Are you looking for the best batteries for trail cameras from different brands on the market, such as Energizer, Browning, and Duracell, but don’t determine which one is suitable for your trail camera? Fortunately, we’ve researched for you and put together a list of our top 6 best batteries for trail cameras for you to consider.
Since there are so many different types of trail cameras available on the market, it is important for the buyer to choose a camera that will be useful for them for a long time. And, when it comes to longevity, it’s important to have the best trail camera batteries to have enough power and performance.
From our estimations, more than 50 million batteries are used for trail cameras alone. No matter if you are a novice or professional at trail cameras, you have to get your hands on the best batteries.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that the higher the price, the better the battery.
It is absolutely wrong.
To get rid of such misconceptions and to make your work easier, we are going to present the best batteries for trail cameras with buying guide of helpful information so that you can choose the best batteries for a trail camera.
To compile our list of the best game camera batteries, we’ve researched and evaluated a range of the best battery for trail cameras on the market, costing between $17.00 and $89.00. We picked Duracell Coppertop as our top pick.
How to Choose The Best Batteries for Trail Camera
Now, you might be thinking – “What batteries should I use for a trail camera?” According to a survey –
-Trail camera battery manufacturers are putting 95% of their effort into making AA batteries.
Because of this, AA batteries will be the best option when using trail cameras. These batteries are often available, easy to carry, and the rechargeable ones can save you a decent amount of money.
The Types of AA Batteries
Since we told you to use AA batteries for your trail camera, you should also know their types. In fact, if you opt-in to buy the best batteries for digital cameras, AA batteries are the best options. Basically, there are three types of AA batteries. They are –
- Standard Alkaline Battery
This one is the most common of the AA battery series. You will find these batteries in a typical retail shop. The majority of trail cameras are made to run on alkaline batteries due to their wide availability.
The alkaline cells power the battery through a chemical reaction between Manganese Oxide (MnO2) and Zinc (Zn). Often, these batteries have an output voltage of 1.5V and a discharge capacity of 1,000 mAh to 1,500 mAh.
- Lithium AA Battery
Unlike Alkaline batteries, these have longer lifelines. Aside from the recharging capabilities, these are the most efficient batteries for trail cameras. Among all the AA batteries, these have the highest output voltage of 1.7V and a discharge capacity of 3,000 mAh, which is three times that of an alkaline battery.
However, lithium AA batteries are not cheap. Being the ultimate performer and long-lasting batteries for trail cameras, you need to spend some pennies for them. But, if you want to hide your trail cameras from humans, using lithium batteries over traditional alkaline can be the best choice because of their longevity.
- NIMH AA Battery (Rechargeable)
In our opinion, an NIMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) AA battery can save you more than any other AA battery. These batteries offer a minimum output voltage of 1.2V with a capacity of 2,000 mAh for discharging.
Being a rechargeable battery, you can charge it again once it is fully drained. So, they never die, in other words. However, you may need to change these batteries after a long period.
Steps to Choose The Best AA Batteries for Trail Cameras
No matter what type of battery you choose, there are always some steps to choosing the best AA trail camera batteries. Here are some of them –
- Considerations for Copper Top – While buying batteries for your trail camera, you should definitely check the label on it. Usually, a copper top battery will have Kirkland labels on them, and they are 20% longer than Costco brand batteries.
- Considerations for Costco Brand – Speaking of Costco brand batteries, they are 20% less than a copper top battery. As a result, you can buy them for cheap prices. Other than that, the Costco brand and the copper top battery are the same.
- Check the Voltage – Different trail cameras will operate best on specific voltages. There is no absolute requirement for having a higher output voltage. We assume it is wise to choose AA batteries for your trail camera with a higher voltage.
- Check the Discharge Capacity – The discharge capacity determines how long your trail camera battery will last. So, the higher the discharge capacity, the longer it will last.
- Determine the Budget and Type – Last but not least, is the type of trail camera battery. Depending on how much you are willing to spend on the batteries will determine the type. Standard alkaline batteries cost less, whereas lithium-ion batteries will cost more.
- The lifespan of the Battery – Wondering what batteries last the longest in trail cameras? Well, a lithium battery will certainly be a good option then. And if you are a penny saver, then we suggest using NIMH batteries.
Read More: What should I do if the battery acid is leaking from the car battery?
6 Best Batteries for Trail Camera – Experts’ Review
What batteries work best in trail cameras?
Now we know you are desperate to hear the answer. We might leave it to our list of the best batteries for trail cameras.
If you want to keep using your trail camera without changing the batteries frequently, then the Energizer Ultimate Lithium (L91) AA battery is one of the best batteries for trail cameras. In comparison to other trail camera batteries, it stands out for its incredible adaptability in cold weather. Although these batteries are expensive, you can buy them in bulk. After all, you are getting the best quality that money can offer.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Lithium Capacity: 300 mAh Nominal Voltage: 1.5V Maximum Current Discharge: 2.5A (Constant), 4.0A (Pulse) Operating Range: -40°F – 140°F |
Energizer is certainly a renowned brand for producing high-quality batteries. When it comes to recyclable ones, they also beat the competition. As a result, the Energizer NH15BP-8 Rechargeable battery is ranked second on our list.
Do you know?
-The first rechargeable battery made with 4% recycled batteries is the Energizer NH15BP-8.
These are great value for money since you can recharge them hundreds of times and still get optimal performance. It is the ideal choice for outdoor and indoor usage.
How long do trail camera batteries last?
Energizer NH15BP-8 batteries can last for over 20 years without being used.
Based on our research and customer review analysis, we can consider it one of the best batteries for trail cameras.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Ni-MH Capacity: 2300 mAh Nominal Voltage: 1.2V Maximum Current Discharge: 2.3 A Operating Range: -40°F – 140°F |
A good thing about the Browning Trail Camera Alkaline AA batteries is that they will remain intact even if you leave them inside the camera for months. Like most alkaline batteries, it also has 1.5 volts of output. It is one of the best batteries for trail cameras that you can really rely on.
The Browning trail camera batteries are quite affordable too. For a decent price, you can purchase the power pack for your trail camera. Not to mention, these batteries are free from mercury, cadmium, and leaks. You can rest assured that these batteries will last a very long time.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Alkaline Nominal Voltage: 1.5V Maximum Current Discharge: not sure Operating Range: 0°F – 130°F |
The Energizer Industrial Alkaline AA E91 is the best option when you are using a digital camera or LED light. This is an excellent alkaline battery that can operate at a minimum of 0°F and a maximum of 130°F.
If you are particularly looking for something in the alkaline series, then we highly suggest this product. The battery has a flat terminal contact. Surprisingly, you can store it for 10 years when the temperature is 69.8°F.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Alkaline Capacity: 150 mAh – 300 mAh Nominal Voltage: 1.5V Maximum Current Discharge: 0.10 mA (Typical), 14.50 mA (Max) Operating Range: 0°F – 130°F |
You can take the Energizer Max E91 AA into account if you are looking for the best batteries for trail cams. Although this one is more of a budget-friendly option, it will do the job. These are some of the best trail camera batteries and will not let you down.
These batteries are particularly good for digital cameras. They can operate at any temperature, no matter how cold or warm it may be. However, the Max E91 will not deliver the same performance as the EN91 variant.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Alkaline Capacity: 160 mAh Nominal Voltage: 1.5V Maximum Current Discharge: 0.10 mA (Typical), 5.50 mA (Max) Operating Range: 0°F – 130°F |
Duracell is a common name in the battery industry. We chose the Duracell Coppertop AA batteries since they are very easy to find. Even if you need to look for several shops to find the above batteries, you just need to go to your nearest retail shop to purchase these.
And the battery means they are 20% longer than Costco brands. You can keep them for 12 years without using them.
| Product Specifications |
| Battery Type: AA Cell: Alkaline Capacity: 2400 mAh Nominal Voltage: 1.5V Maximum Current Discharge: 0.50 mA (Typical) Operating Range: 50°F – 77°F |
FAQ- Best Batteries For Trail Camera
Even if you find the best battery for your trail camera, there are some frequently asked questions you need to know. Here are some of the important ones –
- Does cold weather drain AA batteries?
Yes, cold weather drains AA batteries more quickly than in summer. Then, it is best to use the lithium batteries in your trail camera for their long-lasting performance.
For instance, the Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA (L91) is one of the best AA batteries for cold weather. The NiMH will also work well, even if you can’t get lithium batteries.
- Are rechargeable batteries good for trail cameras?
They are good and can last a long time. When budget is your top priority, they will be the superior choice. Because you can always recharge them and use them again on your trail cameras.
As for performance, NiMH rechargeable batteries will maintain a standard level. In our opinion, the Energizer NH15BP-8 AA Batteries are the best rechargeable batteries for trail cameras. But we recommend using lithium batteries for the ultimate performance.
- Are lithium batteries good for trail cameras?
Of course, they are. They are the most efficient batteries for a trail camera regardless of the weather conditions. You can find some of the best lithium batteries on our list.
Final Words – The Best AA Batteries for a Trail Camera
As you can clearly see, choosing the best battery for your trail camera is not that hard. We have already compiled a list of the top trail camera batteries to make your job easier. Let us know if we missed any particular battery that should have been on the list.
Speaking of trail camera battery life, it all depends on the battery model and some scientific formulas. As a matter of fact, we can’t predict the exact life of a trail camera battery. Although you may get some estimates about the battery life, it can never be too certain.
For instance, no one can possibly declare that 200 days is the exact life of the Reconyx HC500 battery model.