Best Hidden Cameras Reviewed & Rated for Quality

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
XJW Mini
Test Winner: XJW Mini
Amazon Link
Okay, we’re not paranoid, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get us. Nor are we spies surreptitiously gathering information on our friends, neighbors, and visitors. Sometimes we simply have concerns about what’s going on in our home when we’re not there, and sometimes we need to protect ourselves against bad bosses, or other bad actors. And that’s where a good hidden camera comes in. These can sit in your living room or they can sit quietly on your tie or do double duty as a pen. And we admit these things can be used for evil, so don’t do that. But if you’re worried about what the contractors are doing or how you’re nanny is behaving or just want to record that staff meeting, take a look at some of our favorites.

Standout Picks

XJW Mini
First up on the list is the XJW Clothes Hook camera, which is a model that some people may recognize from television. This discreet camera is one that no one would ever suspect and is such an unobtrusive ornament that it was guaranteed a top spot.
Amazon Link
Conbrov DV9
Turning everyday use items into hidden cameras is usually the best way to get the best shots. No one expects an everyday book to be a camera, and even if they look directly at it there is little chance they will make out its true purpose.
Amazon Link
Jayol Mini Spy Camera
This little camera has about everything you need. It’s unobtrusive and it has a wide recording angle and you can activate it from your phone if your house has Wi-Fi. A few other great things about this, it shoots in HD and also has a motion-activated sensor. If you’re looking for a nice workhorse of a camera then this is the spy cam for you.
Amazon Link
$59.99
EZVIZ Mini
EZVIZ makes great optical equipment, which is exactly why some people have started using their security cameras as hidden cameras. The Mini HD comes in a variety of flavors, so there are plenty of models to choose from for the picky user.
Amazon Link
LKCare Spy Cam
Ah, the old pen in the pocket that doubles as a camera, we know how that works Mr. Bond, but honestly, this is tried but true way to get pictures of what’s going on around you and not have anyone the wiser for all your intelligence gathering. Simply put it in your coat or shirt pocket (make sure it’s pointed the right way) and this little camera will record what’s going on around you.
Amazon Link
Mini Conbrov
The Conbrov is more traditional in that it is just a portable pocket camera that doesn’t stand out. There are no fancy designs in its black casing, and the shape isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Customers that want to get away from the unique looking, will find this one quite useful.
Amazon Link
GoVision Apollo
This may seem confusing for buyers looking at hidden cameras. A camera in glasses? Even before Google Glass revolutionized the smart glasses revolution there were low spec glasses with cameras in them. GoVision provides one of the original throwbacks with a lot of much-needed improvements.
Amazon Link
$69.89
HongSeok Spy Camera
This tiny little button camera comes with a few great features but it’s greatest feature is its tiny size. It fits easily in the palm of your hand but manages to have a wide viewing range and solid internal memory.
Amazon Link
Ultranyx Concepts
Small, unexpected, and common. The Ultranyx Concepts Clock is the perfect description of a concealed camera. Nobody expects to be recorded from a clock, which is exactly why this device is effective and efficient. Discreet and covert, this clock allows you to record in multiple qualities that go up to Full HD 1080P so you can clearly see what’s going on around your house.
Amazon Link
Titathink TT520PW-PRO
If you’re looking for a small camera to monitor in a secret way, the Titathink TT520PW-PRO is the way to go. Tap into your home life completely concealed connecting with what matters the most for you, wherever you are. This device is specifically designed to be hidden, and its versatile body will make it fit nearly anywhere around the house. This camera has the option of recording in HD 720P video.
Amazon Link

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Style

This is an important criterion for obvious reasons, if these look like a camera or can't be hidden or blended into its environment, then it's pretty useless. If you’re not a pen user, and all of a sudden you show up at work with a fancy pen, doesn’t that look suspicious? Or if you’ve never used a coat hanger in your life, and now you have one in your one-bedroom apartment-equally as suspicious.

When choosing among the best, make sure that it fits the narrative of your life. It should blend in and not add to who you are as a person. Because if anything looks out of place, it’s a dead giveaway to even non-paranoid people! Some styles include a pen, smoke detector, nanny cam, wearable, standalone camera clocks, and web cameras.

Connectivity

Connectivity is important because it affects the way you will be able to use it. This will establish whether the camera will be portable or stationary and how well it will transmit the images to your screen.

Wireless cameras are less dependable, as they will need to be somewhat close to the main box to receive a signal. A hardwired option is reliable but will be harder to hide due to the connecting wires.

Capacity

Storage space must be considered as well. Many of these today use an SD card to store data. There are a few however that uses a built-in internal memory system to automatically store the data.

Systems with internal memory are usually plugged directly into the viewing devices where the user can view the data. However, with those that require an SD card, to view the data the SD card is plugged into an adaptor. The amount of data that an SD card can store depends on its size and are available from 2BG to 64GB.

Effectiveness

What's the reason for using a hidden camera if the picture quality is so horrible you can barely tell who or what you are looking for? It's also not very useful if the range of view is so small that you don't capture what you intended to record. Luckily, technology has fostered major improvements in this area.

It's important that you read how many pixels it can record and how wide its field of view is. Another helpful hint to ensure that you are getting something of quality is to read reviews. Find out what others have said about the quality of videos it produces and if they are satisfied.

Features

Some of the newer models that have come out lately have some really neat features that take security and video recording to a whole new level. Here are some of the best features you should look for:

Motion Activation
Built-in motion sensors are available in many of these cameras. When the camera senses motion, it records a video or captures an image.

Heat-Activated
Some top-of-the-line systems record a video or capture an image only when it detects a significant change in temperature. This is an ideal option for those needing one for security or surveillance purposes.

Adjustable Quality
Some high-end cameras allow the user to adjust the resolution between high, medium, or low. This can be useful to save on your SD card or built-in memory.

Remote Control
Some people want to snap an event or occasion with theirs and not record hours of video. If you prefer to capture still images, this may be the best bet.

BEST HIDDEN CAMERAS REVIEWED & RATED FOR QUALITY

1. XJW Mini

Where to buy
Amazon Link
XJW Mini
Amazon Link

First up on the list is the XJW Clothes Hook camera, which is a model that some people may recognize from television. This discreet camera is one that no one would ever suspect and is such an unobtrusive ornament that it was guaranteed a top spot.

The Remote Control Is The Best
XJW has the honor of being the only company on the list that offers a wireless remote control out of the box, ready to go. There are a total of five buttons, so it is about as uncomplicated as controllers go. Users don’t even need to consult the manual to figure out how the functions work.

Very Discreet
No matter how superior the specifications are, if it doesn’t pass the test of being invisible then it is useless. This is the hardest to find model on the list, and firmly a top choice if you’re looking for the best.

Cost and Value
It’s low in price so that won’t be an issue for anyone looking for a great system. With the TF cards being so low in price this turns into the most cost-effective system you can buy without built-in memory.

Amazon Link

2. Conbrov DV9

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Conbrov DV9
Amazon Link

Turning everyday use items into hidden cameras is usually the best way to get the best shots. No one expects an everyday book to be a camera, and even if they look directly at it there is little chance they will make out its true purpose.

In Its Own Little World
Just like a stylish pen will draw little attention, looking at the design of the Conbrov book camera inspires the same feeling. And because it is an actual binder, you can load it with whatever documents you want, or simply place it on a bookshelf to record endlessly.

Long Battery Life
No one will notice this camera in any setting, whether you’re carrying it or have it sitting on a desk. With such a ridiculously long battery life at 30 hours, you’ll spend more time recording than you will worry about charging it up.

Cost and Value
Covert is the word when Conbrov decided to make this specific model. You’ll get their most detailed HD camera and a nice binder out of the deal, although the price is mid to high. So far the value holds, which is why it is so far down the list.

Amazon Link

3. Jayol Mini Spy Camera

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$59.99
Jayol Mini Spy Camera
Jayol Mini Spy Camera
Amazon Link

This little camera has about everything you need. It’s unobtrusive and it has a wide recording angle and you can activate it from your phone if your house has Wi-Fi. A few other great things about this, it shoots in HD and also has a motion-activated sensor. If you’re looking for a nice workhorse of a camera then this is the spy cam for you.

Night Vision
Particularly useful if you need to hear what’s going on downstairs in the middle of the night. Simply turn it on via the phone and this one sees in the dark and can tell you if it’s the dog, the kids sneaking out or something potentially more dangerous. This little feature can save you all kinds of trouble.

Adaptable
This doubles as a go-pro and fits easily on a bike or helmet so you can use it to record all of your outdoor exploits or just to catch some video when you’re outside in the field. It comes with a rechargeable that will allow it to shoot for 4-5 hours between chargings.

Cost and Value
This little beauty comes at a great price. And considering all the extras that come with it and all it’s versatility and durability it’s really hard to go wrong with this little camera that can.

Amazon Link
$59.99

4. EZVIZ Mini

Where to buy
Amazon Link
EZVIZ Mini
Amazon Link

EZVIZ makes great optical equipment, which is exactly why some people have started using their security cameras as hidden cameras. The Mini HD comes in a variety of flavors, so there are plenty of models to choose from for the picky user.

Something For Everyone
There are currently 5 different versions available, including the barebones HD Mini Camera. The others are 3 different kits that simply add an additional camera together (2-4 cameras) with the last being a single barebones HD Mini Camera with an included 16GB SD card.

Always Stay Informed
This item has advanced features, such as smartphone alerts with cloud saves and easy connection with Alexa, allows you to always know what going on, no matter where you may be.

Cost and Value
Even if you don’t use the cloud storage function, the value is good for the price. High compatibility with expandable storage makes the cloud portion more of a vanity feature if you use it from an accessible location.

Amazon Link

5. LKCare Spy Cam

Where to buy
Amazon Link
LKCare Spy Cam
Amazon Link

Ah, the old pen in the pocket that doubles as a camera, we know how that works Mr. Bond, but honestly, this is tried but true way to get pictures of what’s going on around you and not have anyone the wiser for all your intelligence gathering. Simply put it in your coat or shirt pocket (make sure it’s pointed the right way) and this little camera will record what’s going on around you.

Long Battery Life
This will run on a charge for nearly three hours. That’s three hours of video and audio of whatever you need to grab. It also comes with 32gb of memory and that’s a lot of videos so hopefully, you should be able to get what you need. It’s easily rechargeable as well so you won’t have to go too long between uses.

PC/Mac Compatible
Easy as pie this camera will talk to your computer and let you transfer your video as well as drop a time stamp on your images. And with the internal 32 GB memory, you likely will have a lot of videos that you need to manage.

Cost and Value
This is a solid price for this pretty cool camera. For not much money you get a great tiny spy camera that easily talks to your computer that can shoot video for three hours, and then easily transfers to your pc or mac and drops on a timestamp.

Amazon Link

6. Mini Conbrov

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Mini Conbrov
Amazon Link

The Conbrov is more traditional in that it is just a portable pocket camera that doesn’t stand out. There are no fancy designs in its black casing, and the shape isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Customers that want to get away from the unique looking, will find this one quite useful.

Simple But Elegant
When you look at the body you’ll notice how much they managed to cram into this small device, which seems to benefit from the simplistic design. Everything included in the core features would not be possible in a pen, ball or another shape.

Features and Specifications
This may not have all the features some of the top models have, but the ones it has are pretty useful. This includes night visual range up to 25 ft. for night-time recording and voice and motion-activated so you don't miss a thing.

Cost and Value
Buyers can go either way with this purchase since you don’t really get the full value of it until you purchase some additional accessories. But when you do, the Conbrov becomes the best camera on the list.

Amazon Link

7. GoVision Apollo

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$69.89
GoVision Apollo
Amazon Link

This may seem confusing for buyers looking at hidden cameras. A camera in glasses? Even before Google Glass revolutionized the smart glasses revolution there were low spec glasses with cameras in them. GoVision provides one of the original throwbacks with a lot of much-needed improvements.

Bluetooth Connectivity
This is an important feature, one that is missing from several of the others on the list. And this is the main reason why the GoVisionsunglasses made the list, with just about every ‘smart’ device worldwide now coming from the factory with Bluetooth options. Customers can sync their data through WiFi without ever taking off their glasses.

Catch Everything
Wearing glasses with a hidden camera is a cool way to go about your everyday business. It is also a fun way to catch unforgettable memories that would otherwise be missed if you had to fumble with a less convenient camera.

Cost and Value
They didn’t go wild with the pricing of these sunglasses, and it’s pretty low compared to cameras or sunglasses. Since you’re getting both in one great package, then the value is incredible.

Amazon Link
$69.89

8. HongSeok Spy Camera

Where to buy
Amazon Link
HongSeok Spy Camera
HongSeok Spy Camera
Amazon Link

This tiny little button camera comes with a few great features but it’s greatest feature is its tiny size. It fits easily in the palm of your hand but manages to have a wide viewing range and solid internal memory.

World’s Smallest
When someone makes claims like this we tend to take them with a grain of salt, because who knows really, but the fact is that this camera is tiny and if you’re looking to really take pictures on the sly the tiny size of this camera is going to make it easy.

High Definition Camera
These days Hi-Def is no big deal, and we do know hi-def takes a lot of memory but still, you want your imagery to be crystal clear so we’ll always go HD when we have the chance. And you can also manage the amount of storage you want with your choice of SD Cards (Warning: SD card not included).

Cost and Value
Cheap as heck, no doubt about it. But keep in mind that this does not come with any included memory. You’re going to have to decide how much SD memory you can afford. But still the camera itself is cheap, plus it’s the “World’s Smallest,” so you’ve got that going for you.

Amazon Link

9. Ultranyx Concepts

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Ultranyx Concepts
Amazon Link

Small, unexpected, and common. The Ultranyx Concepts Clock is the perfect description of a concealed camera. Nobody expects to be recorded from a clock, which is exactly why this device is effective and efficient. Discreet and covert, this clock allows you to record in multiple qualities that go up to Full HD 1080P so you can clearly see what’s going on around your house.

VOTECOM app
You can now connect to this through Wi-Fi and see exactly what’s going on in real-time. This is done through the VOTECOM application now compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. It only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi bands and receives the signal in a 15-meter radius. Turn the camera on, connect from your phone to the hotspot it creates, and gain remote access to the live feed.

Real alarm clock
The best way to conceal something is to make it ordinary, which is why this is ideal. The device itself is a real working clock to conceal the camera further. It counts with most of the functionalities that a digital clock normally has; the time, alarms, adjustments, and other features to keep realism in place. The camera does not blink or emit any lights to prevent giving away its position.

Cost and Value
The clock is pretty accessible considering you’re getting both a camera and a clock at the same time. While it doesn’t feature the highest end of technology on the market, it’s equipped enough to provide a safe environment for your home or room. It sits below the average value of the list, and its durability and functionality alone make it worth the purchase.

Amazon Link

10. Titathink TT520PW-PRO

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Titathink TT520PW-PRO
Amazon Link

If you’re looking for a small camera to monitor in a secret way, the Titathink TT520PW-PRO is the way to go. Tap into your home life completely concealed connecting with what matters the most for you, wherever you are. This device is specifically designed to be hidden, and its versatile body will make it fit nearly anywhere around the house. This camera has the option of recording in HD 720P video.

High-resolution image sensor
The image sensor is extremely easy to conceal thanks to its greatly reduced dimensions. This camera does not surpass two inches in any of its dimensions, making it the perfect device for a concealed task. Titathink’s camera is virtually undetectable for secret monitoring and it delivers sharp and clear images in HD 720P format. Surveilling your home is now as easy as placing the camera and checking your phone.

Motion detection and alerts
The Titathink TT520PW-PRO counts with 4 different configurable motion detection areas. The sensibility of these motion detectors is adjustable as well, allowing you to regulate how much activity will trigger the alarm. This is perfect for families with pets or animals around the property, as these animals would normally trigger a fake alarm. FTP, email, and app alarms are available. The recording will go directly to your micro SD card or pc.

Cost and Value
The Titathink TT520PW-PRO sits above the average value of the products in this list. Despite its small size, this concealed camera is highly functional and durable. It meets the requirements of medium to advanced users, obviously fulfilling basic tasks as well. Its cost may alarm some users, but you can’t get the technology of this quality for much cheaper really. If you can afford this camera, it’s a fine investment.

Amazon Link

Sources

  1. Erica Puisis, The 7 Best Hidden Cameras of 2019, Buying Guide
  2. Eric, Infini Geek, Tech Site