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If you want to see what your dog does when you’re away or watch how your babysitter cares for your child, you can install a hidden camera. Stuffed animals, wall chargers, smoke detectors, and other common household items can have built-in cameras.
To help you choose the device that can blend into your living space, the This Old House Reviews Team conducted research for you. Read our Amazon review below to learn about the best hidden cameras for various situations.
Top 4 Hidden Cameras
- Best Smart Features: Blink Mini Indoor Security Camera
- Best Power Bank: XISRU Power Bank Hidden Camera
- Best For Outdoor Activities: KAMRE Camera Video Sunglasses
- Best Smoke Detector: WNAT Hidden Camera Smoke Detector
Compare the Best Hidden Cameras
| Product | Control Method | Picture Quality | Battery Method | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blink Home Security Mini Indoor Security Camera | App or voice control | 1,080 pixels | Plug-in | 1-year limited |
| XISRU Power Bank Hidden Camera | Memory card | 1,080 pixels | Rechargable battery | 1 year |
| KAMRE Camera Video Sunglasses | Push button | 1,080 pixels | Rechargable battery | Not listed |
| WNAT Hidden Camera Smoke Detector | App | 1,080 pixels | Rechargable battery | 1 year |
| Product | Control Method | Picture Quality | Battery Method | Warranty |
Best Smart Features: Blink Home Security Mini Indoor Security Camera
Blink Home Security Mini Indoor Security Camera
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Offers high-quality night video with its built-in infrared camera
✔ Includes a mounting kit and stand to secure and angle the camera
✔ Includes a free 30-day Blink Subscription Plan trial with purchase
✘ Doesn’t have a continuous viewing option
✘ Some customers were confused by Blink’s cloud storage policy
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers said that this camera recorded high-quality video, even at night. For the price, they were surprised by all the capabilities it had. Some reviewers were upset with their purchase because it didn’t come with free local storage.
Best Power Bank: XISRU Power Bank Hidden Camera
XISRU Power Bank Hidden Camera
- $59.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a built-in gravity sensor to film video regardless of how it’s placed on a surface
✔ Uses motion detection to conserve storage space on its micro-SD card
✔ Uses four F5 infrared lights to capture video at night
✘ Pricier than similar hidden cameras
✘ Some reviewers said the camera’s field of view was too narrow
What Customers Are Saying
Customers appreciated how discreet this camera was. They liked that they could charge their smartphones or other devices using the 1,000 mAh battery inside the power bank, making this gadget more versatile. There were complaints from several reviewers about the included product manual being unclear and confusing.
Best For Outdoor Activities: KAMRE Camera Video Sunglasses
KAMRE Camera Video Sunglasses
- $79.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Stylish and offer UV protection
✔ Provide full-HD 1080p video
✔ Controlled using only one button
✘ Not as discreet as other hidden cameras in this review
✘ Can’t film properly without wearing the sunglasses
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who used these video-recording sunglasses found that the image quality and stability of the video were sufficient, exceeding a few users’ expectations. They also said that the front camera lens was barely noticeable. A few users found that the glasses were small and fit too snugly on their faces.
Best Smoke Detector: WNAT Hidden Camera Smoke Detector
WNAT Hidden Camera Smoke Detector
- $197.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Looks discreet
✔ Can record up to 20 hours of video on its 5,550 mAh battery
✔ Installed easily for many customers
✘ The most expensive option in this review
✘ Requires more installation than other options in this review
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the motion detection, night vision, and picture quality of this camera. However, some customers were unsatisfied with their purchase because the viewing angle wasn’t wide enough to show an entire space, such as a living room.
Buying Guide for Hidden Cameras
Finding a hidden camera that meets your budget and needs can be difficult. To ensure that you’re making an informed purchase, here are a few factors to consider.
Video Quality/Resolution
Resolution is a measurement of the total number of pixels a camera records per frame. The image should be clear enough to see details of what’s happening both during the day and at night. The most common resolution for hidden cameras is 1,080 pixels. However, some models offer 1,440, 1,920, or 2,160 pixels.
Installation
Hidden cameras either plug into a wall outlet or run on a rechargeable battery. With a cord, your hidden camera gets constant power. However, you can only install it where there’s an outlet. Wireless cameras offer versatility in terms of placement, but there will be a few hours at a time when it’s not recording because it’s charging.
Battery Life
Hidden cameras that have rechargeable batteries may last up to 20 hours or more before they need to be recharged. Some models only have a battery life of a few hours. To help conserve the battery, hidden cameras generally go on standby if the unit has a motion-activated camera. When motion is detected, the camera will start recording.
Control
Most hidden cameras connect to your smartphone so you can pull up the app and check on your home when you’re away. Others connect to voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, as well as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Capabilities
If your hidden camera connects to your smartphone, it likely has other smart features. Below are a few of the most common hidden camera capabilities.
- Two-way audio
- Motion detection
- Night vision
- Push notifications
Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Cameras
Is it legal to record someone without their consent?
In most states, it’s legal to record audio-free videos of your home. However, laws may vary depending on your location and the subject’s age. For example, you can’t record a child using the restroom. We recommend reading up on your local government’s privacy laws before you purchase a hidden camera. If you’re still unsure of its legality, you can contact a local official to have them explain the laws.
What is the purpose of a nanny cam?
The purpose of a nanny cam is to keep a close watch on your children while you’re away from home. Many parents use them to ensure their caretaker isn’t mistreating their kids.
Can hidden cameras be hacked?
Yes, hidden cameras can be hacked. Hackers can get into Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smart hidden cameras. To minimize the risk of hacking, connect your camera to a secure and private Wi-Fi network.
Can a hidden camera see at night?
Some hidden cameras can see at night. The best spy cameras, doorbell cameras, nanny cameras, or indoor security cameras should have no problem recording crystal-clear video at night. However, a dim LED light may activate near the camera lens, which makes the camera far less discreet. Keep this in mind if you use your hidden camera at night or in low-light settings. A camera with a wide-angle lens may be able to take in more light during the night without using an LED light.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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