Every homeowner’s biggest nightmare is sewer blockage or damage. The quickest way to find what is blocking your sewer is to send in a sewer camera. That’s why we have a list of best cheap sewer cameras you can use to find out the reason for blocking or leaking.
Most often when you buy sewer cameras, you are preventing those nightmare costs of repair. You are saving yourself of so many charges of professionals who will inspect with a sewer camera and their charges are the same as sewer camera prices.
That’s why it’s important that you buy a inspection camera so that you can find those blockages and damaged parts quickly and easily. We have listed some of the best cheap sewer cameras in the market in this article and also a buying guide for you.
Best Cheap Sewer Cameras
1. RIDGID 40798 SeeSnake – Best Sewer Camera
Ridgid sewer camera is a heavy-duty sewer camera that comes with a high-resolution camera, handheld monitor, and 30-meter long insertion probe wound on a reel. The housing unit for that reel is a durable casing that has 4 stands.
This Ridgid sewer camera unit requires 24V DC power which can be delivered by 2 12-volts rechargeable Lithium-ion DC batteries.
The camera on this unit is a CA-350 digital inspection camera that has a resolution up to 510pixels by 410pixels that can deliver a clearer view of the sewer. It has a 512Hz Sonde transmitter and 6 LED lights for better visibility in dark.
The dimension of this unit is 18.5*13.5*24inches and weighs around 11 pounds which can be considered as portable and lightweight design.
The camera is 37.6mm long and 25mm in diameter. The inspection probe is thinner than the camera and has a diameter of 6.7mm. Because of all this features, we have added this to our Best cheap inspection camera list.
A good inspection system comes with good accessories and this unit of Ridgid comes with all the necessary accessories like carrying case, batteries, charger, and a few others. The warranty period for this product is 2 years which is a great deal.
The adjustable LED lights on the camera can be increased or decreased according to the need for a better view of the sewer systems. The automatic power off feature saves battery life and warns you when the batteries are running low.
- LINE TRACING TRANSMITTER: Allows you to energize metallic lines for extremely accurate line tracing, underground cable locating, and more and can conveniently transmit 2 frequencies simultaneously
- CONVENIENT LINE INSPECTIONS: Stiffer push cable allows for line inspections up to 100 ft. (30 m.) and is ideal for small or hard to reach areas with lateral drain lines
- MULTI-MONITOR COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with all RIDGID SeeSnake CS monitors or with the included micro CA-350
- TUNGSTEN CARBIDE TEETH: Optimized design for easy and fast cutting and maximum life in stainless steel without requiring any oil
- HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Features a stainless steel camera head with spring assembly for long-lasting durability and 6 high-intensity LED lights built into the camera for exceptional viewing
2. HBUDS H-20MCAM – Heavy-Duty Camera
Sewer cameras need to be portable and with more functions as well and that’s why we have to include HBUDS in our best cheap sewer inspection camera list.
This camera unit comes with a heavy-duty aluminum briefcase shaped case that contains all the important equipment. In the case, you will find a 7inch LCD screen to monitor the camera, cable, battery, connector, and remote to operate the camera.
It has 4000mAh and 7.4V rechargeable Lithium-ion battery For LED light and LCD. the cable is 20 meters or 65 feet long which is good enough for home-usage. The dimension of this case is 15.8*14.2*7inches and weigh around 13.35 pound.
The camera is IP68 waterproof and housing made from stainless-steel 304 casing.camera is 45mm long and 23mm in diameter and its viewing angle is 75 degrees.
The camera has 12 LED light that provides better visuals in dark. This is one of the affordable and cheap inspection cameras in the market which comes with a portable and handy case.
Although it isn’t a waterproof camera, the IP68 waterproof feature of the camera makes it usable in all weather conditions. The color LCD makes it easier to see the visuals and identify any blockages or damages in the sewer lines.
The warranty period for this product is 2 years which is pretty good considering the price of the unit. The case is strong and can protect all the equipment from any damage.
- 【ECONOMICAL & UTILITY】- Instead of paying a high price for rent equipment or employ plumber, easy to know what's wrong with the sewer tunnels by using the pipe camera; Drain camera can be used under floors, inside walls, attics, gutters and roof eves and can even be used to view mold and water damage.
- 【LONG TIME BATTERY LIFE】- HBUDS Professional Drain Pipe & Sewer Pipeline Inspection Camera is designed by a 7-inch Color TFT LCD DVR with a sun visor for outdoor inspections, rechargeable battery included supports 12 hours of continuous use and can be recharged from a power source, external battery.it is very convenient to used it outside without the power supply.
- 【IP68 WATERPROOF CAMERA】- With a camera-tipped probe and the 7" LCD monitor, easily view live video and save video clips and photos, especially of those hard-to-reach places that may not be easily visible; Waterproof stainless steel camera housing with flexible spring to easily go through the pipes.
- 【PORTABLE CARRY CASE】- Heavy duty padded aluminum case stores all contents, convenient to carry around; The box locks and comes with two keys for whether you want to keep other people from stealing it or even just keep your kids from playing with it.
- 【SUPPORT FOR PART REPLACEMENT & FAST CUSTOMER SERVICE】- Every efforts to improve your shopping experience. If you need assistance, including pre-order / after-sales service, please do not hesitate to contact us.
3. Teslong Inspection Camera 5m – Best Dual Sewer Camera
What is better than the best cheap inspection camera? It’s a dual inspection camera. Teslong sewer inspection camera comes with dual camera and LED lights for more visibility and more viewing angle.
This inspection camera unit came with 5 meters or 16.4feet cable and 4.5 LCD screen with toughened glass. The high-resolution camera can produce a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
Teslong sewer camera is 8mm in diameter and it has 6 LED light which has 3 adjustable modes.
This whole unit is just 3 parts, one handheld monitor, 5-meter cable, and camera. The whole unit is around 4.1 pound and that makes it portable and lightweight in this category. The dual camera gives a 140-degree viewing angle and helps identify the problem from the side as well.
This inspection camera has a built-in 32GB memory card for saving videos and images. All this equipment comes in a waterproof and hard case. It has 18650 lithium-ion batteries for 2600mAh and can work for 6 hours after fully charged.
The clear images and videos with high-resolution make this unit one of the best in this category. The dual camera feature helps to identify the problem areas from different angles.
The long cable is good enough for home usage and the warranty period is 1 year.
It’s perfect for a thorough inspection by capturing high quality images that can be stored in its internal memory or external SD card.
- 📷【Dual Lenses Inspection Camera】Dual Lens inspection cameras are built into the front & side of the inspection camera for a wider field of view. Easily switch between the two 70-degree cameras of the Teslong endoscope for a total of a 140-degrees view to look sideways and forwards. Focal length at 1-4 inches (3-10cm) for the sharpest image with this endoscope camera with light.
- 🏆【Larger 5˝ Screen Borescope】The borescope's screen has been increased from 4.3˝ to 5˝ plus this model has 3 times the resolution compared to the previous endoscope. Teslong endoscope Includes a tough glass screen with an adjustable angle and a 1.5x digital zoom. The endoscope’s body is reinforced with metal, to be drop resistant, rainproof, and designed for outdoor work.
- 🌟【Endoscope Camera with Light】With 7 LED adjustable lights, Teslong inspection camera can offer maximum brightness and give the forward-facing camera a perfect view of the darkest inspection areas. The side camera has its own LED light for side illumination.
- ☔【IP67 Waterproof Flexible Cable】With an 8mm camera, the flexible cable of this endoscope camera can easily pass through hard-to-reach areas. The endoscope camera cable holds its shape well, and the IP67 waterproof design makes it perfect to operate 3.28ft (1 meter) underwater.
- 🔋【6 Hours Long-Lasting Large Battery Capacity】- Teslong snake camera is powered by a built-in 5000mAh rechargeable battery that can last over 6 hours of use time.The 32GB micro SD Card supports recording JPEG images & MPEG-4 videos. Wi-Fi connections and downloading driver software are NOT required.
4. TIANG Sewer Camera – Longest Cable
For sewer camera, the length of the cable does matters and that’s why we have add tiang in our best inspection camera list. It has a 30-meter inspection probe cable and 7 inch LCD so that you could reach further.
It comes in a durable aluminum case that looks professional. It has a 4500mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which can work for more than 9 hours after a full charge.
The dimension of this unit is 16.9*15*8.3inches and weigh around 13.45 pound which is portable. It comes with 720P DVR in which it has a 64GB card slot and a resolution of 720pixels X 576pixels. The LCD display has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 480Px800P resolution.
This inspection camera has a diameter of 23mm and 12 LED lights. This camera has a 92-degree viewing angle that can find any blockage or foreign object easily. This unit also comes with one 8GB memory card free of cost.
It’s perfect for long underground sewer lines inspection with its 30-meter long cable. The images and videos are clear with high resolution. The viewing angle is good enough to identify any blockage on your plumbing system.
5. BlueFire Sewer Camera – Best Android Endoscope
What is a truly portable sewer camera? It’s one pound sewer camera. Yes, Bluefire sewer camera weighs around 1.1 pounds and have 10 meters long fiberscope. This one is different from other inspection cameras as there is no screen and anything else.
The total unit is just one wifi Borescope and cable with a camera. You just need to connect it with your Apple or Android phone to watch the camera footage. Because of all this feature, we have included Bluefire ibn our best cheap sewer inspection camera.
Bluefire sewer camera has 6 LED lights and 2 MP cameras. You can record it at 720P and have a 500mAh battery. You will find a USB to MicroUSB charging cable, a hook, magnet, and side mirror with this unit. the camera has an IP67 waterproof rating and a 60-degree viewing angle.
One of the best features Bluefire inspection cameras have is a semi-rigid flexible cable. Most cable needs to roll around to stay straight, but with this, your cable will stay rigid for a better angle.
It’s perfect for those who are looking for a truly portable sewer camera. The unit is very lightweight and comes with all the necessary accessories. It’s perfect for those hard to reach spaces that need inspection, and with a reasonable price tag, this unit is a great value.
- 【WIDELY COMPATIABLE】 This is the latest wireless endoscope design at the moment, unlike other traditional endoscopes on the market, this wifi endoscope camera can support both Android smartphone(Above Android 4.4) and iPhone IOS system(Above IOS 8.0).
- 【SEMI-RIGID CABLE】 The semi-rigid cable is great for allowing more control of the direction of the inspection camera, especially as this tool in intended to get into small spaces that would otherwise be near impossible to see.
- 【HD RESOLUTION CAMERA】 Comes with 2 megapixels CMOS HD camera, 3 adjustable resolution and 6 adjustable LED lights provide HD videos and snapshot images for the snake camera.(Resolution:320x240, 640x480, 1280 x 720)
- 【WIRELESS】 This wifi borescope has its own Wi-Fi Signal and a build-in rechargeable battery, there is no external cable or adapter needed, all you need to do is just to download and install the "WIFI VIEW" app on your smartphone and connect to its WIFI.
- 【EASY TO USE】 Scan the QR code in the manual to download APP WIFI VIEW, Connect your smart device via WIFI, Open the APP and the live video will show up on the screen. PLEASE DON'T RESET THE WIFI PASSWORD BY YOURSELF, OTHERWISE THE ENDOSCOPE WILL BE USELESS.
Best Sewer Camera Buying Guide
Camera Size
One of the most important specs of an inspection camera is the camera itself. When you are looking for the best sewer camera, make sure you buy a smaller one so that it can fit in a smaller space. Make sure that the camera size is not bigger than 2 inches because 2 inches is a standard size of any sewer camera.
For a proper pipe inspection camera, the smaller, the better.
LED Lights
The next most important specification is the LED lights. As you know that a sewer is a dark place and there will be no light inside it. So, to see clearly what’s going on inside the pipe, you need powerful lights fixed at camera head.
Adjustable LED lights are the best because you can change the brightness according to your need.
Make sure that your inspection camera has at least 8 bright LED lights fixed at camera head to capture images and videos in low-light condition.
Resolution
Its a rule of thumb when you try to select a sewer camera that finds better resolution with a camera than in monitor. That is useful because then you can watch the footage on a bigger screen. That’s why make sure that the camera has better resolution.
Sewer pipes are not that big, so you don’t need 4k or 5k resolution. Even 1080p is overkill. But make sure that the camera has a resolution of at least 720p.
Viewing Angle
Viewing angle is an important specification when you try to buy the best inspection camera. Because a wider viewing angle will give you a better view of what’s going on inside the pipe. And a better view means that you can find the problem easily and fix it.
The standard viewing angle for a inspection camera is 45 degrees. But you can also find a camera with a 60-degree viewing angle. And that will be even better.
A wide viewing angle is always better because it gives you a better view of what’s going on inside the sewer tunnels.
Radio Transmission
The point of finding the blockage or leak to find the exact location and radio transmission help you do that. Radio transmission can give you a precise location. So, when you are looking for a inspection camera, make sure that it has radio transmission.
The same frequency can also be used to determine the strength of the signal. If you have a good quality signal, then you can be sure that the camera is in the right location.
Waterproof
Basically, you will insert a camera in the sewer so it will need to be waterproof. Mostly they are rated in IP68 waterproof rating which means its high water resistance and proof. For that, you also need a high-grade casing, so that water won’t be leaked into the camera.
Mostly they came in a stainless steel casing that doesn’t degrade under any chemical contact. During pipe inspections, there are a lot of chemicals that the camera will come in contact with. So make sure that the casing is made of high-grade material.
The sewer system is a very harsh environment for a pipe inspection camera so make sure that it is waterproof.
Storage
Storing your damaged sewers video is important. For professionals, you need to show your client exactly where the fault is and how big it is. If you are using it for yourself, even then you need bigger storage.
Make sure that you buy a sewer inspection camera with a memory card or a USB slot to save images and videos. DVR recording is also available in some models.
The DVR recording function is very useful because you can record the footage and watch it later. You can also save it for future reference.
Cable Length
To view inside the sewer you need an inspection probe and for that, you need a longer cable. It all depends on where you want to use it, if it’s too deep then find a longer cord, if you are using for other uses then the shorter cable can make do. The insertion probe length is also depended on the type of sewer you want to inspect.
You need at least 30 meters cable for a sewer inspection but if you want a longer one then you can also find a 100-meter cable. But make sure that the cable is made of high-quality material because it will be inserted in harsh environments.
Probe Diameter
Cable diameter is always smaller than camera size and that is a good feature. That is because sewers are not always straight, and cable needs to bend as well and smaller diameter is helpful when it has a smaller size.
The pipe diameter is not always the same, so a smaller diameter is always better because it can fit in any pipe size. Sewer inspections are mostly done in 4-inch pipes but sometimes you need to inspect 8-inch pipes. So, a smaller diameter is always better.
Monitor Hub
The monitor hub is where you watch the sewer inspection camera footage live. Some sewer cameras have monitor hub, remote, and everything attached to a handheld device and in other everything comes separately.
It depends on which kind of system you would prefer in your sewer camera. The screen size is important when you are looking for a monitor hub. A bigger screen is always better because then you can see the footage clearly.
Battery Life
Sewer inspection cameras are mostly battery-powered and that means you need a good battery life. Because when you are inspecting a sewer, you can’t just stop in the middle and change the battery. So make sure that the battery life is long enough for you to finish your work.
The battery power is mostly shown in hours so make sure that it has a good battery life to finish your inspection without any problem. A high capacity battery is always better and a rechargeable battery is even better.
Other Features
Some other features that you might want to look for are:
Day/Night Vision – Some models come with an infrared camera that can help you see in the dark.
Pan and Tilt Camera – You might want a camera that you can move around to see in all directions.
Distance Counter – With this feature, you can estimate the distance of the blockage from where you are standing. Detecting distance is very helpful when you want to know how deep the blockage is.
Pipe Size Detection – This is a very useful feature because it can tell you what size pipe you are dealing with. The drain pipe sizes are not always the same so this feature is very helpful.
Digital Zoom – You might want to take a closer look at something so make sure that your camera has digital zoom.
Self Leveling Camera – With this feature, the camera will always be level so you can get a clear view.
Flexible Spring – You can insert the camera in sewer pipes that are not perfectly straight.
Video Output – With this feature, you can connect your sewer inspection camera to a monitor or TV to get a better view.
Protective Cover – This is a very important feature because it will protect your camera from all the debris and harsh environments.
Now that you know what to look for in a sewer inspection camera, it will be easier for you to find the best one for your needs.
Best Sewer Inspection Cameras FAQ
Who makes the best inspection camera?
Ridgid sewer inspection cameras are best in the market. If you are looking for some of the best features and high-quality sewer camera, then you can go for RIDGID 40798 SeeSnake.
What is the best Android endoscope?
If you are looking for wifi enable android endoscope then you can go for BlueFire Sewer Camera. This best sewer camera weighs around just 1 pound and can be used on Apple and Android.
What is the best cheap sewer inspection camera?
Teslong Inspection Camera is one of the cheap which has better features as well. It’s an affordable sewer camera that works well everywhere.
Can a drain inspection camera see roots?
Yes, a drain inspection camera can see the roots. But if you want to see it more clearly then you need a mini sewer inspection camera that has a small diameter head.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
The average cost of the sewer inspection camera inspection is between $250 to $500. It all depends on the length of the sewer line, condition of the sewer line, and other factors.
How often should sewer lines be cleaned?
It all depends on the use of the sewer line. If you have a big family and your sewer is used more frequently, then it needs to be cleaned more often. But if you live alone then you can get away with cleaning it every few years.
How deep can a sewer camera probe go?
The average depth that a sewer camera probe can go is around 100 feet but if you want to go deeper then you need a longer cable and a waterproof sewer camera.
Is a sewer scope worth it?
Most people think that buying a sewer camera is waste of money. You don’t need that everyday then why purchase an expensive item? Its because sewer leakage or blockage is very expensive to repair and even if you hire a professional, their visit is going to be the same as the sewer camera. It’s better to be prepared than pay later.
Are pipe locators worth it?
Yes, pipe locators are definitely worth it. They can save you a lot of time and money. With a pipe locator, you can easily find the exact location of the sewer line so you don’t have to dig up the entire yard.
Does a pipe inspection camera have a remote control?
Some sewer inspection cameras come with a remote control but not all of them. If you want a camera with a remote control then you need to check the features before you buy it.
Can drain lines be cleaned with a pressure washer?
No, you should never use a pressure washer on sewer lines because it can damage the pipe and cause problems. Stick to using a drain snake or auger to clean the sewer line. Most have hard to reach areas that a pressure washer can’t reach.
Can a sewer camera with locator be used on all types of pipes?
No, a sewer camera with locator can only be used on certain types of pipes. If you are not sure then you should check with the manufacturer before you purchase it.
What camera system do plumbers use?
Most plumbers use a sewer inspection camera because it’s the best way to find problems in the sewer line. It’s quick and easy to use and it doesn’t require any digging.
What power source do sewer cameras use?
Most sewer cameras use batteries but some of them come with a power cord that you can plug into an outlet. If you are using the camera for a long time then you should get one that comes with a power cord.
Does a pipe inspection camera have DVR function?
Yes, some pipe inspection cameras come with DVR function but not all of them are able to record video. If you want a camera that can record video then you need to check the key features before you buy it.
Conclusion
Purchasing a sewer inspection cameras is not an easy task. If you want to buy the best sewer cameras then you need to consider all the features that we have discussed above.
These features will help you choose the best one for your needs, and you can save a lot of money too. Now it’s your turn to decide which one is the best sewer camera for you.
Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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