Webcam covers, or privacy covers, are a vital component of your online safety kit. They may be tiny, often not much bigger than your finger tip, but are essential for helping to protect sensitive data from cybercriminals!
Attached using a self-adhesive backing, you can find covers to fit practically any phone, laptop or tablet device to physically block the peeping eye of the webcam when not in use. To make it even easier, we'll count down the 10 best webcam covers in the UK, available on Amazon.
Quick List - Top Webcam Covers
KIWI design
Red Warning Colour Shows When Your Camera Lens is Exposed
CloudValley
Ultra Thin Covers Suitable for Laptops and MacBooks
JeoPoom
Three Colour Pack of Camera Covers to Match Your Metallic Devices
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Cybercriminals aim to steal information from unsuspecting internet users. By not covering your webcam, you're leaving yourself vulnerable to malicious activity, which is why a webcam cover is vital.
While we are all aware that malware and viruses can obtain private information, often targeting banking, home security systems and email passwords, few consider their webcam. Hackers can also embed software to record whatever a webcam sees, sneakily disabling the LED 'camera on' light at the same time.
If footage from your home-based device is recorded, it can be used for identity theft, blackmail and to embarrass the victim. If work-based recordings are made, sensitive business data and images of workplace equipment could prove even more valuable to thieves, and disastrous to you!
Most webcam covers are between 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm thick, all of which are thinner than a credit card. If you are selecting a cover for a lidded device, such as a laptop, aim for a privacy cover with a 0.7 mm thickness or less. Any thicker and the laptop lid will not close properly, risking screen damage and potentially causing the battery to drain if standby mode is interrupted.
When choosing a webcam cover, especially for a laptop, make sure your device is listed as compatible in the product specifications. This is because some laptops have very limited clearance between the folded screen and keyboard. MacBook users and those with the most up-to-date iPhones with edge-to-edge screens will definitely need to double check for privacy cover compatibility.
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Webcam covers are, by design, very simple to use. As long as you wipe clean and dry the screen around the lens to remove dust and moisture, the 3M self adhesive strip will hold the privacy cover in place for as long as it's required. It can also be removed without leaving any trace on your device.
Sliding closure webcam covers are ideal for the integrated lenses found in laptops, desktop computers, tablets and mobile phones. As the lens on these devices tend to be positioned flush against the case, adding a sliding privacy cover will not impact the field of view. Just be aware that sliding closures can be slightly awkward to push, so if you have limited mobility, a hinged cover may work better for you.
Hinged-closure webcam covers flip up and down over the lens. As they have a thicker profile, hinged covers are best used with stand alone webcams. However, do read reviews to check that the cover will reliably remain in the open position to avoid important video calls being negatively affected by poor craftsmanship.
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Choosing a webcam cover with a colourful surround, may seem to spoil the streamlined aesthetic of your device, but the obvious reminder will help you to remember close the cover when not in use. Luckily, there are plenty of different design options to choose from.
In theory, a webcam cover works brilliantly as a physical barrier to block all light from entering the lens when the cover is closed. However, the cover does need to be manually closed in order for your privacy device to work. That's why having an obvious visual reminder to protect yourself is a great idea!
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For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | KIWI design Red Outline Webcam Cover Slides|Pack of 6 | ![]() | Red Warning Colour Shows When Your Camera Lens is Exposed | |
2 | Privise Webcam Covers|Pack of 2 | ![]() | Extra Small Webcam Covers for Phones and Tablets | |
3 | CloudValley Webcam Cover Slides in White and Black|Pack of 2 | ![]() | Ultra Thin Covers Suitable for Laptops and MacBooks | |
4 | JeoPoom Metallic Camera Covers|Pack of 3 | ![]() | Three Colour Pack of Camera Covers to Match Your Metallic Devices | |
5 | EasyULT Webcam Covers for Privacy|5 pack | ![]() | Privacy Covers With a Hinged Shield for Stand-Alone Webcams | |
6 | Premoir Webcam Covers|Pack of 3 | ![]() | A Subtle Red Dot to Remind You That the Camera Lens Is Exposed | |
7 | imluckies Metal Webcam Cover Slide|2 pack | ![]() | A Pair of Webcam Covers for Phones, Tablets and the Tesla Model 3 | |
8 | SUPERUS Ultra Thin Web Camera Covers|Pack of 6 | ![]() | A Choice of Oval or Rectangular Webcam Covers for a Range of Devices | |
9 | JeoPoom Panda Camera Cover|Pack of 8 | ![]() | Cute Panda Shields to Encourage Kids and Teens to Use a Privacy Cover | |
10 | TechPrivacy Webcam Privacy Cover|3 pack | ![]() | Discrete Covers Designed to Look Like Part of Your Device |
This combination pack of six webcam covers in black and white feature an ingenious red outline around the side of the cover. This shows when the camera lens is exposed, giving you a visual prompt to help you remember to close the cover when the camera is not in use.
Despite being thinner than a credit card at 0.8 mm thick, these covers are slightly larger than many others in length and width. Great for a range of devices, this ensures large aperture lenses are covered fully. The covers can be opened and closed easily with just one finger!
Made in Germany, these webcam covers are some of the few imported from within Europe. The price tag is slightly higher as a result, but so is the build quality.
Designed by a couple who were concerned for the privacy of their newborn son, these tiny camera covers are only 12 mm long, which is just over a centimetre. This means that they won't compromise the appearance of your devices. Being slightly thicker, we'd suggest using them on phones or tablets that don't have a closing lid mechanism.
This handy duo of webcam covers come in two different colours, making them ideal for black, white or silver devices. If you don't want to spoil the look of your sleek phone or laptop, then finding a privacy cover that blends in will be an important consideration.
With an impressive thickness of only 0.6 mm, this cover is compatible with most MacBooks and other laptops. Plus, the raised outer ensures you can open or close the cover fully, making it super-easy to use correctly.
These camera covers in rose gold, silver and black, will certainly please those with metallic devices. You can match your phone or laptop exactly, making the shield virtually invisible.
At 0.7 mm thick, these could be a great option if others have proved a little too bulky for your laptop closure. This set also comes with easy-to-follow instructions on how to attach them properly to your device.
Stand alone webcams used to monitor children, pets, or to deter intruders may need covering at certain times. These hinged covers are perfect for giving peace of mind at moments when you require privacy. We particularly like that you can see at a glance whether the web cam cover is flipped up or down.
This type of web cam cover is harder to find than those utilising a sliding mechanism. However, reviewers are pleased with the reliability of the design. The cover remains properly raised when lifted open, and doesn't interfere with the camera's field of view.
If you'd prefer a webcam cover that blends into your device casing, but still want a subtle reminder to slide the cover closed, then these should suit you perfectly. Premoir's covers feature a small red dot, which is only on show when the cover is in the open position.
We also like the grey-on-black swirl design, which helps you to check that the privacy shield hasn't fallen off - which can often happen with phones that are constantly moved from bag to pocket to hand. Do be careful to properly clean and dry the surface on which you intend to stick this cover, as reviewers mention they can also come loose if dust is present.
Made to match silver devices, including phones, laptops, tablets and iPads, this handy pack of webcam covers are extremely small and slim. Luckily, the hole for the webcam is large in relation to the overall size, so your view when in use will not be obscured.
If you're lucky enough to drive a Tesla, these covers will also fit the Model 3 in-car camera. Just be aware that, although these covers are described as being made from metal, they are in fact comprised of a metallic coating over plastic.
If you're new to using webcam covers, this pack will give you the option to try a couple of different styles. Each pack contains both oval and rectangular covers. So, if you have found curved covers tend to interfere with the edge of the laptop screen, the rectangular style may work for you!
These covers also protect against dust when closed and you even get a bonus wipe to clean the area before applying the cover. Disappointingly, there is only one wipe included per pack of 6 shields.
These cute panda webcam covers from JeoPoom will help encourage animal-loving kids and teens to use a privacy cover on their device. Better yet, the reasonable price tag will certainly appeal to parents too!
With 8 covers per pack, you'll have more than enough shields to protect their laptop, phone, tablet and gaming devices from prying eyes. That said, this cartoonish option might not appeal to all members of the household, so you may need to buy a pack of plain covers too.
TechPrivacy's plain privacy covers are designed to look just like an integrated part of your device. The sliding mechanism has no raised ridges, and there are no bright colours or logos either, making this a great choice for any minimalists out there.
It should be noted that the sliding tab can be pulled open by accident if, for example, it's placed on a phone that's regularly put in your pocket. This seems to be because the mechanism is slightly looser than others, as without any finger grips, a firmly fitting tab could be tricky to slide.
No. 1: KIWI design|Red Outline Webcam Cover Slides|Pack of 6
No. 2: Privise |Webcam Covers|Pack of 2
No. 3: CloudValley |Webcam Cover Slides in White and Black|Pack of 2
No. 4: JeoPoom |Metallic Camera Covers|Pack of 3
No. 5: EasyULT|Webcam Covers for Privacy|5 pack
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