One of the most important things to consider before purchasing a hidden camera is the environment and context where the device will eventually be used. If you want to make sure that nobody steals anything from your bedroom the next time you have a party, a camera cleverly concealed in a normal-looking clock radio is perfect because this is exactly the type of item nobody would think twice about seeing in this context. If you need covert monitoring capabilities while on the go, however, the same device would leave a lot to be desired as it would definitely attract attention to see someone carrying a clock radio around with them wherever they go.

For this reason, body-worn cameras can be a great asset to people who wish to achieve truly covert surveillance wherever they happen to be. As with all hidden cameras, though, your purchase requires you to keep a few key things in mind.

The Body

As stated, one of the most important things you'll need to look at when choosing a body-worn camera is the type of device it is hidden inside. Some cameras look like a standard pair of reading glasses, for example, while others might look like a completely normal wrist watch or even the garage door opener FOB that goes on your keychain. Always pick the style that makes the most sense for you personally, as if you don't wear glasses but suddenly show up with a shiny new pair with a camera hidden inside, you're only going to attract unwanted attention.

Battery Life

Because body-worn cameras are designed to be used while you're on the move, you'll want to pay careful attention to the battery life of the model you choose. Never assume that just because a unit can store five hours of HD video, for example, that it also has a five-hour battery life. Because these units are so small, you usually have between one and three hours to work with. If you're only concerned with short recording sessions you can't go wrong, but if longevity is a priority always emphasize longer battery life.

Stop/Start Recording

When dealing with a body-worn camera, you'll also want to pay attention to how easy it is to start recording in the first place. Many of these cameras require you to interact with them to begin recording, albeit briefly. While nobody will necessarily think twice about you pressing a button on the crown of your wrist watch, they may notice if you suddenly take a pen out of your pocket, tap the head and put it back without using it. Again, for this decision context is everything. Some body-worn cameras may have a remote control, while others can be remotely activated.

Loop Recording

For units with a longer recording time of four or more hours, you'll likely want to look into a model with loop recording capabilities. If you know that you have yet to capture what you're after, you don't have to manually delete an existing file - the body-worn camera will just record right over it. This enables you to continue to wear your camera without worry, recording for as long as possible until that magic moment does occur.