How to detect listening devices in my home without having to employ an expert, in a few easy steps.

How to Detect Listening Devices and Hidden Cameras at Home (5 Easy Steps)

Worried about covert surveillance in your home or rental? You can run a reliable sweep with simple tools and a clear method. This guide walks you through five proven techniques to find hidden microphones, spy cameras, and GPS trackers — plus legal notes, common hiding places, and when to bring in a professional.

Before You Start: Quick Prep & Safety

• Stay methodical: search each room in a clockwise pattern so you don’t miss areas or repeat work.
• Don’t unplug suspicious items yet: many devices need power to transmit; leave them on during the scan.
• Reduce noise sources: turn off Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers, smart hubs, and spare phones to cut false positives.
• Know the law: scanning your own property is fine in the UK; recording others without consent may not be. When in doubt, get advice.

5 Proven Ways to Detect a Listening Device or Spy Camera

1) Manual Sweep (Clockwise)

Start with a slow, visual inspection. Prioritise areas with a clear view or good audio pickup. Look for new or out-of-place items and subtle changes since your last visit.

• Check light fittings, smoke alarms, lampshades, picture frames, bookshelves, TV units, extension leads, USB chargers, and multi-way adaptors.
• Look under desks, table edges, behind mirrors, and in artificial plants or flower arrangements.
• If an extension lead or charger appears new and nothing is plugged in, treat it as suspicious but keep it powered while scanning.
• Compare shapes and sizes with examples in our Listening Devices collection to train your eye.

2) DIY Lens Finder (Dark-Room Torch Test)

To spot pinhole camera lenses, use this low-cost check:

1. Wait until dark and switch off the lights. Block outside light if possible.
2. Hold a cardboard tube (kitchen roll core) to one eye and close the other.
3. Use your phone’s torch or a small flashlight and scan slowly across surfaces.
4. Look for a tiny, bright “spark” or halo — a lens reflection. Camera lenses can be only a few millimetres wide.

Not seeing a reflection doesn’t guarantee there’s no camera; proceed with the remaining steps.

3) Use an RF Spy Bug Detector

RF (radio frequency) detectors are designed to pick up transmissions from active bugs and many wireless cameras. They’re affordable and easy to use.

• Switch off non-essential wireless devices to reduce background signals.
• Walk the room clockwise with the detector; move slowly and watch the LEDs/beeps as the signal strengthens.
• To confirm the detector is working, make a test call on your own phone near it — you should hear activity.
• Create ambient noise (talking/music) to trigger voice-activated bugs so they transmit during the sweep.

Entry models start around £40, e.g. our Budget Spy Bug & Hidden Camera Detector. Browse more options in Spy Bug Detectors.

4) Use Your Mobile Phone (Basic Interference Check)

Make a call and sweep the room. In some cases you’ll hear clicking from electromagnetic interference. Treat this as a rough indicator only — it’s less reliable than a dedicated RF detector.

5) Combined RF + Lens Finder Devices

Some detectors include both RF scanning and a powerful lens finder. Run two passes:

1. First pass: RF mode, full clockwise sweep of the room.
2. Second pass: lens finder mode at half speed (lenses are harder to spot). Dim the lights to increase reflections.

Common Hiding Places

• USB wall chargers, multi-plugs, extension leads, and power banks
• Smoke detectors, alarm clocks, lamps, and thermostats
• Picture frames, mirrors, decorative items, and plant pots
• Router cupboards, TV units, set-top boxes, and speaker grilles

What a “Positive Hit” Looks or Sounds Like

• RF detector: LEDs climb and beeps quicken as you move closer to the source.
• Lens finder: you see a steady pinpoint reflection that persists when you change angle.
• Phone check: repeatable clicking near the same object when you pass by on a call.

After You Find Something Suspicious

• Photograph and note the exact location. Do not dismantle devices you don’t recognise.
• For safety, avoid touching exposed wiring or opening mains-powered items.
• If you believe a crime has been committed, contact the police and preserve the scene.
• For workplaces or high-risk cases, consider a professional TSCM sweep (counter-surveillance specialist).

How Often Should You Scan?

For homes and rentals, scan when you notice new items, décor changes, or unexplained interference. For sensitive work or frequent travel, run a quick sweep each visit; do a full sweep monthly.

Recommended Tools

• RF bug detector (entry or pro grade)
• Lens finder or combined RF + lens unit
• Small torch, cardboard tube, and notepad for mapping the sweep

See our tested range: Spy Bug Detectors, Hidden Cameras, and Listening Devices.

FAQ: Detecting Bugs & Cameras