Quick take
- Verdict: The iSpyPen Pro X is the spy pen we'd actually carry. It looks and writes like a premium ballpoint, records 2K video and audio with a single press, and plays back on any computer with no app or account.
- Best for: People who want a record of meetings, lectures or interviews without a phone in hand
- Price: $59.95 from the official store
Our verdict
The iSpyPen Pro X is the spy pen we'd actually carry. It looks and writes like a premium ballpoint, records 2K video and audio with a single press, and plays back on any computer with no app or account. About an hour per charge means it's for moments, not all-day surveillance, and you need to respect the recording rules where you live. But as a discreet way to keep a record when it matters, the 16GB model at $59.95 with a 30-day money-back guarantee is easy to recommend.
The short version
Pulling out your phone to record a tense conversation changes the conversation. The iSpyPen Pro X is built for those moments. It's a real rollerball pen with replaceable ink refills, a textured black barrel and a break-proof clip, and it hides a pinhole camera and microphone. Hold the button for two seconds and it starts recording 2K video with audio. iSpyPen says the mic picks up voices up to 40 feet away and a full charge gives about 60 to 70 minutes of continuous recording. Footage saves to memory inside the pen. Twist off the top to reveal a USB plug, connect it to a Mac or PC, and your files are there. The 16GB model (about three hours of footage) is $59.95, with 32GB and 128GB versions, buy-more bundles and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It's made by a Tampa, Florida company founded in 2016.
Pros
- Looks and writes like a premium pen, not a gadget
- One-button recording: hold two seconds to start, click to stop
- 2K video plus audio that the brand says reaches about 40 feet
- Plug-and-play USB playback on Mac and PC, with no app or Wi-Fi
- Three storage sizes, from 16GB (about three hours) to 128GB
- 30-day money-back guarantee from a US-based company
Cons
- About an hour of continuous recording per charge, so it isn't for all-day use
- Recording laws vary, and some places require everyone's consent for audio
- Pinhole lenses need decent light and a steady pocket for clear video
How it works
Press to record
Hold the top button for about two seconds and the pen starts recording video and audio. Clip it in a shirt or jacket pocket, or set it on the table, with the lens facing what you want to capture.
Click to stop
Click the button again to stop. Footage saves to the memory built into the pen, with optional timestamps if you turn them on.
Twist, plug in and watch
Twist off the cap to reveal the USB connector and plug it into a Mac or PC. Your recordings show up like a flash drive, ready to watch, copy or delete. The same connection charges the battery.
Who it's for
- People who want a record of meetings, lectures or interviews without a phone in hand
- Anyone who's had a dispute come down to their word against someone else's
- Journalists, students and field workers who take notes and want a backup
- Gadget fans who'd like a useful, giftable executive pen
What the iSpyPen Pro X is, and what's inside
The iSpyPen Pro X is first a pen. It has a functioning rollerball with replaceable ink refills, a textured black barrel, a break-proof clip and the feel of a luxury desk pen. The camera lens and microphone are built into the upper barrel near the clip, and the battery and memory sit inside. Nothing about it looks like a camera from across a table, which is the point.
On specs, iSpyPen lists 2K HD video, audio pickup up to 40 feet, 60 to 70 minutes of continuous recording per charge, and about three hours of storage on the base 16GB model. The company's own listing says the larger models hold far more. Playback is deliberately low-tech. There's no app, Bluetooth or cloud account. You twist off the top, plug the USB end into a computer, and open the files. The brand says it works with Mac and PC, and an optional plug-and-play adapter and portable battery pack are offered at checkout for phones and longer days. iSpyPen was started in 2016 by Andrew Gilliland at the University of Tampa, and the company is still based in Tampa, Florida.
Recording responsibly: consent, privacy and the law
A hidden camera is a tool, and how you use it matters. Laws on recording other people, especially audio of conversations, differ from state to state and country to country. Some places let you record a conversation you're part of, and others require everyone's consent. We're not lawyers, and this isn't legal advice. Look up the rules where you live, or ask an attorney, before you record anyone, and never record in places where people expect privacy, like bathrooms, bedrooms or changing rooms.
Used openly or within the rules, a recording pen is genuinely useful. You can capture a lecture or a long meeting while still taking notes, keep a record of an interview, or have a backup of what was agreed in a conversation. If what you really want is a deterrent you can carry for personal safety, a personal safety alarm like Her Alarm or invisaWear's panic-button jewelry is the better tool. For watching your own home, a fixed camera like the Sight Bulb makes more sense.
Is the iSpyPen Pro X worth it? Price, storage and the guarantee
On the official order page, the iSpyPen Pro X is $59.95 with 16GB of storage, down from a listed $69.95. The 32GB model is $79.95 and the 128GB model is $99.95, down from $159.95. Buy 2, Get 1 Free and Buy 3, Get 2 Free bundles bring the per-pen cost down if you're buying for a team or as gifts. The brand offers free shipping on qualifying orders and fast international shipping.
Cheap no-name spy pens sell for less, but they're usually lighter, cheaper-feeling pens with shorter battery life and lower-resolution video. The iSpyPen's advantages are that it looks and writes like a real executive pen, records in 2K, and comes from a US company with real support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The brand rates it 4.6 out of 5 stars. For most buyers, the 16GB model covers several meetings between offloads. Choose 32GB or 128GB if you'll record often and don't want to clear the pen every week.
Our verdict · 9.0/10
Try the iSpyPen Pro X for yourself
Available now for $59.95. Ships to your door.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iSpyPen Pro X actually write?
Yes. It's a functioning rollerball pen with replaceable ink refills. The camera and microphone are built into the barrel.
How long does it record?
iSpyPen says a full charge gives about 60 to 70 minutes of continuous recording, and the 16GB model stores about three hours of footage. Larger storage models hold more.
What's the video and audio quality?
The brand lists 2K HD video and audio pickup up to 40 feet away. As with any pinhole camera, you'll get the best video in good light with the pen held steady.
How do I watch the recordings?
Twist off the top to reveal the USB connector and plug the pen into a Mac or PC. The files appear like a flash drive. An adapter for other devices is offered at checkout.
Is it legal to record with a spy pen?
That depends on where you are and who you're recording. Recording laws, especially for audio, vary by state and country, and some require everyone's consent. We can't give legal advice, so check your local rules or ask an attorney first, and never record where people expect privacy.
How much does the iSpyPen Pro X cost?
$59.95 for 16GB, $79.95 for 32GB and $99.95 for 128GB on the official order page, with Buy 2, Get 1 Free and Buy 3, Get 2 Free bundles. Prices can change, so check the current offer.
What's the return policy?
iSpyPen offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied for any reason, you can return it.
Is the iSpyPen Pro X worth it?
If you want a discreet, good-looking pen that can record a meeting, lecture or conversation at the click of a button, yes. It's better built than most cheap spy pens, the base model is under $60, and the 30-day guarantee lowers the risk.
When you buy through links on this page, TopCrate may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Specs such as resolution, audio range and recording time are iSpyPen's own figures. Recording laws vary by location; this review is not legal advice, so check the rules where you live before recording anyone. Prices accurate as of publish time.
