Since 2012, Brett Helling has built expertise in the rideshare and delivery sectors, working with major platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash.
He acquired Ridester.com in 2014, the first ridesharing marketplace, leveraging his direct experience to enhance the site. His insights at Ridester are recognized by Forbes, Vice, and CNBC.
As the name suggests, they’re cameras you install in your car to record everything happening inside or outside it. They’re not that hard to figure out. You connect them to a power outlet and let the magic happen.
Here’s the catch: There’s a slight difference between hidden and dash cameras. Sure, both work the same way, but they have different purposes .
You see, hidden cameras aren’t meant to be visible. That’s why they’re always as small as a thumb. Dash cameras, on the other hand, weren’t made for spying. So, they don’t always come in a discreet design.
6+ Best Hidden Car Cameras For 2024
As convenient as it’d be, you can’t just open Amazon and choose the first dash camera that comes up in the search results. You want to buy one that caters to your needs as a car owner.
For a device that’s the same size as a car key, the Garmin dash camera is a powerhouse. We’re not just talking about the excellent build quality. It also offers unique features you won’t find elsewhere.
Is the Garmin Mini Dash Cam Easy to Use?
The camera has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which offer a smoother user experience. We can’t say the same thing for the app, though.
Pricing & Plans
The Garmin Dash Cam comes in different forms.
The Garmin Dash Mini: $129.99.
The Garmin Dash 46: $149.99.
The Garmin Dash 56: $199.99.
The Garmin Dash 66: $249.99
Our Take
This camera checks most of the marks. It has excellent build quality, a wide range of features, and a large memory. With a little app update, it’ll be the perfect camera.
Pros
HD footage: The high-quality sensors offer a stunning 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second.
Wide field of view: You get an impressive 140-degree field of view, which provides a more inclusive picture.
Camera synchronization: You can synchronize your camera with other dash cameras to widen the field of view.
Large memory card: Supports up to 512 SD cards, the largest storage capacity on this list.
Automatic recording: The camera can record while charging, giving you endless footage.
Cons
Buggy app: The app might log out automatically without notifying you and will take its sweet time to connect to the camera.
No display: You can’t see the camera's recording view, which would be inconvenient for some people.
Separate memory card: You have to buy the memory card separately, which is an extra charge.
It’s got “spy” in its name, so you know it’s the real deal.
0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9 inches, the Volenberry spy camera can seamlessly blend in with your car. Don’t let the size fool you. This one packs more punch than you can imagine.
Is the Volenberry Spy Camera Hard to Use?
Volenberry has done everything it can to make this camera as convenient as possible. It comes in a versatile design and has flexible recording features.
Pricing & Plans
This camera is $29.99.
Our Rating
This one takes 4 out of 5.
Our Take
Ultimately, the Volenberry is one of the most user-friendly cameras on this list. It offers everything you ever want without making you struggle for it.
Yes, it comes short in a few aspects, but it compensates for these flaws one way or another.
Pros
Motion detection: If you activate motion detection, your camera can sense moving objects nearby and start recording automatically.
Versatile: It’s sturdy enough to be used both indoors and outdoors.
Night vision: With six built-in infrared LED lights, the Volenberry offers excellent night vision.
Continuous recording: The camera will continue to record, even if the memory card is full, by overwriting old footage.
Record while charging: This camera can record while charging, so you don’t have to worry about battery life.
Cons
Low battery: This mini camera can record for up to 60 minutes, which is too short compared to its competitors.
Small-space memory cards: The camera can take up to 64GB memory cards, which can get full quickly.
No photo capturing: Unlike videos, you can’t capture photos if the camera is charging.
Believe it or not, the CleverFox camera is even smaller than the Volenberry. You might think that makes it less capable, but that’s not entirely true. Surprisingly, it’s one of the most efficient cameras on our list.
Is the CleverFox Unlimited Mini Spy Camera Hard to Use?
It’s not hard to use, but you may have some difficulty installing it. The camera doesn’t give off any signs that you’ve inserted the SD card properly, so you have to do a test run to know.
Pricing & Plans
The CleverFox comes in at $21.99.
Our Rating
This camera takes a solid 3.5 out of 5.
Our Take
The camera comes with several heavy drawbacks. That doesn’t mean it won’t deliver, though. With a wide view angle, a discreet design, and powerful batteries, the Cleverfox is a solid camera.
Pros
Wide shooting angle: The Cleverfox has a 150-degree field of view, allowing it to capture bigger pictures with more details.
Shooting variety: If you think 1080p is too much for you, Cleverfox offers you the chance to shoot at 720p and save energy.
Motion detection: The camera can start recording automatically if it detects an object moving around the car.
Invisibility: Its small size allows you to place it in different locations in your car, and it’ll still blend seamlessly.
Loop recording: The camera doesn’t stop recording unless it runs out of battery.
Cons
Low memory: It can only take up to 32G memory cards, which isn’t ideal.
Long charging time: It takes 2-3 hours to charge, which is too long.
No continuous recording: Although it can still record when the memory gets full, it doesn’t record while charging.
The Red Owl gives you everything you might need from a dash camera. It even goes above and beyond in a few aspects. So rest assured it’ll fulfill all your security needs.
Is the Red Owl Eyes Camera Easy to Use?
This camera is user-friendly. The manufacturer provides easy-to-follow instructions. So you won’t struggle to use this camera to its full potential.
Pricing & Plans
The camera costs $24.99 on Amazon.
Our Rating
This one gets 4 out of 5.
Our Take
The Red Owl Eyes goes above and beyond to offer a convenient experience. It has its drawbacks—but they’re not that severe. Overall, you get your money’s worth.
Pros
HD videos: The 1080p camera lets you capture high-quality, color-accurate videos.
Motion detection: It starts recording automatically when it senses an object moving nearby.
Wired connection: You can record 24/7 while charging your camera.
Flexibility: You get a two-feet cable that lets you move the camera freely while charging it.
Customer service: The 24/7 customer service can help you solve any issues you might face with the camera.
Cons
Short wireless recording: You only get 70 minutes of wireless recording, which isn’t ideal.
Low memory: It can only take up to 32GB SD card. It won’t be long before it gets full.
No audio recording feature: It can’t capture audio, so your videos will be muted.
The manufacturers of the NIYPS didn’t waste their time with flashy bells and whistles. They got straight to the point. With such a small size, the NIYPS can be a multi-purpose camera. It has a solid build and a discreet design. So it’ll give you a smooth experience.
Is the NIYPS Mini Spy Hidden Camera Easy to Use?
The camera has a simple two-button interface, which is simple to operate. However, many have reported that the instructions coming with the camera are confusing.
Pricing & Plans
The NIYPS costs $29.99.
Our Rating
We give this one 3 out of 5.
Our Take
Overall, the NIYPS doesn’t offer anything special. In fact, it fails to provide a few premium features you can find elsewhere. So we don’t think it’s worth the investment.
Pros
Endless recording: The camera can record while charging, giving you unlimited footage.
High-quality lens: It records HD videos at 30 frames per second.
Motion detection: It senses nearby moving objects and starts recording automatically.
Night vision: The 4 IR LED lights allow the camera to record high-quality videos at night.
Multi-purpose: You can use it in your car, home or office.
Cons
Overheat: It gets too warm after working continuously.
Narrow field of view: It only has a 75-degree viewing angle, which is too limited compared to its competitors.
Confusing playback: It can be a hassle to get the playback to allow you to view all the footage.
If we had to describe this camera in one word, we would choose: Convenient. The camera offers various features that make your experience comfortable. The best part? It’s the smallest camera on this list.
Is the Papakoyal Hidden Spy Camera Easy to Use?
Sadly, the camera doesn’t offer the most user-friendly experience. It’s not bad, but it might take a while to get used to. The one-button interface isn’t that intuitive, and the instructions aren’t well-written.
Pricing & Plans
The Papakoyal comes in different prices, depending on where you buy it from.
Ultimately, this camera offers good value for its price. In terms of technicalities, it offers sharp images and numerous convenient features. While it has flaws, they won’t affect your experience that much.
Pros
HD videos: Enjoy the luxury of sharp 1080p footage.
Photo mode: You can use the optical glass technology to take clear pictures.
Motion detection: It can detect any moving object near the car and record its movements without manual interference.
Worry-free warranty: The camera comes with an 18-month warranty, so you don’t have to worry about potential malfunctions.
Dual shooting quality: You choose to record in 720p if you want to save energy.
Cons
Recording while moving: The camera records poor videos when it’s moving
TF card: You have to buy the TF card yourself.
Stubborn card: The camera will give you a hard time removing the SD/TF card from the reader.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Hidden Car Camera
As you know by now, each camera we mentioned offers a different experience. So you want to choose one that caters to your priorities.
1. Field of Vision
A dash camera without a wide field of vision won’t be as efficient and might even miss crucial details. If that’s your priority, you should go with the Cleverfox or the Red Owl cameras.
2. Storage Space
Most of the cameras on our list support up to 32GB SD cards, which is too low. It might not seem like a big deal, but constantly switching the memory card is an inconvenient financial burden.
That’s one of the reasons we think the Garmin Dash is the best camera on the list.
3. Camera Audio
Manufacturers usually focus on capturing high-quality videos, so not all dash cameras record audio.
If you want one that can do both, your choice is limited between the Garmin, Cleverfox, and Papakoyal cameras.
4. Night Time Recording
Night-time recording offers an extra layer of security, making it an indispensable feature in a dash camera.
It’s why many people buy one in the first place. Luckily, every camera on the previous list has night vision, so you don’t have to worry about night-time burglary.
5. Motion-Activated Camera
Motion detection protects your car from potential break-ins, so you want a camera with efficient sensors. That’s why every camera on the previous list has excellent motion detectors.
Why Should You Get a Hidden Car Camera?
Getting a hidden car camera, commonly known as a dash camera, is beneficial primarily for protection in two key scenarios:
Preventing Break-Ins: If your car is broken into, a dash camera can record the face of the intruder. This footage is crucial for law enforcement to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.
Evidence in Traffic Accidents: In the event of a car accident, a dash camera provides clear evidence of how the incident occurred. This is essential for insurance claims, as it helps to establish fault and ensures that you receive fair compensation.
Which Industries Can Benefit From Hidden Car Cameras?
We’ve covered everything you need to know about the features of these cameras. There’s still one question roaming over our heads: Who are they for?
Fleet Managers: As a fleet manager, your job is to ensure that every vehicle is safe and running at full capacity. That may require you to implement serious protective plans. That includes installing dash cameras.
Commercial drivers: Since commercial drivers are on the road all the time, they’re bound to face an accident at one point. A dash camera can help clear out its details and identify whose fault it is.
Transporters: Transporters are vehicles that carry and transport heavy cargo, making them attractive targets for burglars. So, dash cameras would help keep the loads safe.
Delivery and Rideshare Drivers: Like commercial drivers, dash cameras can provide the same sense of security for rideshare drivers.
How to Install a Hidden Car Camera
Installing a hidden camera in your car is easier than you think. You don’t need to be tech-savvy or anything. Just follow these steps:
Choose a proper location in your car, which depends on what you want to record with the camera.
Install the camera with a mounting bracket or a clip.
Use the cables to connect the camera to the power outlets in your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a hidden car camera as a rideshare driver?
Yes, you can, although it might depend on the company you’re working for. If you’re an Uber driver, you can install hidden cameras in your car. If you work for Lyft, though, you have to check the regulations of your state/city first.
Do hidden car cameras work when the car is off?
It depends. If you connect it to a power outlet in your car, it’ll stop working when the car is off. If it has a built-in battery, it’ll keep working until it runs out of steam.
Do hidden car cameras need Wi-Fi?
No, they don’t. Some models have a Wi-Fi connectivity feature, but even those don’t need it to work.
Wrapping Up
Now you have everything you need to buy the right hidden car camera for you. From everything we cover, we believe the Garmin Dash camera takes the win.
With HD recording and excellent motion detection, it’ll give you everything you need from a dash camera. That doesn’t mean it’s the only good option on the list, though. The Red Owl and Volenberry dash cameras are solid alternatives.
Ultimately, each camera has its strengths and weaknesses. So take your time and go over your priorities before making a decision.
