Cellular phones are everywhere. In some countries on average, there are more than two phones per person in use. As well, there are now more cellphones than people in the world.
Over the past two decades cell phone applications have been trending from voice conversations to a lot more. Now even the most basic mobile phones have powerful cameras, recording devices, numerous apps that can enable data leaks, surveillance and other security risks.
Many organizations want to be able to detect the presence of phones within their four walls. In order to do this, a mobile phone detector is a must-have tool. We have done detailed research on mobile phone detectors and found that the Defcon Protest 1206i is the top pick while the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G comes in a close second. Now without further ado, let’s take a look at the research.
Table of Contents
Editor’s Choice – Defcon PROTECT 1206i
After extensively researching RF bug detectors, we think Protect 1207i is the best RF detector available on the market today. This exceptional instrument can detect many types of wireless protocols with high accuracy. With the largest available frequency range of 50 MHz to 12 GHz, this is a perfect counter-surveillance device. It is easy to handle with a portable design that can be used for locating different wireless sources.
The Protect 1207i accurate detects all wireless sources such as CDMA, GSM, WCDMA, 3G, and 4G, and also low power transmissions like Bluetooth. This is the best RF bug detector due to its ability to detect low power transmissions with a continuous frequency range from 50 MHz all the way up to 12000 MHz. This tool offers the highest frequency range in the market in this form factor. The detection distance is up to 10 m. This easy to use device has a 16 segment bar graph with a large dynamic range for showing the amplitude. This enables precise location of RF sources. Four alert modes including silent, vibration, visual and listen mode with two levels of sensitivity are available in the device. It has a very durable metal body, solid construction and sleek design.
An added bonus is the Correlation function that enables discovery of hidden FM-transmitters. The dual antenna feature of the Protect 1207i is another excellent addition that enables the detection of ISM band signals with higher accuracy.
This portable device has a good detection range of 30 feet. It works on two AAA batteries with a long operation time of up to 20 hours. These attributes make it an ideal choice for dedicated bug hunting assignments and emergencies.
PROS
- Large frequency coverage enables detection of multiple signals
- Compact and Easy to use
- Large dynamic range
CONS
- Price
Runner Up – Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
Making it to second place is the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G. This multifunctional detector comes with an exceptionally sleek design and provides all that it takes to be among the best. This multi-channel detector can locate any bugs that transmit sensitive information along with other devices like GPS trackers, hidden cameras, wiretaps, etc. This tool can catch any frequency between 10 MHz and 10 GHz. This is a significant advantage as RF devices are now operating at higher frequencies than before.
This wide range of frequency operation puts the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G well above the competition. This device can comfortably detect the transmission of most signals which justifies its high price. The product includes the following parts and accessories:
- 9 V Battery
- Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
- Telephone Line Adapter
- Headset
- Instruction manual
Here are some of the Pros and Cons of the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G:
PROS
- High frequency range
- Can detect modern surveillance devices
- Intuitive and easy to operate
- Portable
- Free technical support for the lifetime of the product
CONS
- Short battery life
User reviews
According to the verified reviews, the customers were very satisfied with the Spy-Hawk. However, some of the users faced problems regarding the battery life and sensitivity of the device. According to some of the customers, the battery life on this device did not last very long and needs a lot of improvement in this area.
Other customers faced problems with the high sensitivity of the device. To resolve this issue, one must move the car far away from any Wi-Fi network otherwise, the RF transmission from the Wi-Fi will override everything else. You also need to turn off your mobile devices when searching for GPS trackers or any other surveillance equipment.
Another problem that very few of the customers faced was the low durability of the device. According to some reviews, the device started malfunctioning after one year or a year and a half. Nevertheless, these cases were few and far between.
Best Value – JMDHKK M8000
The JMDHKK M8000 anti-spy is a 4-in-1 sweeper that operates within the 1 MHz to 12 GHz frequency range. The device casing is made up of Duralumin which adds to the build quality of the device without compromising on the weight and portability of the device. The design is quite compact and light as compared to the other mid-range devices available in the market.
This device operates in the following four modes:
- RF signal detection mode
- Magnetic Field Detection
- Camera Detection
- AI Auto Scan
M8000 has a 10-Level LED Signal strength indicator. For alerts, the device supports 3 different methods i.e. Beeping Alert, Vibration Alert, and Light Alert. The battery life on this device is remarkable. On average it gives around 8 to 10 hours of battery on each charge.
The device comes with the following hardware and accessories
- Detector
- RF Antenna
- Magnetic Probe
- Camera Lens Finder
- A USB charger and cable
- User Manual
Finally, here is a list of pros and cons of the JMDHKK M8000
PROS
- Four modes of operation
- Portable
- Multiple alert modes
- Good Battery life
CONS
- Difficult to operate
User reviews
The customers had a very great experience with the device. According to some reviews, you need a bit of knowledge to understand the directions. The device was not easy to operate for beginners and you will have to go through the instruction manual multiple times. Some users faced problems when using the magnet mode on the device. Other than that, the device performed exceptionally well and the users were very amazed by the battery life on this device.
Budget Pick – HOHOPROV RF Signal Detector
The HOHOPROV RF Signal Detector is a very versatile device with five detection modes including laser detection mode, vibration detection mode, beep detection mode, LED display detection mode, and headset mode. This portable device is able to detect telephone bugs, GPS, hidden cameras, and vehicle eavesdropping at an affordable and economical price. It has a working time of 5 to 6 hours. This is the best economical tool for anyone venturing into the counter-surveillance gadgets market. The frequency range of this product is 1 MHz to 6.5 GHz which allows you to capture most RF signals.
Pros
- This device is economical and affordable.
- This device can detect many sources at an affordable price
Cons
- It is not very accurate and reliable according to a few users but its affordability makes it an attractive choice for many customers.
- It has only 5 to 6 hours working time which makes it not a good option for emergencies
Our Research Methodology
We surveyed a wide range of RF bug detectors. The main criteria we selected for choosing our top pick are frequency range, accuracy, ease of use, cost, and battery life.
Frequency Range
A cellphone is detected by the virtue of its emitted frequency. Consider that a phone operates at a range of different frequencies. To find a mobile phone, the detector must be able to pick up a wide range of frequencies.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the RF detector is dependent upon its sensitivity and dynamic range of the electronics. A good RF detector must be able to detect the faintest signal being emitted amidst strong ones.
Ease of use
Ease of use, and portability is one of the key points for the selection of any RF detector. The user must be able to easily use the instrument.
Cost
Cost is a big one obviously and it determines accessibility.
Battery life
Long battery life is extremely helpful in assignments in challenging environments that might take longer and emergencies as well.
Summary
Unwanted surveillance is now becoming a constant threat to people. Sensitive areas such as hotels, offices, dressing rooms and Airbnbs can be easily bugged with cheap surveillance devices. It is important to protect yourself from unwanted spying and eavesdropping to ensure your privacy. We have surveyed and studied many different products and we offer you our recommendations for the best instrument.
In summary, here are the top Cell Phone detectors:
- Our Top Pick: Protect 1207i
- Runner Up: Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
- Best Value: JMDHKK M8000
- Best Budget Pick: HOHOPROV RF Signal Detector