In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Motorola AM24 Review

A sound monitor that lacks user-friendliness and functional range
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Motorola AM24 Review
Credit: Motorola
Price:  $30 List
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Manufacturer:   Motorola
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Molly Bradac  ⋅  Sep 29, 2023
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 6
  • Sound Clarity - 30% 7.3
  • Ease of Use - 25% 6.1
  • Range - 20% 6.0
  • Battery Life - 15% 10.0
  • Features - 10% 6.2

Our Verdict

The Motorola AM24 doesn't quite meet our baby monitor expectations for several reasons. While it offers decent sound clarity and uses a few valuable features, its overall performance falls flat, especially when standing next to top-ranked sound monitors. Some notable downsides include its clunky and unintuitive user interface, the lack of background noise reduction, and subpar range results in our tests. With other competitors in the lineup that impress and go the extra mile, especially when it comes to user-friendliness and range, we suggest exploring more fitting options for keeping an ear on your little one.
REASONS TO BUY
Good sound clarity
Room temp sensor
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Range issues
No sound filtering
Tricky interface
Editor's Note: This Motorola AM24 gear review was updated on September 29, 2023, detailing how this contender fares against the sound monitor competition, especially as new products have been added.

Compare to Similar Products

 
motorola am24
This Product
Motorola AM24
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Sound Baby Monitor
Best Value Award
Best Budget-Friendly Option
  
Price $30 List
$29.99 at Amazon
Check Price at Amazon$36 List
$32.99 at Amazon
$40 List
$33.95 at Amazon
$30 List
$19.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A sound monitor with a performance that falls shortA well-rounded sound monitor that comes with two parent unitsAn adorable, inexpensive sound monitorAwesome sound with lots of features that is a winning choice for almost any familyPriced nicely for the tightest budgets and gets the job done without added features
Rating Categories Motorola AM24 VTech DM1211 TimeFlys QQ Portable VTech DM221 VTech DM111
Sound Clarity (30%)
7.3
8.0
7.5
9.5
6.8
Ease of Use (25%)
6.1
9.1
9.1
5.5
10.0
Range (20%)
6.0
8.8
5.3
5.5
7.3
Battery Life (15%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
1
Features (10%)
6.2
8.7
10.0
8.7
3.3
Specs Motorola AM24 VTech DM1211 TimeFlys QQ Portable VTech DM221 VTech DM111
Indoor Range Test (Walls & Feet) 7 Walls
110 Feet
7 Walls
170+ Feet
7 Walls
115 Feet
5 Walls
90 Feet
7 Walls
98 Feet
Open Field Range Test 750 Feet 1180 Feet 575 Feet 1325 Feet 1350 Feet
Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*Buyer Beware!) 1000 Feet 1500 Feet 1000 Feet 1000 Feet Not Listed
Communication Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology
Sound Activation Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Adjustable Mic Sensitivity No Yes Yes Yes No
Sound Filtering Test Results Average Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Poor
Two-Way Talk Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Max Sound 87 dB 93 dB 92 dB 103 dB 104 dB
Temperature Yes No Yes No No
Battery Type Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable AAA
Nursery Unit Battery Backup No No Yes No No
EMF @ 6 Feet Nursery Unit 1.01 V/m 1.07 V/m 1.38 V/m 3.11 V/m 2.63 V/m
Night Light No Yes Yes Yes No
Lullaby Music No No Yes No No
Out Of Range Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vibrate Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Warranty 1 year 1 year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Motorola has an extensive history in consumer electronics with a diverse portfolio spanning from mobile phones to baby monitoring devices to modems and beyond. Throughout the years, Motorola has consistently offered quality items that combine innovation and affordability, making them the favored brand for many consumers seeking dependable solutions.

Performance Comparison


motorola am24 - the motorola am24 delivers clear sounds and minimal distortions.
The Motorola AM24 delivers clear sounds and minimal distortions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sound Clarity


While the Motorola AM24 has a few strengths, it's outweighed by some drawbacks in this metric, positioning it below the average when compared to the competition. It boasts sound clarity that's a cut above the rest. The audio was notably clear with minimal distortion, although it did face challenges with higher pitches. But, we noticed that the Motorola AM24 is never totally quiet as it doesn't offer sound filtering. This means you can constantly hear ambient noise from the nursery on the parent unit. While you can turn it down low enough for most parents to snooze, parents or caregivers who are light sleepers may struggle with constant noise. Also, the Motorola is not the loudest monitor on the highest volume setting, with an 86.6 dB reading in our test. This result is lower than most, and we could notice the difference.

motorola am24 - we consider the user interface on the motorola am24 less intuitive...
We consider the user interface on the Motorola AM24 less intuitive but managable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


Navigating the Motorola AM24 wasn't exactly the most straightforward device to use. Turning on the baby unit involved pressing the power button multiple times, and the parent unit's interface wasn't easy in terms of user-friendliness. Navigating the menu also felt cumbersome, as the icons scroll left or right, not up or down. Sometimes, changing settings took more time, too. Eventually, you will figure it out, but the experience of using it might not be as enjoyable due to these quirks. If you're the set-it-and-forget type, you might not have a problem with this sound monitor. However, if you're frequently making adjustments, you may not enjoy this sound monitor as much.

motorola am24 - the motorola's delivers a subpar range performance.
The Motorola's delivers a subpar range performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Range


The Motorola AM24 isn't a standout option for range. In our open field range test, there was an initial cutting out of the sound around 350 feet; however, you still could hear if a baby was crying or make out distinct noises until 750 feet. However, it did not meet the manufacturer's range claim of 1000 feet. For our indoor range test, it had a mediocre performance. It made it through 7 walls and 110 feet before the signal was lost. This can be a drawback for those in larger homes, as the main purpose of a baby monitor is to provide reliable communication and monitoring.

The Motorola uses a rechargeable battery.
The Motorola uses a rechargeable battery.
The nursery unit must be plugged in to operate.
The nursery unit must be plugged in to operate.

Battery Life


The Motorola AM24 nursery unit must be plugged in to operate and has no battery backup for unexpected power outages. The parent unit has a rechargeable battery with 10 hours of playtime.

motorola am24 - the motorola isn't jammed-packed with features like some competitors.
The Motorola isn't jammed-packed with features like some competitors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


Choosing a sound monitor with valuable features can make the monitoring process more convenient and tailored to your liking. The Motorola AM24 offers some features, but not all.

Here's a breakdown of the features it includes:

  • Two-way talk
  • Sound level indicator
  • Sound activation
  • Out-of-range alert
  • Low battery indicator
  • Page
  • Vibration alert
  • Room temperature sensor
  • 1.5" LCD black and white display with orange backlight

The Motorola AM24 misses out on some features, like lullaby music, battery backup, a belt clip, night light functionality, and adjustable microphone sensitivity. We suggest evaluating how a product aligns with your sound monitoring goals and needs.

EMF


When it comes to EMF emissions, the Motorola AM24 emits less EMF compared to its rivals.


At a distance of 6 feet from the nursery unit, the maximum EMF reading for Motorola is 1.01 V/m. This reading is comfortably below the average benchmark set by the competition.

motorola am24 - scrolling through motorola's menu wasn't the most enjoyable...
Scrolling through Motorola's menu wasn't the most enjoyable experience.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Motorola AM24?


Looking at the best sound monitors, the Motorola AM24 doesn't offer anything particularly valuable or unique to the competition. Without a compelling reason to purchase this monitor, we suggest exploring other options that might better align with your needs.

What Other Sound Monitor Should You Consider?


Among the options, the VTech DM1211 ranks high, showcasing excellence across the board in all our tests. It offers sound quality, user-friendliness, and a range that works for most parents. If you're searching for a multifunctional monitor, consider the Hatch Rest+. It brings a unique set of features to the competition, all while emitting lower EMF levels and a range that reaches as far as your WiFi signal. For those who want to save some money, consider the TimeFlys QQ Portable. It strikes a good balance between value and performance.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & Molly Bradac