Body cameras are useful technology that can be used for multiple purposes. Whether you’re a cyclist needing to record what’s happening on the road or you work in law enforcement, you must keep a record of certain situations. The best body camera is characterized by a few main features, such as battery life, design and build camera resolution, and memory capacity.
Choosing the right body camera ultimately depends on your specific needs, but here’s a list of some of the best body cameras in the market. A detailed guide on what you must look for is also at the end of this article.
Our top pick among the 7 body cameras reviewed is the MIUFLY Body Camera. You may also want to check the list of our reviewed spy cameras here.
Quick Summary: Top 7 Best Body Camera
Our professional editors pick and rate these products specifically for each category and recommend the best product we can. We may receive a commission from affiliated links.
Best Overall: MIUFLY Body Camera
“Love this body camera. Low cost, great picture and sound. Night vision quality is perfect.”
Best Compact Design: Ehomful Wearable Body Camera
“Fairly intuitive to use, with decent picture and sound quality. It seems durable and has some accessories which make it easy to carry, but the clip option is my favorite.”
Best Rotating Camera: HD Mini Rotated Magnetic Camera
“The most notable feature on this device is the 180-degree rotating camera lens, which rotates on an axis perpendicular to the rest of the unit.”
Best for Law Enforcement: PatrolMaster Body Camera
“It feels solid. Looks built with good materials. The video quality is beyond my expectations, even in 1080p.”
Best Storage Capacity: CammPro Body Camera
“Picture quality is great, sound quality is great, very easy to navigate on the computer. I would recommend this body cam for anyone who needs security for their safety.”
Best Mini Camera: KONPCOIU Mini Body Camera
“Great body CAM, easy to clip on my vest, and takes good video, very clear. I like how you can also do snapshots with it and the ease of use.”
Best Wide Angle View: Boblov Security Camera
“I like everything about this product.”
Top 3 Quick Comparison
2. Ehomful Wearable Body Camera
3. HD Mini Rotated Magnetic Camera
Our Reviews
1. MIUFLY Body Camera
Best Overall
Its robust design and sturdy build characterize the MIUFLY Body Camera. Its 3.7×1.2×2.2 inch dimensions make it compact and portable despite the many features that are packed into it. The external appearance of the device is high-end, with the camera lens set right at the front, surrounded by infrared lights that aid during recording. The back of the device features a 2-inch LCD screen where users can directly view recorded videos or check what is currently recording. There is also a rotatable clip at the back, which attaches the body camera to the user.
The internal features of the camera start with its F2.0 Iris lens, capable of up to a 140-degree view and 16x digital zoom. Because of the infrared lights around the camera lens, this unit has a powerful night vision mode, rendering a good recording despite near-black conditions. However, when watching the videos on the LCD display, some details are not as clear. When reviewing videos, connecting the device directly to a computer is done with a standard USB data cable. Files are saved in MPEG4 format for videos, JPEG for images, and WAV for audio.
The camera also has a 5MP CMOS sensor to provide high-quality video capture, varying qualities between 840x480p and 2300x1296p. Recordings are done at 30/60fps. Aside from the good video quality, the camera also automatically embeds information, such as the User ID, Time and Date stamps, and GPS Coordinates, into the video files. (1)
Set with motion detection, the camera can automatically start recording when it senses movement in the area. The battery, which is a 3100mAH rechargeable Li-polymer battery, can last for up to 10 hours while recording. It has a built-in memory capacity of 64GB to store all the recorded audio and video.
Product Reviews:
“Love this body camera. Low cost, great picture and sound. Night vision quality is perfect.”
2. Ehomful Wearable Body Camera
Best Compact Design
The Ehomful wearable body camera is a slim, pen-like body camera with an easy clip-on attachment. The camera has a sleek all-black design with just a few buttons: one to switch the device on/off and another OK key that starts recording. The camera lens is placed right at the front and is set to capture 1080 video quality at 30 fps. The lens has a 120-degree view, capturing quite a decent amount of area for its small 4.4x1x0.6-inch size.
This body camera easily fits into the palm of your hand but is best kept inside a pant pocket or clipped on the collar of your shirt. It is relatively lightweight, weighing only 2.08oz, so it barely feels like you have an extra piece of tech on you.
The battery of this camera is a 240mAh Lithium battery that can support up to 3 hours of continuous recording. When recording, it automatically overwrites the oldest files on the memory card. This loop recording function ensures that any new recordings are prioritized.
Since the camera can support memory cards with up to 64 GB memory capacity, users can store more than 10 hours’ worth of footage. However, if you use a smaller-capacity memory card, like a 4GB or 8GB memory card, you might need to constantly back up your video files if you don’t want to lose these files. Retrieving the files is simple because the camera is easily compatible with a standard PC. The device is connected with the use of a standard USB cable.
Product Reviews:
“Fairly intuitive to use, with decent picture and sound quality. It seems durable and has some accessories which make it easy to carry, but the clip option is my favorite.”
3. HD Mini Rotated Magnetic Camera
Best Rotating Camera
The HD Mini Rotated Magnetic Camera is a thin, magnetic device that captures 1080P HD videos and images. It is a wearable body camera with a magnetic body that can attach the device to a belt or other metallic items. The slim design also makes it easy to place in your pants or shirt pocket. However, you’ll need a small piece of metal to keep it in place since this body camera has no other type of attachment.
The most notable feature of this device is the 180-degree rotating camera lens, which rotates on an axis perpendicular to the rest of the unit. This makes adjusting the camera view easy. Surrounding the camera lens are infrared lights that help record videos under low light and dark conditions. The rest of the device is a simple, slim black rectangle with clearly labeled switches and buttons.
This camera is simple since everything is labeled and set intuitively. The power and reset buttons and an LED indicator are set on one side to help users know which mode the device is on. The other side is where switches for the Night Vision mode (NV) and Motion Recording (M-Rec) are placed.
When set in Motion Detection Recording Mode, the camera will standby until movement is detected. This is a good way to maximize battery life, but it is not recommended if you plan to move around while recording. The device stores all the recorded video files into a MicroSD Card.
However, users can also leave the device plugged into a charging dock or a PC to maintain continuous recording. The charging port, the USB port, is connected to a USB cable, which can be used for charging or retrieving video files.
4. PatrolMaster Body Camera
Best for Law Enforcement
The PatrolMaster 1269P Body Camera is a compact security and law enforcement camera. The device has a durable exterior case, making it IP67 waterproof and shockproof. The matted finish on this unit gives it a good grip, especially with the edges embedded with embossed detail.
The buttons on the side of the body camera are simple and big. Each button is marked clearly with an icon to denote its specific function. Pressing the bright red button starts video recording for either regular videos or night videos. Below the red button is another button to start audio recording, while the last button captures images.
On the other side of the camera is a USB port, image quality switch, and power button set from top to bottom. The Image quality switcher is used to change between 720P recording to 1080P recording.
The front of the device is dominated by a large camera lens surrounded by infrared lights and a motion detector. The back is where you can find the 2-inch LCD screen and a few other buttons that allow users to toggle other device functionalities. The exterior design is simple and easy to use. Inside, the camera can capture good-quality videos and images even in low-light conditions.
The night vision mode is also one of the best on this list. However, this is more costly than the other units we discuss. But the camera is worth the cost because of the many features. The camera lens has a 170-degree ultra-wide angle, capturing much information from a single scene.
The battery life is also very long-lasting, supporting up to 40 hours of standby time and 20 hours of recording. Its 64GB built-in memory automatically stores videos, images, and audio recordings with a timestamp.
Product Reviews:
“It feels solid. Looks built with good materials. The video quality is beyond my expectations, even in 1080p.”
5. CammPro Body Camera
Best for Law Enforcement
Powered by the Ambarella A7LA50 Chipset, this body camera from CammPro is a powerful device with a high-resolution camera lens and several other features. Aside from the device’s internal power, the rugged exterior case is also built to be very sturdy and durable. It is both waterproof and shockproof. Additionally, it is fitted with low-temperature protection to allow the device to operate even in some of the harshest weather conditions.
The design and build of the device are quite simple, with a front-facing main camera lens supported with infrared lights and motion sensors. At the same time, the back features a clip-on attachment component, a 2-inch LCD monitor, and playback buttons. The sides of the unit are also set with other control buttons to manage the camera’s functionalities. The body camera can capture high-quality videos and images at a 1296P HD resolution and 140-degree view.
Supported by infrared lights, it can also capture good-quality night vision images and videos. The 3500 mAh battery provides up to 11 hours of video recording, which can be done continuously or depending on the motion detection modes.
One of the main highlights of this device is the 128GB built-in memory, which allows users to store hours and hours worth of videos while also embedding other important information, such as time, GPS coordinates, and a user ID. The camera can also be locked in with a password, only allowing those with the password to access the files.
Product Reviews:
“Picture quality is great, sound quality is great, very easy to navigate on the computer. I would recommend this body cam for anyone who needs security.”
6. KONPCOIU Mini Body Camera
Best for Law Enforcement
This mini body camera from KONPCOIU features a slim and ultra-portable design fitted with an easy-to-attach clip-on feature. The camera lens is also attached to a rotating component that can go around 90 degrees, giving users a very adjustable camera lens. It is quite a versatile piece of tech made with a simple design. The entire unit is just 4.5×2.9×1.6 inches, but it is already fitted with other features, such as motion detection and a night vision mode.
The videos and images captured with this camera are quite good for a 1080P Ultra HD Capture. In addition to the good camera quality, the device relies on an 1100mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last for 6 hours. Charging the battery only takes a few hours and can be done by checking files directly through a computer.
Connecting the device is easy since it has a USB port to connect to a PC through a standard USB cable. Files can be accessed as you would a flash drive. Another way to get the files is by removing the memory card. This body camera does not have built-in memory and needs a microSD card to store video, audio, and image files.
Product Reviews:
“Great body CAM, easy to clip on my vest, and takes good video, very clear. I like how you can also do snapshots with it and the ease of use.”
7. Boblov Security Camera
Best Wide Angle
The Boblov Security Body Camera has a complex design but is one of the easiest to operate. The side of the unit is set with three simple buttons that provide an easy one-press function. There is a One Key Record Video button, a One Key Record Audio Button, and a One Key Photograph button, allowing users to press a button to record video, audio, or capture images. This simple interface is paired with an LCD screen at the back of the camera body, which is fitted with a few other buttons used to toggle other device features.
The entire body camera is set in a durable exterior case, IP67 waterproof and drop-resistant. The camera lens and a set of infrared lights and motion detectors are placed in the front. The back is supported by a simple clip to attach the device to a belt or band easily.
The camera can continuously record for up to 9 hours when fully charged. Recharging the two 1950mAH batteries requires 32 hours of charging time. When just recording audio, the device can last up to 10 hours. If put on standby mode, it can last a few hours longer. The camera records videos at 1296P resolution and captures 3300P images on a 170-degree wide-angle view. Overall, the camera functions well whether you need to record videos or capture images.
Product Reviews:
“I like everything about this product.”
Things To Consider Before Buying a Body Camera
Body cameras have become essential devices in law enforcement and other fields. You don’t need to be a police officer to use a simple camera that will help provide some security. However, there are so many body cameras to choose from. While many share similar designs and features, there are also a few that are quite different. When picking out the best body camera, these are some of the things you need to consider.
Device Ease of Use
Some body cameras have oversimplified controls, making recording videos much easier. On the other hand, other devices have a more complex set of buttons. While the latter may seem complicated, the upside is usually a much wider set of functionalities to enable. More buttons don’t necessarily mean a more difficult system. It can sometimes make the camera a lot easier to operate.
Durability and Placement
The design and build are two things to consider when looking at the camera. The design will dictate how the camera can be placed or worn, while the build will also determine the item’s durability. Many body cameras are waterproof and shockproof; these are the ones to look at if you want a long-lasting body camera.
Quality and Resolution
Body cameras won’t be able to record HD videos similar to how your smartphone or a typical video camera would, but getting a camera with decent video quality is essential. If your camera cannot capture simple details, there is not much point in using a recording device. When considering your options, looking at cameras that record at 60fps usually gives better video quality videos. In addition, Night Vision modes might also be an essential feature you should look for. (2)
Ultimately, picking the best body camera depends on the purpose you are looking to fulfill. A common problem is managing costs, features, and size; many multi-functional cameras tend to be larger and more expensive, while the smaller cameras may offer fewer features but tend to cost less. Before purchasing, you must review the body camera’s essential functions and features.
MIUFLY Body Camera
Its robust design and sturdy build characterize the MIUFLY Body Camera. Its 3.7×1.2×2.2 inch dimensions make it compact and portable despite the many features that are packed into it. The external appearance of the device is high-end, with the camera lens set right at the front, surrounded by infrared lights that aid during recording. (3)
References
(1) CMOS – https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2017/cg_1.html
(2) Night Vision – https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/nightvision.htm
(3) infrared – https://www.livescience.com/50260-infrared-radiation.html
I am actually contemplating to buy one of these or just stick to go pro. Hmmmm…
Thanks for this list! I might actually get one.