It’s not difficult for someone to purchase and install spy devices in places where people expect to have some privacy, such as hotel rooms and Air BnBs. Unfortunately, there are no clear laws to regulate or prohibit the use of hidden cameras, so we have to rely on our own vigilance and detection skills to protect ourselves from these threats. To help you with that, I have compiled a list of the 5 best hidden camera detectors below.
What Are Hidden Camera Detectors?
There are some technical terms when you browse through different hidden camera detectors, such as RF, IR, and Magnetic fields. These terms refer to the features and functions of the detectors, and they are not that complicated. Once you understand the terms, you can choose a suitable camera finder more easily.
RF stands for Radio Frequency, which is the type of signal that most electronic devices emit. An RF detector can scan and detect any radio frequency signals in your surroundings, and alert you if there are any hidden cameras or microphones nearby. The range of frequencies that an RF detector can cover is important, because different spy devices may operate on different frequencies. For example, some hidden cameras may use 2.4 GHz, while some GPS trackers may use 960 MGz. The wider the range of frequencies that an RF detector can handle, the more likely it is to find any hidden devices.
IR stands for Infrared, which is the type of light that some spy cameras emit when they are on. These are the cameras that you can sometimes spot with your naked eye when you turn off all the lights in the room and see a small blinking red light. However, some advanced cameras may emit only a very low amount of IR light, which is invisible to the human eye. To find these cameras, you need an IR detector, which can illuminate and reveal any IR light sources in the dark.
A magnetic field sensor is a feature that can detect any magnetic fields in your environment. This can be useful for finding GPS bugs, which are devices that can track your location and movement. GPS bugs are often attached to vehicles rather than hotel rooms, so this feature may not be very relevant for finding hidden cameras. However, it can still be handy if you want to check your car or luggage for any tracking devices.
Do Hidden Camera Detectors Work?
The short answer is yes. A device that is specifically designed to detect hidden cameras will work. However, the effectiveness of the device depends on several factors, such as the type of camera, the quality of the device, and the skill of the user.
As I explained before, hidden camera detectors use radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) signals to locate any spy devices in an area. Different types of cameras may use different frequencies or emit different amounts of IR light, so you need to choose a detector that can match the cameras you are likely to encounter. You also need to follow the instructions carefully to get the best results from your detector. For example, some RF detectors may pick up signals from other electronic devices like phones, laptops, or TVs, so you should turn them off or move them away from the detector to avoid interference. Similarly, some IR detectors may require turning off all the lights to see any IR light sources.
However, detectors are not foolproof, and some hidden cameras may be very advanced and hard to detect. For instance, some cameras may switch between multiple frequencies rapidly, making them virtually invisible to RF detectors. These cameras are usually very expensive and rare, so you don’t have to worry too much about them.
Finally, the quality of the device can also make a big difference. More expensive detectors may have more features, a wider RF range, and higher sensitivity, which make them more effective against many kinds of cameras. However, in some cases, a cheap device may also do the job. To help you choose a suitable product, here are my 5 best picks in no particular order.
5 Best Hidden Camera Detectors
1. JMDHKK K68+ Anti Spy RF Detector
RF: ✅
IR: ✅
Magnetic: ✅
Frequency range: NA
Battery: Rechargeable
Power: 8h
This device is one of the most versatile anti-surveillance devices on this list, as it has all the features you would want in a detector: RF, IR, and magnetic. However, what makes this device stand out is not just its power, but also its user-friendliness.
The device has only four buttons, each labeled with a different function. Users can easily switch between the modes they want to use. The device also has a clear LED display that shows 10 levels of RSS (received signal strength), which helps users to locate any hidden devices more accurately. Even beginners can operate this device with ease.
The only downside of this device is its portability. It weighs 160g and is slightly bigger than a normal smartphone, which makes it quite bulky to carry around. This may be inconvenient for some travelers who have limited space in their luggage.
2. Jepwco G4 Pro
RF: ✅
IR: ❌
Magnetic: ❌
Frequency range: NA
Battery: Rechargeable
Power: 25h
The G4 Pro is a sleek and portable device that can help you detect hidden cameras with ease. It weighs only 30g, which is eight times lighter than an average iPhone, and it has the shape and size of a large pen. You can easily slip it into your bag wherever you go.
One of the most impressive things about Jepwco is their aesthetic approach to camera detectors, and this device showcases their elegant design. It has only two buttons and six LED lights, which create a minimalist and modern look. The two buttons allow you to switch between wifi and full-band sensitivity modes, and the six white LEDs indicate the RSS level.
The device can detect RF signals from a wide range of frequencies, from 1 MHz to 6.5 GHz, which covers most of the common spy devices. However, it cannot detect IR or magnetic signals, which may limit its effectiveness against some advanced cameras. Still, for a portable camera detector, the RF function is more than enough for most situations.
3. JMDHKK K18 RF Detector
RF: ✅
IR: ✅
Magnetic: ✅
Frequency range: NA
Battery: Rechargeable
Power: NA
The K18 model is another great detector from JMDHKK, with their signature professional design. It has similar features as the K65+, such as RF, IR, and magnetic detection, and a 10 LED display that shows the RSS level.
The main difference between the K18 and the K65+ is the size and weight. The K18 is slightly larger and heavier than the K65+, which may make it less convenient to carry around. It also has a smaller scanning radius, which means it may take longer to scan the whole room for any hidden devices. However, for a budget-friendly version of the K65+, the K18 is still a good choice.
4. SpyFinder PRO
RF: ❌
IR: ✅
Magnetic: ❌
Frequency range: NA
Battery: AAA
The SpyFinder PRO is one of the simplest and most effective camera finders on this list. It works by using a bright LED light that reflects off the lens of any hidden camera, making it visible to your eye. You just need to turn on the light hold it over your eye, and then scan the room for any flashing spots.
The best thing about this device is its portability. It weighs only 80g and has the size of two fingers width, so you can easily fit it in your pocket or purse. It also has a remarkable detection range of 2 – 45 ft, which means you can cover a large area in a short time.
The only drawback of this device is its price. It costs more than $100, which is quite expensive for a device that only detects hidden cameras. There are many other free detector apps and devices that can do the same thing for much less money.
→ Read this review to get more details about the SpyFinder Pro.
5. DefCon DD1206
RF: ✅
IR: ❌
Magnetic: ❌
Frequency range: 50MHz – 12GHz (GSM, Wi-Fi, BT, WCDMA, 3G, DECT)
Battery: Rechargeable
Power: 20h
The DefCon DD1206 is the ultimate hidden camera detector for professionals. Unlike most of the other devices that use a wide bandwidth to scan for any possible devices, which may reduce the accuracy, the DD1206 uses narrow multi-bands to pinpoint the exact location and frequency of any hidden device.
This device can detect GSM, Wi-Fi, BT, and DECT signals, which means it can scan for both analog and digital devices. It can also detect GPS trackers, voice recorders, and wireless microphones. However, it cannot detect IR cameras, so it can only find cameras that are actively transmitting a wireless signal.
Hidden cameras are not inherently bad, they are just misused tools. If utilized for the right purpose, they can become the most helpful tools for security purposes. If you are looking for a hidden camera to watch over your property I recommend checking out this blog: 7 Best Hidden Outdoor Security Cameras With Night Vision.
Conclusion
Hidden camera detectors are devices that can help you find spy devices that are usually invisible to our naked eyes. If you are concerned about your security and privacy when you travel and stay in new places, you may want to invest in a quality camera detector.
The price of camera detectors can vary widely, depending on the features and functions they offer. To choose the right one for you, you need to know what you are looking for. There are two main types of camera detectors: lens finders (IR detectors) and RF scanners.
Lens finders use infrared (IR) light to detect the reflection of any camera lens in the dark. They are useful for finding cameras that are not transmitting any wireless signal, but they require turning off all the lights in the room. When choosing a lens finder, you should look for one that has a clear viewfinder and a comfortable size.
RF scanners use radio frequency (RF) signals to detect any wireless devices in your surroundings. When choosing an RF scanner, you should look for one that can cover a wide range of frequencies, especially the ones that are commonly used by spy devices (900 MHz for GSM, and 2400 MHz for Wi-Fi devices).
