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I’ve tested plenty of trail cameras over the years—including a bunch from Moultrie—and while I love most of what I've tried, what I don’t love is changing batteries all the time. That’s why the Moultrie Edge Solar immediately caught my attention. With a built-in solar panel designed to keep the camera powered year-round sans AA batteries, it claims to be "truly set-it-and-forget-it." Skeptical (yet hopeful!), I wanted to see if it actually delivers in the field.
Turns out it does—and it also turns out there's more to this camera than just solar power. Over the past few weeks of testing, I paid close attention to how it handled different lighting conditions, how easy it was to manage in the field, and how well its features performed. Here’s what I found.
Quick Overview
Specs
Trigger Speed: 0.40 seconds
Image Resolution: 40MP
Video Resolution: 1080P FHD
Max Detection Range: 100 feet
Flash Type: Low-glow
Pros
Adjustable built-in solar panel keeps it running year-round
Integrated rechargeable battery eliminates the need for AA batteries
Easy to mount
Terrific image and video quality both day and night
Reliable cellular connection
Cons
More expensive (and bulkier) than non-solar cams
Requires subscription
Testing Results
Solar Panel and Battery Life
The big thing I was curious about with the Moultrie Edge Solar was its solar panel—and whether or not it could really live up to the brand's promise of "never worrying about dead batteries again." I put it in a partly shaded spot to test the solar panel, and over several weeks it maintained power without me touching the internal battery. On sunny days, the panel kept the camera fully charged, and even when it was cloudy, the backup battery made sure it kept recording. It's more "set it and forget it" than other trail cams I've used that need constant battery swaps.
The solar feature also really made a difference in day-to-day use. I could leave the camera out in the field for weeks and not worry about it dying. The app also lets you monitor battery levels remotely, so I didn’t have to constantly run out to the camera to check. I found that deep shade slows the solar charging a bit, but even then, it performed better than I expected.
Image and Video Quality
During my testing, the Edge Solar delivered some really sharp photos, both during the day and at night. I like that details are crisp and clear, and that the colors are vibrant and realistic, which make identifying animals easy. In my experience, the night photos were also solid—while not perfect in total darkness, the infrared flash did a good job of picking up movement without spooking the deer. I also tried recording video, and, while the resolution obviously isn't as good as the photos, the clips were smooth and not choppy.
Setup and Use
Setting up the Edge Solar was straightforward. I unboxed it, popped in the rechargeable battery, and attached the solar panel in just a few minutes. The app walked me through connecting it to my cellular network, and I didn't have any issues (phew!). Once it was online, I was able to check battery levels, view my photos, and even adjust settings right from my phone. That convenience is a huge time-saver.
I haven't had any problems with connectivity yet, and photos upload reliably throughout the day. Even when I put the camera in a partially shaded spot, I didn’t notice any delays in receiving updates. Overall, it feels like a trail cam setup—and use—that anyone could handle, even total beginners.
Verdict
After spending several weeks testing the Edge Solar, I recommend it for hunters who want a low-maintenance trail camera that, well, works. The solar panel makes it easy to leave out in the elements without constantly worrying about batteries, and the image and video quality are more than good enough. I think it would be especially useful for anyone who wants to monitor multiple spots without running back and forth. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the convenience and solar power make it worth the investment.
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