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Editorial Picks
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
The high-feature Teslong MS450 ticks a lot of boxes for a borescope that retails for under $100. For starters, it offers a 4.5-inch glass screen, which is a bit larger than many competing models. The waterproof dual-lens probe allows for forward and side viewing of inspection areas. LEDs with three brightness modes provide optimal lighting for varying conditions and the 32 GB memory card and USB cable allow users to connect to other devices allowing use of a larger screen. The manufacturer notes that this unit is good for up to four hours of run-time courtesy of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The MS450 comes with a convenient impact-resistant case. Most users were very satisfied with this model’s function and quality, though there were some reports of glitchy software (usually solved by restarting the tool).
Pros & Cons
- Lots of features for the price
- 4.5-inch screen
- Dual lenses
- Occasional software glitches (freezing up)
- Some end users received item without carrying case
- Complaints of poor image resolution on larger screens
Best Mid-Priced Borescope
Best Mid-Priced Borescope
Why We Picked It
With a big 5.0-inch viewing screen made of toughened glass, front and side waterproof HD cameras for a wide field of view, a 1.5x digital zoom and a long 16.4-foot probe, the Teslong NTS300 is a full-featured yet affordable device for a variety of home and auto projects. Seven adjustable LED lights provide plenty of illumination to the front and side cameras and a 32 GB micro SD card supports both JPEG images and MPEG-4 video. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to six hours of use, while the long cable is both flexible and waterproof. A mirror, hook and magnet for retrieving items are included. Most user reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with only some complaints about difficulty maneuvering the cable over long distances.
Pros & Cons
- 5.0-inch, high-resolution screen
- Dual cameras for front and side views
- Rechargeable battery
- Can be difficult to maneuver
- Some complaints of poor battery life
- Reports of glitchy performance
Why We Picked It
With a 4.3-inch screen, a waterproof 8.0-mm probe and dimmable LED lighting, the Skybasic is a capable borescope (and basic, hence the name). Where it suffers is the lack of a secondary lens. Instead, it uses a detachable mirror for side-view capability. The standard 16.5-foot cable means there’s not many places that are out-of-reach for this model. A clear picture and intuitive operation were high points of end user experience, though some mentioned that side-view images using the mirror attachment were fuzzy.
Pros & Cons
- 4.3-inch screen
- Low price
- Long cable means almost everything is within reach
- Single-lens model
- Non-replaceable battery
- Side view images could be clearer
Best Borescope For Laptops and Android Tablets
Best Borescope For Laptops and Android Tablets
Sale
$20.99
-$2.30 (11%)
Sale
$20.99
-$2.30 (11%)
Why We Picked It
It’s impossible to ignore this model’s low price, but there are caveats. It’s not a complete borescope but rather a camera that plugs into a smartphone or computer and operates through an app. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with iPhone, iPad and some Samsung phones. It’s designed for PC, Mac and Android devices with OTG functionality (the Amazon listing provides more complete compatibility information). Still, the Taly offers a slim, waterproof 5.5-mm probe with built-in LEDs and a usefully long 16.5-foot cable. Users noted that image quality could be better and there were a few complaints about build quality.
Pros & Cons
- Very low price
- Waterproof probe
- 16.5-foot cable
- Not compatible with iPhones or Samsung Androids
- Requires users to download an app
- Mediocre image quality
Best Wireless Borescope
Best Wireless Borescope
Sale
$87.49
-$17.50 (20%)
Sale
$87.49
-$17.50 (20%)
Why We Picked It
Compatible with either an Android or IOS device, the Depstech WF028-SJ Dual-Lens Wireless Endoscope includes all the features of a standalone borescope without the need to carry and store another device. Using a 1080p dual lens camera with both front and side views, zoom capability, seven LED lights for clear visibility and a 16.5-foot semi-rigid and waterproof cable for an extra-long reach, this compact device leverages the display on your smartphone or other device through a wireless connection. Display options allow either front, side or split-screen views, while removable accessories include a hook and magnet for retrieving lost items. Users were generally pleased with performance and image quality, but some reported connectivity issues.
Pros & Cons
- iOS and Android compatible
- Dual-view camera
- Wireless connectivity
- Some users report connectivity problems
- Requires a dedicated app
- Can be glitchy to operate
METHODOLOGY
A borescope might be the next best thing to having X-ray vision. It allows close-up inspection of impossible-to-see places, such as the inside of an engine’s combustion chambers or intake manifold, without having to resort to disassembly. Besides automotive applications, these versatile tools are handy for tackling myriad repair and maintenance projects such as plumbing problems, inspecting ventilation ducts or even finding lost items in hard-to-access nooks and crannies.
We evaluate all borescopes based on the following weighted metrics:
- Camera and display quality (40%)
- Attachments (20%)
- Ease of use (20%)
- Connectivity (10%)
- Price (10%)
FAQs
What is a borescope used for?
A borescope is a device designed to view narrow, often inaccessible spaces. It’s essentially a tiny camera mounted on the end of a very long and narrow-diameter cable. Advances in miniature camera technology, as seen on your smartphone, have made borescopes much cheaper and more accessible in recent years.
What’s the difference between a borescope and an endoscope?
Endoscopes and borescopes perform essentially the same function: Viewing inaccessible places. But the term endoscope more properly applies to a medical device used on people or animals whereas a borescope is used to inspect mechanical things such as an engine’s combustion chambers, household pipes or other hard-to-reach places unrelated to the work of your doctor or veterinarian.
How much does a borescope cost?
Borescopes range in price from less than $50 to several hundred dollars.
Can a borescope view side to side?
Less expensive borescopes can only “see” straight ahead but often include a detachable 45-degree mirror to allow them to be aimed to the side of areas being inspected. Higher-end models can include a secondary side-view lens.
What kind of focal range do borescopes have?
Focal range refers to the distance between a camera lens and the object in focus. As borescopes are designed to be used in confined spaces, most have a focal range between 1.5 and 3.5 inches.
Can borescopes be used for medical diagnostic purposes?
None of the borescopes we reviewed are for medical use and you should not attempt to use them that way. They are strictly for automotive and household repair purposes.
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Bryan Raab Davis Contributor
Cars are almost part of my physiology. I grew up playing amongst the dusty shelves of my family’s auto parts store. In my reckless youth pushing our delivery trucks to the point of mechanical failure was the best way I could find to learn about cars and how they worked. As a responsible adult I channel that interest into connecting with fellow enthusiasts through events, writing and social media.
Jim Travers Contributor
Jim Travers is a lifelong gearhead, and a freelance writer, editor, and photographer. A classic car enthusiast, collector, and a regular judge on the car show circuit, Jim is the author of the Smithsonian Institute’s Extreme Cars. He has also written for Automobile, Autoblog, BBC Autos, Car and Driver, Consumer Reports, Hagerty, US News, and others. He lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts, a town known for both its beach and its dump. On weekends, Jim is a regular at both.