The best body cameras in 2020

(Image credit: Alamy)

What is the best body camera to choose – and why might you need a body cam in the firat place? Drive on the main roads of any major city and you’ll find cyclists armed with helmet cameras, and motorists with dash cams. Increasingly, on the same streets, you’ll also find police, emergency services and anyone involved in security wearing a body camera or 'body cam’.

Are body cameras the next stage or level in personal security and surveillance? It seems so, with their increased visibility and a rise in the number of companies producing them and bringing them to market. Wearing your own body camera may seem like overkill to some, but for others there will be very practical uses and advantages – and not all of them will involve personal security or snooping. You might want to record a meeting or interview for example, without the off-putting practice of shoving a camera lens in a colleague’s face.

In terms of what to base your buying decision on, choosing a body camera that is compact, unobtrusive and easily attached to clothing – while boasting a lens with a wide angle of view – seems key. You’ll also want something that’s robust and, ideally, can be worn out in all weathers and conditions. A long battery life, decent camera resolution and large (and possibly expandable) data storage capacity, so you don’t run out of juice or memory at that crucial moment, are additional musts – as are night vision functions. Infrared capture can be particularly useful, as those involved in the profession of security are typically working into the wee small hours.

Keeping things bang up to date, the more expensive body camera options typically include Wi-Fi and the ability to easily transfer images, either wirelessly to a smartphone, via removable media card, and/or connection to your PC via USB. While the majority of examples don’t feature a built-in screen for composing and reviewing images some do, so if the latter feature is important to you, be prepared to shop around as well as pay a little extra for the privilege.

With the above advice in mind, let’s take a look at a selection of the best body cameras available right now…

1. Boblov 1296P Wi-Fi Body Mounted Camera

With night vision and wi-fi this is perfect for overnight shifts

Generous 32GB built-in memory

Respectable 21MP image resolution

No built-in screen

5 hours of recording time may fall short for those on longer shifts

With a brand name straight out of Soviet era Russia, this no-nonsense body camera pares operation back to just three simple buttons, offering a generous 21-megapixel photo resolution, a 10 megapixel infrared night vision mode that activates automatically in the dark, and lens with a 140° angle of view. Attachment to clothing is via the choice of two rotatable clips – one large, one small – while video (1296P, 1080P or 720P) from the device can be streamed to your smartphone (there is no screen on the body camera itself). The integral rechargeable lithium ion battery is good for five hours of constant use in 1080P video mode or it can be stretched to 16 hours if the unit is placed in standby mode. A USB cable, power charger and user manual are included in the box. This is both comprehensive and affordable with it.

2. Boblov 1080P Full HD Body Mounted Camera

High definition body camera suitable for most uses – including being worn by cyclists

Small and lightweight for convenient and unobtrusive deployment

One button operation

No screen to aid composition or to for reviewing video

microSD card costs extra

This slender, ultra lightweight version of the body camera with built-in back-clip enables it be worn by cyclists as well as unobtrusively by security services, office workers wishing to record business meetings, emergency services and more. Video recording here is a straight choice between 1920x1080 and 1280x720 pixels, with a loop recording function kicking in when data is exhausted. That may take a while, as there’s the provision here to utilise a 64GB microSD card (though the actual card itself is an optional extra). Other features include a date stamp, theoretically enabling video and audio to be submitted as ‘evidence’, motion detection, plus single-button recording functionality for added convenience. A full charge enables three hours of video or 7 hours of audio capture. Sure, look elsewhere if you need Wi-Fi or infrared, but this is inexpensive starter option.

3. Ehomful Mini 1080P Body Camera

As inexpensive as it is unobtrusive, this is a perfect spy camera

Small and unobtrusive

Full HD video capture

No built-in viewing screen,

Shorter battery life than larger devices

Discretion is the name of the game when it comes to this personal security device or, cough, spy cam. It’s a small and lightweight body camera option that also comes supplied with a clip, or, alternatively, can be worn about the neck, pendant-style. Chief among its enticing features is Full HD video up to 30fps, for which you’ll want to make use of the 32GB card supplied out of the box. Alternatively, a 64GB microSD card is offered. If there’s a compromise due to its diminutiveness, it’s that battery life can’t match others here at a comparatively paltry 180 minutes from a full charge. What some may find useful here, however, is that the device features a built-in USB port for connecting directly to a laptop of PC for transferring footage. If you want simplicity, then this device delivers.

4. Transcend DrivePro Body 20 Action Camera

Tough body camera that is designed for law enforcement

Robust anti-shock, all-weather build

Full HD video capture

Pricier than alternatives

Battery lasts just 3.5 hours

Though not the cheapest option in our round up, this Transcend product features a robust construction built to withstand extreme weather and shock, that recalls a miniaturised trail camera thanks to its boxy looks. With built-in Wi-Fi, a 160° field of view, f/2.8 aperture lens and the ability to take snapshots while recording video, it ticks the necessary boxes. We also get Full HD video capture, a fixed aperture 2.8mm lens, battery lasting three-and-a-half hours, plus a useful 32GB internal memory to get you started out of the box. Operation is one touch, though the loud activation bleep and recording light may not be ideal if what you’re looking for is a device for discrete filming. It can be attached to clothing via a clip that has the ability to rotate 360°, while the Velcro holder is similarly easily attached. If it’s a heavy-duty device you’re looking for, the Transcend DrivePro is worthy of your focus.

5. Onethingcam 4G GPS Wi-Fi Body Camera

A luxury body camera with lots of added features

4G network support

Built-in GPS

Expensive

You may not need all the features offered

A premium priced body camera option that brings a weightier list of specifications to bear than most – including space for two SIM cards and the ability to transmit visuals via 4G networks and Wi-Fi, plus infrared capture that purports to be able to record subjects in total darkness that are up to seven metres away. As well as a robust body construction and large buttons aiding ease of use, unusually we’re also provided with a touchscreen here, plus the ability to record 1920x1080 pixels video at 30fps or up to five megapixel stills. With built-in GPS and remote monitoring option via a wireless network, this is a one size – or rather ‘one thing’ – fits all body cam option.

6. Veho Muivi HD10X Micro Camcorder

When you want something small and unobtrusive that looks less obviously like a recording device than most larger alternatives

Small and unobtrusive

Full HD video capture

Removable media

Frill free feature set,

No Wi-Fi option

Narrow field of view

When is a body camera not a body cam? When it’s a ‘micro camcorder’ of course. Mere semantics, obviously, as this item can be worn ‘hands free’ thanks to a handy back clip and is one of the smallest options on the market. If it’s simplicity of operation you’re after, this one offers the core essentials of 1920x1080 pixels video capture at 30fps, removable 8GB microSD card for storing up to four hours of HD quality footage, plus easy plug ‘n’ play operation via USB. OK, so there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity, view screen, GPS, personal alarm or other ‘frills’, but those looking for an affordable and discrete solution – or simply wanting something to clip to their lapel or cycling helmet – will want to investigate further.

7. Pyle PPBCM9 Body Camera

A splash-proof camera for shooting in the great outdoors, day or night

Infrared shooting

8 megapixel stills and/or Full HD video capture

No Wi-Fi option,

No built-in GPS

Another splash-proof water resistant robust unit for those looking for a personal security or surveillance device, this one comes with infrared shooting, Full HD video or 8 megapixel stills capture, 16GB internal capacity to allow for up to 8 hours of video to be recorded, a microSD card slot to provide data expansion plus a useful LCD display. Once again recording is a simple one-button procedure, while, to make sure that a crucial moment isn’t missed, there is a loop recording facility of either two or five minutes duration. The remaining video recording time is also displayed. If it’s a given you don’t also need Wi-Fi connectivity, what more could you want for the asking price?

Read more:

• The best dash cams in 2019

• The best helmet cameras

• The best home security camera for home security and surveillance

• The best night vision goggles and binoculars

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