GoKawiilReport: Laser pointers rarely damage security cameras, testing shows
An IPVM investigation found that disabling a security camera with a laser pointer is far harder than popularly believed. Only high-powered lasers held perfectly still for about 10 seconds could cause lasting damage, and testers struggled to keep a beam steady on a lens even from five feet away. Legal handheld laser pointers, capped at 5mW output under FDA rules, generally produce only temporary glare rather than permanent harm.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest a popular myth, that a cheap laser pointer can blind a security camera, overstates the real risk to surveillance equipment. Modern camera sensors and protective hardware make such tampering even less effective than the testers' attempts with regulated-strength lasers, according to IPVM's experiment. Anyone attempting to use an illegally powerful laser to disable a camera would also risk separate legal consequences under FDA regulations.
- Damaging a camera requires a high-powered laser held steady for roughly 10 seconds, which is hard to achieve by hand.
- Legal laser pointers under 5mW typically cause only temporary glare, not permanent damage.
- IPVM testers could not permanently damage cameras from five feet away regardless of laser strength, partly due to modern sensor protections.
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus — If you're worried about tampering or laser pointers aimed at your security setup, a sturdy outdoor camera like the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus is a smart choice for home monitoring. It offers clear video and motion alerts so you can keep an eye on your property with confidence, even as this article explores the limits of laser-based camera sabotage.
See Ring Spotlight Cam Plus on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Beatriz Valero De Urquia, 2026-10-18
Published there as: “Why you should never point a laser pointer at a security camera”
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