Having an inspection camera can save you a fortune in contractor fees. It might be a blocked drain in an inaccessible place. Or you might have dropped your keys in an inaccessible place. Perhaps you’re chasing a cable in the attic but can neither find nor see it. In all these cases, an inspection camera can quickly come to your rescue.
As you’ll see from this review of inspection cameras, there’s a solution for almost every budget. And for every eventuality. Our top pick is the Teslong TD450S Dual Lens Inspection Camera It’s a very capable camera that’s easy to use at a very reasonable price.
What Is the Best Inspection Camera?
The answer to that question might depend on your situation. There’s one easy answer. Only one of these inspection cameras is suitable for checking your rifle barrels. But other than that, your budget and job requirements will determine your choice. Before we look at some of the details of our recommendations, here is a summary of the best inspection cameras.
- 5-inch IPS 1080p color screen
- Dual-lens technology with articulating head
- Waterproof to IP67 standard
- 16.4 feet (5 m) long
- Rugged construction and case
- Standard Bosch battery or AA cells
- "Up-is-up" screen orientation
- Charging station included
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
- 5-inch IPS display
- Dual-lens technology
- IP67 rating
- Works with iOS and Android
- Articulating head for maximum flexibility
- IP67 rating
- Braided titanium tip for durability
- Better-than-HD video resolution
- 5 MP still images
- IP67 rated
- Works with Mac, Windows, and Android
- Full 180-degree flexibility in the head
- IP67 rated
- Well-thought-out controls
- Includes hook, magnet, and 90-degree mirror
- Simple connection via Wi-Fi
- 2 MP stills and 1080p video
- Small 3/16" (5.2 mm) diameter
- IP67 rated
- Designed for rifle barrels
- Engraved with length markings
- Fits any barrel down to 0.20 inches
- Connects to Mac, Windows, or Android
- Incredible value
- IP67 rated
- 16.4 feet (5 m) cable
- Includes mirror, hook, and magnet
Choosing the Best Inspection Camera
When you’ve decided what you need and what you can afford, then you’re ready to choose. Here are some more details about the inspection cameras we’ve chosen.
1. Teslong TD450S Articulating Dual Lens Inspection Camera
| Brand |
Brand
Teslong
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
1080p
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
2
|
| Works With |
Works With
MicroSD
|
| Power |
Power
Built-in battery
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
16.4 feet (5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
articulating end-piece, 5-inch IPS screen, interchangeable cables, and up to 6 hours of battery life
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone who needs a reliable, good-quality inspection camera for regular use
|
The Teslong TD450S Dual Lens Inspection Camera grabs our top spot. It has an excellent balance of features and price, making it ideal for a whole range of users. The twin lenses send their pictures back to the 5″ (12.25 cm) IPS screen. And it records to MicroSD cards up to 32 GB in size. This means you have plenty of room for the 1 MP JPEGs and 1080p MPEG-4 videos.
The cable is about 5/16″ (8mm) in diameter. Basically, if you can fit a standard ballpoint pen in the hole, the NTS300 will fit. But unlike your disposable pen, the Teslong will light your way and beam pictures back for you as well.
The two lenses on the inspection camera cable give you forward and side vision. They both have a 70-degree field of view. That’s about the same as a 28mm lens. And they are both illuminated by adjustable LED lights. It’s very handy to be able to see more than just what’s in front of you. There’s a trigger button under your index finger on the monitor. Press it to take a photo or start the video. Press and hold to switch between the front-facing and side-facing cameras.
Strikingly for a camera in this price bracket, the TD450S has an articulating head. A simple-to-use level on the monitor unit will change your view by 180 degrees in two directions. It’s smooth and simple to use.
Another advantage of the TD450S is the monitor unit. Inspection cameras that connect to your phone are all well and good. But the separate screen here, with its pistol grip, makes it easy to hold and use. Especially if it is cold and wet. And let’s face it, drains get blocked more when it’s wet! The grip is nice and chunky, with a textured rubber handle. All the controls fall nicely to hand. This is useful when your other hand is needed to manipulate the cable.
On the downside, there’s not much you can do to adjust the angle of view when using the camera. The cable is flexible, but there’s some wiggling needed to get it to look exactly where you want. And you can rotate the image on the screen by 180 degrees. You’ll find that the side camera won’t focus close enough if you’re in a really tight spot.
Other than that, the Teslong TD450S Dual Lens Inspection Camera offers a solid inspection camera for more than occasional use. And it comes with a neat protective carrying case and an attractive price tag.
2. Bosch Professional GIC 120 C Battery Inspection Camera
| Brand |
Brand
Bosch
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
320 x 240 pixels
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
MicroSD card, PC (via USB)
|
| Power |
Power
Rechargeable battery or AA
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
N/A
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
47 inches (120 cm)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Up-is-up screen display, charging pod, and direct PC connection
|
| Best For |
Best For
Professionals who already have Bosch power tools
|
The Bosch Professional GIC 120 C inspection camera is precisely that—an inspection camera for professionals. Especially if they already own a number of Bosch professional tools. Rather helpfully, a number of tools run off the same battery system. This includes the BOSCH GTC400C Thermal Image Camera I reviewed in our roundup of thermal imaging cameras. Reducing the number of battery types and chargers is a real bonus for a busy contractor.
In other ways, you might find the specs of the GIC 120 C a little underwhelming. The cable is pretty short. There’s only one lens, and I wish you luck finding out the resolution of the pictures. The number quoted above is merely that of the (smallish) screen.
Like with professional cameras, it can sometimes puzzle people that they are so expensive but can appear underperforming compared with other cameras or even their phones. But ask a busy working professional, and you’ll see how the features are appreciated. A solid build, rock-steady reliability, and no frills are highly appreciated. It’s not just an inconvenience if a pro’s equipment fails. It could mean you lose out on a job opportunity.
The Bosch Professional GIC 120 C inspection camera gives the professionals what they need to get the job done. They can view the image live on a PC laptop. Whichever way they hold the rugged pistol-grip unit, the image will be the right way up thanks to the”up-is-up” screen display. And they have the convenience of the Bosch GBA 12V 2.0Ah battery, which they probably have in their other tools.
3. Depstech DS500 Inspection Camera
| Brand |
Brand
Depstech
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
1080p
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
2
|
| Works With |
Works With
MicroSD
|
| Power |
Power
Built-in battery
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
16.4 feet (5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Up to 7 hours of battery life, 32 GB memory card included
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a good-value camera with great specs
|
The Depstech DS500 Inspection Camera delivers a good set of specifications at a price that makes it accessible. (Unlike the areas it is designed to photograph.) And because it is rated at IP67, you can use the probe down to 3′ 3″ (1 m) underwater.
The probe is fractionally (by which I mean 4/100ths of an inch) narrower than the Teslong NTS300. So once again, if your ballpoint pen fits, your probe will too. The probe is semi-rigid. This gives it enough firmness to be pushed easily into openings and enough flexibility to go around bends. In some situations (bath traps, for instance), you might have to pre-bend it to persuade it around the curve.
The Depstech DS500 Inspection Camera delivers crisp, clear images on its 5″ IPS display. The adjustable LED lights mean you can tailor the illumination to your needs. And with a side lens, you have a better chance of seeing what you need. If you’re using the inspection camera to find something you’ve lost, then the hook and magnet attachments will be useful for you.
4. Ralcam Two-Way 180° Articulating Borescope
| Brand |
Brand
Ralcam
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
2 MP
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
iOS and Android
|
| Power |
Power
Built-in battery
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
6.5 feet (2 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Remote control flexible head, uses phone for screen and storage
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for an inspection camera with a movable head
|
The Ralcam Two-Way 180-Degree Articulating Borescope has two useful features worthy of note. First of all, it works with your iOS or Android phone. This means that you have the superior screen quality that comes with today’s smartphones. And you don’t have to record to a separate memory card. The HD video or 2 MP stills are stored directly on your mobile device.
Secondly, it has an articulating head. The problem with some probes is that their rigidity limits their access to some tight corners. The Ralcam overcomes this. A braided titanium section at the end of the probe can be manipulated by the operator. This is a super-useful feature.
The probe is 1/3″ (8.5 mm) in diameter. So you can use the ballpoint pen test to know if it will fit. It is illuminated by 10 dimmable LED lights. The dimming function is important. Reflective objects will burn out in the image if they are too brightly lit. This will make it harder to see the details. But dimming the light solves this problem.
The Ralcam Two-Way 180-Degree Articulating Borescope is not the cheapest device in this review. But it brings together a useful collection of features that make it attractive to all sorts of users.
5. DEPSTECH 86T-5MP Endoscope
| Brand |
Brand
Depstech
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
5 MP
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
Android, PC, Mac
|
| Power |
Power
Via USB
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
16.4 feet (5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
2592 x 1944p video, low-cost access to the world of borescopes
|
| Best For |
Best For
The occasional user needing an inspection camera
|
The DEPSTECH 86T-5MP Endoscope is a bargain inspection camera for the occasional user. It does this by harnessing the screen, battery, and processing power of your Android phone or laptop. There’s no iOS compatibility, however.
What you get for your money is impressive. It takes better-than-HD 2592 x 1944p video and 5 MP still photos. And they record directly to your device. The cable is 16.4 feet (5 m) long. There’s no side lens, but there is a neat attachment with a 90-degree mirror. This means you can see sideways if you need to.
Other attachments include a hook and magnet. After all, there’s little point in being able to see your lost keys if you can’t retrieve them! And the LED lights can be dimmed via a simple scroll wheel at the interface end of the cable.
The cable is semi-rigid for easy use and rated to IP67 for water resistance. It’s an impressive package and offers amazing value. The DEPSTECH 86T-5MP Endoscope is cheap enough to be worth it even if you only use it once.
6. DXZtoz Industrial Endoscope
| Brand |
Brand
DXZtoz
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
2 MP
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
MicroSD card
|
| Power |
Power
Built-in battery
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
5.5 feet (1.7 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Articulating head, up to 8x digital zoom
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a self-contained, articulating borescope
|
The DXZtoz Industrial Endoscope offers all the convenience of an articulating lens head in a self-contained unit. The adjustable pistol-grip control unit offers full control of image features and the adjustable head.
That head can turn 180 degrees back on itself. And in an S shape, it can get past obstacles that might thwart a rigid probe. There are LED lights to illuminate the way, and they are adjustable to four different levels. It should cope with any situation.
The control unit is nicely designed and offers easy, logical access to the controls. It means everything can be controlled with one hand. The lens control, zoom, LED control, and shutter button fall under your thumb for convenience. This leaves the other hand free to insert the probe.
The whole kit comes in a decent carrying case with the cables, lens brush, and three useful attachments. These are a hook, a magnet, and a 90-degree mirror. So even if the bendy end doesn’t show what you need, the mirror might help. The DXZtoz Industrial Endoscope is not at the cheap end of the price spectrum. But it offers a solid set of features that make it worth considering.
7. NIDAGE Wireless Endoscope
| Brand |
Brand
NIDAGE
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
2 MP
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
iOS and Android
|
| Power |
Power
Built-in battery
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
5 feet (1.5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Wireless connectivity for convenience
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a low-cost and easy-to-use inspection camera
|
The NIDAGE Wireless Endoscope offers a cheap, wireless inspection camera for most Android and iOS phones. You can prop your phone anywhere and concentrate on controlling the camera itself. That camera will give you 2 MP stills or 1080p video. And there are six adjustable LED lights to illuminate your path.
Apart from the wireless connection, another feature makes this an attractive option. The probe is only 3/16ths of an inch (5.2 mm) in diameter. That could make quite a difference in some situations. The probe is semi-rigid, giving you enough strength to push it into the cavity being inspected. And it’s flexible enough to access awkward areas.
For occasional use, it’s hard to question the value of the NIDAGE Wireless Endoscope. It’s very cheap, easy to use, and comes with a hook, magnet, and 90-degree mirror. Because it uses your phone’s screen, you’ll have excellent reproduction. And there’s no memory card to mess about with.
8. Teslong Rigid Borescope
| Brand |
Brand
Teslong
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
720p
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
Android, PC, Mac
|
| Power |
Power
via USB
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
N/A
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
26 inches (64 cm)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Rigid scope for inspecting rifle barrels
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a rigid borescope for their rifles
|
The Teslong Rigid Borescope is unique in this review in that it is completely rigid. And it makes a virtue of the fact. That’s because not everyone needs a borescope to poke about in drains or engines. Some people need to check the inside of a gun barrel. And they are just about as difficult to see into as a drain.
A rigid borescope is designed for this exact situation. And the Teslong is a decent, affordable answer to the problem. It will work with laptops and Android smartphones but not iOS. It should be a simple plug-and-play on most devices.
Several useful features make this a valuable tool. The diameter of the bore is 0.2″ (4.9 mm). So it will fit any caliber weapon down to 0.20 inches. The probe is stainless steel and engraved with length markings. So you can easily see how far down the barrel any problem is simply by looking at the gauge. And the probe is long enough for pretty much any rifle or shotgun.
It’s a niche market, for sure. But if you’re looking for an affordable way to inspect the barrel of your rifle, then the Teslong Rigid Borescope is a solid (or rigid) choice.
9. T TAKMLY 5.5mm HD Endoscope
| Brand |
Brand
T TAKMLY
|
| Max Resolution |
Max Resolution
720p
|
| Number of Lenses |
Number of Lenses
1
|
| Works With |
Works With
Mac, Windows and Android
|
| Power |
Power
USB
|
| Waterproofing |
Waterproofing
IP67
|
| Maximum Length |
Maximum Length
16.4 feet (5 m)
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Narrow 0.21 inch diameter, and a bargain price
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for an absolute bargain inspection camera
|
The T TAKMLY 5.5mm HD Endoscope sells at the sort of price that makes you rub your eyes. For less than 20 bucks in the USA, it seems hard to believe, especially when you see that it delivers 720p video and has a 16.4 f0ot (5 m) cable. It is one of the narrow-diameter probes at 0.21″ (5.5 mm). For reference, it fits inside a ballpoint pen with room to spare.
You get an illuminated inspection camera, the six LEDs are adjustable for optimum exposure. And it is waterproof to IP67 standards. And you get a hook, a magnet, and a 90-degree mirror. The cable is semi-rigid, which is a useful balance for accessing hidden areas.
The cable connects to USB-C or USB (with the supplied adaptor). It won’t work with iOS devices, but Android, Windows, and MacOS are all compatible. The T TAKMLY 5.5mm HD Endoscope could save its own cost in a matter of minutes, helping you tackle a problem that might otherwise need a professional.
Buyer’s Guide—The Best Inspection Camera
What Is the Difference Between an Endoscope and an Inspection Camera?
Technically, an endoscope is a medical device. An inspection camera, or borescope, is for less intimate uses. And it’s important not to confuse the two. None of these inspection cameras is a medical device.
What Are the Main Features to Look Out For?
The bore (or diameter) of the inspection camera determines where it can reach. All of these cameras will fit in very small holes. Basically, almost anywhere you can think of that might get blocked or where you might have dropped something. And as you have seen, a couple of them would fit inside a standard ballpoint pen.
All these inspection cameras have adjustable lights, which is essential when exploring the unexplored nether regions of your car’s ventilation system or the washing machine drain.
The resolution of the images is not as vital as it would be for a normal camera. You won’t be producing gallery prints of your drainpipe. But, the higher the resolution, the clearer the image. All of these inspection cameras have at least passable pixel counts.
Moving Head or Fixed?
Having a camera end that can be articulated from the control end is a useful feature. And it’s one which carries a price increase in most cases. It really depends on what you need to look into.
Twin Lens or Single?
Again, there is usually a premium to be paid for a twin-lens inspection camera. The cameras without one often come with a 90-degree mirror attachment. Although this is not as convenient as being able to switch the view mid-inspection, it is a way around it on a budget
Conclusion: The Best Inspection Camera
These days, the seemingly unaffordable specialist gear that used to be the exclusive property of specialists is increasingly affordable. Some of the inspection cameras in this review are almost disposable, given their price.
So there’s plenty to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a one-time money-saving solution to a crisis or for more regular usage. There really is something here for everybody. Our top pick is the Teslong TD450S Dual Lens Inspection Camera. It’s affordable, offers solid features, and should suit most users.
