A few years ago, I had a roommate who was less than ideal. He would come and go at all hours of the night, and he would invite seedy people back into his bedroom more times than I cared to count. What really set me off, however, was that he stole from me.

It all started when I noticed some money missing from my wallet. At first, I thought maybe I just forgot buying something, but when it happened again, I got suspicious. I asked him about it, but he got defensive, so I knew I had to change my tactic.

Unfortunately, the lease was under both of our names, and so I couldn’t force him to move out based on my hunch.

Thus, to help me catch him in the act, I set up a spy camera in my room. It didn’t take long before he stole from me again, but this time, I was able to show him the evidence. Suffice it to say he was no longer my roommate after that.

If you’re in need of a spy camera for whatever reason, you may be wondering how to go about finding one. Thankfully, I have done plenty of research on the subject, and for your convenience, I’ve even made a list of some of the best spy cameras you can buy.

Whether it’s catching a thieving roommate or protecting your home from intruders, a spy camera can be an excellent choice.

Recommended Best Wireless Spy Camera

1. PHYLINK PLC-128PW 720P HD Covert IP Camera

When looking at different types of spy cameras, it seems that there are two varieties.

The first is a small device that you can place anywhere which will run on a battery and doesn’t need to be connected to anything.
The second is like the Phylink PLC-128PW Covert Camera, which hooks up to a network device so you can keep it on for long periods and record more data.
Which device is best for you? Well, it depends on your situation. If you’re like me and trying to catch someone in the act of stealing from you, a camera like this can be a better option because you can set it up and then leave it for days before retrieving the footage.
The way it works is that you mount the camera to the wall (ideally covered by something else) and then hook up the recording unit nearby. This camera type doesn’t work in all situations, however, so only get it if you can reasonably set it up in an inconspicuous location.

Features of this camera include HD resolution, audio and video recording, and remote access so you can watch from your smartphone. It can even take a micro-SD card for storing footage. Finally, you can connect the device to an alarm or security system for home surveillance.

2. FREDI HD 1080P Indoor/Outdoor Sport Portable Handheld Mini Hidden Spy Camera

Next, we have a portable spy camera that you can mount almost anywhere.

The FREDI Spy Camera is ideal for any situation where mounting a semi-permanent surveillance system is out of the question.

What I like about this unit is that it is so tiny that you can place it anywhere you can think of. It comes with a mounting system for better positioning, and it also records in ultra-HD resolution.

Because the FREDI is battery-operated, it is motion activated so you can keep it in place for longer periods. The battery is rechargeable, and you can even record while charging, if that is possible in your situation.

The other nice thing I like about the FREDI is that you can record video or take photos. Using photos means you won’t drain the battery as fast, meaning you can keep it in place longer.

Finally, it works in high or low light conditions, and the housing is durable so that it can be put outside without any issue.

3. Podofo® Wireless Security Camera

When it comes to spy cameras, you can opt for a model that shows you a continuous feed or you can get one that will record footage that you can recall later.

In this case, the Podofo Security Camera can do both, depending on if you connect the router to a DVR.

What I like about this camera is that it transmits the signal wirelessly. That means that you can hook it up in a semi-permanent location without needing to install wires and such as well.

Also, having a wireless transmission means you can check the live feed from your computer or smartphone. The only downside is that it does not pick up audio.

Other features include the ability to run on a battery, a wireless range of fifty meters, and it can even work in low-light conditions.

4. FREDI 720P Wireless WiFi IP Security Camera

Our next model is another FREDI Camera, but this time, this is a semi-permanent unit, rather than the independent camera listed above.

The Wireless WiFi IP Security Camera is meant to be installed on the ceiling.

For best results, I would suggest mounting it in a smoke detector or hide it within a ceiling panel so people won’t see it.

The camera itself has a wide angle lens so you can see the entire room. It records HD footage, and the best part is that it transmits the data wirelessly to a router or a DVR if you want to save the feed.

Also, because it is wireless, you can sync up to your smartphone and watch the feed remotely. Finally, the camera is motion activated, so you only get footage that you want, not a bunch of dead space.

The other thing I like about this camera is that it has night vision, meaning that you can use it for any time of day without losing clarity of vision.

Also, I like the fact that it automatically overwrites data, meaning that if your hard drive fills up, it can still record. Some other models stop recording when there is no more free space, which can be disastrous in some cases.

Final Verdict

Overall, picking out the best spy camera will depend on your needs. Do you need something for your workspace? Or are you hoping to use it at home for personal surveillance?

With that in mind, I would highly recommend either FREDI model camera or the Podofo model. These devices are easy to use and have the best features so you can utilize them in a variety of environments for a multitude of reasons.