How to Hide a Security Camera Outside

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: February 19, 2022 References

Installing an outdoor security camera is a great way to keep an eye on your property when you’re not there. Leaving your security camera visible is a great way to deter crime before it happens. However, if you're worried someone will steal or damage your camera, you may want to hide it. This wikiHow teaches you ways to conceal your security camera.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Concealing Your Camera

1
Decide whether hiding your camera is necessary. If your goal is to prevent theft, vandalism, or other crimes, it might be better to keep your camera in plain view. A highly-visible camera could scare off would-be wrongdoers before they harm you or your property. If a potential thief sees a camera, they'll know someone's watching, which could make them think twice about doing something nefarious on video!
- If you're worried a thief will damage your camera if visible, you could have two cameras—one highly-visible decoy, and another well-hidden camera they won't suspect.
2
Place your camera inside of a birdhouse or bird feeder. Point your security camera so the lens is facing out of the small opening in the front of the birdhouse or feeder.^{[1]
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- Point the feeder or house in the direction you want to monitor.
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3
Hide your camera in a bush or tree. Thick leaves and shrubbery can hide the appearance of a security camera. After placing your camera inside of a bush or tree, check the camera’s video feed to make sure that the lens isn’t obscured.^{[2]
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4
Conceal your camera in a fake rock or garden gnome. You can purchase a hollowed-out garden gnome or rock online. Use a drill bit that’s as big as the lens on your camera and drill a hole into the decoy rock or garden gnome. You can then place your camera inside of the decoy and point the lens of the camera out of the hole.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- You can also place the camera on the inside of a clay pot.
- Attach the camera to the inside of the object with electrical tape to hold it in place.
5
Purchase a camera designed to look like a light fixture or doorbell. Some security cameras are designed to look like other things, like a light or doorbell. Look online for security or spy camera lights or lamps, and find one that fits your budget and needs.^{[4]
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6
Put your camera inside of your mailbox. Hide your camera inside of your mailbox or the mailbox post. Drill a hole through the mailbox so that your camera can record what's happening outside of the mailbox.^{[5]
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7
Use PVC pipe to hide the wires on a wired camera. Leaving exposed or visible wires leading up to your camera will make the placement obvious to other people. If you plan on using a security camera that has wires, you need to dig a trench so that you can bury the PVC pipe that will house the wires.^{[6]
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- You may need to install a metal conduit or PVC pipe to hide the wires from an elevated camera.
8
Install a fake camera to take attention off your real camera. You can purchase a fake or "dummy" security camera online or at hardware stores. These will serve as a visible deterrent and will take attention off of your actual security cameras.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} And, because keeping a camera visible is likely to deter crime before it happens, your decoy could protect your property.^{[8]
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- Fake security cameras are usually $10-$30 USD per camera.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Purchasing the Ideal Equipment

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Buy a smaller sized security camera. Large bulky cameras will be harder to conceal in plain sight. The smaller your camera, the easier it will be to hide.^{[9]
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- Smaller sized cameras include the Netgear Arlo Pro, LG Smart Security Wireless Camera, and Nest Cam IQ.^{[10]
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Purchase a wireless security camera. Getting a wireless camera will prevent you from having to hide the wires that come with a wired camera. Wireless cameras are usually more expensive but will be much easier to hide.^{[11]
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- Popular brands of wireless security cameras include the Netgear Arlo Q, Belkin Netcam HD+, and the Amazon Cloud Cam.^{[12]
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Buy a camera that uploads to cloud storage. Purchasing a camera that automatically uploads video to cloud storage will ensure that you won’t lose important footage if your camera is tampered with or destroyed.
- Popular brands of security cameras that can upload to the cloud include the D-Link Day/Night Network Cloud Camera, Logitech Alert 750n Indoor Master System, and Netgear VueZone Video Monitoring System.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What is a good outdoor security camera?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

Small, battery-operated, motion-detected cameras are great. They're water-resistant, and the battery can last for months. Plus, if it's connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can get updates on the battery status or check in on the camera whenever you'd like.
Question

Where can I hide my camera outside?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

Place your camera on a car, or conceal it in a tree by making it look like a rock. You can place small, battery-operated cameras just about anywhere.
Question

Why would someone want to hide a security camera?

Community Answer

If someone plans on doing something bad to your home, then knowing camera location can help them find the camera's blind spots, making it easier for them to break in.