Hidden Cameras
How to choose a hidden camera
Pick the object that already suits the room
A clock or a charging dock belongs on a desk or a side table. A smoke detector belongs on a ceiling and gives the widest view of a room. A speaker suits a lounge or an office shelf. Choose the object first and the camera second, because a camera in an object that does not belong in that room is the wrong camera whatever its specification.
Mains or battery, and where it points
Anything already plugged in keeps recording without being touched, which is why chargers, clocks, speakers and smoke detectors dominate this category. A battery unit goes where there is no socket, for hours continuously or days on motion. Then placement: a camera sees a cone, not a room, and chest height gives faces where ceiling height gives movement.
Compare the objects
 Clock |  Charger and dock |  Speaker |  Smoke detector |  Power bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Mains | Mains | Mains | Mains or battery | Battery |
| Sits where | Desk, side table | Desk, kitchen bench | Lounge, office shelf | Ceiling | Anywhere |
| View | Room from table height | Room from table height | Room from shelf height | Whole room from above | Wherever it is placed |
| Live view | WiFi on most | WiFi on most | WiFi on most | WiFi on most | WiFi on some |
| Runtime | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited on mains | Hours, days on motion |
Buying guides
Hidden Camera Buying Guide AustraliaThe object decides everything
DIY Spy Camera Buying Guide AustraliaBuild your own hidden camera
Counter-Surveillance Buying Guide AustraliaHow to find hidden cameras, bugs and trackers
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Common questions
Does the object still work?
Yes. Each one is a working clock, charger, speaker, smoke detector or power bank with the camera built into the housing, and it does its ordinary job while it records.
Can I view it from my phone?
On most models, yes, over your home WiFi. Card only models record to memory instead and you review the footage afterwards.
How long does a battery model last?
Usually one to three hours of continuous recording, and about 22 hours on the power bank camera. Recording only on motion, days in a quiet room and hours in a busy one.
Will it record in the dark?
Models with infrared see a dark room without lighting it up. The listing says whether a camera has it and roughly how far it reaches.
Is it legal to use a hidden camera in Australia? Australian law
On your own property, to protect your home, vehicle and family, yes, with limits. Surveillance devices laws differ by state and territory, and filming people where they expect privacy, such as a bathroom, a bedroom or a changing area, is not allowed. Recording private conversations you are not part of is generally not allowed either, so switch audio off for anything that records while you are away. A business using cameras should tell people they are being recorded.