Button cameras are some of the smallest spy cameras on the market.
They get their name because they are designed to resemble a button, meaning you can wear them and take them with you.
That said, not all button cams resemble buttons. They term has come to be used to refer to any small hidden camera.
There are a ton of hidden cameras on the market, but most are not great. That’s why we wrote this article.
We’ve done the research on all the wearable button spy cameras and narrowed them down to the best. This buying guide and the brief reviews for each model will help you decide on the best button cam for your needs.
Best Button Spy Cameras Compared
Covert Button Cameras (And One Screw Spy Camera) Reviewed
The following are our recommended button spy cameras, plus the best hidden screw camera on the market. The brief reviews will help you decide which model is best for your needs.
Cam Mall WiFi Button Camera With Motion Detection
This button cam is our top choice, because it does everything well and delivers the best picture quality, while still selling for a good price. It has all the features you expect in one of these cameras and they all work well.
Many people have also used this tiny camera successfully as a hidden dash cam. It performs great in that function, too. Keep reading to find out more about this top-notch hidden camera.
Key Features
- 1080P recording, 30 fps video resolution
- Wi-Fi allows you to view footage remotely
- Motion detector with alerts
- Viewable by multiple people
- Loop recording possible
- Hotspot allows you to view footage without Wi-Fi within selected range (10-50m)
- Wide angle viewing (150 degrees)
- Built in slot holds up to 128 GB SD card (not included). It’s easy to download avi files via cable to your computer
- Attached magnet makes it easy to install anywhere
- Can record up to an hour with a full battery charge
User Reviews
“Very pleased with this product. I love the magnetic back that makes it so, so easy to find somewhere to install it. Sharp image quality and it’s easy to use via mobile device. Not much more I could want at this price point.”
“Happy with it so far. I use it for loop recording in my car when I’m driving in case I get in an accident, or have an incident with the police. Nice video quality. It’s obviously not a Go-Pro, but it works well enough and you can clearly see faces, etc. Stop your search now and just pick this thing up!”
Shop Now
You can easily find this spy device online at Amazon. Check now for the current price and more info about this this top surveillance camera.
Cam Mall Wireless Button Security Camera
We put another model from Cam Mall near the top of our list for a number of reasons. First of all, the picture quality is excellent, especially when you consider that it’s such a small package. Besides that, it connects to WIFI and you can easily view footage remotely from anywhere you are via Smartphone.
Key Features
- Remote, live viewing of videos on Android or iPhone devices (computer or tablet possible too)
- Black
- Video or snapshot capabilities
- Motion detection with an alert in real-time
- Can record and charge simultaneously
- Video length can be set from 1-20 minutes, or it can record on a loop
- Up to 128 GB memory card (not included)
- 1080P recording
- 12 month warranty
- Lifetime customer support
What Do Customers Think About It?
“I’m new to surveillance cameras so wanted something very easy to set up and get running. This one did the trick! I was able to get it going in just a few minutes, including downloading the app to my phone. The footage is very clear, even in lower light conditions.”
“Good value for the money. The least amount of buffer time I’ve seen in any of these spy devices (I’ve tried a few different ones over the years). Great quality video for such a tiny package.”
Where To Buy It
Does it sound like the right button hole camera for your needs? You can easily find this product online on Amazon. Check now for the current price.
Geagle Shirt Button Spy Camera
Next up on our list is a true “button” camera that can fits perfectly into a button hole of a shirt or suit jacket. It looks realistic as a button, but it does have a box behind it, which may make your shirt stick out noticeably, so you have to choose the button hole you use strategically.
It also leaves you with a button that has no hole to go into, which could be noticeable as well. Apart from that, it’s a cool device that looks like an actual shirt button, but records footage (no audio) of what’s going on in front of you.
If you also want to record audio, then you’ll need to consider something like a USB Voice Recorder.
Key Features Of This Wearable Digital Recording Device
- Records only video, not audio
- 1080P camera
- Includes a card reader
- Easy to use (charge, insert an SD card, and then begin recording)
- Continuous loop recording with power supply
Customer Reviews
“This little spy camera is so cool. It’s kind of obvious what it is (you’d have to choose your outfit extremely carefully to match the buttons), but it records very well. For the price? I’m very happy with it.”
“It’s as easy as the company says it is to get all set up and running. It took just a few minutes to figure out where all the wires and cables go. Ideal for when you want to record, but don’t really care if anyone notices. If you’re looking to do covert recording, then this may not be your best option because any reasonably astute person will know what you’re doing.”
Where Can I Buy It?
You can easily find this spy button online on Amazon. Check now for the current price on this and other spy gear and gadgets:
ZZCP Waterproof Spy Camera Button
If you’re looking for a button camera that will work equally well indoors and outdoors, then this waterproof one should be on your list. The included plastic case makes it fully waterproof, a feature that many of the other spy buttons don’t have.
Combine that with good quality night viewing, a nice Smartphone app that doesn’t lag and connects in real-time, and you have a winner. All this and it’s also quite reasonably priced.
Key Features
- Wifi enabled for remote viewing
- Can also run without WiFi and record to an SD card
- Waterproof (comes with a durable plastic case)
- 1080P picture quality
- Motion detection up to 35 feet
- IR night vision allows use of this camera even in low light conditions (6 lights)
- 140 degree wide field of view
- Compatible with Android or iOS
- Up to 5 people can view at the same time
- Comes with brackets and clips for easy installation
User Reviews
“Happy with it! It’s super small and easy to hide, with no flashing lights, etc. The video quality is excellent and the app connection is smooth with no delays. Great value for the price.”
“Good for recording things at night, along with the waterproof case make this one a winner. Most of the other products in this category don’t have the ability to make it fully waterproof.”
Where Can I Get It?
You can find this waterproof spy camera on Amazon.com. Check now for the current price and more information.
Best Screw Spy Camera From Tpekka
You’ve asked for it, and not you’ve got it! Our readers wanted to know what the best camera in a screw is. We’ve chosen this one because it just works well.
We love the fact that it stays connected to a power source. While this make it stationary, it eliminates the huge disadvantage of the other cameras in that you are in a constant charge/use cycle. And this type of camera is meant to be stationary anyway.
The fact that is doesn’t use WiFi and phone app can sometimes be an advantage because these products are often more durable. More importantly, they are not detectable. You have to either connect it to a monitor for viewing, or monitor/card if you want to save the footage.
This makes it an ideal option if your home or business doesn’t have WiFi, but you want to have a surveillance camera option (learn more about that here: Security Cameras that Don’t Need Wi-Fi).
The major disadvantage to it is that it’s hard to control the place where you put it. You need to put it somewhere where you plan to keep it, instead of moving it around all the time like you might with a USB charging device or picture frame cam.
Key Features Of This Hidden Camera Screw
- Measures 15 mm x 15 mm
- Analog recording
- 800 TVL
- Wired (needs to be connected to a monitor and power)
- Can also use a mini DVR to record and save footage (card, monitor not included)
- Low energy consumption
- Ideal for home or office surveillance
- 12 month warranty
- Excellent customer service
What People Are Saying About It
“A lot of technology for the money in a very small package. The image is clear enough to see faces clearly and it’s not obstructed by the actual screw itself. Nobody would notice it’s a camera even when up close—there’s basically no sign of it.”
“Clear even in lower light conditions. Nice product that met my needs, especially when you consider the price. It does take a little bit of know-how to get it up and running so just be aware of that if you’re not a techie.”
“Love that’s it’s connected to a power source and I don’t have to worry about how long the battery life is. Storage is super easy too because you can hook it up to a DVR with a ton of storage. Seriously, when compared to other mini recorders that I’ve used, this one is so easy.”
Purchase It Today
Does it sound like the camera in a screw head that’s right for your needs? You can easily find this product, along with similar devices on Amazon.com. Check now for the current price.
What Should I Consider When Looking For The Best Button Camera?
There are a number of things that you’ll want to consider when choosing your hidden button camera. We’ll run down a few of the features and benefits that you’ll want to look for.
Can It Be Easily Hidden?
Of course, one of the most important factors when choosing a button camera is to think about where it can be easily hidden. You may be able to think of some places to hide a button spy camera, or you may prefer a screw camera like the one we’ve already reviewed.
Whatever the case, you’ll want to get a small one that doesn’t scream “HIDDEN CAMERA.” These days, technology is so good that most cameras are small enough to be easily concealed.
Definitely get a hidden camera that won’t be too obvious (if you want to keep it hidden). For example, there are some spy camera glasses, but if you don’t normally wear them, this will be too obvious. Same with water bottles. Only consider it if this is a normal thing you’d use.
Consider The Battery Life For A Covert Cam
This is an important consideration when choosing the best hidden camera for your needs. This can vary widely between devices. For example, some last for around 30 minutes, while others are up to an hour or even a bit longer. This number usually refers to recording time. If left on standby for motion detection, it’ll last much longer.
Why is the battery life so short? It’s because these mini cameras are so small! There just isn’t room for a bigger battery that can hold a longer charge.
Then, there also ones like the camera in a screw mentioned above that are permanently connected to a power source and record 24/7. If you want to record hours of footage, this will almost certainly be your best option.
Variety Of Recording Modes
The best nanny cam style cameras have different modes. There is usually a continuous recording mode, and then a motion activated one.
How Easy The Hidden Button Spy Camera Is To Use
This is especially important if you’re not fabulously savvy! You’ll want something easy to install, and then get up and running when connected to a monitor, SD card, or a phone app. Ideally, it should take you just a few minutes with minimal fuss and hassle.
Plug and play? We love devices that are this easy.
Wired, Wireless, Or WiFi
What you need strongly depends on your needs. If you want access to the footage remotely, then consider a device that runs on WiFi and that you can connect with via phone app.
However, if you want something to run continuously and record the footage 24/7, then you’ll likely need a wired device that connects to an NVR or DVR (and optional monitor).
Or, if you want access within a limited range, then consider a wireless device.
Keep in mind that these devices are too small to fit even a micro SD card in them. If you want that option, then you’ll want to consider something like a nanny cam that’s a picture frame, smoke detector or USB charger for example.
Recording Quality
These days, 1080p full HD is pretty standard for camera quality. You may see a few of the market thought with 720p. In general, the price of such technology has come down so much that there’s almost no excuse to not go with HD.
Hassle Free Returns And Good Customer Service
If you have a problem with your device, you’ll want to easy way to deal with that. The first course of action should be to contact support for the company to see if they can help you. Beyond that, there should be hassle free returns and we LOVE companies that offer a money-back guarantee for 30 or 60 days.
What Accessories Are Included?
We look for devices were all the accessories you need to get up and running are included. This is the simplest, easiest way to just get started in a few minutes, instead of having to source other electronic gear from somewhere.
For example, you’ll want to have the charging cable, and data transfer cables included at the very minimum.
Time And Date Recorded
Some devices will automatically record the time and date on your footage. This can be very useful in certain circumstances so look for this feature if it is to you.
Keep This In Mind With A Button Hidden Camera
Please remember our top rule here at Spy Cameras Reviewed: only for good and not for evil! In addition, it can be illegal in many countries, states and provinces around the world to record people without their knowledge. Be sure to check the laws regarding this in your specific situation.
Or, you may also want to consider something that’s “hidden” in plain sight. For example, this air freshener hidden camera.
Learn More About Button And Screw Cameras
What About A Spy Camera For My Car?
You may also want to consider a mini car camera. These can offer you a ton of protection in case of an accident or an encounter with the police. You may also want to keep an eye on how your children or employees are driving the vehicle that you own.
Finally, you may want a hidden car camera is there’s a lot of crime in your area that you’re worried about. You can check out some of our top picks here: The Best Car Spy Camera.
Best Body Worn Cameras: Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts about the top mini button cameras? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Also be sure to give this article a share on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. It’ll help other people, like yourself concerned with security find this useful resource.
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Last update on 2025-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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