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10 Best Hidden Cameras in 2024 — Reviews & Top Picks
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Your first thought about a hidden camera may not be a positive one. We understand the thought of getting one might cross the line. However, there are situations where installing a device is appropriate and even necessary. If you’ve had issues with delivered packages disappearing from your porch, you may find a hidden camera a worthwhile investment.
Setting one up in your home can give you the peace of mind of knowing you’re taking action against crime. Our guide will include everything you need to know about making an informed purchase. We’ll cover the legalities of using these devices. Suffice to say that it’s more complicated than you think. We’ll also provide detailed reviews of some of the best hidden cameras available.
The PoTlsren Security Camera fits the bill for a small and affordable device to keep tabs on what’s going on at home. It has a wide field of view that can capture an entire room with ease. It has a motion sensor to alert you on your smartphone. It also has night vision to take high-quality video no matter what the lighting conditions. It’s our pick for the best overall hidden camera.
It’s hard to find anything wrong with this product. The battery life is decent, with options to optimize its use. It relies on Wi-Fi but can work with a memory card inserted into the device. While it’s small, it’s pretty obvious what it is if you wanted it for surveillance purposes.
The Buloge Hidden Camera is the epitome of a spy cam. The design is flawless. Only you will know that it’s there. The device plugs into an outlet, so it is always running with no worries about changing batteries. It records on a microSD, saving 5-minute videos. It includes the adapter, making it simple to view them on your computer. It is our pick for the best hidden camera for the money.
The great thing about this device is that it’s functional, too, as a USB charger. It’s like getting two products for the price of one. It works best in a lighted room since it doesn’t have night vision. However, it couldn’t be easier to install.
Pros
1-year warranty
Motion sensor
Inconspicuous design
Cons
AVI formatting
3. Logitech Brinno BCC200 Security Camera – Premium Choice
The Brinno BCC200 Security Camera is an excellent choice for monitoring outdoors with live streaming to see what’s going on in your yard. The device is well-made and sturdy, with its weather-resistant housing to keep it safe. The battery life is already impressive, but the timer function allows you to optimize its use for your security needs.
The product includes two cameras, cases, and wall mounts. You also get the batteries to get up and running right away. You can also use it to take time-lapse footage. While pricey, they get the job done with high-quality video.
The Grambifor Hidden Camera Smoke Detector is an ingenious device for monitoring your home in a discreet way. The design is where its value lies, although it may have limited applications. It uses motion detection to record. However, you can disable it and use it for real-time viewing. It has night vision to capture the action no matter what the lighting. The output is high-quality, too.
You can control the device with a smartphone app that supports Android and iOS. It’s easy to install and use. It stores data on an SD card and will write over the existing recordings when full.
The Quniao Hidden Spy Camera is an example of another clever design when discretion is necessary. It has the security features you need, such as night vision and two-way talk. It will send you real-time alerts if the motion sensor is triggered by movement in your home. The device records video and audio, although the latter isn’t the best.
The resolution and frames per second (FPS) are decent. You’ll be able to see clearly what’s going on at home. It doesn’t need an SD card to work, but you’ll need one to record.
The Blink Mini Hidden Camera may not be the most discreet device, but it brings a lot to the plate. The Alexa support is foremost for those who use this product. It makes the setup and operation a piece of cake. It certainly kicks it up a notch being able to use voice commands. The night vision is good but not great. The resolution and FPS are decent. We also liked the 2-way audio to warn thieves that they’re on camera.
You can share videos with the smartphone app, but you’ll have to pony up for a subscription for cloud storage. You can control many settings with the app, including the LED indicator lights, although it needs some work.
The eufy Security IndoorCam has some interesting functionality that we liked, even if it’s not the most discreet product on our list. You can set it up to work with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also define activity zones where the camera will monitor. It has both two-way communication and tracking. The latter makes it useful but also makes the device even more noticeable. However, you can do a 360-degree check, which customers liked.
We loved the instant alerts that make this product even more useful. The video quality is decent with its night vision. Overall, it’s a worthwhile purchase, even if it’s not so hidden.
The NinjaPro 2-in-1 Hidden Camera Clock is another one of those in plain sight devices that makes it a true surveillance device. The camera is well-hidden. The picture quality is good, although the night vision is so-so. The clock works, so it does double-duty. You can control the device with a smartphone app that supports iOS and Android.
The installation is easy. We appreciated the extra-long charging cord, considering how you’re going to display it. The device doesn’t record audio. However, that’s only an issue if it’s legal where you live.
The JLRKENG Hidden Camera is a fully functioning charger with a strong battery. The design makes it especially discreet and portable. It can store videos on an SD card up to 32 GB. Unfortunately, it’s not included. It doesn’t have a lot of the functionality we often see in these products. It doesn’t have motion detection or Wi-Fi connectivity. That means no real-time viewing.
However, it does have night vision. The battery delivers a lot of juice. It’s also affordably priced. You can view the recordings with a card reader or by plugging the device into your computer.
The Swayfer Tech Mini Spy Camera looks like a USB charger with a secret. It works for that purpose with a hard-to-detect camera inside it. You can control it with your smartphone and enjoy real-time viewing. It has a push alarm, which compensates for the lack of two-way audio. It doesn’t record sound to stay compliant with state laws.
The device takes decent videos. You’ll need an SD card if you want to save them. Otherwise, you can view the feed on your smartphone. The app supports both iOS and Android.
Pros
Discreet design
Functional charger
Decent video quality
Motion detection
Cons
No audio recording
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Hidden Cameras
Buying a hidden camera is just like getting a regular one without this added purpose. However, some specs and features are more desirable and make some products stand out from the rest. You’ll also find these devices have other capabilities you don’t see in models for recording your kids playing soccer. It’s safe to say that high-quality output is essential when using a camera this way. Features to consider include:
Resolution
Field of view
Video storage
Connectivity
Power source
Resolution and Frames Per Second (FPS)
The resolution is one spec that determines the quality of your videos. It is typically expressed in the product of the height and width of the output. This figure denotes the number of horizontal lines in the frame, typically starting at 360p, appropriate for viewing on a smartphone screen. The higher the number, the better the quality. A resolution of 1080p puts your video in HD territory.
You’ll likely find that 1080p is sufficient for your needs. Of course, 4k is also an option with some devices. This resolution takes it to the next level with uber-realistic videos. However, the picture quality also depends on the frames per second (FPS). The two specs go hand in hand, determining what you see and the amount of detail you capture. Most consumer products are either 30 FPS or 60 FPS.
We suggest getting a camera with at least 30 FPS. It’ll capture enough information without pushing the limit on the file size if you’re recording the video. The same thing applies to the resolution. HD video comes at a price.
Image Credit: domoticaxiaomi, Pixabay
Field of View
The field of view measures what the camera sees. Most products fall in the 120° to 160° range. That works in most situations, depending on the area you want to cover. You can get by with a product with a smaller lens angle width in a narrower room. The essential thing is the hidden camera is capturing the points of entry into the space you want to monitor. If the room is large, you might want to opt for two devices.
Video Storage
You’ll find hidden cameras with built-in memory and others that use microSD or SD cards. You can then view your footage by connecting directly to the device or through an adapter in the case of the latter. We suggest checking what kind of cards the camera supports and their capacity. Some manufacturers may include external memory with your purchase.
Connectivity
Hidden cameras come in two types: wireless and wired. The former uses Wi-Fi or 4G technology to connect the camera to the playback device remotely. That makes them convenient to use because you can put the device anywhere. It also makes them less conspicuous, which is the point of getting a hidden camera in the first place.
These two components are connected in wired products. While it may sound like a disadvantage, it also ensures reliable transmission between the two if the internet or cell service goes down.
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock
Power Source
Battery-powered hidden cameras have a distinct advantage over those requiring electricity. You can hide them in plain sight easier without a wire dangling off the end of the device. Many products are rechargeable, making them an excellent value. We suggest verifying the battery life of the device. It will hardly serve its purpose if you can’t get a decent amount of usage from it on one charge.
Other Features
You’ll see some products that can capture under low-light conditions either through advances in the optics or night vision. If you’re getting a hidden camera to monitor your home for break-ins, you may find it worth the extra investment.
Most models will record videos in black and white. That can keep the cost in line. However, there are hidden cameras that will capture feed in full color.
Legal Issues
We have to address the elephant in the room and talk about the legal side of getting a hidden camera. State laws vary, depending on what your camera is recording. Some, such as Minnesota and Florida¹, only allow video surveillance using hidden cameras in public places. Others like Arkansas require the consent of the person being filmed. You can’t have a hidden device in Georgia.
The laws also vary with audio. Some states, such as Montana and Illinois, prohibit these recordings. California makes the distinction of whether or not communication between individuals is confidential. Then, restrictions regarding an expectation of privacy exist. These regulations make it illegal to shoot video in bathrooms or bedrooms of private homes or public places like locker rooms.
We strongly urge you to check the regulations in your state before installing a hidden camera. We recommend disabling the audio capture feature if your device has this capability. It’s far better to play it safe than risk running afoul of the law.
Conclusion
The PoTlsren Security Camera came out on top in our reviews of hidden cameras. It takes excellent videos and can send real-time alerts if something is amiss at home. It’s easy to use and affordable. The Buloge Hidden Camera stood out as the best value on our list of products. It offers a lot of functionality at the right price. It is well-designed and built to last.
Featured Image Credit: Phonlamai Photo, Shutterstock
Chris has been writing since 2009 on a variety of topics. Her motto with all of her writing is “science-based writing nurtured by education and critical thinking.” Chris specializes in science topics and has a special love for health and environmental topics, and animals of all shapes and sizes.
