There are two reasons you might want a body camera, or body-worn camera. The first and most well-known is the protection of law enforcement and security personnel – or virtually anyone else – by capturing evidence. The other, increasingly common use is to capture point-of-view footage for videos.
In other words, just as cyclists use helmet cameras, and motorists use dash cams, all sorts of people can find body cameras handy – from folk in bad neighbourhoods to high-octane YouTubers. But how do you choose the right one for your needs?
For most people, the best body camera will be compact, unobtrusive, easily attached to clothing, and have a lens with a wide angle of view. You’ll also want something that’s robust and, ideally, can be worn out in all weathers and conditions.
Key features are a long recording time (made up of both a long battery life and good data storage capacity). This is more important if you work a long shift; creators are used to swapping batteries and memory cards. You'll also want decent camera resolution, and, if you're working in the wee small hours, you'll be looking for night vision functions such as infrared capture.
You also need to know how you want to transfer video. Some offer Wi-Fi links to phones (which may affect price and battery life). Others accept a removable microSD card, and/or USB connection to your PC. Unlike most cameras, a built-in screen for composing and reviewing images is not always provided – or needed!
Adam, our Managing Editor, is a big fan of walking, which he does in notoriously crime-ridden East London, so has tested more than a few body cameras for his own safety. He's also a big fan of tech in general, having written on the subject for over two decades and had several books published in over ten languages.
The Quick List
With an adjustable camera angle, night vision, and GPS, this camera has a lot of funcationality for most users. Read more below…
This robust camera has passed stringent drop tests and is dust- and water-resistant. You also get night vision and a long charge. Read more below…
The simple trick this camera offers is the ability to reposition the lens if your clothing prevents it from shooting straight. Read more below…
This compact option works with a clip or on a pendant, with all the basics you need for capturing up to three hours of footage. Read more below…
Boblov's classic M5 is simple but effective, and boasts 2K resolution and up to 256GB storage, as well as a windshield adaptor. Read more below…
View the full list ⤵
It’s officially an action cam, but its magnetic mount works through a T-shirt, enabling the Action 2 to double up as a bodycam. Read more below…
It’s not exactly discreet, but this headgear camera gives a precise first-person eye-level view that vloggers will love. Read more below…
Best body cameras in 2024
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Best body camera for personal security
✅ You want flexibility: The re-positionable lens means you can do more with this device.
✅ You want to go all night: The battery will last a full shift, and then some.
❌ You have a Mac: When testing, we could not find a way to transfer files to a Mac.
❌ You want to attach to light clothing: I found the clip better suited to coats than T-shirts.
The Boblov M7 is a great body camera for a lot of users, though straight off the bat I'm going to say that Mac users should avoid it.
With that out of the way (and I'm a Mac person, so it pains me a little to recommend this to anyone), I still foudl this a great device because it isn't excessively priced, it uses more modern USB-C charging, it boasts GPS tracking, and – importantly – you can rotate the camera lens so that, if the device doesn't seem to be hanging optimally where you want to weat it, the lens can still point where you need it.
In fact, you can take that further, quickly rotating the camera forward and popping the device on the top of some furniture to gather evidence from somewhere other than your chest, if you like.
The relatively basic control system isn't too difficult to master, and the color screen is of good quality, good enough that it's possible to navigate through recordings and review video on the device if needs be.
Read more: my full review of the Boblov M7
Best tough body camera
✅ You want a tough build: It meets military dust-proofing & shock specifications.
✅ You want an app: Trancehd are known for storage devices, and provide an app.
❌ You want to save money: This isn't the cheapest option.
❌ You need battery reliability: We've heard some mutter that the 12 hour battery life isn't reliable.
Though not the cheapest option in our roundup, this Transcend camera features a robust construction. It comes housed in a IP67-rated enclosure for outdoor use and conforms to rigorous US military drop-test standards for shock resistance (the MIL-STD 810G 516.6 transit drop test, to be exact.)
With built-in Wi-Fi, a 130° field of view and the ability to take snapshots while recording video, it ticks the necessary boxes. You also get Full HD video capture, a fixed-aperture 2.0mm lens, a built-in mic and battery life of up to 12 hours, plus useful 64GB internal memory to get you started out of the box.
If you're out at night, there are four IR LEDs for recording in low-light conditions. Operation is one-touch, although the loud activation bleep and recording light may not be ideal if what you’re looking for is a device for discrete filming.
While it felt important to draw this device to your attention, we're still waiting to test one of these devices at DCW and it's worth saying that we've seen a few customer comments suggesting the stated battery life is open to doubt. This might stem from the existence of a wi-fi feature which can have a huge impact on battery. I would expect the quoted time assumes the feature is turned off.
Best body camera for POV
✅ You want top-quality video: This is right up there with the high-end 4K GoPros in terms of quality.
✅ Size matters: This is as small as it comes.
❌ You want a police-style camera: While great for capturing action, the battery system isn't designed for long use.
❌ You're on a budget: With quality high, the price is also at the upper end.
This device is designed with content creators in mind, so it's both amazingly compact and has stunning video quality – at least in the daylight.
The best way to think of it is as an action camera in two parts; the tiny camera, the size of a thumb, can simply pop out of the 'case' and keep working for around half an hour. The case, called an 'Action Pod' houses the rest of the electronics you might find on a GoPro – including a touchscreen for controls – and the two are linked almost magically.
The camera charges when in the Action Pod, and the process is as seamless as Apple Airpods. The camera also boasts Apple FindMe in case you lose it!
As a body camera, it is light enough to be worn atop of clothing like a T-shirt; you simply wear a magnetic pendant, included, and you can drop the camera onto your chest to record. It's discrete – smaller than most microphones, and surprisingly effective. You get 4K video and, like any good action camera, a built-in 6-axis gyroscope provides high-end image stabilization.
Sure, this isn't for the security market – even in the housing the battery won't go all night – but if you're capturing content this will definitely make your videos stand out.
Read more: My full review of the Insta360 Go 3S with sample clips
Best adjustable body camera
✅ Size matters: The compact form factor is well suited to the front pocket.
✅ You think you need the monitor always: Not all compact cameras include the monitor, but this does.
❌ You want the smallest choice: Adding a screen still makes this more cumbersome than the Boblov C18.
❌ You want to go all night: For size, the battery has been compromised and there is a 4-hour limit.
One of the biggest issues with body cameras is that the lens points in the direction your clothing chooses. This device helps provide a solution in the form of rotating lens on a simple friction mount. This also affords the ability to re-direct the camera and place it discretely in different places, like the top of a fridge.
Despite its small size, the camera also manages to cram in a color screen for menus and playback, though we’d recommend viewing via USB on a computer. We also liked the physical sliding switch to start video capture. Though they’ll draw power faster, there are four IR LEDs for night use and the option of a pocket clip (included) or screw mount.
Having previously tested other small Boblov devices – like their very light Boblov C18 – I can see how this tries to strike a balance between the convenience of a display and the portability of that camera (though I'd recommend reading up on that too as I enjoyed that camera and the need for a monitor isn't always truly there when you're using the device.
Best body camera for simplicity
✅ Size & weight matters: As I've said, tiny can be helpful and this is super small meaning less weight on clothing lines.
✅ Easy transfer helps: The built-in USB port saves on irritating cables or cards.
❌ You want to go all night: The battery life is measured in minutes (though, to be fair, still around 3 hours).
❌ You want to record to memory cards: No microSD cards here; the device is the card!
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 or PC for transferring footage. If you want simplicity, this device delivers.
Best high res body camera
✅ You're working with people: The visual simplicity of the design very much says "evidence is being recorded!"
✅ You need to record long shifts day-or-night: The battery is able to cope with long periods in light or night modes.
❌ You want the smallest choice: While it has a good clip, it's still happier with study clothing.
This is essentially the "classic" Boblov form factor, and you'll see it sold as an M5 and an M5 pro depending on the specifications – built-in GPS and the memory supplied memory card are variations.
When I tested the camera, it produced impressive results, and cames with a selection of clips, from the straightforward which worked with my jacket pocket, to a sucker cup for use as a dash-cam like device.
Build quality is sturdy – though I didn't test it to the full extent, you can apparently drop it 2m – the height of a tall person – while the weight seemed reasonable given the battery life definitely supported a full shift. It's nice, too, to have the monitor display built-in.
Given it is in the teir of products that rely on simple button inputs – no joysticks or arrow-like controllers – usability is acceptable, especially the simple shutter. The night lighting is powerful enough to get the job done too.
Read more: Boblov M5 review
Best action cam and body camera hybrid
✅ You're like flexibility: DJI's design is clever and flexible, especially if you get all the accessories.
✅ You want good image stabilization: Like other action cameras, the camera has digital image stabilization.
❌ You want the newest tech: DJI seem to have ceded the 'smallest action camera' race to Insta360 for a while now, concentrating on their 'traditional' best action camera.
❌ You're easily confused: If you go all in on the Action 2 accessories, the multiple devices can be challenging to manage.
The DJI Action 2 is not built as a body cam but, thanks to its compact design and magnetic mount, but it still makes a good body-worn camera if you're looking to capture POV content.
I've kept this in the guide even though the Insta360 Go 3S might seem the obviously better option – it's newer and smaller – because DJI have also relatively recently made a minor improvement to this product line (by improving the built-in storage to 128GB), so it cleary has life in it.
If you need to capture video for a limited period and don’t want to wear more than a T-shirt or tank top, then the camera module of the Action 2 can be secured in place to a magnetic grip on a lanyard beneath the fabric; it’s much more discrete than a body belt or head mount yet gets quality first-person footage.
You can even review it on the unbelievably crisp built-in screen, or play it back on your phone thanks to its wi-fi connection. The camera’s range of attachments also makes it a great choice for cyclists (in which case the classic helmet mount may be preferable).
Read more: DJI Action 2 review
Best head-worn camera
✅ You want POV: The head mount gives a more natural angle than a chest mount.
✅ You want image stabilization: There is an element of action-camera-like digital image stabilization.
❌ You want it tough: This camera is pretty easily seen and knocked off the head by an aggressor.
❌ You need the best 4K imagery: The sharpness means you might be better off with an Insta360 Go 3S and the hat clip attachment.
The Ordro EP8 and its less-well specified sibling the EP6 offer, if not a unique perspective, then a rare means of capturing it that will appeal to some. Body-worn cameras are often clipped to a chest pocket (beneath the eyes), while an action camera with head strap can be excessively distracting. Instead this camera can be charged up and worn at exactly eye height thanks to the head band. It’s not invisible, but it’ll get the ideal first-person angle for certain vloggers – driving or cycling videos for example – and the head band can be worn over glasses.
The EP8 (as well as the EP7 it replaces) has a two-axis gimbal that serves to capture reasonably stable imagery. The app allows you to align your shot live, or you can just shoot ‘blind’ with the side buttons.
The 4K video is a little aggressively sharpened by the software, but nice and crisp for editing (or one-click sharing from the app). Sadly there's no night mode for bouncers, though there is IPX5 ingress protection for action fans. The cheaper EP6 lacks the powered gimbal, but might be a useful alternative if you’re pushed for cash.
How to choose the best body camera
There is one simple answer – decide what you need it for. The answers will more or less come from that.
For example, if you're working in a difficult environment – on the door, or in a shop – and you are subject to career-threatening allegations or intimidation then you'll need a camera with a long battery life and a night mode. On this list, something like the Boblov M5.
If you're looking to capture video for YouTube or another platform while leaving your hands free, then it's more about quality than how long you're recording. That's where a device like the Insta360 Go 3S steps in.
