a distance, I recommend the E8 which has a focal range of 2.5m. Pros: I recently had the pleasure of using the CEYOMUR Wildlife Camera and was highly impressed with its performance. The 20MP pictures and 1080P video quality exceeded my expectations, capturing detailed and colourful images of the local wildlife. The adjustable lens angle made positioning and fine-tuning the camera effortless.Starlight optics (also known as night colour) is very useful if your garden is illuminated after dark. It means the camera is smart enough to use its infrared just for motion detection, not night vision. Pros: