The Best Decoy Camera for your Home Security
The best decoy camera has some important details that make them look realistic – an antenna or a fake cable, a red IR light, and maybe a solar panel.
Our Top Picks:
- WALI Bullet Dummy Fake Surveillance Cameras
- BNT Decoy Camera with Red LED Light
- Techage Decoy Camera with Solar Panels
- WALI Dummy Fake CCTV Dome Camera
The Best Dummy Security Cameras:
WALI Bullet Dummy Fake Surveillance Cameras– 4 pack
Pros:
- Realistic appearance with red ‘IR’ light and fake wire.
- Adjustable tilt and rotation.
- Security stickers included.
Cons:
- No motorized pan and tilt
- Flimsy build quality.
Four decoy cameras for twenty-something bucks? Sign us up. These are a really good imitation of bullet security cameras with realistic LEDs and a red IR-looking light. And while they don’t have a motorized pan movement, they do a good job of deterring your odd intruder. We would have expected a slightly less flimsy construction – the cameras feel very plasticky – but at this price we would be foolish to complain. At a distance they do fool any prospective intruder.
You get four fake bullet cameras, all mounting hardware, and four security stickers for that added layer or protection. Studies have proven that intruders and thieves would rather pick properties without any surveillance than risk a house with visible signs of home security.
The details are what make these fake security cameras pass off as real. There is a small wire connecting the camera to the mounting that makes it appear hardwired. And the red ‘IR’ light stays on when it’s dark to make it look like motion-detection is activated.
BNT Decoy Camera with Red LED Light
Pros:
- Realistic LED and IR lights
- Red light comes on from sunset to sunrise
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Cheap build quality
- Red ‘IR’ light blinks too fast.
- Prominent BNT logo
BNT cameras are good and they have the basic features that make them look realistic but miss some small details. They don’t have the wire sticking out from the back but you could just argue that they look like wireless security cameras. Some customers have complained that the hinge connecting the camera to the mounting gets weak over time and the camera starts pointing downwards. This is part of the overall cheap build quality that any decoy camera is guilty of.
Overall though you get four dummy bullet security cameras that do a decent job of fooling some dumb teenagers that have suddenly decided that they are outlaws.
The battery life is not the best but it does last around three months in normal weather. In any case they are powered by 2 AA batteries that can be easily swapped. However, it makes you wonder how much power the LED lights draw for the batteries to run out so quickly.
Techage Decoy Camera with Solar Panels
Pros:
- Real solar panels
- Motion detected LED spotlights
- 2600 mAh battery
Cons:
- Unreliable build
- Weak weather resistance
At $30 a camera we expected better build quality. It looks like most of the price is accounted for by the solar cameras and the motion detected spotlights – two of the best features on any cameras on this list.
No kidding, the motion detection is spot on – the spotlight comes on when someone is within 40 feet of the camera and they stay on for 20 secs. The lights are powered by a real solar panel that charges the inbuilt 2600 mAh battery. You probably won’t ever have to charge or change the batteries.
In addition to the LED spotlights these cameras also have the red IR LED light when on standby mode at night. A fake antenna completes the look. The camera design is very close to what you would see on real security cameras and most importantly the brand logos are not prominent.
Some customers have complained that their cameras filled up with water in moderate rain. They also did not last very well in inclement weather conditions – too hot or too cold.
These are the most expensive set of decoy cameras on this list. But you get the extraordinary motion-detected spotlights and solar panels, making them the realistic fake surveillance cameras we’ve seen.
WALI Dummy Fake CCTV Dome Camera
Pros:
- Good build quality
- Includes security stickers
- Realistic looking cameras
Cons:
- Red IR light looks fake
- Outer glass is not tinted
- Mounting hardware is flimsy
If you prefer dome security cameras, these are the best option on the market. These will fool even some of the seasoned criminals out there. Dome cameras usually do not have a red IR light which makes the flashing light on this decoy camera completely unnecessary. Just don’t pop the batteries in and this problem is solved.
Another missing detail is more obvious – the outer glass shell is not tinted making the fake camera lens visible. Some customers have suggested facing the ‘lens’ towards your house so it’s not visible from the outside.
There are no antennas and wires but dome cameras don’t need them so you are good there. The mounting brackets included in the pack are flimsy and might prove small for some applications. But a decent outdoor mounting tape will solve this problem.
All in all these are some realistic looking dummy surveillance cameras. But you will have to make some small adjustments to make them usable.
Does a decoy camera help keep your home secure?
Visual deterrence: Home security systems are primarily a deterrence. A thief or intruder would rather trespass on a property that does not have a visible security system. No one wants to take the risk that their photo might be plastered at the local police station. Decoy cameras work because they act as a visual deterrence. Whether they are actively recording or not is immaterial.
Cheaper than real: They do the job without breaking the bank. A real home security system with four cameras and a base station will set you back at least a couple of hundred bucks. Not to mention any subscriptions you might have to pay for to get the most out of your cameras. A decoy camera will provide almost the same level of deterrence for $20-something.
Low operating cost: Buy ‘em and forget ‘em. No maintenance, no online storage costs, and no monthly subscription charges. Just remember to swap out the batteries about twice a year and you’re good to go!
When NOT to get a Decoy Camera
Made from cheap materials: A decoy camera doesn’t cost much. And that’s because they’re made from cheap materials – built to last less than a year, if that. Don’t expect a metal unibody with sturdy hinges and mounting brackets. These cameras will lose the tension in the hinges in a few months.
Does not help with investigations: Real security cameras are meant for investigative purposes and as a proof when making insurance claims. In case of an incident you will have the perpetrators video, and hopefully an identifiable headshot along with a full accounting of how it happened. You won’t have that with a $20 decoy camera.
Doesn’t deter experienced criminals: If you’re only interested in deterring casual trespassers or some drunk teenagers, a decoy camera will work just fine. However an experienced thief will immediately identify a fake camera. So if you have an expensive car or store some valuable items in the garage, you better get a decent home security system with real cameras.
What features to look for in a good decoy camera
LED light – red works best: Real security cameras usually have a motion detection spotlight. You won’t get that in a decoy camera. Real cameras also have night vision which is aided by an infrared (IR) sensor. A red IR LED light comes on when it is dark to activate the night vision. Since IR light is invisible to the naked eye you only see the red LED light on the camera. A good decoy will have this red LED to fool any potential intruder.
Fake Antennas (or a fake cable): A fake antenna completes the illusion of a real security camera. Real wireless security cameras have a WiFi antenna to connect to the network. Alternatively some of these products have a fake cable going through the hinge into the mounting hardware making it look like a wired connection into the wall. Either of these should work well.
Connected to a power source (battery, solar, etc): Like fake antennas, a power source like a solar panel reaffirms to anyone looking that this is a real security camera. The Techage camera on this list has solar panels but they do add to the cost.
Accompanied with branded security stickers: Research has shown that simple security decals on your windows are enough to deter criminals from trying to gain access to your property. Most dummy security cameras will come with a few window and door decals to warn that your property is under surveillance.