What matters in a nanny cam
Live viewing is the feature that makes the difference. Recording to a card tells you what happened yesterday; a WiFi model tells you what is happening right now, and sends an alert the moment it detects movement. For most people that is the whole reason for buying one.
Placement decides the disguise. A camera in a clock or charger sits naturally on a shelf or bedside table at the right height for a room. A smoke detector camera on the ceiling covers the widest area. Mains power is worth prioritising, since a nanny cam usually needs to run every day rather than for a single session.
Related
For more disguise options, see hidden cameras. For the smallest bodies, see mini spy cameras.
Common questions
Do I need WiFi at the house? For live viewing, yes. Without WiFi the camera still records to a memory card for later review.
Is it legal to record in my own home? Different rules cover filming and audio recording in a home, and stricter ones cover private areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms. Check what applies before you install anything. Check the current rules for your situation before installing.