Home » Security Camera Guides » Spy Cameras: Most Common Types & How to Spot Them

Spy Cameras: Most Common Types & How to Spot Them

Ever wonder if someone is watching you? Spy cams have evolved far beyond the bulky surveillance equipment of decades past. Hidden cameras come in all shapes and sizes, from air vent spy cameras to cameras disguised as household objects, some are more undetectable than others. In some situations, like in unfamiliar hotel rooms or in private spaces, like bathrooms, the feeling of being watched can be hard to ignore.

Whether you’re concerned about privacy in unfamiliar spaces, looking to secure your home discreetly, or simply curious about surveillance technology, understanding the different types of spy cameras is essential in our increasingly monitored world. Some are ingeniously undetectable, while others are surprisingly easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Read on to discover the different types of hidden cameras there are, including why they are favored, and which are among the least detectable.

8 Different Types of Spy Cams You Need to Know

Hidden spy cameras are discreet by design. Here’s 8 of the most popular undetectable types of hidden cameras, including spy cameras that connect to phones.

Custom-made spy cams

a hand holding a small hidden camera

With cameras now smaller than a pinhead, the only limit is your creativity (and budget). They’re the most convincing option available, since they’re crafted using actual objects, making detection nearly impossible.

Mini Spy Cameras

Sir Gawain’s 1080p mini spy camera

Sir Gawain’s mini spy camera is one such choice. Though it can’t be described as a spy camera that connects to your phone, it is an easily concealable solution that lasts for up to 60 minutes a charge. Small enough to fit between thumb and forefinger, it features night vision, as well as motion detection and continuous recording when it’s charging.

USB Hidden Camera

uimomn’s USB spy camera

Spy Camera Pens

abyyloe’s 1080p hidden camera pen with 32GB SD card

Charger Spy Cams

DIVINE EAGLE’s 1080p spy camera charger

Clocks with Camera

DouDuWu’s hidden camera clock spy camera with mobile

Photo Frame with Hidden Camera

Sunsome’s 1080P Wi-Fi hidden camera photo frame

Smoke Alarm Cameras

The gold standard for covert home surveillan. This option draws the least attention to itself and provides the best viewing angle for security purposes, smoke alarms and air vents have long been used to hide cameras inside them. They’re fixtures people expect to see and rarely examine closely. Plus, they can be hardwired for constant power, eliminating battery concerns.

KAMRE’s Wi-Fi hidden camera smoke detector

Types of Spy Cams That Are Too Easy to Spot

Some of the options for hidden spy cameras are more obvious than others. Here’s 5 types of hidden cameras that are super easy to detect.

Plushies

If you’re searching a room for hidden cameras, plushies should be near the top of your check list. Not because they’re effective, but because they’re a common amateur choice. Give any stuffed animals a gentle squeeze and feel for hard objects inside that don’t belong. Check the back seams too; velcro closures instead of stitching are a giveaway that someone’s tampered with it.

a pink plush bunny

Plants

Spotting a spy cam in a plant is easier than you’d think. The dark camera lens contrasts sharply against green foliage, especially if you view the plant from different angles or shine a light through the leaves. Real plants are even more suspicious, look for awkward positioning that seems designed to avoid water damage rather than optimal plant health.

Houseplants sit on a table beneath hanging light fixtures

Mirrors

At least in the movies, mirrors seem to be a beloved hiding place for cameras. But these can actually be detected fairly simply. Dim the lights or turn them off completely, then shine your phone’s flashlight at the mirror from various angles. If there’s a camera lens behind or within the mirror, you’ll likely see it reflect back at you. Also watch for mirrors positioned unnaturally or in spots where they don’t serve an obvious purpose—that’s your first clue.

A rectangle mirror hanging on a wall

Cluster of objects

When you’re scanning a space for hidden cameras, pay attention to arrangements that feel “staged” or overly deliberate. Pick up items and examine them closely, people placing spy cameras often sacrifice natural placement for optimal viewing angles, creating arrangements that look just slightly off to the observant eye.

A cluster of objects piled up on a desk

Near windows or light sources

Here’s a simple detection trick: look for unexpected glints or reflections near light sources. Camera lenses are highly reflective, and when positioned near windows, lamps, or other bright spots, they often give themselves away with a telltale shine. This is one of the fastest ways to spot a poorly positioned spy cam.

Light shines through a window onto a small potted plant

Where to Place Your Spy Cams (And Where You Absolutely Shouldn’t)

AlfredCamera takes a hardline against misusing concealed surveillance for inappropriate purposes. Hiding cameras in hotels, hostels, and rentals without obtaining consent of the parties being filmed is illegal. Consent must be obtained before recording others for surveillance. If you suspect you’re being watched secretly, it’s important to notify the authorities. 

In the home, no laws specifically prohibit concealed surveillance, but there is a right to privacy where there is a reasonable expectation of it. Bathrooms, bedrooms, and other private spaces are therefore off-limits.

Conversely, an open-plan office or the porch of your home are public spaces, and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. As a rule of thumb, stick to public or communal spaces when it comes to subtle or covert surveillance.

Credit: Safewise.com

FAQ

What is the smallest spy camera available?
How do you tell if a screw has a hidden camera?

Screws concealing hidden cameras will have a noticeably large Philips, Torx, hexagonal, or square-shaped screw head. Real screw heads have a very minimal gap for the screwdriver to slot in, whereas false ones would have a complete hole in them for the camera lens to point out of. Shining a light at various angles at the head will reveal reflections from the lens.

Do hidden cameras need wifi?

Hidden cameras don’t necessarily require Wi-Fi, but this will depend on the brand and model. Regular microSD cards are small enough to fit into cameras of a small stature.

Does a hidden camera flash?

Hidden cameras are highly unlikely to have a flash, since this is an overt giveaway of their location.