By: SpygearGadgets
APR 3
Nanny Camera Buyers Guide and Reviews
If you're reading our nanny cam buyer's guide chances are you're looking to monitor your home or apartment, or maybe even a business environment. Whether you want to protect your children, your home, or even your office, nanny cams or nanny cameras are becoming more and more common as a new type of surveillance tool.
Popular Uses for Nanny Cams
1. Monitoring a Babysitter or Nanny
As the name implies, a nanny cam is often used for making sure that your child is safe and secure when in the care of a babysitter or nanny in your home. Many people often think of a teddy bear camera as the typical nanny cam, but in reality not many people actually use those.
Common nanny cams include clocks, smoke detectors, and any other small items that wouldn't look out of place in your house.
An Alarm Clock Nanny Cam is A Popular Way to Watch Your Nanny
2. Home or Apartment Security
Despite being referred to as "nanny cams", hidden cameras can also be useful in protecting your home or apartment for general security needs as well.
After all - if someone breaks into your home, they might not even realize there is a camera if there is one hidden in a wall clock. And a WiFi nanny cam can send you motion alerts to notify you that someone has broken in, so you can call the police.
3. Office, Business, or Retail Monitoring
In addition to being used for home or apartment security, many businesses today are actually using hidden cameras too. Rather than relying simply on traditional security cameras, companies around the US are utilizing covert surveillance systems to investigate employee misconduct, protect high value and sensitive areas, and simply provide general surveillance on their premises.
Businesses Use Nanny Cams To Monitor Their Offices
4. Catch a Cheating Spouse
One final use for nanny cameras is something that hidden cameras have been known for ever since they were popularized on the show Cheaters.
Investigating infidelity used to be something reserved only for private investigators, but with the advancement in camera technology, almost anyone can be their own PI with the use of a spy camera or an audio recording device.
5 Things to Look for in a Nanny Cam
1. Find a Nanny Cam that Blends in
One of the first thing we recommend when looking for a nanny camera is something that will blend in with wherever you want to monitor. For example, if you want a nanny cam for your living room, an alarm clock nanny cam might be a good idea. Or for a bedroom, an iPod docking station hidden camera could blend in well.
Of course there are always cameras that could work well in any room, like the Mini AC Adapter Hidden Camera or a battery powered electrical outlet hidden camera. The point is simple - find a nanny cam that won't look out of the ordinary wherever it's at.
Nanny Cams Like the USB Wall Charger Camera Blend in Anywhere
2. Choose Between WiFi or Non-WiFi
When you're picking out a nanny cam, the next thing to consider is whether to get an all in one device (aka self-recording) or wireless streaming camera. The difference between these two types is pretty straightforward. An all-in-one camera is just that - everything is contained within the camera itself - it doesn't need any other devices to operate. These are generally easier to use.
A wireless-streaming camera is one that sends your video signal somewhere else, such as a computer or a wireless receiver. The most common type of wireless streaming camera is an internet-streaming nanny camera. These typically involve a little bit of set up and configuration, as they need to interface with either your computer or your wireless network.
When deciding between an all in one nanny camera or a wireless-streaming nanny camera, you should consider both your monitoring needs, as well as your level of tech savviness. Our tech support team is always here to help, but if you're not very comfortable with computers, an all-in-one/self-recording camera is probably your best bet.
3. Battery or AC Powered Operation
The next thing to decide when looking for a nanny camera is whether you want a battery powered or an AC powered nanny camera. There are benefits to both, and depending on your situation, one might be better suited for your needs than the other.
Battery powered nanny cameras are portable, allowing you to place them virtually anywhere, or even take them with you when you travel (such as in your hotel room). We offer battery powered nanny cameras for both indoors and outdoors, depending no your needs. The only drawback to battery powered nanny cams is that you'll have to recharge the battery periodically.
AC powered nanny cams however do not ever have to be recharged, since they are powered by a standard AC wall outlet. This means no batteries to recharge. Of course as you can imagine, their placement is more limited, since they usually have to be near an outlet. This also limits the type of form factor you can choose from as well, as things like a smoke detector or motion sensor wouldn't look very "hidden" with a power cord coming out of them in your living room.
4. Computer or Smartphone Compatibility
Another important consideration that you may be interested in is whether a particular device is compatible with your PC or Mac, or your iPhone or Android device.
WiFi hidden cameras currently only stream to an iOS or Android device - not desktop or laptop computers. This is because they interface with an app for your phone.
Non-WiFi cameras don't need a smartphone to operate however, and simply record video to a removable micro SD memory card. That memory card can then be read on any PC or Mac computer.
5. Video Quality/Resolution
Nanny cameras have a wide range of video quality - ranging from regular "standard definition" cameras, to high resolution, all the way up to high definition recording, such as 720P and 1080P. While video quality isn't the most important feature in choosing a nanny camera, it should still be a consideration.
This is because most nanny cameras are now at least "high resolution", and will give you a clear image of what you need to see - such as people's faces and actions. However when you want the best quality out there - videos recorded in 720P or 1080P give you the clearest image possible.
Top 10 Selling Nanny Cameras for Home
We've put together a list of some of the best selling nanny cameras for home use. The devices are ones we've tested extensively and are confident will provide the covert video surveillance you're looking for:
10. 1080P HD WiFi Mini USB Wall Charger Hidden Spy Camera (HC240w)
First up on our list is a device that looks like a regular USB wall charger, but has a hidden HD camera inside that streams live video to your iOS or Android device. It even works as a USB charger to charge your favorite small devices!
In addition, USB chargers are so common, no one will give the device a second glance!
9. 1080P HD WiFi AC Receptacle Decora Outlet Hidden Camera (HC517w)
Next up our our list is a device that looks and functions as a regular wall outlet. The top outlet is fully functional, and the bottom outlet is where a mini pinhole camera lens is hidden. The camera streams either 1080P or 4K HD video, and the wide angle view gives you the perfect view of the room.
And because the device is hardwired to your existing AC power, the camera operates 24/7 so you won't miss a thing.
8. 1080P HD WiFi Mini Alarm Clock Hidden Camera (HC215w)
The mini alarm clock camera is a popular nanny cam because of its versatility and features. Alarm clocks are so common that you can place this camera in almost any room in your home or office and it will blend right in. The camera is WiFi enabled, which allows it to stream live HD video that you can watch on your smartphone. You can even record video to a hidden micro SD card for later viewing.
7. 1080P HD Pro Series WiFi Backpack Hidden Nanny Camear (HC735w)
The backpack nanny cam is one of our Pro Series WiFi hidden cameras, which is a high end line of custom-designed nanny cams designed by our product engineers right here in the USA. This battery powered camera is built into the backpack, and streams and records 1080P HD video to a micro SD card hidden inside the backpack.
6. 720P HD Black Box Hidden Camera with Night Vision (MINIBB32)
The black box hidden camera is a popular nanny cam because it looks just like a regular piece of electronics equipment that can be placed anywhere - near a cable box, on a mantle, etc. This particular device does not require WiFi, which makes it quick and easy to set up. Videos are recorded to a memory card for later viewing on a desktop or laptop computer.
5. 1080P HD WiFi Smoke Detector Hidden Camera with Night Vision (HC374w)
The HC374w is a device that looks like a regular smoke detector, but hidden inside is a wide angle camera lens that streams 1080P high definition video. The device features a "body heat" motion detector which allows it to operate much longer than traditional hidden cameras - up to 6 months on a single charge.
4. LawMate 1080P HD Pro Grade Power Bank WiFi Hidden Spy Camera (PB20i)
If you're familiar with LawMate then you know that they're the most trusted name in covert surveillance for law enforcement and private investigators, and for good reason. The power bank camera is a high quality hidden camera with a pinhole lens that streams 1080P HD video, as well as records video to a micro SD card. And of course it works as a functional power bank too!
3. 1080P HD WiFi Mini Storage Basket Hidden Camera (HC720w)
Chances are you've got some stuff to put in a basket, which is what makes the HC720w so popular. It works as a functional basket that you can place in virtually any room in your home. The device features a tiny but powerful live streaming camera that lets you monitor your home right on your iOS or Android device from anywhere in the world. In addition, the device is designed and assembled right here in the USA.
2. 1080P HD WiFi Bluetooth Speaker Hidden Camera (HC318w)
Another nanny camera that blends in anywhere is designed to look like (and functions as) a bluetooth speaker. The 1080P HD camera lens is hidden inside, and the device can even rotate up to 330 degrees, so you'll be able to get the perfect view of any room. The live streaming video is viewable on your iOS or Android device, and you can even get motion alerts to notify you of any activity.
1. 1080P HD WiFi DIY Pinhole Hidden Spy Camera Kit (HC100w)
The HC100w is one of our most popular nanny cams of all time - and for good reason. The tiny pinhole design lets you hide it anywhere, or simply design your own hidden camera. The device features dual power options, so you can use it on battery power, or connect the kit to AC power for 24/7 operation. With live streaming, motion alerts, video recording, and even an optional night vision upgrade - its no wonder this device comes in at #1.
Original Post Date: 04/03/2023
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