Best Inspection Camera for Plumbers

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If you are performing installations or repairs of any kind, inspection cameras or borescopes are a must-have tool. They become your eyes for navigating places and equipment you cannot physically get into.

Sometimes a problem arises with a certain part of the house or in a piece of machinery and you need to take a look inside to see what’s going on. You cannot squeeze into every nook or crevice, but you can use a borescope.

Like all pieces of equipment, inspection cameras can be good or bad. Here’s how to select a good inspection camera:

Size

There are two considerations when it comes to size: the size of the actual camera and the size of the monitor you will see the image on.

Usually, people want the camera to be compact enough to fit into tight spaces and the screen to be big enough to comfortably view the image.

The size should be chosen based on the user’s preference. Some people prefer a smaller monitor so that they can carry it easily.

Quality of the Camera

This is the most important aspect of the borescope. The camera is fixed in the probe and this is the part you will be inserting into the areas you want to take a look at. One feature you need to look out for is waterproofing.

There’s no telling what the conditions will be like inside a space you can’t look at, so you need a waterproof camera to make sure it will withstand moisture. The camera quality must be high enough to give you a discernible picture.

Cable Length and Diameter

The cable length determines how far you’ll be able to slide the camera. You need a reasonable length of cable, but if it is too long, it will get in your way and actually make your job harder.

The diameter of the cable is also important. It should be thick enough to be durable but not so thick that it prevents the camera from entering tiny spaces.

Battery Power

Inspection cameras are portable, so they run on batteries. You need a camera with reasonable battery power so that you don’t have to replace the batteries every few days.

It is always a good idea to get rechargeable batteries, as you can recharge them whenever they are drained instead of having to buy new ones. It can save you a lot of money over the years.

LED Lights

If there’s a tiny space you aren’t able to access, chances are there is no light inside either. Using an inspection camera will prove futile, as all you’ll see is darkness.

Having a borescope with no lights is a little pointless, as it will be of no use if the area you want to see is dark. Make sure that the inspection camera you buy has lights strong enough to see by.

Image Quality

Part of this depends on the quality of the camera and part of it depends on the quality of the screen. A resolution lower than 320×240 is not advisable, as the image will be too blurry.

The price of the camera increases as the resolution increases, but it is not too difficult to find a good mid-range camera that has a decent resolution.

Best Inspection Cameras

Here are some of the best inspection cameras you can buy:

Depstech Wireless Endoscope

Depstech wireless endoscope is a great inspection camera. It has a snake wire 11 feet long, 6 LED lights and is waterproof. It is compact enough to fit in small places and has an amazing resolution of 2592×1944 pixels.

It can be connected to your phone via Wi-Fi and you can use it as the monitor. This inspection camera is great value for money. The only possible issue is that the Wi-Fi is sometimes finicky while connecting to your phone.

RIDGID Micro CA-25 Hand-Held Borescope Inspection Camera Model 40043

The RIDGID micro CA-25 is a great hand-held inspection tool. The camera has decent resolution and 4 LED lights. The monitor has a resolution of  320×240 and the pistol grip makes it very easy to move and manipulate.

It has a 3 feet long cable and the batteries are included, so you can use it straight out of the box. The camera and cable are waterproof. It is on the pricier side, so you might not be able to afford it if you are on a budget.

Bosch GIC 120 C

This is another handheld inspection camera. It is waterproof, comes with a snake cable and has a very solid design. You can also attach a hook, magnet or mirror to the camera to retrieve items from tight spaces.

The light strength is adjustable and it has a tough outer body. You can expect it to last for a long time.


A 4 GB SD card is included with the camera, so you can capture and store video too. It is a very handy tool for tradesmen.

Teslong Dual Lens

The Teslong dual lens has a 1 M camera and comes with a 16.4 feet snake cable. It has 7 LED lights, with 1 being for a side lens. It has a very solid build and will last you a long time.

It has a dual-lens, so instead of fitting a mirror to the camera head, you can simply switch to the other lens. It has 32 GB storage and the device can be charged with a USB cable. It has a lot of advanced features, which justifies the higher price.

Parting Thoughts

Inspection cameras can save you a lot of trouble in the long run, whether you only need them for small repairs around the house or you are a professional tradesman.

It is useful for all kinds of situations and most models come with a magnet or hook attachment to help you retrieve objects you might have dropped in a crack or crevice.

If you are confused about which inspection camera to buy, go through our handy buying guide to help you find one that suits you best.

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