I bought a $40 earwax camera and keep finding reasons to use it

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Close Home Home & Office Kitchen & Household Tools I bought a $40 earwax camera and keep finding reasons to use it The Bebird Earsight Plus D39R earwax removal tool is a surprisingly useful inspection camera. Here's how I use it in my tool shed. adrian-kingsley-hughes

Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Senior Contributing EditorSenior Contributing Editor April 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. PT

Bebird Earsight Plus D39R

3.5 / 5 Good

pros and cons

Pros

Camera is very clear.
The gyroscope keeps the image level, so it's not spinning around.
The flexible neck makes this camera much easier to use.

Cons

It takes a long time to charge.
There are lots of ear-cleaning bits that aren't needed if this tool is used as an inspection camera.
It is pricier than the fixed version.

$45.99 at Amazon

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I have a lot of tools, but I think the weirdest one is the earwax removal camera I bought a few years ago. It cost under $20, and it turned out to be a great inspection camera for poking into various places (it was actually my second device because I dropped a power station on the first one).

I mean, the camera is meant for earholes, but I used mine for everything but ears -- to find bolts I dropped in an engine bay, to peek inside misbehaving gadgets, or to get a view into places where my big head just couldn't fit.

Also: The weirdest tool I own is also one of the most useful (and it's only $6 on Amazon)

However, it had a limitation. It was just a camera on a stick. While I could make the device work most of the time, the times I couldn't were frustrating. So, I've been on the lookout for an earwax removal camera with a flexible head.

That's when I found the Bebird Earsight Plus D39R.

ZDNET RECOMMENDS

Bebird Earsight Plus D39R

It's made for ears, but it's a perfect wireless inspection camera for DIYers and hobbyists.

details View at Amazon

See the best in you

Bebird's tagline is "See the best in you."

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Now, I've seen a lot of things in my time, and I'll admit that the inside of someone's earhole is not the best view, but to each their own. For the adventurous types out there, the device even comes with camera adapters for your nose, teeth, or throat.

See the best in you.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

There's also an extensive range of tools included to tackle earwax and other bodily material. These tools attach securely to the camera, so they shouldn't create additional ear, nose, or throat problems.

It comes with lots of "ear" tools! — The camera comes with lots of tools.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

But don't worry -- I won't be showing anything like bodily details here. My primary reason for buying the device was that it's a waterproof, dustproof, and fogproof camera at the end of a flexible stick, which I can use as an inspection tool.

A worthy upgrade

It's a great tool. The unit is well-built and IP67-rated, meaning it shrugs off dust, rain, splashes, and accidental submersion (though you should avoid total immersion). The soft polymer coating not only makes the device easy to clean, but also provides robustness for the inevitable drops.

The camera is rechargeable via a USB-C port on the end. A full charge (which takes about 50 minutes) gives the camera over an hour of runtime. When stored in its case, the unit also seems to hold its charge well.

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One nice touch on the Earsight Plus D39R is that the flexible head has length markers, so you can see how deeply it's been inserted. This capability makes sense for my purposes, but if you're using this for ears or other body parts, keep in mind that these measurements are to the camera's lens and don't include the length of any attachment fitted on the end. I could see this setup causing issues if the user gets a bit too enthusiastic.

It's all in the app

The camera connects to a smartphone via the Bebird app (available for iOS and Android) using Wi-Fi. The app allows you to control the intensity of the light on the front of the camera, adjust magnification, and capture stills or video.

What I see... — This is what I see...
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

... what the camera sees. — ...and this is what the camera sees.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The output image is clear and stable, and I love how the camera uses its internal gyroscope to lock the horizontal image orientation.

The gyroscope keeps the camera image locked to the horizon, even when you rotate the camera.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Perfect for checking out carburetors! — The device is perfect for checking out carburetors.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

This locking capability makes the Earsight Plus D39R far easier to use than other cameras that rotate the image (though if you prefer that feature, you can enable it in the app settings).

Also: 10 DIY gadgets I never leave out of my toolkit (and why each one earns its spot)

The camera comes in a stylish carry case that holds all the tools you need to keep your ears clean. I've even repurposed a couple of the tools for different tasks. For instance, I glued a tiny neodymium magnet to one of them to recover small fasteners.

ZDNET's buying advice

While the Bebird Earsight Plus D39R is more expensive than the basic alternatives, its superior build quality, flexible design, and advanced features make it a far better product overall.

The ability to bend the camera and navigate around corners is a standout feature that significantly enhances its usability, whether you're using the device for personal care or as an inspection tool. For $47, the camera offers excellent value for those who prioritize quality and functionality in their tools.