Owlet Dream Duo (Gen 3) Review

Audio / Visual

The video quality is better than the sound quality for the Owlet. The sound earned a below-average result in our tests. Not only is the max sound level low at 80 dB, but it is also somewhat grainy and not as lifelike as we would like. Overall, it sounds muffled. While crying comes through, any quieter cooing is distorted and harsh.

The Owlet has good noise cancellation and some of the lowest background noise at only 33 dB. We couldn't even hear our sound machine in the room. It is useful that this is the case, because the Owlet is missing one of the key features we love, true sound activation. This means it doesn't have the traditional VOX feature, in which the monitor relays no sound unless the baby starts crying. What we can say is that at least for the Owlet, its noise cancellation somewhat makes up for the lack of sound activation.

Continuous audio streaming allows monitoring even when the device screen is dark or “do not disturb” is on, so you can continue monitoring even while sleeping without worrying about a bright screen or break-in calls. We prefer to hear a baby's cries over notifications and chimes because a parent is less likely to sleep through crying.

The notification chimes are lackluster, and we suspect they will not wake or alert most parents. We just left the audio stream on all the time as a workaround, but we had to turn the screen on manually when the little ones cried to see what was going on. Notifications for cries eventually come through, but other critical alerts didn't always pop up during our testing.

The Owlet offers a variety of alerts via push notifications, but the chime is lackluster and easily ignored.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

You can set the notification sensitivities in the Owlet app.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Notifications were delayed for several seconds, so again, continuous listening is best. More than once, our baby cried for longer than 30 seconds before the phone sent a notification. We wouldn't trust the notifications on this system alone, as they might undermine vital-sign monitoring and the belief that a notification will alert you when something is not typical. All notification sensitivities are adjustable, but even when set to super-sensitive levels, we didn't feel comfortable relying on them.

Night vision for the Owlet is less impressive than in daylight, but the detail is still strong enough to see that the test bear's eyes are open.   Credit: Rachael Lamore

The Owlet daytime video is of very good quality, providing a lifelike representation of the crib and test subjects.   Credit: Rachael Lamore

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The directions specify to mount the camera 3 ft from the top of the mattress. We were able to read down to the 3rd line from the bottom when zoomed in, 4th if we didn't use zoom. The further away you place the camera, the worse the quality gets, with more blurring and color issues. The colors are a bit too bright, but close enough to real life that they don't feel strange or otherworldly. The teddy bear's fluff looks real and touchable.

Night images are very bright; the lighter the color, the brighter it appears, but we can still see the details on our test teddy. The clarity between day and night remains the same, with only a slight increase in blurring on the margins of the more detailed patterns. We could see finer details on the baby's face without too much effort.

Range

The Owlet requires WiFi for connectivity, and range is dependent on where you have WiFi coverage.

Ease of Use

The Owlet is easier to use than the average monitor, but if you include the sock and vitals tracking, it can get complicated. The app layout isn't terrible and is more user-friendly than some competitors. There is a lot of customization for notification sensitivity and frequency.

The Owlet doesn't come with a manual, and there are so many parts that we wish there were better instructions without needing to go online to find them. The camera operates on 2.4 GHz networks only, so if your WiFi isn't compatible, it will affect your ability to use it. Instructions require the camera to be 36 inches from the top of the mattress and 36 inches away to avoid strangulation hazards. We do appreciate the excellent instructions for mounting the camera and protecting the cord.

The camera must connect to a password-protected network and will work on a private/public network with a password, like many hotels. You can connect to a public network with no password when using your phone to monitor.

The Owlet camera is manually adjustable only, so there is no way to change the field of view without entering your baby's room. When they are infants, this could be less of a concern, but as little ones become more mobile, it can be frustrating to miss seeing your toddler just out of frame.

Battery Life

The parent device's battery life will be device-dependent. It will vary depending on the kind of device you use, how you use it, and how old the battery is. There is no battery in the camera.

Features

The Owlet has more features than your basic monitor, but it has no nightlight, and some features are locked behind a subscription. Standard it includes the following:

• Cry, sound, and motion detection
• Temperature and humidity sensor
• Picture-in-picture for continuous monitoring even when using other apps or device functions
• Purchasing the sock will give some tracking of vitals
• 2-way audio
• 4x digital Zoom

If you want more features like lullabies or the ability to save video clips, you'll have to pay for the yearly subscription, which in October 2026 was $100.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels

The EMF emission concerns are two-fold: one, the level from the camera, and two, the level from the wearable sock. If you only purchase the camera, the EMF was measured at 1.84 V/m at about 3 ft from the camera. This is among the highest emission levels in the group, so if this is a concern for you, it might not be the right monitor for your needs. At the sock, the EMF is .773 V/m. While lower than the camera, this sock sits right against the baby, and its value is among the highest in the group.

Security

As a monitor connected to the internet, there is always a chance a hacker could find a security flaw in the system. To help fight breaches, Owlet uses AES 256-Bit Encryption, which secures the video stream to the app so only invited users can watch. They have earned the SGS Cybersecurity Mark: Certified by Brightsight for meeting international privacy and cybersecurity standards. And they limit livestream access to the primary account holder and approved family members.

Should You Buy the Owlet?

The camera alone has impressive video and basic features most parents want. We love the remote viewing, noise cancellation, and the easy-to-use app. However, it lacks sound activation, which helps ensure that parents can fall asleep quickly and stay asleep until their baby cries. The best it offers is good noise cancellation that blocks most sounds, but not all. If you buy the bundle with the sock that tracks some vitals, we can see it being more appealing, but some of the features require a subscription, and it is spendy for a camera that can't be moved remotely. Little ones will outgrow the sock long before your need for a monitor ends, and all you'll be left with is a manual camera with no sound activation that costs significantly more than cameras that offer more. It is hard to say no to the Owlet, but we think many parents will be happier spending less for better features. Even if you want a movement monitor, there are options that don't require wearables, can last longer, have better functionality, or cost less.

What Other Video Monitor Should You Consider?

If you want the best video monitor, then the Eufy E21 is the best. This hybrid monitor comes with a parent device and can also be used remotely. It has a remote-controlled pan-tilt camera for an almost full-room view, and the visuals are out of this world. The Eufy has sound activation, where the Owlet does not, and it costs less. While it doesn't monitor any vitals or movement, we don't think those are necessary for most parents. For camera plus movement, we really like the Babysense True Sleep. This monitor has an excellent camera, sound activation, and mattress sensor pads that track movement indicative of breathing. It means no wearables to fuss with and just enough information to have peace of mind without so much information that anxiety could set in.

Manufacturer Video