With Vidcastive, 4K video is finally an affordable reality for hidden cameras. The high-quality video outperforms typical 1080p cameras but makes this unit a little more expensive on average.

We also like that this camera has a built-in Wi-Fi connection so you can check footage from your phone after it detects motion. This tiny battery-powered unit records for up to 100 days on a charge if you turn off the Wi-Fi—otherwise it lasts up to 10 days. But considering it uses motion detection to record video, you don't need to recharge it every day.

Unfortunately, some user reviews complain of poor app performance. This is unsurprising since generic hidden cameras are typically lacking in quality—even the best hidden camera puts its covert mission over high quality.

A forgettable camera disguise is an effective one, so we think it's good that the Alpha Tech USB charger is as plain as they come.

This nondescript USB charger looks just like any number of devices floating around your house, and it even charges phones to complete the illusion. While you can connect it to a battery for more portability, it's prone to people who inadvertently move the spy cam in a way that neutralizes it.

Still, it's a little awkward to point the camera at a room when you plug it into an outlet. But if you have outlets higher on the wall, like above a kitchen counter, you should have a decent view of the room.

If you want a bargain-bin hidden camera that also comes with a microSD card, we think that ELEFOCUS is a good option. This hidden spy camera is similar to our pick from Vidcastive but with a lower 1080p HD video quality and no mobile app. In exchange for fewer features, this unit costs less than a third as much—around $30.

Unfortunately, it doesn't support cards over 32 GB, so it can't record as long as the other cameras on our list.

Overall, we like the simplicity of this mini camera, and it's a good choice for folks looking to save some cash.

A hidden surveillance camera doesn't have to sit on a shelf to be useful, so we think the KSAD body camera is an excellent option to take with you outdoors. This camera clips onto your clothes and has 128 GB of microSD storage, so you don't need to buy a separate memory card.

There's a microphone on this tiny camera, so we don't recommend recording in private areas, but it should be acceptable in a public setting. The rechargeable battery lasts up to six hours and can record while charging if necessary.

This body cam's discreet, small design is perfect for clipping on your shirt on a jog, to capture a lecture in class, or as you ride your bike to work.

Clocks are some of the most popular disguises for a hidden cam, so we had to include one on our list. We like the AMZCEV clock camera's 4K video resolution, Wi-Fi connectivity, motion sensor, night vision, and Bluetooth speaker, making it one of the more full-featured hidden cams we found during our research.

Sadly, it's a little more expensive than other hidden cameras, but works as a functional clock. It can fit a 128GB Micro SD card, but you have to buy it separately. Cloud storage is also available for a monthly fee.

When you're not traveling, this Wi-Fi hidden camera has a surprisingly sleek design that looks great on a bookshelf or desk in your home office.

This Conceal-a-Cam disguise works with most indoor cameras, including models from Google Nest, Blink, Wyze, Arlo, and Eufy.

The camera sits snugly inside the box of the picture frame so that the lens presses against a virtually invisible mesh screen. The camera can see out, but viewers can't see in.

This disguise looks right at home on a book shelf, and the frame is available in a variety of colors to match your decor.

Holaca is another disguise that doesn't offer much in terms of hiding a Ring Stick Up Cam Battery from burglars. But it makes your cameras easier on the eyes with a chance of blending into surroundings. If you mount your Ring camera in a tree with this case, we could see it looking similar to a birdhouse.

Perhaps a bigger benefit of this case is the additional weatherproofing (Ring's camera is already weatherproof) to help protect your camera from sunlight and keep rain from dripping on the camera lens.