The best trail camera security boxes and cable locks
SPYPOINT SB-500S steel security box
$39.99 listed price, changes oftenPicks by experience level
Beginner
Hiweld steel box for Moultrie Edge$18.99A steel box built specifically for the Moultrie Edge, the cheapest steel-box option here. It only fits that one camera line, so check your model before buying; it does not come with a cable lock, so add one separately to secure the box itself to a tree or post.
Check priceIntermediate
SPYPOINT SB-500S steel security box$39.99A universal steel security box that fits a wider range of camera brands and sizes than a brand-specific box, with mounting holes for a cable lock through the box and around the tree. It suits most cameras on a lease or property with occasional foot traffic.
Check priceExpert
SPYPOINT SB-500S steel security box$39.99The same universal steel box paired with the heavier-gauge Master Lock Python 8418D cable lock, for a public-land placement or a spot with a real history of camera theft. A camera on your own fenced backyard or a rarely visited private cabin does not need this level of hardening; a lighter cable lock or none at all is enough there.
Check priceDo trail cameras actually get stolen?
Yes, and it is one of the more common complaints from owners running cameras on public land, leased ground with foot traffic, or anywhere a camera is visible from a trail. A camera in plain sight on a tree, especially a cellular model that looks obviously valuable, is a target. A steel security box does two things: it makes the camera harder to simply grab and walk off with, and it slows down anyone trying to pry it open, buying time and reducing the odds someone bothers at all.
Steel box or cable lock, do you need both?
They solve different problems. A steel box protects the camera itself from being pried open or smashed, and a cable lock secures the box to the tree or post so the whole thing cannot be carried off. Using a box without a cable lock still leaves the box (and the camera in it) free to be lifted off the tree strap and walked away. For any camera worth protecting, pair a steel box with a Master Lock Python cable lock threaded through the box's mounting loop and around the trunk.
Brand-matched or universal security box?
A brand-matched box, like the Moultrie Security Box for the Edge line or the SPYPOINT Flex lock box, is molded to fit that specific camera with no gaps around the buttons, lens or sensor, which also means the camera's own weatherproofing stays intact. A universal box, like the SPYPOINT SB-500S steel box, fits a wider range of camera sizes and shapes, which is useful if you run more than one camera brand and want one box style across all of them, or if your specific camera does not have a brand-matched box available.
How do these security options compare?
| Product | Type | Fits | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiweld steel box | Steel box | Moultrie Edge only | about $19 |
| MAYICHUAN lock box | Lock box | SPYPOINT Flex only | about $34 |
| Tactacam Reveal box | Lockable box | Tactacam Reveal only | about $30 |
| SPYPOINT SB-500S | Steel box | Universal | about $40 |
| Master Lock Python 8417D | Cable lock, 6 ft | Any box or camera | about $10 |
| Master Lock Python 8418D | Heavier cable lock | Any box or camera | about $29 |
How we chose these picks
These picks come from published fit compatibility, material and price on each listing, along with how owners describe theft-resistance and installation in verified reviews. This is a research-based roundup; we have not pried on these boxes ourselves to test resistance to tampering.
Buying tips for a trail camera security box
Confirm the box actually fits your exact camera model before ordering; a box built for one brand's camera rarely fits another brand's shape, even when both are similarly sized. Run the cable lock through a solid loop on the box and a tree at least 6 to 8 inches in diameter where the lock cannot simply slip over the top. If you are placing a camera on public land or a lease you do not own outright, check the property's rules and any state wildlife agency restrictions on camera placement, since some public land bans or restricts trail cameras regardless of how well they are secured.
More picks worth a look
Listed prices change often; the button shows the current price.
Security box Moultrie Security Box for Edge $39.99 Moultrie's own security box for the Edge line, a snug brand-matched fit.
Specs and variants Check price
Security box MAYICHUAN lock box for SPYPOINT Flex $33.99 A lock box built for the SPYPOINT Flex line specifically.
Specs and variants Check price
Security box Tactacam Reveal lockable security box $29.99 A lockable security box sized for Tactacam Reveal cameras.
Specs and variants Check price
Cable lock Master Lock Python 8417D 6 ft cable lock $10.32 The Master Lock Python 8417D, a 6 ft cable lock and the cheapest way to chain a box or camera to a tree.
Specs and variants Check priceFrequently asked questions
Do I need a security box for a trail camera?
If the camera sits somewhere with public access, foot traffic, or a history of theft in the area, yes. A steel security box combined with a cable lock is the standard way owners protect a camera they cannot personally watch. For a camera on private, gated, low-traffic property, a box is less critical but still cheap insurance.
What is the best cable lock for a trail camera?
Master Lock's Python cable locks are the standard choice, sold in a lighter 6 ft version and a heavier-gauge version for higher-risk spots. Thread the cable through a solid mounting loop on the security box and around a tree trunk thick enough that the loop cannot slide over the top.
Do universal security boxes fit every camera?
No. Universal boxes fit a range of camera sizes and shapes but not every model, so measure your camera or check the listing's stated compatible models before ordering. A brand-matched box, when one exists for your camera, usually fits more precisely than a universal box.
Can a security box stop a determined thief?
A steel box and cable lock deter casual theft and opportunistic grabs, which cover most real-world cases, but no box is completely immune to someone with bolt cutters and enough time and motivation. The goal is to make stealing the camera slow and obvious enough that most people move on rather than to guarantee it is impossible.
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.