Inspection cameras, also known as borescopes, are a must-have tool for the professional that needs to look into small spaces or the DIY home and auto repair person. Being able to see into or behind obstacles can make identifying a problem more manageable and less costly to fix.
A number of different tool manufacturers make high quality inspection cameras, and each has its own unique features. So, let’s discuss them and some of the basics to help to determine which is the best inspection camera for your money.
Contents
- 1 Top 8 Best Inspection Cameras In 2023 Review
- 1.1 1 Teslong NTS300 Dual Lens Endoscopic Borescope Inspection Camera w/4.5-inch IPS LCD Screen – Best Full Feature Inspection Camera for Home
- 1.2 2 RIDGID Micro CA-25 Hand-Held Borescope Inspection Camera Model 40043 Red – Best Waterproof Inspection Camera for Home
- 1.3 3 Bosch GIC 120C Professional Endoscope Borescope Inspection Camera/Cordless – Best Professional Inspection Camera
- 1.4 4 DEPSTECH 2MP Wireless Endoscopic Borescope Inspection Camera for Android/iOS (Black) – Best Inspection Camera for Smartphones
- 1.5 5 Milwaukee 2309-20 M-Spector Scope Kit (9mm) Inspection Camera – Best Inspection Camera for High Image Quality
- 1.6 6 DEWALT (DCT412S1) 5.8-mm 12V MAX Inspection Camera with Wireless Screen Kit – Best Inspection Camera with Removable Wireless LCD
- 1.7 7 Vividia Portable 9mm Digital Inspection Snake Camera with 2.4” LCD Monitor – Best Live View Only Inspection Camera
- 1.8 8 Extech BR150 9mm Video Borescope Inspection Camera – Best Inspection Camera with Video Output Jack and Cable
- 2 Best Inspection Cameras For Your Home Or Business Buying Guide
- 3 Modern Camera Technology
- 4 So, Who Makes The Best Inspection Cameras?
Top 8 Best Inspection Cameras In 2023 Review
1 Teslong NTS300 Dual Lens Endoscopic Borescope Inspection Camera w/4.5-inch IPS LCD Screen – Best Full Feature Inspection Camera for Home
Packaged in a hard water-tight case, the Teslong inspection camera comes equipped with a dual-camera snakehead, 5-meter flexible cable, and handheld 4.5-inch color LCD. The camera and cable are IP67 certified and able to work under a meter of water.
Many features on the camera and the handheld unit make the inspection of small or hard to reach spaces easy. Teslong has even made it more accessible for the user by offering the menu in eight languages; English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese.
The camera…
The 8mm camera has two HD 1MP lenses that each provide a 70° angle of view. The primary forward-facing lens has six adjustable LED lights that allow you to get the right lighting for the images or video. The second camera is placed on the side of the main camera body and is equipped with its own LED light. Switch between the two cameras to get a full 140° view.
The handheld unit…
The heart of the system is a handheld unit made of steel-reinforced plastic for durability. It comes with an adjustable angle 4.5-inch color IPS LCD with an 854 x 480 resolution. The multiple function buttons for; 2x zoom, rotation, record, capture, and menu are set just below the LCD screen and are easy to operate with only one hand.
Other features of the unit are a micro SD card holder and micro USB port so that you can take pictures (1920×1080) and record video (1280*720, 1920×1080). As an addition, Teslong has included a CREE LED flashlight at the top of the LCD screen to help while working in a dark location.
Specifications:
- Cable length: Five meters
- Dimensions: 12.24 x 11.22 x 4.25 inches
- Weight: 4.14 pounds
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- Dual camera gives 140° of viewing.
- Water-tight carry case.
- Rechargeable battery.
Cons
- None.
2 RIDGID Micro CA-25 Hand-Held Borescope Inspection Camera Model 40043 Red – Best Waterproof Inspection Camera for Home
The RIDGID 40043 inspection camera is a perfect tool for the DIY person in your home. Inspect for leaks, damage, and check that connections are properly sealed in hard to reach areas in and around the house. You can also use the included hook, mirror, and magnet to better see and retrieve dropped items in all of the hard to reach places.
The RIDGID borescope camera is built to be comfortable to operate and easy to use. It comes in a blow-molded hard case for protection and ease of transportation.
The details…
The 17mm camera inspection head is in an aluminum housing that comes complete with four adjustable LED lights. The camera and the four-foot flexible extender cable are waterproof and can be used in water.
The Micro CA-25 body has an over-molded pistol grip design that makes it easy to hold and make adjustments with one hand. On top of the grip is a view-only 2.4-inch color LCD with 320 x 240 resolution. Just below the LCD are the power, rotate the image, and light adjustment buttons.
What’s in the box?
Along the side of the grip is a video out port that you can connect to an outside monitor. RIDGID has included a 3’ RCA cable in its package for this purpose. They have also included four AA batteries so that you can use it straight out of the box.
Specifications:
- Cable length: Four feet
- Dimensions: 15 x 4.7 x 14.6 inches
- Weight: 4.62 pounds
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Waterproof camera and cable.
- Comes with accessories and batteries.
Cons
- Can not extend the boring cable.
3 Bosch GIC 120C Professional Endoscope Borescope Inspection Camera/Cordless – Best Professional Inspection Camera
The next boroscope on our list of the best inspection cameras is for the serious handyman or professional. The Bosch GIC 120C inspection camera is an easy-to-use, robust tool that uses alkaline batteries to operate. You can also plug in a 10.8V or 12V rechargeable cordless battery pack from other Bosch tools that you may own.
It may appear to be very basic and straightforward, but the Bosch CIG 120C is fully loaded with all the functions you will need.
Functionality…
The camera is a small 8.5mm lens with an adjustable LED light that comes on a 120cm cable and uses ‘UP is UP’ technology. This technology orients the image on the view screen so that the top of the image is always the top, regardless of the camera’s orientation. The camera also has a 1.5x and 2x zoom function. The supplied cable can be switched out for a 300cm cable as an extra purchase.
The LCD is 3.5 inches with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and color or B/W viewing choice. On top of the LCD are a micro SD card(4Gb) and micro USB port so that you can save and transfer snapshots and video.
One-handed use…
The power and function buttons are directly below the LCD on the lightweight easy to hold pistol grip body. This allows you to operate the tool while keeping your other hand free to move the camera.
The Bosch comes complete with an ergonomic carrying case, batteries, hook, magnet, and 90° mirror tools.
Specifications:
- Cable length: 120cm/300cm
- Dimensions: 13.46 x 8.27 x 3.15 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Two cable lengths available.
- Dual power source options.
- Up is Up function.
Cons
- None.
4 DEPSTECH 2MP Wireless Endoscopic Borescope Inspection Camera for Android/iOS (Black) – Best Inspection Camera for Smartphones
DEPSTECH has created a super lightweight endoscopic WiFi inspection camera for home use. Connect to your Android 5.0+ or iOS 9+ phone or tablet to inspect the difficult and tricky to reach areas around your home.
The inspection camera creates its own WiFi signal and can connect to multiple devices at one time. It connects to your device through the WLAN settings, showing up as the name Jetion or DEPSTECH.
An important note…
If the name Jetion appears in the settings, Android users need to use the app. ‘Depstech-WiFi,’ iOS users need to use the app. ‘DEPSTECH.’
If the name DEPSTECH appears, then for both, you need the ‘DEPSTECH-view’ app.
The particulars…
The borescope has an 8.4mm 2.0 HD camera at the head. The camera is surrounded by 6 LED lights that are adjustable through the app. It provides video in Jpeg and AVI formats up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Both the camera and boring cable are IP67 certified and can be used in wet conditions. Actually, they can be used in water without any problems. The cable is stiff and does not need additional support for maintaining shape to get the camera where you need it to be. The system also comes with an attachable hook, mirror, and magnet tools to help in retrieving dropped items.
Specifications:
- Cable length: 11.5 feet
- Dimensions: 5.12 inch x 4.92 inch x 1.77 inch
- Weight: Nine ounces
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- Produces its own WiFi signal.
- Waterproof camera and cable.
Cons
- Uses phone network settings to connect.
- Video only available on iOS 9 or better.
5 Milwaukee 2309-20 M-Spector Scope Kit (9mm) Inspection Camera – Best Inspection Camera for High Image Quality
Next up, in our Best Inspection Cameras reviews, Milwaukee has created a no-frills basic inspection scope for both the professional and homeowner alike. The 2309-20 M-Spector Scope Kit can work in both wet and dry environments. Use it to check in and around pipes for leaks, joint connections, wiring, and many other hard to see and reach areas.
Although it is lightweight and easy to use, you will need some time to learn to move the camera around for proper visual orientation.
The breakdown…
The body of the borescope is designed for comfort and shaped like a pistol for easy handling. On top of the grip is a 2.7” LCD that displays clear color images in 320 x 240 resolution.
The 9mm camera was awarded best in class for image quality. It has a resolution of 640 x 480 and is surrounded by 4 LED lights that are positioned to diminish glare and shadows. The camera is connected to a durable 3’ snake cable that is pliable and easy to manipulate into position.
What’s in the box?
The Milwaukee 2309-20 M-Spector Scope kit comes complete with a soft case carry pouch, pipe guide attachment, and 9V battery. Its standard attachments of a hook, magnet, and a 90° mirror are unfortunately not included and need to be purchased separately.
Specifications:
- Cable length: Three feet
- Dimensions: 10.55 inch x 4.92 inch x 13.39 inch
- Weight: One pound
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Comes with a pipe guide attachment.
- Very clear image.
Cons
- Hook, magnet, and mirror accessories sold separately.
6 DEWALT (DCT412S1) 5.8-mm 12V MAX Inspection Camera with Wireless Screen Kit – Best Inspection Camera with Removable Wireless LCD
Versatility and convenience were the focus when DEWALT created the DCT412S1 inspector camera. The kit comes complete with a hard shell carry case, 5.8mm camera and 3’ boring cable, 12V battery pack, and charger. Other DEWALT camera/cable sets (9mm/17mm) can be purchased and stored in the carry case to give you the optimal camera and lighting tool for all jobs.
3x digital zoom…
The 5.8mm camera allows you to see into the tightest of spaces and is equipped with an adjustable LED light and 3x digital zoom function. Document your work or findings with either photos or video that can be saved to a micro SD card (not included).
This tool’s main body is a standard drill grip that has been ergonomically designed so that you can operate all camera functions with just one hand. The different cameras/cables are easy to connect using the quick-mount system, and the rechargeable battery pack snaps in at the bottom.
Removable, wireless LCD…
At the top and back of the handle is the 3.5” LCD screen. The LCD is removable and wireless, which allows you to place it where you need it when working in a tight space or in awkward positions. You do not need to worry about connecting to WiFi for the LCD, but you may get some interference when working close to cell phones that are being used.
Specifications:
- Cable length: Three feet
- Dimensions: 14.38 x 21 x 5.12 inches
- Weight: 8.3 pounds
(4 / 5)Pros
- Excellent carry case.
- The kit is expandable.
- Removable wireless LCD.
Cons
- 5.8mm camera is too small for larger areas.
7 Vividia Portable 9mm Digital Inspection Snake Camera with 2.4” LCD Monitor – Best Live View Only Inspection Camera
Handy to have around the home, the Vividia 9mm portable inspection camera is a valuable and helpful tool. Use it to find lost items in cars, downpipes, or in air vents. The camera and boring cable meet IP67 standards and can be used in water, so it is safe to check for leaks and blockages in your drains.
Minimal glare and shadowing…
The 9mm camera uses a color CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 0.3MP. It provides clear and sharp images from a focal length of 4cm or further away from the object with a 64° angle of view. Surrounded by four adjustable LEDs, you will be able to see with minimal glare or shadowing.
Pictures and video are not available for documentation, as the camera only provides a live video feed to the LCD. The 2.4-inch color LCD has a resolution of 640x 480 and sits on the top of the handle. Power and function buttons are placed along the bottom of the LCD for ease of use.
Extendable boring cable…
The boring cable is stiff but pliable and can be bent into shape for your needs. If you need more than 100cm, you can attach extension cables (sold separately) of one, two, or five meters.
The Vividia 9mm inspection camera comes with a hook and magnet tool for retrieving items, a mirror attachment for looking in other areas, and batteries for operation.
Specifications:
- Cable length: 100cm
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.2 x 2 inches
- Weight: 7.7 ounces
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- Camera can be used in water.
- Color LCD.
Cons
- Cable may be too stiff for some jobs.
- Does take pictures or record video.
8 Extech BR150 9mm Video Borescope Inspection Camera – Best Inspection Camera with Video Output Jack and Cable
The Extech BR150 is a small 9mm video borescope camera that comes with a meter long snake cable. The cable will hold the shape that you create, making it easy to inspect a car frame for rust or check behind a wall for mold. The borescope is suitable for any job where it is difficult to reach or see.
The camera and cable are waterproof to an IP67 standard. The cable is flexible but firm and has a minimum bending radius of 2.36 inches. If you need a longer cable, the BR150 will accept an extension cable.
Viewing…
The 9mm camera has a focus distance to the object of 15-25cm and provides a 45° viewing angle. It is surrounded by four LEDs that are adjustable and positioned not to create glare or shadows.
Live view video is displayed on a 2.4” TFT display at 480 x 234 pixels. The LCD is detachable for storage purposes, not viewing. To view video footage on a larger screen, use the provided video out jack and cable.
The kit…
The Extech BR150 comes complete with a hard shell carry case, attachable hook/magnet/mirror tools, four AA batteries, and a video output cable.
Specifications:
- Cable length: One meter
- Dimensions: 14.17 x 3.15 x 6.3 inches
- Weight: 1.52 pounds
(4 / 5)Pros
- Can use an extension cable.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Focal length.
Best Inspection Cameras For Your Home Or Business Buying Guide
Inspection or borescope cameras are a great tool to have for several different reasons. They are made by many manufacturers and range dramatically in price. And there’s really only one crucial question you need to ask yourself.
How often will you be using it?
Expensive vs. less expensive…
If you are a professional or a very serious DIY person and will be using a borescope quite often, then some of the more expensive models would be better suited to your needs.
These models tend to have cameras with better focal lengths and generally come with the capabilities to take pictures or make videos for documentation. They often come in a hard carry case with accessories and detachable rechargeable batteries.
The less expensive bore cameras are an excellent buy for the person who requires occasional use. The cameras are usually good quality and provide you with a clear live stream with little to no glare or shadowing issues. They generally come in a hard or soft carry case with some accessories and disposable batteries.
Visual orientation…
One of the better functions offered on several cameras throughout the price ranges is visual orientation. Some of the more expensive models will automatically orient the image/video so that the top remains the top regardless of the camera position. Other cameras will offer a marker so that you can quickly determine the top of the image.
A last word…
As with all tools, there are several accessories that can be purchased to enhance its functionality. Take the time and consider exactly what it is that you need. If you are in need of several accessories, it may be more sound to spend a bit more on the initial purchase as the accessories may already be included in the kit.
Modern Camera Technology
These days, there’s a lens and camera style to suit just about any task. Therefore, you may well be interested in reading our Best Camera Drones Reviews, the Best Dash Cam Reviews, or our Best GoPro Camera Reviews for 2023?
When it comes to useful tools and accessories to keep around the home and office, we also recommend looking into our Best Magnetic USB Charging Cables Review, our Best Right Angle HDMI Adapter Reviews, the Best Battery Backup Reviews, our Best Wireless Routers for Multiple Devices Reviews, our Best Wall Mounted Surge Protectors Review, and our Best Electricity Monitor Reviews!
Back to the best boroscopes for your money…
So, Who Makes The Best Inspection Cameras?
The truth is that there are many inspection cameras that meet the mark of being the best. It simply boils down to the difference of who is using it and how often. Some come with exciting and useful standout features, while others are very basic; both do the job.
So, our choice for the best inspection camera on this list is the…
Bosch GIC 120C Inspection CameraWe chose the Bosch inspection camera for its ‘Up is Up’ feature, dual power source option, and the ability to capture photos and video for documentation.
Whichever you choose, enjoy your new inspection camera!
