What’s the Best Cheap Borescope to Buy in 2023?
Buying a Borescope or more commonly known as an “inspection camera” or endoscope was once something only shop owners or mechanics willing to finance from Snap-On or Mac could afford. In 2023 though, the market- particularly on Amazon is full of these HD inspection cameras for sale at very affordable prices.
In this post, I’m going to look at a couple different types of inspection camera, like the Bluetooth type that displays on your smartphone and then hand-held Borescopes with High-Definition displays. I also want to compare articulating versus non-articulating inspection cameras because there is a big difference in functionality and price.
What is a Borescope?
You might be reading this post because you heard a friend talking about his or her new Borescope and you’re not sure what a Borescope is. The word itself does sound very technical and expensive, but in reality a “Borescope” or “endoscope” is just an inspection camera. Usually a Borescope will have a snake-like fiber optic probe with a high-definition camera on the end.
What’s the difference between Borescope and Endoscope?
Another question you might have is what is the difference between a Borescope and an endoscope? In short, an endoscope is a type of Borescope meant for higher precision imaging such as what would be used in the medical field. For mechanics, carpenters and plumbers- a Borescope will be just fine.
A lot of the inspection cameras sold online are labeled as endoscopes, but in reality they are just a borescope and the word “endoscope” is put in the product label for search purposes. In the automotive field, buying a borescope will be just fine.
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What’s an Articulating Borescope?
In order to understand what an articulating Borescope is, you have to first take a look at how inspection cameras are made. In the photo below, the snake-like probe is where the “articulating” action will happen.
When is articulating useful on a Borescope?
Where the articulating function of an inspection camera is useful ranges depending on what profession you are in or what you are buying a borescope for in the first place. If you’re a mechanic, having the ability to move the end of the camera around would be useful inside the internal of an engine or behind the intake or even down inside the exhaust to get a look at the catalytic converters.It would also be a useful function if you were trying to get a look at the valves to inspect for carbon on a GDI engine.
For a carpenter or plumber, the articulating borescope is most useful to get a look inside the wall at wiring or pipes that can’t be seen easily or at all. Being waterproof, a plumber could even use this “sewer Borescope” to identify a clogged toilet or drain pipe. The uses of an inspection camera that articulates are really endless when you start to think about it.
What’s the best budget inspection camera?
Now that we have covered the different types of borescope– or inspection camera, it’s time to figure out which one is best for your needs. Since price is always a factor in every tool purchase, we will first look at a couple budget borescope options.
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Dual Lens Waterproof HD Teslong Inspection Camera
Teslong has made a name for itself selling quality borescopes on Amazon much cheaper than the big name brands like Snap-On and Milwaukee. This Dual lens HD inspection camera is one of the cheaper inspection cameras that has its own display versus a smart phone display.
Having its own 4.5 inch HD display was the main reason I chose this Teslong inspection camera as the best budget option. Most of the inspection cameras for under $100 relied on a smartphone or tablet display and Bluetooth in order to work.
The Teslong 4.5 inch HD inspection camera also has a hook and magnet on the end of the probe to pick up small things- say a small nut in the intake? Or a ring down the drain?
Technical Specs
- 4.5 inch HD Display
- 1280 x 720 recording resolution
- 1920 x 1080 image capturing
- Waterproof camera probe
- 2500 mAh rechargeable battery
- 32 GD expandable memory
Reviews
Surprisingly for an inspection camera under $100, this Teslong Borescope has a 4.5 rating on Amazon from almost 2,000 verified buyers. Reviews on the Teslong 4.5” HD inspection camera have been overwhelmingly positive.
It’s pretty clear that for under $100 on Amazon, this is a good choice for a cheap but good-quality Borescope.
What’s the Best Overall Inspection Camera on Amazon?
If you’re willing to spend a few hundred bucks on a high-quality Borescope with tons of features, there are several on Amazon worth looking at. In order to be considered for the best overall inspection camera on Amazon though, it had to meet a couple criteria.
- Articulating camera probe
- Fully waterproof
- At least a 4-inch display with the ability to stream to other devices.
Surprisingly there were a couple inspection cameras that met these expectations. The hardest feature to find is the articulating action. There aren’t a lot of options out there with an articulating camera probe. Even the new Snap-On BK 7000 which has been highly promoted and lists for almost $1900 does not have an articulating camera. Which proves the tool truck option is not always the best one.
Teslong 5-inch Articulating Inspection Camera
Its pretty clear that Teslong is the major company innovating borescopes on Amazon. Sure, they are probably made in China, but they are extremely affordable and all indications say that Teslong inspection cameras are of the highest-quality.
The Teslong articulating inspection camera above had the most features and the best reviews of any other inspection camera on Amazon. The product listing on Amazon really points toward mechanics and it’s obvious why with the articulating function being very valuable to a mechanic in an auto repair setting.
Technical Specs
- 5-inch IPS LCD Display
- 1280 x 720 recording with audio
- 1920 x 1080 JPG image capturing
- 3,000 mAh rechargeable battery
- Two-way articulating IP67 Waterproof Cable
Reviews
The reviews on this camera are surprisingly even better than the cheaper 4.5-inch inspection camera. With a higher price tag obviously there are higher expectations and this Teslong 5-inch endoscope clearly meets those expectations with 90% of verified buyers giving the inspection camera a 5.0 rating.
Many of the reviews left on Amazon include video of the camera in action and the overwhelming majority of them are highly positive. One reviewer on Amazon says this about the Teslong endoscope-
This device is top notch. Great articulation. Crystal clear image quality. Positive grip when in use. If your budget allows for it, buy it.
-Kansas Consumer
It’s pretty clear that the majority have spoken and this Teslong articulating inspection camera is the best overall Borescope on Amazon right now.
Want a “Brand name” Borescope?
If you are skeptical of Teslong products and you would prefer to stick to a well-known brand when buying an inspection camera, I would recommend going with the Milwaukee M12 Spector 360 Kit.
The part number for the Milwaukee inspection camera is 2313-21 and although it doesn’t offer the same features as the Teslong, Milwaukee is a trusted brand and the Spector 360 kit sells for less than $250.
Unfortunately- and this really does make me sad, the reviews on the Milwaukee Spector inspection camera are not great. Amazon reviewers only gave it a 5.0 in 66% of reviews. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad choice for a Borescope, it just doesn’t seem like the best choice either.
Conclusion
Whether you turn wrenches in an auto shop or swing hammers in the construction and plumbing industry, buying an inspection camera is going to be worth it. I always say that you can never have enough options to get a better view when working on cars and trucks, whether it’s better lighting or a Borescope- a better view will always improve your ability to get the job done quicker and with less mistakes.
Author- John Green
If you purchase through my website, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All posts are well researched and meant to find you better tools at a cheaper price.