Honest Review of the Sanyipace Plumbing Camera – Affordable & Effective

Sanyipace Plumbing Camera Review

When it comes to choosing the right plumbing camera, there are countless options on the market—but not all are created equal. In this review, we’re diving into a hands-on test of a budget-friendly sewer camera sent by Sanyipace. This tool is designed for plumbers who need reliability without breaking the bank. Let’s see how this compact sewer camera performs in real-world drain inspections.

Unboxing the Plumbing Camera Kit

The first thing I noticed—and appreciated—is that it comes with a physical manual. In a world where most guides are online, having a paper book is a nice touch. Inside the box, everything is neatly packed and self-contained. The 0.9'' camera head is attached to a spring, and its flexibility is impressive. In a 1.5-inch pipe, it travels straight through. In 2-inch pipes, it handles two 90° bends; in 3-inch pipes, three bends. There’s also a built-in battery charger and a roller attachment for larger pipes, which slides right onto the camera head.

9-Inch HD Display for Clear Footage

The manufacturer includes a compact 9-inch HD display and a connecting cable with this camera system. They also add a microSD card slot so you can easily save all your inspection videos. I recommend keeping a few spare cards on hand if you plan to run multiple surveys. You won’t need to haul the entire system back to the office, which is especially helpful since these units often get messy on-site. The system records easily, delivers a clear picture, and tracks camera distance with a built-in meter counter.

Easy Setup Process for the Plumbing Camera

I found it straightforward to attach the spring to the camera head. I’ll demonstrate the actual pipe test later, but setting everything up couldn’t be easier. You can also replay recorded footage directly on the display box, which makes quick reviews super convenient. The compact system delivers better image quality than I expected, and the controls feel intuitive. If you’re constantly on the move, this kind of simple, all-in-one setup really speeds up the workflow on site.

Compact and Van-Friendly Design

One of my favorite features is how compact and portable the unit is. Once you remove the spring, there’s a clever slot to tuck in the cable neatly—small detail, but really thoughtful. I put my iPhone next to it for scale, and it’s genuinely a small, tidy bit of kit. If you’re used to hauling bulky inspection cameras, this one’s a breath of fresh air. In a plumber’s van packed with gear, space is gold, and this camera doesn’t take up much room. It’s ideal for quick drain checks or smaller jobs.

Real-World Drain Test With the Drain Inspection Camera

I gave the drain inspection camera a fair and honest review by testing it in my own backyard drain. My usual van camera struggles with the tight gully trap, but I felt confident this one could handle it. The 23mm camera head fits easily into narrow spots, and I attached the smaller skid to protect the camera and help it glide through bends. I connected the screen, powered everything on, and had the system ready to go within minutes. The setup felt simple and quick from start to finish.

A Handy Surprise in the Box

Since another engineer had taken my van (and all my tools), I thought I might be stuck—but to my surprise, the camera kit included a small screwdriver. That made attaching the skid easy even without my usual gear. It’s a small touch, but it shows that the manufacturer thought things through. If you're considering a sewer camera setup like this, I’ve left a link to the product below. For anyone working in the field, having those little extras right in the box can really save the day.

5-Level Adjustment LED Lights

The camera comes with 12 LED lights on the head and five brightness levels, so you can adjust the lighting based on your environment. I was working on a stormwater drain at home, and since the camera was brand new, I just used my hand to guide it. It handled the gully trap better than any camera I’ve used before. The screen displays the distance traveled, battery level, and a time/date stamp. The only thing missing is a self-leveling feature—but for identifying pipe defects, orientation isn’t a big issue.

Impressive Footage and Built-In Mic

After completing the inspection, I saved the footage directly to the drain camera. The video was impressively clear—even underwater. The waterproof build holds up well, and picture quality is excellent. A standout feature is the built-in microphone, which lets you narrate findings on the go. It’s perfect for sending recorded reports to customers without needing to write them up separately. Yes, it feels odd talking to yourself at first—but it's practical and saves time. Overall, I’m very impressed—this camera is staying in my van permanently.

Performance Around Bends and Junctions

Upstream Test: Bends, Joints & Cracks

I brought the plumbing camera to a T-junction in my garden where the stack and toilet connect underground. From there, I tested how well the camera moves upstream. It handled the 90° bend up toward the stack quite well. Although there was a rough joint at that bend, the camera still made it through. Along the way, I also spotted a visible crack in the pipe—something I’ll be able to capture clearly using the photo feature on the display.

Smooth Navigation & Real-Time Diagnosis

If I were sending this footage to a customer, I could easily point out issues like the bad joint where the clay pipe meets the plastic. What’s impressive is how easily the camera navigated the junction at the stack—something many cameras struggle with. It gives you a real advantage when identifying hard-to-see defects. That level of performance in a budget camera is genuinely surprising and quite helpful on real jobs.
 

Wrap-Up: Flexibility & Long-Term Potential

To finish the test, I flushed the toilet to check how the inspection camera handled the connector. It held up great. I wiped the cable clean as I pulled it back—it coiled back smoothly onto the reel, which spun freely without resistance. Later, I tested the downstream pipe again. It made it through two 90° bends and a T-junction with no trouble. Even odd joints didn’t slow it down. The flexible cable and clear imaging really make this a solid tool. I didn’t expect much from a budget option, but I’m genuinely impressed.

Final Thoughts: Is This Plumbing Camera Worth It?

For plumbers setting up their first van or anyone needing a reliable backup drain camera, this is a solid choice. At roughly £550, this plumbing camera is budget-friendly, yet delivers performance similar to far more expensive systems. If you’re worried about equipment theft or just want a practical tool for smaller jobs, this is a sensible investment.

I'm going to mention Sanyipace again and put a link to their website. So go check it out, they have a very good website. There's lots of choice on there, and it's very clear what you're getting.

• Product link: https://bit.ly/3PW69xT
• Sanyipace official website: https://sanyipace.com/
• Check the video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_phtSDUemY