The battery will last 6-11 hours. Using the integrated speakers and microphone, the camera will allow you to discipline the pet that's destroying the furniture or calm down the baby via the app. The same app enables remote view. You can adjust the sensors, minimising false alerts without missing the more important moments.
The camera is not necessarily easy (though not that complicated as well) to set up.
Hiding inside this normal-looking clock, the GazingSure Came-5 will let landlords observe lodgers, parents observe kids, professionals observe patients in nursing homes, and business owners observing shops, warehouses, hostels, offices, you name them. Even a trained eye will not be able to make this camera.
Clock
1920 x 1080
Slot for 128GB Micro TF cards (not included)
~ 120°
Wi-Fi, Micro USB port
940 nm infrared technology, adjustable motion sensitivity, built-in microphone and speaker, smart motion alerts, remote view and control from your smartphone ('RTCAM' app)
2600 mAh rechargeable battery (up to 11 hours use)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The camera stretches the viewing angles 150 degrees, so you can capture sizable premises and not just small corners. The motion-activated recording mode will start recording videos the moment this device detects movement, which means that you will not be wasting precious storage space with useless footage.
The Micro TF cards are not easily replaceable.
Using the watchband that comes with the device, you can record meetings wearing the AOBO UKNHC010 like an inconspicuous watch. The magnetic mount, on the other hand, will enable you to use this camera as a surveillance or security cam, fitting residential as well as commercial spaces alike.
Spy camera with a watchband
1920 x 1080
Slot for 128GB Micro TF cards (not included)
150°
Wi-Fi, Micro USB port
Auto IR night vision, motion-activated alerts, magnetic mount, watchband, free app
Rechargeable battery (up to 2 hours use)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The battery's capacity is not that impressive.
Getting slandered, defamed, or falsely accused can be almost as detrimental to your professional and/or personal life as actually committing the deed. With this spy pen cam from UTOPB, you can go into meetings knowing that the people you meet with cannot make false accusations about you and get away with them.
Pen
1920 x 1080 (Video)
2560 x 1440 (Photo)
Slot for 32GB Micro TF cards (included)
~ 90°
Micro USB port
Motion detection mode, 5 ink refills are included
Rechargeable battery (up to 1 hour of recording time)
90 days
The camera will automatically save the recording when the battery is about to die. The motion sensors will activate the cam not just when objects move but also when the light changes. You can record audio alone, extending the camera's battery life. The loop recording feature will automatically erase old footage.
The instructions are lacking.
The DEXILIO 20190620A7FR is the most feature-rich budget spy camera that we've seen yet. Besides its numerous features, the camera is not as fragile as you would expect from its modest size and weight, with the ABS construction absorbing shock damage and making sure the device can survive modest drops.
Spy camera with a clamp
1920 x 1080
Slot for 32GB Micro TF cards (included)
90°
Micro USB port
Auxiliary night vision function, motion detection mode, loop recording, time stamping, auto-save, USB to Type-C converter, USB to Micro USB converter included
550 mAh rechargeable battery (up to 3 hours of recording time)
Amazon's 30-day return policy
The free app that's compatible with this device uses an intuitive UI with a straightforward menu structure that makes the camera's settings easily accessible. This spy cam can accept Micro TF cards as 'fat' capacity-wise as 128 gigabytes. Shooting Full HD footage, the camera lets you record detailed videos.
The housing gets pretty hot during use.
Spy cameras are always discreet, that's the whole point. But very few are as discreet as the MAGENDARA BAO-V12. Using the 9 DIY lens' buttons that come with the camera and that fit different shirts, jackets, and coats, you can easily disguise this recording device as a part of the upper body garment you're wearing.
Spy camera module
1920 x 1080
Slot for 128GB Micro TF cards (not included)
~ 90°
Wi-Fi, Micro USB port
Remote view and control from your smartphone (free app), motion detection alerts notification, 9 different style DIY lens' buttons included
350 mAh rechargeable battery (up to 2 hours of recording time)
6 months
The Most Discreet One
The GazingSure Came-5 takes hidden household cameras to a whole new level. While most hidden cameras are usually pretty obvious when you know what you're looking at, this one is much more discreet. Hiding inside a clock that even experts could not distinguish from a normal, everyday clock, this device can be used as anything from a wireless home security camera to a nanny cam, shop cam, pet camera, meeting recorder, baby monitor, vacation home monitor, and more.
But its discreet profile would not be as impressive without the almost high-end tech inside the clock. To begin with, the camera will let you take photos and record footage without attracting unwanted attention from the company's RTCAM app. As expected, this device can capture alright photos and shoot above-average, Full HD (1920 x 1080p) video. Even in low-light conditions, this surveillance/security camera can produce decent results, with 10 invisible lamp beads using IR lights and capturing crisp visuals without blowing the clock's cover.
Not unlike most spy cameras nowadays, this one comes equipped with motion sensors. The difference here is that the sensors on this hidden camera can be adjusted and the same can be said about smart motion alerts so that you're not missing important moments but also not receiving false alerts every few hours or so.
The Battery will Last
Because the camera is hiding inside a sizable (~15 x 10 x 6.3 centimetres) clock, its battery runs circles around hidden cameras' batteries hidden inside different small items like pens and watchbands. With its 2600-mAh capacity, the rechargeable battery here can last between 6 and 11 hours depending on use. But an even more interesting part here is that this spy cam comes equipped with a microphone and speakers, so you can talk to the pet destroying furniture or calm the baby down without even being there. Of course, that means the camera also enables remote view via the aforementioned app.
Now, because this device can do so much, setting everything up will take some time and effort, more than what most hidden cameras entail. Again though, considering every feature, the somewhat complicated setup is an understandable and forgivable transgression.
In other words, from parents observing kids to landlords observing lodgers to people spying on roommates, caregivers employees at home, offices, hostels, shops, nursing homes, you name the place, this device can fit them all. Plus, it is not even that expensive, not as much as you'd expect anyway.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B087WV2LG9 |
The More Inconspicuous One
The AOBO UKNHC010 is almost as tiny as the most professional spy cams except that pro equipment costs 5-10 times more than this modest yet impressive camera. Measuring 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 centimetres, the camera's compact footprint fits countless spaces.
More important, because this is, give or take, the size of an average watch (without the band), the camera can be worn as a watch, using the band that comes with the package. Unless you let the person you feel like recording inspects this device from point-blank range, the chances that this person will notice that you're wearing a camera and not a watch are slim, especially considering that smartwatches nowadays can look like almost anything, including this inconspicuous camera. Removing the model's form factor from the equation though, we're left with a pretty adequate device nonetheless, to say the least.
Borrowing from its much more sizable competition, this camera comes equipped with 6 infrared LED lights, so you can switch between day and night recording modes and shoot discernible footage even when the ambient light is nonexistent. The lights let the camera take photos and record videos without shining and stretching its night vision at least 10 metres (33 feet). Plus, despite its modest footprint, this device can record Full HD (1920 x 1080) footage, capturing even the tiniest details.
150-Degree Viewing Angles
Needless to say, people can seldom use spy cameras whilst wearing them as watches, the scenarios that fit this requirement are quite limited. To that end, this model also comes with a magnetic mount. Using this mount, you can install the camera practically anywhere. With its motion-activated alerts, the camera is excellent at detecting movement and sending you notifications via the app without delay.
Plus, you can also go with the motion-activated recording mode that, as you would imagine, starts recording the moment the camera detects movement, so you can save storage space without clogging the Micro TF card with unnecessary footage. Speaking of which, the camera accepts Micro TF cards up to 128 gigabytes, an impressive feat considering its space-saving profile. That being said, the same profile makes replacing cards quite a hassle, but there's nothing you can do about that without expanding the device's size.
Bottom line, the AOBO UKNHC010 fits countless scenarios, from recording meetings to surveilling residential and commercial premises. To add more, with its 150-degree viewing angles, the camera can capture more than most.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B07S83628D |
Writing and Recording
Spy cameras hidden inside pens are a classic, something that fiction writers have theorised before they were even a thing. Nowadays though, spy pen cameras are almost as normal and affordable as ordinary pens, with this one serving as an excellent example. At the moment, this camera costs 25 quid, which's quite laughable considering everything that the product is.
To get the proverbial ball rolling, this device is an attractive pen, not necessarily why you purchase pen cameras to begin with but an always welcome feature anyway. With its size mirroring ordinary pens, this camera will let you write notes pretty much normally.
What's more, along with the pen, you receive 5 ink refills, so you will not be purchasing refills separately anytime soon. Appearance-wise, the product looks quite elegant, embossed with these faint but charming patterns throughout its entire length and with the gold-looking metal parts making the pen seem more expensive than it is.
The difference here is that you hit the cap and this pen starts recording high-quality footage, with the camera peeking through/above (depends on the angle) the clip. Though the size would suggest otherwise, the tiny camera can snap stunning 2560 x 1440 pictures and capture detailed 1920 x 1080 footage.
Sure, the battery capacity here is not great (expecting anything different from a spy pen camera would be a little naive) but since this is not the device that you'll be using as a surveillance or security camera, its 60-minute maximum recording time will usually prove sufficient.
Anti-Defamation Solution
As you'd expect, the pen-based form factor entails certain unavoidable advantages and disadvantages. Some we've already outlined, and some go without saying. Is the camera more portable than most hidden cameras? Sure. Can the camera be used indoors as well as outdoors? You know it. Does the camera boast the widest viewing angles? Not quite, but ~90 degrees is not bad considering the circumstances.
The camera does not accept 128- or even 68-gigabyte Micro TF cards but they're not necessarily with its 60-minute battery capacity anyway. No, 32-gigabyte cards will more than suffice. What will also suffice is the motion detection mode that starts recording footage the second the camera recognises even the faintest motion.
In short, the spy pen camera from UTOPB is something that you can benefit from bringing to just about any meeting knowing that, having the meeting recorded, you cannot be slandered afterward.
| Last updated price | £35.30 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B087M3JHYJ |
Feature-Rich Budget Spy Cam
The DEXILIO 20190620A7FR is not the most attractive-looking device listed here, claiming otherwise would be a little disingenuous. Having said that, this is the most feature-rich device within its price bracket (~30 quid), so its spot on the list is more than justified and/or warranted.
First things first, the device enables loop recording, with new videos automatically covering (meaning erasing) old videos. This is not a base setting though, so you can have the feature easily enabled or disabled.
Besides loop recording, this device supports time stamping, which means you can add time and date to the recorded footage as well as change it. Needless to say, when used as a surveillance cam, this feature proves quite useful, though not as useful as the auxiliary night vision one.
Even When the Light Changes
Aside from its humble size, this device also weighs just ~70 grams, so you can have the camera hidden in a pocket without even feeling its presence. The detachable back clip will let you fix the camera where you want, including most pockets, or remove the clip and make the camera even more compact.
Following the common playbook deployed across most hidden cameras, this one integrates motion detection sensors. Using these sensors, the camera will automatically start recording footage when some object moves or when the light changes.
What's a little less conventional about this device is that you extend its battery life and record just audio without recording video. This is a nice little feature even though the camera's battery is nothing to scoff at, with its 550-mAh capacity offering up to 3 hours of recording time.
You can, however, scoff at the instructions. Considering the almost countless features this device is sporting, the instructions that you receive with the package are lacking. But, even taking the subpar manual into account, the DEXILIO 20190620A7FR is an impressive specimen. Plus, its ABS housing will ensure that the camera survives modest drops.
| Last updated price | £46.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07KC6C58Q |
The More Discreet Specimen
The MAGENDARA BAO-V12 might be the most discreet hidden camera we've reviewed yet or, at the very least, up there, hanging with the most discreet bunch. Looking at the pictures, you might deduce that the entire spy camera module is the camera but that's not quite the case. No, the camera alone is that tiny device attached to the module that you can easily detach. Considering that the camera makes shirt buttons look big, you can hide this one anywhere you want, including behind shirt buttons. In fact, this device's shipped with 9 different style DIY lens' buttons, so clipping the camera onto a shirt/coat/jacket is the best and easiest way you can disguise this spy cam without giving it away.
Aside from doubling as a body cam, this device can even be used as a surveillance/security camera, at least to some extent. Sure, with the battery capacity stretching just 350 mAh, the camera will run out of juice before it can record more than ~120 minutes worth of footage, which is not bad at all when you also put its size into perspective but, generally speaking, surveillance cameras need more than that, at least the ones that are supposed to be covering commercial spaces.
That being said, the model does come equipped with reasonable motion sensors and can send motion detection alerts notification just like its much more sizable and expensive relatives. The app that comes with the device and that receives these notifications is free and navigating its basic but thorough settings should not present considerable challenges. Using the same app, you'll be able to view the surveilled premises in real-time and control the camera.
Footing Full HD Footage
Spy cameras as small as this one usually entail certain limitations but we're not seeing them here. While the housing gets pretty hot during extended (60+ minutes) use, this is not something that will cause substantial issues down the road. The camera shoots Full HD (1920 x 1080) footage, not unlike its less compact peers. The camera also accepts 128-gigabyte Micro TF cards, also not unlike the models that command a less space-saving footprint. The viewing angles are capping at 90 degrees but this is more than acceptable when you keep in mind its size and price tag.
Long story short, the MAGENDARA BAO-V12 makes a much more compelling case than we were initially expecting. Its flaws are negligible and the discreet profile paired with decent specs makes this device a serious contestant that can, to a degree, tussle with premium models.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B087GCT779 |
What Is a Hidden Camera?
One of the greatest achievements of modern technologies is a system of a concealed surveillance. Today you can hide a spy camera in any object or on any surface of your home and office, quite literally. And with this variety of options, hidden cameras are often created not only to control the safety of your valuables but also to watch small children and their nannies, pets, etc. Sometimes, this is really necessary. First of all, to prevent children from getting into trouble, and, second, for your peace of mind, in general. Here in this review, we would like to search through the best models of spy cameras and highlight their key peculiarities, those you should pay attention to when choosing the hidden camera.
What Features to Compare
Form Factor and Invisibility
Two main differences tell apart modern hidden cameras. There are cameras without a disguised case and those pre-installed in some object. Buying a bare spy camera, you can decide for yourself where you mount it, be it in a household appliance housing, furniture, any interior element. Or you can settle for the camera already built in some object that you can simply place in a room. The latter tend to vary majorly, from alarm clocks and smoke detectors to coat hooks, your kid's stuffed animals, etc. The level of technology allows designers to go wild with their imagination, so much that you can find even body-worn cameras like those hidden in pens, for example. No one will suspect you have a security camera in your home, much less on your body. Fun, right?
Recording Quality and Compatibility
Peculiarities
Different Hidden Camera Types
Spy cameras are interesting, don't you think? A few decades ago, they were something that only existed in science fiction stories. Today, you can purchase them for as little as ~30 quid, which is pretty insane if you think about it. What's even more insane or, at the very least, a little fascinating is that we're not talking about almost identical-looking devices. No, there are more different spy camera types out there than most people reckon. We will not be covering or even discussing them all but here are the more interesting ones:
USB Flash Drive Hidden Camera
Looking like ordinary USB sticks, these cameras are anything but. Since there's nothing unusual about people carrying thumb drives with them nowadays, spotting a camera disguised as one can be quite challenging. More often than not, the lens will be hiding on the opposite side from the plug, blending into the housing with seamless results.
Shower Gel Spy Camera
Sounds creepy, right? They sell these anyway. Disguised as body wash and shampoo bottles, these devices are usually sold as refillable containers that you can fill with legitimate liquid products, while the bottom half is housing the camera's circuitry. So, next time you're travelling abroad, you might want to make sure no one's recording you in the shower.
Wi-Fi AC Adapter Hidden Camera
As you would expect, these cameras as disguised as everyday AC adapters, plugging into the mains like ordinary wall warts and looking unassuming enough that even a trained eye will seldom spot them. Sometimes, they even come with fake wires, powering nothing but making the disguise even more believable. Looking innocuous, these adapters hide a dark secret, with the secret sitting inside that little hole between the + and – polarity symbols. Some models even come with Wi-Fi modules, so you can stream the footage live.
Bathroom Tissue Box Spy Camera
Oh, bathroom tissues, what secret doth thee hide? Well, besides knowing that you can be a little more emotional than you let on, they can also be housing spy cameras, such shameless objects they are. The more expensive models are pinhole-free, making the hidden cam virtually undetectable. They're quite bulky, sure, but they also blend seamlessly into most home settings.
Toilet Brush Hidden Camera
Is nothing sacred? Can we, at the very least, relieve ourselves with a modicum of privacy? Well, guess not, because there are people out there that sell toilet brushes with spy cameras integrated into them. As much as we disapprove, the idea is quite ingenious. Think about it - who wants to mess with an object as filthy as a toilet brush, especially when it is not even yours? Very few individuals, very few indeed. Just like most spy cameras, these ones also usually enable remote view and control, making covert surveillance entirely possible.
Running Shoes Spy Camera
Who looks at runners thinking that they're hiding anything besides smelly feet? No one, which is precisely why there are running shoes that house hidden cameras inside their tongues, with the camera pointing upward and offering the spy a comfortable perspective. Sneaky sneakers indeed.
FAQ:
Q: What is the sound recording function for?
A: When you activate this mode, the mini camera will detect the noise of 65 decibels (this is a door clap or someone's conversation) and automatically start video recording. In case there are no sounds, the hidden video camera will return back to the standby mode.
Q: How does a mini video camera with a motion sensor work?
A: When you turn this mode on the device, the video recording will start automatically if the slightest movement (image change) occurs in the lens viewing angle of the portable video camera. If nothing happens, the camera will return to the sleeping mode.
Q: What is a loop recording?
A: The loop shooting function allows you to record new videos by replacing the old ones. Thereby, you do not need to constantly delete your files from the memory card.
Q: Can mini cameras shoot at night?
A: Yes. Some hidden video cameras have infrared LEDs on the case which allow recording video in absolute darkness.
Q: Are infrared LEDs visible during the shooting?
A: No, they are not. A human eye is not able to see IR diodes.
Q: Can hidden cams take photos besides taking videos?
A: Some models can. Moreover, you can find spy cameras which make photos of very high quality.
Q: What are the benefits of recording while charging?
A: Average wireless mini cameras are capable of recording video autonomously for 1.5-2 hours. In case the miniature camera has a recording function during charging, you can connect it to a power source, which will help it last much longer.
Q: What are the advantages of hidden cameras in business?
A: In commercial video surveillance, mini video cameras are popular with senior management and owners of businesses who want to covertly and imperceptibly monitor all actions of their subordinates and reveal the employees` unethical actions. However, note that secret surveillance at the workplace without justifying it and notifying the employees may become a reason for a lawsuit.
Q: What are the mini cams used at home for?
A: In home video surveillance, people most often use hidden mini cameras to secretly monitor the behaviour of a nanny and servants in the house. Also, sometimes mini-cams are used in very "funny" situations, for example, to catch a husband or wife in adultery.
Q: Where can a small cam be placed?
A: You can put your camera almost anywhere. However, common places where professionals often install hidden video cameras are:
- Books;
- Smoke detectors;
- Houseplants;
- Stuffed Toys;
- Sockets;
Also, there are less suspicious places, such as women's and sports bags, boxes with discs, glasses, air filters, decorative objects, and buttons.
Sources:
1. HOW TO CHOOSE A HIDDEN CAMERA, BRICK HOUSE SECURITY. May 9, 2013.
2. Scott Young Choosing the Right Hidden Camera or Spy Camera, Streetdirectory.
3. 5 Essential Tips for Choosing a Hidden Camera for Your Business, SUPER CIRCUITS. March 14, 2014.
4. Hidden Camera Buying Guide, eBay. March 3, 2016.
5. Eric Angevine Security camera buying guide, CRUTCHFIELD. September 09, 2016.
6. Kim Zetter Tools of Tradecraft: More Spy Gear From the CIA, Others, Wired.
7. Senss BlueCarbon, Facebook.
8. Anwesha How to Choose the Best Spy Cams, Techulator. January 9, 2015.
9. How to Choose the Right Surveillance Gadgets for Your Home, eBay. March 3, 2016.