When you consider all kinds of spy cameras available (and there are a lot), you’ll also find that many items are not as effective nor discrete. Items like picture frames, water bottles, and even accessories like necklaces are watches can get you a decent view but often are unable to have enough battery life to record everything. One of the most ingenious hidden camera designs is the use of the USB Charger as a camera. Since practically everyone has it, most people would not be bothered finding it plugged into the wall.
And the shining LED light?
Based on our analysis, we recommend the Hidden Camera USB Charger 1080P because of its video and audio quality and it has motion detection as well.
Quick Summary: Top 7 - Best USB Spy Camera of 2020
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: Hidden Camera USB Charger 1080P
"Up to 32 GB storage, motion detection, audio recording, night vision"
"Up to 32 GB storage, motion detection, audio recording, night vision"
Best Storage: DENT USB Charger Camera
"Up to 128 GB storage, motion detection, audio recording, connection is via mobile app"
"Up to 128 GB storage, motion detection, audio recording, connection is via mobile app"
Best Recording: Spooker USB Wall Adapter HD 1080P
"Removable storage, motion detection, audio recording, night vision, connection is via mobile app"
"Removable storage, motion detection, audio recording, night vision, connection is via mobile app"
Best Built: SPY Camera Wireless Hidden Usb Charger
"Up to 32 GB, motion detection, night vision, connection via mobile app "
"Up to 32 GB, motion detection, night vision, connection via mobile app "
Top 3 Quick Comparison
Product | Photo | Storage | Motion Detection | Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |  | Up to 32 GB | Yes | Portable USB Charger | |
Runner Up |   | Up to 128 GB | Yes | High quality video recordings | |
Also Great |   | Up to 32 GB | Yes | Removable Front Panel |
Our Reviews
Best Overall
When plugged in, you can barely tell the difference between this hidden camera USB charger device and a regular generic USB charger.
Quick Specs
This simple USB charger doubles as a hidden camera. When plugged in, you can barely tell the difference between this hidden camera USB charger device and a regular generic USB charger. It doesn’t have an LED light on the front of the device, making it virtually undetectable at night. Despite the small size, this gadget is able to capture decent videos that 1080p and 30fps and automatically store these files into the attached memory card. Since it is only able to support up to 32 GB memory, you can either opt to turn on the motion detection mode to limit video recording or continue with the loop recording mode. You don’t have to worry about the device stopping recording due to full storage since it is already programmed to delete the oldest video files.
Unfortunately, if you want to look up a video file that was weeks or months ago, you wouldn’t be able to retrieve it. Just in case you want to keep a copy of all the video files that this device records, you can easily plug it into your computer and manually store your recordings. Giving this device even more of an edge is the need for a specialized USB cord to access the files. If you don’t want to remove the memory card, you can use the special cord to plug it into your computer directly. This is a handy feature that will prevent other people from accidentally finding all your recordings when they try to charge their own devices. But, remember to keep the cord hidden somewhere else.
It is also able to record audio but the audio recordings are not as clear as you would want it to be. If placed in a high area, it is able to pick up sounds quite well. Another feature is its night vision mode which isn’t the best but is still able to pick up silhouettes and figures in the dark. However, it can be difficult to identify actual faces with the night vision recordings.
Pros
Cons
Best Storage
Plug it in and you can connect it to your smartphone through a mobile app and Wi-Fi network so you can now have live video access to the camera.
Quick Specs
This USB charger device is one of the easiest to set up. Plug it in and you can connect it to your smartphone through a mobile app and Wi-Fi network so you can now have live video access to the camera. However, the app only allows the viewing of live videos but does not store any files on its cloud. Instead, you will need to manually connect to the memory card where the device continually stores your recorded videos. If you don’t have to check on any old video recordings, you can easily leave the memory card in the device since there is no need to delete any files - it does that for you.
The camera can actually automatically overwrite the oldest files in storage. However, if you put in a 128 GB memory card, which is the maximum capacity it can support, it will probably be long before it uses up the storage. Also, you can secure your recorded files with the password protection feature.
Placing it on motion detection mode activates the motion sensors and also allows you to maximize the storage space by only setting the device to record when movement is detected. The app will send over any notifications when there is movement in the area. This feature is adjustable. Motion sensors are reliable and capable of detecting movement several feet away. The actual video quality is also really good, with 1080p Full HD video recordings set with great audio quality. However, the audio can get a bit muffled at times. The exterior of the device is a simple square block design that is common in most USB chargers. It has an indicator light which you can actually toggle on or off with the mobile app.
One drawback to the device is that it does not offer night mode recording. Instead, it provides a low light setting which, although is able to capture decent quality in low light settings, is still not as effective as the night vision mode offered in other devices. In proper lighting, video quality is great.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“This is an excellent camera. Very easy to install on your phone with an app. The picture quality is great! The charger works perfectly. I thought due to the low price, there would be low quality. This product surpassed all my expectations.”
Best Hidden
It offers a motion detection mode, loop recording mode, and rest. When set to motion detection, your device relies on the motion sensors to start recording and only records when movement is detected within the area.
Quick Specs
This fully functional USB charger works as a hidden camera. Right out of the box, it looks like a regular USB charger with the typical charging wire. However, when you look at the bottom of the gadget, cleverly hidden under the removable front panel of the device is the memory card slot and a button to change between the modes of the device. It offers a motion detection mode, loop recording mode, and rest. When set to motion detection, your device relies on the motion sensors to start recording and only records when movement is detected within the area. Loop recording puts the camera on a continuous recording mode. While the motion detection mode allows you to store only videos where something is going on, the loop recording mode also comes with a feature where old videos are overwritten, allowing the device to continuously store the new recordings.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“This is a very easy to use hidden camera that takes videos when motion is detected.”
Best Disguise
This spy gadget is disguised as a regular black USB charging cable. The barely noticeable lens is placed right at the USB end of the wire.
Quick Specs
While most hidden cameras take the form of the USB charging block, this product takes an innovative approach and hides the camera in the charging cable. This spy gadget is disguised as a regular black USB charging cable. The barely noticeable lens is placed right at the USB end of the wire. The wire is extremely portable and functional and has a built-in 32 GB memory where videos are automatically stored into. To access your video files, you only need to plug it into your desktop.
Despite its compact design, the hidden camera is still able to provide good quality videos at full 1080p. It does not offer any audio recording feature. One of the difficulties you might encounter with this device is placement. Attaching it to a charger dock on a wall would cause the camera to face upwards. It's important that the wire be set upright in order for the camera to be able to capture a good angle. Some of the best places to use this would be on a charging dock at your office or desk.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“This spy camera works good, it can protect my family and property safety. Very useful! You can record video while charging your phone.”
Best Recording
The camera lens is hidden in a very small, unnoticeable dot on the cover of the charger. The charger itself seems very generic - much like a regular charger that you could buy at your local electronics store or cell shop.
Quick Specs
This handy spy gadget allows you to charge your phone while recording the scene. Dually functional, this gadget holds a hidden camera on the front of the charger panel. The camera lens is hidden in a very small, unnoticeable dot on the cover of the charger. The charger itself seems very generic - much like a regular charger that you could buy at your local electronics store or cell shop. You can easily plug in any USB charging wire into the device and charge a smartphone, tablet, power bank; basically anything that you would charge with a regular USB charger.
The video recording capacity of this unit is great. You can expect to see clear video images, despite the minute peephole the camera lens is visible through. Unfortunately, this device does not support audio recording. It does, however, allow for Wi-Fi connectivity via the manufacturer’s mobile app. It is extremely easy to set up. After plugging in the device, you only need to download the app on your smartphone by scanning a code they provide on the product box. After successfully connecting with the app, which will take less than 5 minutes of your time, it actually sends you notifications of motion detection and allows you to check on the area every now and then with the live video feedback feature.
The low light mode on the device is not the greatest but it can still provide a decent level of image quality. Since there is no night vision mode feature available, the camera captures absolutely nothing in darker conditions. You can actually set the device and enable either motion detection or loop recording.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“You would not suspect there is a spy cam at all, just look like a fancy USB charger. The image quality is decent enough, and the USB function works well.”
Best Built
The great thing about this panel is that unlike other USB charger cameras that have a memory card slot or switch that can be found when someone actually picks it up, all those parts are covered up.
Quick Specs
While this device externally looks like a regular phone charger, it actually has a removable front panel which hides its other function as a hidden spy camera. The great thing about this panel is that unlike other USB charger cameras that have a memory card slot or switch that can be found when someone actually picks it up, all those parts are covered up. This handy removable panel is an effective component to the gadget. Under it, you can find a micro SD card slot and a tiny switch to allow you to choose between L and M modes. L for Loop recording mode and M for Motion detection mode. While using loop recording will enable you to take continuous videos, this will also fill up your storage space with possibly hours of recording where nothing is going on. The motion detection mode is advised since it only starts recording when movement has been detected in the area. The motion sensors on this device are quite reliable. It was able to detect movement up to 5 meters away.
Other great features of this product are the 1080P full HD video quality and the Wireless connectivity it offers. Connecting it to the app is easy since the hidden connection via Wi-Fi will pop up when you plug it in. The app allows you to access the live video feed on the camera. Even when you set it to motion detection mode, you can manually turn the device on from your phone. The app also allows you to see the recorded videos. But the camera still saves these recordings on the inserted memory card.
Unfortunately, this item is only able to support up to 32 GB memory cards. This limits the number of videos you can have saved on the device. However, it automatically overwrites the oldest files with new videos when there is no more storage space left.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“This little hidden camera/charger is wonderful. I tested it out in my kitchen and no none suspected a thing. Even had some friends use the charger and they did not realize it was also a camera. It is very simple to set up and get going. The app is pretty good too. The picture came out clear. “
Best Compatibility
The initial package presents the devices as just an ordinary USB wall charger, which would be a nice feature in case you have any neighbors or people at home receiving it. The device is compatible with most charging cables.
Quick Specs
This gadget was quite easy to get set up. You literally just have to plug it in. Well, after inserting a memory card into the open slot, the hidden camera was ready to go. The initial package presents the devices as just an ordinary USB wall charger, which would be a nice feature in case you have any neighbors or people at home receiving it. The device is compatible with most charging cables. However, it isn’t a fast charging charger.
The hidden spy camera on this item is visible through a tiny hole at the front, which resembles a simple LED light on other phone chargers. The memory card slot is hidden by the removable front panel which also hides the switch. The camera offers Loop recording and motion detection modes, which you can set with the switch.
Pros
Cons
User Reviews
“Authentic hidden camera... works great as advertised. Glad to have the double USB cable, 32 GB memory card and memory card reader in the package together with the hidden camera, worth my money and time.”
Things To Consider Before Buying A USB Camera Charger
While all these items may bear many similarities with each other, there are actually a few minor differences that matter. In terms of video quality, our top picks are some of the best in the market. But, aside from being a good camera, a spy device should also offer other features. If you are still looking for other options, here’s a quick guide to help you find what specific features and specs you need to keep an eye on.
Video and Image Storage Capacity
Prior to picking out a device with a hidden camera, one of the things you should look into is determining its storage capacity. That way, you’d also know just how many files can be stored. A good hidden camera should be able to keep multiple video files spanning many hours, days, or even a month worth of recordings. There are many modern devices that have a built-in program that allow it to overwrite the oldest video files in the system. While this is effective in ensuring that new recordings are always stored, a limited storage capacity will automatically mean that older files can no longer be retrievable.
Video and Image File Types
When considering a hidden camera, knowing the specific file type videos are saved in is also helpful. This can affect the level of quality of the video, storage capacity, and accessibility. There are certain video files which may not be compatible with your desktop multimedia player, which means that you will not be able to view those videos as easily. Also, some video file types take up more storage than others. These often provide high quality recordings but if these take up a lot of your storage space, your 32 GB memory card might only be able to record a few minutes instead of hours of videos. Luckily, most manufacturers make use of ways to store files in optimum capacity.
Video Resolution and Image Quality
The actual video quality of the device is important. If your hidden camera is unable to capture a decent video recording, your videos are virtually useless. While there is no need to have full HD graphics, things to look out for is whether the recording allows you to recognize faces, items, colors, and other things. Cameras with low-light or night vision mode are also great options because these features can be extremely useful.
Audio Recording
Not all video recording cameras are capable of recording audio. If this feature is important for your purposes, then it is essential that you check device features instead of assuming that it can record audio with the video. One problem that you will probably encounter is the fact that these hidden cameras are small devices, which means that the audio recording, if available, will usually rely on a single mic to gather input. Placement of the mic is also essential since many spy cameras end up recording muffled audio sounds.
A hidden USB camera charger is a simple device you can use without raising too many eyebrows. It’s fairly common for people to leave chargers plugged into the outlets for fast charging needs so there won’t be that many people asking you what that thing on the wall is. Often times, you’ll probably have a friend asking you if the can charge their phones or tablets for a while, which makes these spy gadgets even more believable. Overall, USB spy charger cameras are great at providing protection, security, and home surveillance.
