Best Batteries For Trail Cameras: A Comprehensive Guide

It might seem like the toughest part about trail cameras is choosing the best camera to fit your needs. While that is probably true, choosing the right batteries is crucial for optimal performance.

Whether you’re a seasoned user or just getting started, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different battery types can make a significant difference in your trail camera experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the best batteries for trail cameras, providing insights into their performance, longevity, and suitability for various conditions.

Why Battery Choice Matters

Most trail cameras today will run on AA batteries, which are widely accessible. So when most people get their first trail camera their initial reaction is to be tempted to buy whichever AA batteries are on sale. However, not all batteries are created equal.

The fact of the matter is that the batteries you choose to put in your trail camera will not only determine how long each set of batteries will last, but it can also impact how well your trail camera performs. Choosing the wrong battery can even determine if your trail camera will work at all in extreme weather conditions. In addition, certain types of batteries may not be compatible with your specific camera.

Here is some information about the different types of batteries you have to choose from.

What Are the 3 Types of Batteries?

There are many brands of batteries out there. There is Energizer, Duracell, store brands, and everything in between. Each of these brands will have their own specifications. However, there are several things to know about each TYPE of battery that will help make your battery buying decision easier.

1. Standard Alkaline Batteries

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Pros:

• Lowest priced
• Easiest to find

Cons:

• Don’t perform well in colder weather
• Lose voltage over time (doesn’t remain constant)
• Shorter life span
• Only good for 1 use

Alkaline batteries can be found everywhere from your corner gas station, big box stores, and battery specialty shops. Not only are these batteries the easiest to find, but they are also the lowest priced option out there.

These batteries will have the shortest useful life in the field and consistently lose voltage as they age and the camera continues to capture videos and pictures. They also don’t perform well in the sub-freezing weather. We also wouldn’t suggest using alkaline batteries in cellular trail cameras since they use more energy than traditional trail cameras.

It might sound like we think you should never use alkaline batteries in your trail camera, but that isn’t always the case. While alkaline batteries are not our favorite we can see at least one situation where we would feel comfortable using them. That situation would be if we wanted to post a trail camera in the field for a couple of months prior to and during hunting season (assuming that we aren’t expecting the temperature to fall well below freezing). If you decide to use alkaline batteries in your trail camera make sure that you buy high-quality batteries with a high capacity.

2. NiMH Rechargeable Batteries 2500 mAh

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Pros:

• Huge cost savings over time
• Better cold weather performance compared to alkaline batteries
• Hold more energy/last longer than standard alkaline batteries

Cons:

• Don’t work with some trail cameras (In fact, some manufacturers will specifically state that you shouldn’t use rechargeable batteries with their trail cameras.)
• Fast rate of self discharge

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries have a lot of good things going for them. That being said, NiMH batteries simply won’t work for some trail cameras. Like a lot of products, there are both good and bad about them.

So let’s get the bad out of the way first. If you have a trail camera that needs the batteries to be able to produce more than 1.2 volts then rechargeable NiMH batteries aren’t for you. As discussed earlier many cameras will simply shut off if they don’t get the voltage they require. That is why you should check the owner’s manual for your trail camera if you have any doubts because some trail camera manufacturers will tell you not to use rechargeable batteries in their cameras.

The good news is that if your trail camera can use rechargeable batteries you can save a lot of money over time with rechargeable batteries. Yes, they will cost more initially, but the fact that you can recharge them 500+ times the savings you will be immense. Plus, unlike other types of batteries that are only good for one use and then end up in the landfill or recycling center, NiMH batteries are a choice that is more environmentally friendly.

That being said, if your trail camera can use rechargeable batteries you will need to be OK with lower performance. As we discussed earlier lower voltage numbers mean less flash brightness, less flash range, and reduced sensitivity. For many people that isn’t a big deal, but for others, it is very frustrating. If you think that you might fall into that frustrated group and want to squeeze the most performance you can out of your trail camera you might want to avoid NiMH batteries.

Note: NiMH batteries begin to discharge as soon as they are finished charging (even if you haven’t put them in your trail camera yet). So don’t let your batteries lay around a couple of weeks after they are charged before you put them into your trail camera. Despite this discharge for NiMH batteries, they will almost always outlast alkaline batteries in the field by a significant margin, especially if you buy high-quality Nickel Metal Hydride batteries with the largest capacity you can find (typically in the 2,300-2,500 mAh range or greater) like the Energizer Recharge Power Plus Batteries (2,300 mAh) or the Tenergy Premium Rechargeable AA Batteries (2,500 mAh)). 

3. Lithium Batteries 3000 mAh

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Pros:

• Lasts the longest/longest life span
• Maintains consistent voltage output
• Best performer in cold weather
• Cheaper initial investment when compared to rechargeable batteries

Cons:

• More expensive than alkaline batteries
• Only good for 1 use

Our favorite type of battery for trail cameras are lithium batteries. Yes, they cost more than alkaline batteries and they can’t be reused to save you money over time like NiMH batteries, but they also possess advantages that these other types of batteries can’t beat.

The first thing we like about lithium batteries is that they have a capacity that is much higher than other types of batteries. This means that they can last between 2-3 times as long as traditional alkaline batteries (sometimes more depending on the brands being compared and the amount of traffic that comes within range of the trail camera) and usually last around 50% longer than NiMH batteries.

The second thing we like, as discussed earlier, lithium batteries can consistently produce between 1.5 and 1.4 volts for the majority of their life cycle. The fact that it takes them the longest amount of time to drop to 1.2 volts (or below), combined with the fact that they have such a high capacity, means that they will not only have the longest life cycle of any battery type, but they will help your trail camera have the highest level of performance during this time as well.

Another thing that is fantastic about lithium batteries is their cold weather performance. Actually, they perform well in both the extreme cold and heat, even though in most cases we are looking for batteries that can withstand bitterly cold winter temperatures. An example of this would be the Energizer Advanced Lithium batteries which are rated to have an operating temperature of between -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C). If you search around you won’t find alkaline or NiMH batteries that can handle cold temperatures anywhere close to what a high-quality lithium battery is capable of withstanding.

Note: We think that lithium batteries are a great option for all trail cameras, but one type of trail camera that we encourage you to use lithium batteries in above all others is cellular trail cameras. Most of the time you post them in areas that are further away and inconvenient for you to check regularly. Plus, depending on your settings and if your cellular trail camera is in an area where it captures a lot of images it will need significantly more power to transmit them to you over the cellular network.

Choosing the Best Batteries for Your Trail Camera: 5 Key Considerations

When it comes to powering your trail camera, not all batteries are created equal. The right choice can ensure optimal performance and longevity, so here’s what you need to consider:

1. Voltage and Power Requirements

The voltage produced by the batteries you choose and how long they can deliver that voltage before it starts to drop off is one of the most important things to keep in mind as you decide which batteries to buy for your trail camera.

• Understanding Voltage: The battery voltage is crucial as it affects whether your trail camera operates optimally. Most trail cameras are engineered to run off a specific voltage, and if the battery voltage dips the camera’s performance will begin to suffer as it may experience things like reduced flash range and detection ranges. Eventually, if the battery voltage dips below the minimum threshold that the camera was designed for, many models will shut down automatically, missing critical shots (even though there may still be power remaining in the batteries). This makes a battery’s ability to deliver the required voltage for as long as possible throughout its life cycle very valuable.
• Calculating Total Voltage: Use the formula: Number of Batteries (cells) x Voltage per Battery = Total Voltage. For example, if a camera operates on 6 volts and each battery offers 1.5 volts, you’ll need 4 batteries.
  • Many manufacturers of 6 volt trail cameras will program in a shut off voltage of around 5 volts
    • So in other words, when the voltage drops to 1.2 volts per battery the trail camera will shut itself off.
      • 4 batteries X 1.2 volts each = 4.8 volts

Battery Types and Their Voltage Behavior Differences

So here is the problem when choosing batteries for your trail camera. Different types of batteries (Alkaline, NIMH Rechargeable, and Lithium) can start off at different voltage levels when they are new, or recently charged (in the case of rechargeable batteries). To make it even more complicated these different types of batteries don’t all experience a dropoff in voltage at the same time or rate. So let’s look more closely at the voltage of these different types of batteries.

 

Alkaline Battery Voltage

• Start out with around 1.5 volts, but their power output begins to steadily decrease over time as soon as you place them into your trail camera, affecting the camera’s performance.
• Voltage drops to approximately 1.2 volts 20% through its usage cycle and will continue to decrease from there.
  • Alkaline batteries are usually the type of battery that drops to 1.2 volts the fastest
• The voltage level continues to drop in proportion to the amount of time in the field and the number of pictures/videos taken.
• As the voltage continues to drop the flash range will steadily decrease and the images and videos will look darker and darker until the camera eventually shuts off due to a lack of sufficient voltage.

NIMH (Ni-MH) Rechargeable Battery Voltage

• Fully charged, many brands will produce about 1.4 volts.
• Voltage decreases to 1.2 volts very quickly. However, once they drop to 1.2 volts they are able to consistently hold that voltage and deliver 1.2 volts throughout the remainder of its usage cycle.
  • By comparison, alkaline batteries will continue to experience a steady decline in voltage once it hits 1.2 volts.
• Trail cameras that aren’t designed around a 1.5 volt per cell requirement and don’t have an automatic shut off could continue to work just fine off of a 1.2 volts (albeit with diminished flash performance). However, this isn’t the case with a lot of trail cameras so consult with your owners manual or be prepared to change batteries more frequently (as you would with alkaline batteries).
• Not all rechargeable batteries are made the same. Buy high-quality batteries with the highest capacity (we discussed this capacity earlier) you can find in order to get the best performance and longest battery life.

FYI… Some trail camera manufacturers will actually say that you shouldn’t use rechargeable batteries in their cameras. This is because they know that rechargeable batteries aren’t going to be capable of delivering the voltage that the camera needs to operate effectively.

Lithium Battery Voltage

• Lithium batteries will often produce around 1.6 volts when new.
• Will consistently produce between 1.5 and 1.4 volts for the majority of its life cycle.
• Doesn’t drop below 1.2 volts until almost the very end of its life cycle
  • Takes the longest to drop to 1.2 volts of all 3 battery types (Alkaline, NIMH Rechargeable, and Lithium)

Higher Voltage Can Mean Better Performance

Remember that as time passes and the voltage decreases you will notice that the flash won’t illuminate the area in front of the camera as brightly or as far as it did when the batteries were new and first placed into the camera. Just as decreasing voltage produces weaker flash characteristics, increased voltage produces a stronger flash with brighter pictures and a longer range.

So if you select batteries that operate at a higher voltage throughout their entire life you will notice better results with the pictures and videos your camera captures especially at night.

2. Battery Discharge Rate

Batteries gradually lose charge over time, even when not in use. This self-discharge rate varies by type, affecting how long the batteries will last before needing a replacement. Knowing how fast this self-discharge happens for different types of batteries will help you know how long you might expect a set of batteries might last before they run out of power.

Another thing to remember is that as batteries self-discharge some types will start to give a lower voltage, which will negatively impact the performance of trail cameras.

3. Battery Capacity

Another important thing to think about is battery capacity. Measured in milliampere-hours, capacity refers to how much energy is stored within the battery to begin with.

Most trail cameras use AA batteries, but just because you are buying new batteries doesn’t mean that the capacity of all the available AA batteries is the same. The battery capacity can vary between brands as well as battery types (alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable).

When you look at the packaging for individual batteries or on the batteries themselves you will commonly see a value for milliampere hour (symbol: mA⋅h, mA h, or unofficially mAh). Higher capacity means longer battery life, so look for batteries with a high mAh rating.

4. Weather Conditions and Performance

Another important thing you need to think about is the weather conditions your trail camera will be in once you post it in the field and turn it on. More specifically, you want to think about temperature extremes.

Batteries create chemical reactions to produce electricity and the outdoor temperature can greatly impact these chemical reactions – especially in temperature extremes. For example, extreme heat causes the battery to work harder and lose energy, which shortens battery life. Conversely, when in extremely cold temperatures battery performance can also suffer. Due to the fact that each type of battery is made from different materials, the chemical reactions that take place in each battery type are different. This difference in chemical reactions is why lithium batteries can operate in much colder temperatures than other types of batteries.

The differences in cold weather performance is probably the biggest thing you need to think about in terms of weather when choosing a battery for your trail camera. However, if you don’t live in a cold climate or don’t plan on leaving your trail camera out in the field during the winter months when temperatures can drop well below freezing, you can get by with a battery that doesn’t perform as well in the cold.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

Remember that the initial cost of batteries isn’t everything. Each type of battery has a different upfront cost, but you want to think about how much you will be spending in the long run and if a certain type of battery will or won’t be able to meet your needs.

Think about how convenient it is for you to check and change the batteries in your trail camera and compare that with the expected battery life for the type of battery you are considering. For example, if you live a long distance away from where you post your trail camera you might come out money ahead by using more expensive batteries with longer life to avoid the expense of having to travel long distances to change batteries. On the other hand, if it is convenient for you to check and change the batteries in your trail camera it might make more sense for you to go with a money-saving option, especially if you don’t plan on having your trail camera in the field during extremely cold winter weather.

FAQ: Best Batteries For Trail Cameras

What is the best battery for cold weather?

Lithium batteries are the best choice for cold weather conditions. They are designed to perform well in extreme temperatures, maintaining consistent voltage output and energy levels even in the bitter cold. Lithium batteries can operate effectively in temperatures ranging from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C), making them ideal for winter wildlife watching or any outdoor activities in cold climates.

What is the best battery for cellular trail cameras?

Most of the time people put cellular trail cameras in areas that are further away and inconvenient for you to check regularly. Plus, depending on the settings you choose and if the camera is in a setting where it captures a large number of pictures and videos it will need significantly more power than a traditional trail camera to transmit them to you over the cellular network.

That is why for cellular trail cameras, lithium batteries are highly recommended. Due to the higher power demands of transmitting data over cellular networks, lithium batteries are preferred because they have a higher capacity, longer lifespan, and maintain a consistent voltage longer than other types of batteries. This ensures your cellular trail camera stays operational longer, reducing the frequency of battery replacements and ensuring reliable performance.

Is it possible to use alkaline batteries in cold weather?

While it is possible to use alkaline batteries in cold weather, their performance significantly decreases as the temperature drops. I have personally had cameras in the woods with using alkaline batteries that, according to the trail cameras, showed as having 50% to 75% power remaining when temperature plummeted to 10 to 15 degrees below zero at night for periods of a week or more.

Did the cameras function? Absolutely. However, their performance was reudeced throughout this timeframe. Therefore, relying on alkaline batteries for prolonged durations in such cold conditions would not be something that I would choose to do.

Alkaline batteries tend to lose voltage and power more rapidly in cold conditions, which can lead to shorter battery life and reduced camera performance. For more reliable operation in cold weather, lithium batteries are a better choice due to their superior cold-weather performance.

Which types of batteries (Alkaline, NIMH Rechargeable, or Lithium) do I have to take out of my trail camera when it isn’t in use to avoid leakage?

To avoid leakage and potential damage to your trail camera when it’s not in use, it’s generally a good practice to remove alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are more prone to leaking as they age, especially if they’re left in a device for an extended period without use. NiMH rechargeable and lithium batteries are less likely to leak, but for long-term storage, it’s safest to remove any batteries from your trail camera to prevent any risk of leakage and ensure the longevity of your equipment.

Conclusion

Each person’s situation is unique in terms of what type of trail camera they have and how they plan on using them. Depending on your situation you might feel that one type of battery is best for you while another person feels strongly that they want to use a different type of battery. Both of you can be correct.

The most important thing is to know the strengths and weaknesses of the type of battery you are buying so you don’t have any surprises. Then for best results, regardless of which type of battery you buy (Alkaline, NiMH, or Lithium), make sure to get a high-quality battery with the largest capacity you can find.

Last update on 2024-04-28 at 02:07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API