Do keep an eye on your nanny, children or a pet?
Whatever the reason, we all sometimes want to keep watch over our home or business when we’re not there. And we may not want anyone to know we are watching.
That is where a USB spy camera comes in handy.
They are functioning USB chargers that are also equipped with a hidden camera. They have a number of advantages over other hidden cams like button cameras, or other mini cameras.
The primary advantage is that the device itself is designed to be plugged into the wall so you have a ready source of power for 24/7 recording. A lot of other miniature recording devices need to be charged often, which takes several hours.
But there’s a problem. There are tons of these things on the market.
That’s where this article comes in. We’ve narrowed down all the options to only the best USB spy cameras. Let’s take a look.
Best USB Spy Cameras Compared
Best USB Charger Hidden Cameras Reviewed
The following are our top picks for the best wall charger spy cameras on the market today. Hopefully these brief reviews will help you decide which is best for you. If you’re still not sure after reading everything, I suggest going with our top pick. It gives you the best value for money.
Divine Eagle USB Spy Camera Charger (1080p)
DIVINEEAGLE Mini Spy Camera Hidden Camera Charger | Secret Camera 1080p Full HD | Small Hidden Nanny...
- ★Advanced DIVINEEAGLE Technology - The undetectable security camera in a small USB charger that...
- ★Unlimited Possibilities – Keep an eye on your unfaithful partner, children, landlord, lodger,...
- ★Work Right Out of The Box – The USB hidden spy camera that doesn’t require Wi-Fi for...
- ★IQ Motion Detection with 157 Points – The smart USB wall charger camera adapter detects the...
- ★Data Safety and Universal Compatibility – It has a covered SD card slot and looks like just a...
The Divine Eagle hidden charger cam is our pick for best budget option. It gives you a high quality recording, but sells at a lower price than most of the competition. Combine that with the 1-year warranty, and a ton of features that you’ll love and you certainly have a winner with this one.
Set-up is so, so easy with this device. All you have to do is insert the memory card, plug it into the wall power outlet and you’re ready to go. The one feature it lacks is WiFi, so you can’t view the recording live from your Smartphone. But the lack of WiFi also means that this device is virtually undetectable.
This device allows you to keep your home, children or business safe when you’re not around. Of course, remember our #1 rule here at Spy Cameras Reviewed: Only for good and not for evil!
Key Features
- High quality full HD lens
- No wi-fi required
- 1 year warranty
- 24/7 support
- Motion detection feature
- Extremely easy to set up
- Compatible with up to a 32 GB memory card (not included)
- Loop recording feature
- Can record when motion is detected, or continuously
- Download the footage to a Mac, PC, or smartphone
- 90 degree field of view
- Functions as a USB charger
Customer Reviews
“I was looking for a way to monitor my room in a shared apartment while I was at work and this is the perfect solution. I had a feeling that someone was going into my room and I now know who it was and what they were doing. The picture is clear, and the motion sensor works quite well. It’s as easy to get up and running as the company says it will be. Super impressed, especially when you consider the affordable price.”
“Excellent product that looks and functions exactly like a USB charger. I had a small problem so contacted the company and they responded very quickly, even over the holidays. Highly recommended and I love that it can start recording when motion is detected!”
“This USB spy camera overcomes the problem of many other spy cameras: the power source. It’s a product that’s naturally plugged into the wall so it doesn’t look suspicious. As for this particular device, I love that it doesn’t have a Wi-Fi feature. It makes it less easily detectable and I would just save the recordings anyway.”
Order Yours Today
You can easily find this best-selling device on Amazon. Click the button below to learn more and to check the current price.
DZF Tech WiFi USB Spy Camera
[2019 Upgrade] Spy Camera Wireless Hidden WiFi Camera with Remote View,Hidden Spy Camera 1080P HD...
- 2-IN-1 SPY CAMERA WIRELESS HIDDEN USB CHARGER: It's not just a regular phone charger, work as a...
- MOTION DETECTION: Usb hidden camera charger designed with motion detection. when movement was...
- USB SPY CAMERA CHARGER WITH LOOP RECORDING: When a memory card is fulling, the newest file will...
- EASY TO USE: Just plug in outlet, Wi-Fi hidden camera will start up and starts working. Please...
- BEST CHOICE: DZFtech warm service team will be with you. Provide 30-day fast refund without needing...
The USB hidden cameras from DZF Tech is our favorite. It costs a bit more, but it’s a cut above the rest in terms of video quality, customer service and support. It also has WiFi capability, meaning you can view the recording live from a smartphone app. On the flip side, the WiFi does make it detectable, if someone were to scan for it.
Keep an eye on your nanny, or help prevent theft in the workplace. There are a number of reasons why you might want to watch your recording live and also have a recording.
Key Features Of This Spy Camera WiFi Device
- 1080P HD recording with H.264
- Motion detector with alerts
- WiFi enabled for remote viewing
- Can actually function as a charger
- Footage can be accessed and viewed by multiple people
- Can support an 128 GB SD card (not included)
- Viewing angle of 90 degrees
- 1 year warranty
- 30 days, no questions asked return policy
- Stylish black color
Easy Set-Up
One of things we love about this device is how easy it is to set up. Here’s what you need to do to get it up and running:
- Plug the USB camera into an outlet
- Download the app to your phone
- Find the Wi-Fi settings and connect it to your camera
- Go to the APP and add a new camera
- Automatically connect the camera to your home Wi-Fi router
- You’re ready to go!
User Reviews
“Brilliant little camera that takes snapshots or shoots video. Amazing for such a little package, although the picture does have a bit of a fish-eye effect to it. It’s kind of to be expected though and I’m impressed for such a reasonable price.”
“A+! It did take my husband a few minutes to get it all set up, but it wasn’t that difficult. Now that it’s going, I love it. I use it to keep an eye on the front of my store and my employees when I’m in the back. Not that I don’t trust them, but I like to make sure I know what’s going on with the cash register at all times! This does the trick.”
“Enables you to see what’s going on when you’re not around and to monitor the situation. Can’t say enough good things about this one; probably the best one on the market today. Easy to set up and a nice crispy picture.”
Learn More About This Mini USB Camera
Does it sound like the right spy device that you need to keep an eye on things when you’re not around. Click below to head to Amazon.com for more info and the current price.
Fulao WiFi USB Charger Hidden Camera
Spy Camera USB Charger Hidden Camera 1080P Security Cameras Wall Charger Nanny Cam Plug Cams Adapter...
- 【HD 1080P Spy Camera USB Charger】This spy charger not only charges your digital device, but also...
- 【Loop Record】This USB hidden camera support contentious record when plugged into an outlet(You...
- 【Motion Detection Record】Motion detection recording allows you to only record footage when there...
- 【Easy to Use】Only insert a Micro SD card (Not included) into device, next plug this spy camera...
- 【18 Month Quality Warranty】We supply 30-DAY Money Back and Replacement in 18 months. Please...
Next up on our list is this one with a slightly different design. The pinhole in the front looks like an indicator light and the USB port is on the bottom. I think this is a much better design, because it means you can charge something while recording, without the USB cable ending up in the shot.
I wanted to love this one, just because of that design feature. Of course, the relatively low price doesn’t hurt. Unfortunately, the quality matches the price on this one. A lot of users report their camera breaking after a short period of use. The image quality also lags behind the two previous models above.
Key Features
- Design that keeps the USB cable out of the camera’s view
- 1080P HD recording
- Motion detector that sends 3 photos and a push notification, or a video from 1-20 minutes long
- Loop recording that deletes old footage and replaces it with newer stuff
- Remote viewing via App
- Can fit up to a 128 GB SD card
- 90 degree viewing angle
- Basically plug and play set-up
- Actually works as a USB charger
- One phone can control up to 8 cameras via 4g or Wi-Fi
What Do People Think About It?
“Cheap but reliable. The directions weren’t that well written, but it was still easy enough to figure out. My only other complaint is the small field of view. But for the price, you can easily get a few different cameras (and control them with the same app.”
“Awesome cameras that I had installed in my phone during major renovations. One of the contractors stole a bunch of stuff, but we didn’t know who. I went through 12 hours of footage and figured it out. It made the police officer’s job super easy and this guy got convicted. The judge and police officer said the footage was surprisingly good for such a small device.”
“Love having a portable USB charger with built-in camera. It’s easy to see what’s going on via Smartphone and this one offers lots of features that the other ones don’t.”
Where Can I Buy It?
You can find this model on Amazon. Click below to head there now for more info and to see the current price.
Alpha Tech Hidden Camera USB Charger
Next up on our list is this full HD hidden USB camera. It has similar features to most of the other models, with 1080p encoding, the ability to take SD cards up to 128 GB, WiFi capability, and so on.
The price is actually a bit lower than our top pick, but we ranked this one lower, because the picture quality isn’t quite as good and the WiFi sometimes has trouble connecting to the app (and often takes a long time).
Other than that, it’s a great little gadget. It’s easy to get up and running in just a few minutes and it does exactly what you want it to do, just not quite as well as the top pick.
Key Features
- Full HD 1080P recording
- Actually works as a USB charger
- No sounds or indicators to show that it’s actually a camera
- Records 24/7 on a loop
- Easy to connect and set up
- Easily insert or remove a memory card to save footage (not included), up to 32 GB
- 12 month warranty with excellent customer service
- Includes micro SD card reader
What People Are Saying About It
“I bought this to keep an eye on the deliveries at my front door. A few had gone missing when I was at work and got home late. This thing is awesome. It just keeps recording. Then, if something goes missing, I take out the memory card and go back through the surveillance footage to find out what happened. It’s a cheap, functional solution to an expensive problem!”
“Easy to use and very happy with the pictures. I use it to keep an eye on what’s going on with my nanny. If my kids say something kind of strange about the day, or are just upset, I’ll take the card out and have a quick look at what happened. Nothing bad so far, but it’s perfect for giving me a bit of peace of mind to know that my kids are safe.”
Where To Buy It?
You can find this top-quality recording device on Amazon.com. Click the button below to check it out and learn more.
IPS IP Smart Hidden Camera WiFi Wall Charger
Hidden Camera WiFi Wall Charger Spy Cam Plug with Night Vision Spy USB Camera 1080P Hidden Wireless...
- ☆FAST CONNECT and REMOTE PLAYBACK ☆: The hidden mini camera is very easy to connect ,only 3...
- ☆CLEAR IMAGE WITH NIGHT VISION ☆: 1080P HD mini spy hidden camera with 16pcs invisible LED...
- ☆MOTION DETECTION☆:The hidden spy camera will begin recording 1080P video when the slightest...
- ☆PLUG and PLAY☆:Just insert a micro SD card and plug the hidden camera into a power outlet ....
- ☆REMOTE VIEW☆ - You can view real-time what’s happening inside your home or office even while...
The final entry on this list has one feature that none of the others have: night vision. If you plan on doing any recording in the dark, this is the model to get. If not, go with out top pick instead. There are a few reasons for that.
First, this charger is larger than the others. It definitely stands out more, which is the opposite of what you want. Second, the night vision can be sensitive, meaning it turns on even when it isn’t needed. That results in a black and white recording, instead of color.
Key Features
- Wireless
- 1080P
- IR night vision enabled for low light conditions
- Motion detector alerts to Android or iOS phones
- Connects quickly and easily to your phone
Customer Reviews
“Nice hidden camera that works well and has a good picture quality. I got mine set up and running in just a few minutes—it really is quite easy. Please note that it doesn’t come with an SD card and you’ll need to buy your own if you want to record things.”
“The camera is well hidden even when you’re right up next to it. The IR night vision works surprisingly well considering what a small unit it is. Just about the only complaint I have is that the USB slot is facing down. It should be on the top to make it more realistic. You can flip the unit upside down, but then the footage is the wrong way.”
Shop Now
Do you require a spy gadget that allows you to see at night? Then this USB plug camera is the right choice for you. Learn more about this tech device on Amazon, by clicking below.
Features To Look For In USB Hidden Cameras
There are a number of factors that you’ll want to consider when you’re buying a HD USB spy camera. Here are just a few of them to think about when you choose your device.
High Resolution Camera
These days, the standard recording is full HD 1080P recording. This means that the image will be clear enough to see people’s faces clearly in case you need to identify them for some reason.
You can get away with lower quality filming (for example 720p), but it’s not really recommended. The higher-quality lenses are very cheap these days and the difference between the two may only be a few dollars. Stick with a nicer lens for the best results.
Wi-Fi, Or Not In A Mini Spy Camera?
Do you want to view live footage remotely in real-time and get alerts for things like motion detection? Then you’ll need a USB spy camera that connects to your home Wi-Fi network. You can download an app and control the camera remotely, as well as view the feed.
The best ones allow for multiple people to connect to one camera, as well as one phone to control multiple cameras.
It can be less easy to detect devices that are not running on Wi-Fi, so if this is a concern, then please keep this in mind when considering which one to buy.
Size, Feel And Look
You’ll want to get a secret recording device that looks as realistic as possible in order to avoid detection. The best USB hidden cameras look exactly like real USB chargers. They are no heavier or lighter and they look just like the real device.
One advantage that these hidden cameras have over others is that USB chargers often have indictor lights on them. This is a way to easily disguise the camera.
And of course, the camera lens should not be obvious. The best ones look just like a light to indicate that the device is turned on.
MicroSD Storage
There has to be some way to deal with the data from these devices.
Many devices have optional SD storage with space for about 30gb normally. The ones that don’t connect to Wi-Fi will be required to have them, while the Wi-Fi ones only require them if you want to store footage, but don’t have cloud capability. It’s normal for these devices to have or two of these options, but not all of them.
The cards are usually not included, and are compatible with 28gb, 32gb, 64gb, or 128gb. However, a reader may be included with your device, so if you don’t have one, it’s worth considering this factor. Some of them also come with an internal flash drive that can store a decent amount of data.
Some of them may also connect up to a DVR or NVR hard drive with almost unlimited storage capacity.
A convenient option to have is a cord that allows you to get the photos or videos directly from the device to your Mac or other Windows based computer without having to remove the memory card. This is convenient because these devices are really quite small and this sometimes isn’t that easy to do. Anything that allows you to transfer files from device to computer is a win in our books.
Motion Detector
This is a crucial factor to think about. After all, you only really need the camera to record when something is happening, right? This can reduce power consumption and also means that your memory card won’t get filled up too quickly.
The device should begin video recording when motion is detected for a set period of time.
Night Vision
This is where these kinds of devices differ. Only a few of the higher-quality ones include night vision with them, and how well it works varies considerably. Whether or not you need it depends on you.
If you’re using this to keep an eye on your employees at work, then you probably don’t require this. However, to keep an eye on a babysitter for your baby, then you’ll probably need something that’ll work in lower light conditions.
Software Quality
How easy is the device to set up and use with the included software? And, does the phone app (for wi-fi devices) work well? Hopefully yes. It can make a big difference.
You want the functions to be accessible in a simple, easy way without a whole bunch of complication. Just one or two buttons to select what you want. And the recorded footage should be very easy to access without a lot of hassle or fuss.
Battery Life
The battery life of these USB mini spy cameras should be unlimited because the device is plugged into a power source. This is a huge advantage over battery powered mini cameras.
However, you’ll want to consider this for other nanny cams where it may not be the case. At worst, they’ll last for only a few hours, and at best, for a month or even longer.
Are There Other Options For Nanny Cams?
Apart from the USB charger style mini spy cameras reviewed here, you may also want to consider other style of nanny cams. You can find them in all sorts of everyday objects like smoke detectors, clocks radios, picture frames, stuffed animals, air fresheners, light bulbs or more.
Be sure to check out some of our top products for a nanny cam on Amazon.
Best USB Charger Hidden Cameras: Your Thoughs
What’s your top pick for spy camera USB? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other people like yourself find this useful resource.
- Why Is Night Vision Green? (The Surprisingly Simple Reason) - March 21, 2023
- Dash Cam Pros And Cons (Benefits And Drawbacks You Need to Know) - April 16, 2021
- How To Block Audio Recording Devices - April 15, 2021
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply