HelloBaby HB6550 Review

HelloBaby is a newer-ish company (2017) that makes baby monitors, additional cameras, and accessories. The brand is under the parent company of VideoTimes.co, founded in 2006.

Performance Comparison

Audio / Visual

Sound is one of the most important metrics. Poor sound quality could lead to confusion on what is happening in the nursery or not waking when sound happens. A loud monitor when the baby is silent could also lead to ability to sleep issues. This monitor scored fairly high for sound quality, with one of the highest results in the group.

This monitor has a maximum volume of 100 dBa, with only a slight static in the background and occasional skipping. While the sound coming through the parent monitor sounds like it is coming from far away instead of in the room with the baby, it is crisp and clear, especially for a monitor of this type and price range. When using the sound activation, it results in a quiet monitor that doesn't register above the ambient sound level in the room and only makes noise when the baby starts to cry. Once activated, the sound has an initial “whoosh” similar to wind rushing and a baseline static. Sound activation has three sensitivity levels under the ECO menu. It is less effective if you skip using the sound activation feature, and it fails to prioritize the baby's cries over background noise.

Video quality and clarity needs vary by parent, but most parents hope to see enough detail to tell what is happening in the nursery. The HelloBaby does not have great video images and has the lowest resolution in the group with a 480p camera. This monitor video feels dated, like a 90s camera, because the technology really is dated. However, it is good enough to see if your attention is needed in the nursery, even if the images are not a great reflection of reality in color or clarity.

We like that this monitor has a remote pan and tilt so you can choose your field of view from another room and 2x zoom to get a closer peek. However, the camera capabilities are limited and zooming often creates a pixelated image that is hard to decipher, so it is largely useless in our minds. The day images are good enough; you can see the baby, but if you want details from the eye chart or accurate color separation and representation (it is very blue), then you'd need to look elsewhere. The image also has hash marks across the entire image like you are viewing it through a screen door. It isn't a deal breaker, but it isn't fair to say it is on par with cameras of higher quality or resolution.

Night images are worse than day (no surprise). There is a spotlight halo effect on the center of the field of view that washes out most of the image. While you can see enough detail on the baby, it could be hard to see if their eyes are open and if there is a significant problem if crying isn't present. The eye chart is illegible, and the color shades almost disappear, with the exception of the darkest portion of the color chart. However, it is on par with the price and what we'd expect from this type of camera. So, while it isn't as impressive as a 1080p or even 2K competitor, it can get the job done and, for many parents, will be all they need.

Range

For a dedicated monitor, this one has a decent range that might work in various homes. Manufacturer range claims are typically a line of site or open field range results and almost never reflect practical use inside a dwelling.

The manufacturer claims a range of 1000 feet for this monitor, which is relatively standard. Our open field range exceeded this at more than 1330 feet. We ran out of space before the camera and parent unit lost connection. However, since you are unlikely to live in a warehouse and no one thinks you should leave your baby in an open field, indoor range is more important. While every home and interference will vary, we could keep a connection up to 190 feet and through 7 walls in our tests. While your connectivity will vary, this information lets you know apples-to-apples which monitors have the furthest range. HelloBaby was one of the longest in the dedicated lineup.

Ease of Use

The HelloBaby is an easy monitor to use. The camera and parent unit come paired, and all you need to do is unbox them, turn them on, and mount the camera safely.

This unit is somewhat more challenging than others because the volume adjustment is not on the outside of the parent unit but hidden in an onscreen menu. This is not ideal for sleepy parents in the middle of the night and seems like a poor design. However, this is a minor thing we suspect parents will adjust to the more they use the unit. It also has a rear kickstand that helps create a great angle for viewing.

Battery Life

The HelloBaby has an eco mode and a regular mode. We tested the battery life of the parent unit in regular mode, and it lasted an average of 11.5 hours.

This is ample time for a nap and adequate for nighttime viewing. We assume most parents will plug it in overnight, but if you forget, you should be good to go, at least until you wake up. While not the longest duration, we don't see it being a problem.

Features

The HelloBaby did not score super high for features, but honestly, it has everything you really need or will actually use and then some. In large part, this is due to the lack of movement monitoring capabilities, but that shouldn't be a deal breaker as not everyone wants or needs this capability.

• Remote pan/tilt/zoom
• 2 Way talk
• Temperature monitoring and alert
• Lullabies
• LED sound level indication
• Power save mode
• 2 mounting options
• Expand up to 4 cameras
• Sound-activated screen

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels

The HelloBaby EMF reading was 0.25 V/m. This is an average of 3 readings taken at 6 ft from the camera. It is one of the lowest readings in the group and could be lower if you place the camera further from your little one.

HelloBaby recommends placement at a minimum of 6 feet to prevent the baby from hearing the buzz of the camera or the sound of the zoom feature being used. So, placing it a few more feet is likely not a problem and wouldn't impact the functionality and what you can see.

Security

The HelloBaby is a dedicated monitor and less likely to be hacked than monitors that connect through the internet and require an account. However, less is not the same as zero, and hacking could occur if someone knew you had the monitor and was nearby. HelloBaby uses 2.4GHz FHSS and digital encryption technology to help prevent hacking. Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) is a wireless technology that rapidly changes radio transmissions, changing the frequency between multiple channels. This is done to make it more difficult to find the right channel to hack.

Should You Buy the HelloBaby Monitor HB6550?

Maybe. This monitor is often less expensive than competitors and offers enough to be useful and not overwhelming. We think it is easy to set up and use, and the video and sound quality are good enough to know if you are needed in the nursery. However, if you can afford more or you want the best video possible, then this option is likely to be a disappointment, and you'll wish you'd spent more to get better.

What Other Video Monitor Should You Consider?

If your budget can stretch, our favorite dedicated monitor is the Babysense MaxView. This monitor is also easy to use, straightforward, and has a quick setup. However, its video images and sound activation are superior to the HelloBaby. While both monitors are similar in style and function, if you want to see clearer, more realistic video images both day and night, then the BabySense deserves consideration.

Manufacturer Video