Nanny cams come in all shapes, sizes and disguises. Some are hidden in alarm clocks, others are embedded in table lamps and others are tiny enough that you can hide them just about anywhere.
Prices also vary widely, ranging from £20 for basic nanny cams to over £100 for high-tech cameras.
The best nanny cam for you will depend on your needs and of course budget.
Why do you need a Nanny Cam?
You are most likely buying a nanny cam to make sure the nanny or babysitter is taking proper care of your kids.
As long as you tell the nanny that there’s a camera around and don’t put the camera in private places like the bathroom, it’s generally legal to use a nanny cam in the UK.
You can also install one to keep an eye on the cleaner or maid when you are away.
Hidden cameras are also great for home security especially when you are way on holiday or work. You can watch over your home and if anyone breaks in, you’ll have the evidence to give to the police.
What to consider when buying a Nanny Cam?
1. WiFi-connected or Not?
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want an internet-connected nanny cam.
What does it do that a normal nanny cam can’t?
With a WiFi nanny cam, you can stream a live video feed wherever you are. Most of these nanny cams have an app where you can log in and see what’s happening at home in real time.
If you don’t need that feature, the get a normal DVR-style nanny cam that records video feed to a local SD card. You can then view the footage later.
WiFi nanny cams are generally more expensive.
2. Motion Detection
Make sure that the nanny cam has motion detection. Otherwise you’ll be watching hours and hours of uneventful footage. You’ll also have to keep deleting video footage to make space for more.
Most nanny cams start recording only when they detect motion. Others can also be triggered by a sound, such as the baby crying.
Some WiFi nanny cams will send you a notification when a sound or movement activates them. This is handy if you are using the camera as a baby monitor or for security.
3. Audio Support
In the UK, it is generally legal to record audio at home as long as you respect the privacy of others.
So an audio-supported nanny cam will not get you into trouble. Look for one with good audio quality.
4. Disguise
Some nanny cams are so well hidden that you can’t see the lens no matter how closely you look. Others can be spotted from a mile away.
Try to find one that blends easily into your home without being too obvious.
5. Video Quality
Make sure the nanny cam records in HD. That is, a minimum of 720p.
Below this, the footage will be fuzzy and grainy especially in low light.
You can definitely go higher to something like 1080p or 1280p if you need crisp clear footage.
6. Night Vision
Some cameras can see just as well in the dark as during the day. They use infrared night vision.
Only go for an IR camera if you need to record any footage at night.
7. Power Supply
Finally consider what kind of power supply the nanny cam requires.
Some need to be connected to a power outlet while others use a battery. If you buy the latter check whether it comes with a backup battery. This ensures it keeps recording in the event of a power outage.
Best Hidden Nanny Camera Reviews
1. Panoraxy Wireless Nanny Clock Camera
This nanny cam is disguised inside a clock. The lens is hidden behind a front glass plate. You can’t see it no matter how closely you look.
So it looks just like a normal cube clock. You can place it on the shelf or coffee table without raising any suspicion.
This is a wireless camera meaning that it connects to your home WiFi. This allows you to stream a live view of your home from the free smartphone app wherever you are.
If you don’t want to connect it to WiFi, you can also insert an SD card to act as a DVR (max size 64GB). You can then insert the card into your phone or computer to see what has been recorded.
The camera’s default setting is to record when it detects motion. You can change the settings on the app at any time.
The camera records in 720p video quality, which ensures you get a clear view of your home at all times. At night, there is the option of switching on the infrared for night monitoring.
As for power, it comes with an AC adapter. There is also a battery but it only last for 2-3 hours. So make sure the camera is always plugged in and use the battery as a backup.
What we like about it:
- Well-disguised nanny cam.
- Night vision.
- Live streaming via WiFi.
- Battery backup.
2. Spy Tec Z12 Motion Activated Hidden Camera
If you are looking for a tiny nanny cam that is easy to hide around the house, this one is the best.
It’s dimensions are 7.6 x 4.3 x 1.9 cm and it weighs just 227g. So you can easily secure it with some Velcro or a piece of tape to the underside of a shelf or wherever else you want.
Like most nanny cams, you can set it to record on motion detection. You can also set it to trigger when it detects a voice or vibration.
There is also the option of interval recording (every 10 or 15 minutes) and continuous recording.
Other recording settings include preferred video resolution and flip recording (upside down footage).
It can take up to a 64GB SD card where it records the footage. Note that it’s not a wireless camera. You cannot stream live footage from your phone.
The video quality is not too bad. The lens has a wide angle view, ensuring you can see most of the room. You can clearly see what’s happening even in low light.
You can power this cam with a power adapter or the 8-hour battery.
What we like about it:
- Small, light and easy to hide.
- Battery backup.
- Versatile recording options and settings.
3. 1080p WiFi Hidden Alarm Clock Camera
This is a cheaper alternative to the Panoraxy wireless nanny cam above.
It is also wireless, meaning you can stream live video from your phone wherever you are. It only connects to 2.4GHz WiFi and there is a free companion app for iOS and Android.
The camera is well-disguised though not as well as the Panoraxy cam. If someone took a close look, they might notice a few suspect features such as the USB connector at the back. The clock digits are also too bright and attention-grabbing. A low-key clock display would have been better.
The camera quality is great. It captures footage at 1080p though you can change the resolution depending on your WiFi strength.
To record footage, you can use an SD card of up to 128GB.
Recording options include motion detection recording, loop recording and continuous recording.
As for power, you can plug it into an outlet or use the rechargeable battery.
What we like about it:
- Battery backup.
- Wireless streaming.
- Good video quality.
4. GSmade 1280p Photo Frame Spy Camera
This camera comes disguised in a photo frame. The lens is hidden at the top where it can get a good view of the room.
It’s fairly well disguised though the tiny hole at the top could betray its true purpose if someone looked closely.
You can leave the camera to record continuously or only when it detects motion.
It records video in 1280p onto an SD card (16GB card included). There is no WiFi connectivity so you cannot live stream the footage from your phone.
But there is a card reader where you can insert the SD card to view the recorded video.
There is a power cable which you can connect to the mains for continuous power. There is also a 1-hour battery for backup.
What we like about it:
- High video quality.
- SD card included.
- Fairly well disguised.
- Battery backup.
5. 1080P Wireless IP Mini Camera
This is another great option if you are looking for an affordable WiFi nanny cam.
The camera is really small, small enough to hide in a vase, a stuffed toy or in a hollowed out book. The lens is super tiny and very hard to notice.
It records in crisp 1080p. You can stream the footage over the internet by connecting the camera to a 2.4GHz WiFi network. There is also an SD card slot for local storage (max size 64GB).
It supports continuous recording as well as motion detection-activated recording.
The only major downside is that it is a primarily battery-powered camera. You can only recharge it via USB, meaning you can’t keep it plugged in all the time.
The battery lasts about 2 hours so you can only use the camera for short periods.
Otherwise it’s a great nanny cam/spy camera with excellent video quality and fairly good audio.
What we like about it:
- Small and easy to disguise.
- Good video quality.
- Live streaming option via free app.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hide a nanny cam?
The best place to hide a nanny cam is in plain sight. Hide it in common objects and areas like a bookshelf, vase or inside a light switch.
Some nanny cams don’t need hiding. They come already disguised as other objects like a desk clock, bulb or picture frame. You just need to place the object somewhere strategic to get a good view of the room.
How to install a nanny cam?
First, find a hidden place to install the camera. Some cams can simply be set on a surface while others require mounting on the wall. Plug the camera into an outlet or install the battery depending on how the camera is powered.
Download the required app and follow the manufacturer’s directions to add the camera to your home network.
Check if you can view a live feed through the app.
How to tell if there is a nanny cam?
If you suspect there’s a nanny cam in your bedroom, hotel room or Airbnb, there are some signs to look for.
Check common hiding spots like the bookshelf, in flower pots and in common objects like a clock or teddy bear.
You can also try following suspicious cables that power to the cam or transmit the feed to a DVR. Another option is to use an RF detector to detect signals from a wireless nanny cam.
A more tech-oriented technique is to scan the local WiFi network (if you have access to it) and check for devices that look like cameras. There are also smartphone apps that will run this scan for you.
