In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We have tested over 106 of the best baby monitors in side-by-side tests to evaluate metrics like range, ease of use, sound, video, and more. We combined in-house testing assessments of how well each monitor works in real life with real babies to help encourage better peace of mind and increased sleep.
The Eufy S340 earned the top score for video monitors and came in second rank for movement monitors. In our tests, it offered the best video and highest resolution of detail with images that closely mimicked the nursery. It also has a sock that can track baby vitals and more to provide a complete in-nursery picture.
The Owlet Dream Duo 2 is an impressive monitor for families who find comfort in knowing all the details, from peeking into the nursery to tracking blood oxygen saturation and heart rate. This option was our favorite movement monitor with a medical-grade sensor, and it performed well in our video review despite a limited field of view and stationary camera.
The Eufy S340 is a do-it-all baby monitor with a little bit of everything and a whole lot of all the things. In our tests, this feature-packed monitor provided the clearest images for night and day video. We were able to read the eye chart to lines 4 or 5, and the color chart was accurate to what we saw in real life. The remotely controlled camera with this unit pans 330 degrees and tilts up to 110 degrees, creating one of the largest fields of view in the group. It also has 4x zoom that is relatively clear and allows you to see details like your baby's eyes. This kind of adjustability means you have more mounting location possibilities because you can see most of the space no matter where you put it. This monitor has WiFi connectivity, uses Bluetooth with the smart sock, and is an easy setup for tech-savvy parents. One tester stated, “ This is the most complete option with the best visuals.”
We love the sound activation feature on the Eufy, which keeps the monitor quiet at just above the ambient sound volume of 39 dBa in our tests. While it has a maximum volume of 103 dBa, the noise cancellation and sound activation create relative silence and a slight white noise that can help parents fall asleep and stay asleep. This can be challenging in louder monitors that lack this feature.
Eufy S340Owlet Dream Duo 2
The EUfy has some of the crispest night vision in the group. Here is the Eufy vs the Owlet.
We think the Eufy is a good choice for families who want the best video and lots of features and who don't mind using their smartphones for monitoring. This monitor has a smart sock that tracks vitals like sleeping patterns, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation levels. The sock communicates with a base station that will alert you if the vitals thresholds are passed when wearing it. If you want all the information, it gives you almost every detail you might hope for.
This monitor is spendier than some and if you don't need the features, it could be an unnecessary expense. If you want WiFi but a lower price, the Lollipop could be a better fit, but you need to skip the subscription fees. The Eufy also relies heavily on advanced technology like a paired app and the smart sock and base station using Bluetooth. If this feels overwhelming, a dedicated, more straightforward monitor like the Babysense MaxView could be a better fit. Not only is it an easy-to-use monitor with good video and sound features, but it also has a fast setup and user interface even Grandma can master. If you love a good gadget, want superior video, and find comfort in knowing all the details, then the Eufy is a smart buy.
The Babysense MaxView is a dedicated video monitor that comes ready to use with a paired parent unit. In our tests, the Babysense offered some of the best videos for a dedicated option and has sound activation that keeps the monitor quiet when the baby isn't crying. We found this unit easy to use with an intuitive menu system, and the camera has a fully remote operation with an impressive field of view. One tester reports, “It's kind of refreshing to have an old-school option that doesn't monopolize my phone or make me panic about where each feature is.”
We love how easy this option is to use in a sea of tech gadget choices that have all the bells and whistles. While loads of features and functionality can be fun, like a shiny new toy, we've found most parents end up not using most of the features and really just want good video and sound to alert them when their baby cries.
Babysense MaxViewHelloBaby HB6550
The BabySense has better night vision and day vision compared to the HelloBaby.
This monitor is a straightforward option that works right out of the box without the need for the internet or setting up an account on yet another app. If you want a basic camera with good sound features that lets you see what is happening in the nursery with enough detail to make decisions, this is one of our favorites. It is so easy to use even a grandma or temporary caregiver will be able to master the features they need in minutes. One of our parent testers remarked, “My Boomer dad was enthralled with viewing and watching our baby sleep.”
This monitor doesn't offer the best video, and it lacks features like tracking of sleep and vitals that come with other higher-end WiFi options. There are other options that do both better. Like the Eufy S340 with exceptionally crisp videos both day and night thanks to 2K resolution and a cool swivel remote camera. It also tracks important vitals via a sock with a sensor. Similarly, the Owlet Dream Duo2 also tracks vitals with potentially higher accuracy and has a video that is good enough, even if the camera is stationary. However, if your goal is an internet-free monitor with all the functionality you need for peace of mind monitoring, the Maxview is the one we'd pick.
The Lollipop is a unique WiFi option with a bendable tail for quirky installation choices. This WiFi video monitor performed well in our tests for video, with the potential for unlimited viewers and up to 6 cameras. It has great color and decent clarity during the day, crisp night video, and great shape separation in our night video testing.
The best thing about the Lollipop is the variety and ease of installation options. This monitor can be attached to the crib, mounted on a “stick” on the wall, or used on a stand. We also love the included accessories that help you secure cords away from the crib side to avoid strangulation hazards. Our in-house tester said, “The look and feel of this option is kind of fun to play with to find all the places where you can install it.”
iBaby M8 2KLollipop
The Lollipop and the iBaby both offer good daytime images, but the Lollipop has more installation options.
This monitor is a good choice for those who want a WiFi option that can save them some money and make installation easy. If you avoid the subscription service, this option offers some of the best video quality for the price and could be a useful choice for long-term use, thanks to the unique installation option. One tester said, “For the price, I think this camera is a good deal, but only if you avoid the subscription.”
The Lollipop has loads of features, but several are behind a paywall. We aren't big fans of subscriptions or the reminder every time we open the app that we can't do all of the things the monitor offers. This monitor has a fairly expensive fee that can quickly increase the lifetime cost to almost double that of the more expensive options. If you want to do vital or movement monitoring, we think the Eufy S340 or the Owlet Dream Duo 2 are better choices with no subscription plans that can save you money. Alternatively you can choose the Snuza Hero SE for movement monitoring that you can hear through the Lollipop. It also didn't have the best sound features and was louder than most, even with noise cancellation and sound activation features. If you struggle with background noise and falling asleep, you're better off with the Owlet, which had the quietest monitor when the baby was sleeping.
The Lollipop is a somewhat whimsical camera shaped like its name with better video than most, but the noise cancellation features are not our favorite.
The iBaby M8 2K is a baby-feature-heavy WiFi video monitor with excellent video clarity and good sound quality. The video in our tests has a slight lag when panning, but we like that it is a remote-controlled camera that allows the field of view to change. The images are better than most, with good clarity and color, similar to the real-world nursery. The app is easy to set up, and babies and parents will love the features it offers.
We love that the iBaby has useful and unique features. There is sound activation with a soft white noise sound when the baby is quiet. It includes lullabies for little ones and a soothing and distracting ceiling projection we didn't see on any other monitor. It includes a temperature sensor that was accurate in our tests, a humidity monitor, and motion detection for things entering the field of view.
Eufy S340iBaby M8 2K
The iBaby has impressive night images to go with the baby-centric features.
This is the perfect monitor for those who love a gadget and want lots of soothing options at their disposal. We love that parents can talk to their baby, play a song, or start a projection from afar and think some little ones might be soothed without parents even getting out of bed. One parent tester remarked, “My little one was instantly distracted by the projection and seemed to forget what she was crying about.”
The M8 has an odd camera lag when using the pan feature. The video seems to hesitate and then quickly jumps forward. There is a general lack of precision that requires some patience for the camera to catch up as you make adjustments to the viewing area. As our tester reports, “The delay in the camera movement is a pain and feels unnecessary as other iBaby options don't do this.” It isn't a deal-breaker, but it is noteworthy and is best used with some patience. If you prefer more precision or want an even wider field of view, the remote-controlled Eufy S340 has a cool swiveling camera that spins in its socket like a crazy eyeball, giving almost 360 degrees of viewing and 2K resolution. The iBaby does not offer movement monitoring or vitals monitoring. If that is something you want, you'd need to pair it with a wearable option like the Snuza Hero SE or opt for a vitals tracker like the Owlet or the Eufy. Overall, we think the iBaby is a good monitor for those who need internet connectivity and prefer baby-centric potential soothing over other kinds of features.
The Owlet Dream Duo 2 is a cool monitor that does just about everything but the dishes and laundry. This option includes video, sound, movement, and vitals tracking. In our tests, the camera offered good daytime images and clear but less crisp night images. One tester reported, “The video quality is good, but I wish I could move the camera without going into the nursery.”
We love that this could easily be the only and last monitor you need to buy, no matter what your monitoring goals might be. This unit includes a 1080p camera with better-than-average video, the quietest sound activation and noise cancellation features, and vitals and motion tracking via the sock sensor. No matter what stage of babyhood your little one is in or what type of monitoring you want, the Owlet truly does it all.
Owlet Dream Duo 2Lollipop
This is a comparison of nighttime video for Owlet vs Lollipop night images.
Monitors are designed to offer peace of mind when sleeping away from your baby. This option is a good choice for those who find peace in knowing as much information as possible about their baby's experience and nursery. If you are the type who will find better sleep knowing your little one's heart rate, oxygen saturation, sleep patterns, or even just the nursery temperature, this is the monitor for you.
This monitor is expensive, one of the most expensive options we've ever tested. If your budget can't be stretched, the Eufy S340 is a similar option with a better camera and similar vital tracking, though potentially less accurate (according to tests). Also, the “prompt” alerts (as Owlet calls them) are surprisingly quiet. So, while you can hear your little one cry, you might not be woken by the alert that their vitals are outside the preset thresholds. If you sleep lightly, it might not be a problem, but if you are a hard sleeper, especially when sleep-deprived, it might not be the best bet. Overall, we do think this is a quality option that can meet almost every monitoring need.
The VTech DM1211 is a straightforward sound monitor with impressive results in most metrics in our testing process. It includes a nursery component and two parent units. It's easy to use, and its features increase the overall usability, with functions like sound activation and sound filtering. It relayed fairly clear sound from the nursery, and the talk-to-baby feature lets you instantly be part of your baby's nursery, no matter where you are. One tester said, “It's a straightforward option that gets the job done for a reasonable price.”
We appreciate the DM1211's extended range, making it suitable for those with larger homes or several walls between the nursery and parent units. Connectivity is job one of any monitor, and unless you plan to move to WiFi video, this option has the best range. In our tests, the DM1211 had a range of almost 180 ft through 7 walls.
The VTech DM1211 stands as a strong contender thanks to its commendable performance. We also appreciate the bonus of two parent units.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This monitor is a great choice for those who plan to head to the nursery with every cry, and visuals might feel like overkill or lead to prolonged viewing and no sleeping. If you are the kind of person where less is more and extensive details could increase anxiety, then the DM1211 should make your shortlist.
The baby unit relies on a plug-in connection to function, and while not a major issue, this could be seen as inconvenient if you value portability. If you need batteries in a nursery unit, the TimeFlys QQ Portable includes a baby unit featuring a battery backup, potentially providing more freedom to roam. The VTech doesn't have any other capabilities beyond sound, but if you pair it with an in-nursery movement monitor like the Snuza Hero SE, then you can easily add the capability of monitoring movement indicative of breathing. All things considered, we think the VTech DM1211 delivers a superior performance, making its few drawbacks seem insignificant. We think it's perfect for most families and can easily solve your need for a top-ranked sound monitor.
The TimeFlys QQ Portable is an adorable sound monitor with a straightforward design and simple user interface. In our tests, this budget-friendly option offered good sound quality without robotic sounds or disruptive static.
The TimeFlys includes sound activation and sound filtering to transmit only the relevant sounds to the parent unit. This feature's importance cannot be overstated, especially for those who struggle to fall or stay asleep. A quiet monitor that only makes sound when the baby cries can help a parent's sleep quality.
The TimeFlys includes several features that parents may appreciate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The TimeFlys is a great choice for those who need a simple travel choice or have a limited budget. Given the lower price and the impressive performance, it could easily be an add-on or a good choice for a caregiver's house. Some parents might find it is enough for everyday use, but we think the real sweet spot is monitoring away from home.
The Achilles' heel of this monitor is its limited range, with test results that fall short, especially in comparison to the VTech DM1211 and Hatch Rest+, two contenders with impressive range. As our tester reports, “If you need an extended range, this is not the best monitor for you.” Alternatively, you might need a video WiFi monitor with internet connectivity to span the distance between the nursery and the primary bedroom. A unit like the Lollipop or Eufy S340 could be a functional choice that also provides video. While this sound monitor doesn't excel in all aspects, the TimeFlys QQ Portable scores above average in the competition while being affordable. Given its budget-friendly price, it might also be a good potential backup monitor or travel companion.
The Snuza Hero SE is a wearable movement baby monitor that clips to your baby's diaper. It has a unique 15-second vibration alert that aims to rouse little ones into moving to avoid the impending alarm that will sound audibly if the baby doesn't move. This vibration feature means that false alarms are potentially less likely to result in a crying baby, but they could cause a lack of deep sleep if they happen chronically.
The Snuza Hero SE is a simple wearable that is easy to use, portable, and had few false alarms during our testing. While it is not a replacement for safe sleep practices, it could provide some parents with increased peace of mind for a better night's sleep without breaking the bank.
The Snuza is a small, ready for travel movement monitor.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This movement monitor is perfect for those who want to monitor movement indicative of breathing and might not want the anxiety of having more information than necessary. It is a fairly budget-friendly choice that is significantly cheaper than the vitals tracking options and perfect for travel or pairing with a sound monitor of your choice.
This unit only works until babies can roll or crawl. It can be uncomfortable for some babies or ineffective if your baby is too small or their diapers don't fit snuggly in the waist. The Eufy S340 or the Owlet Dream Duo 2 could potentially be more comfortable with multiple-sized socks. We also worry parents will rely on this type of device to prevent SIDs and, therefore, caution that there is no evidence that it does or can prevent SIDs from occurring. However, if you want to know that your little one is moving at a predictable rate, and this knowledge will help you sleep better, then the Snuza Hero SE could be the best choice that won't break the bank or require mattress or crib adjustments. Parent testers report, “I love how easy it is to use; with no app, it is a quick setup.” If you want a similar choice that costs a little less, the Levana Oma is one to compare.
Since 2012, we have evaluated several well-known sound monitors. This photo shows some of the many popular choices we've tested over the years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Baby Monitors
Our baby monitor testing is exhaustive. Since 2012, we have run more than 5,600 individual tests on more than 106 monitors across all monitoring groups. Our tests indicate a vast difference between monitor performance, range, ease of use, and features. To help you find the best baby monitor for your home and little one, we purchase every monitor, accepting no manufacturer freebies to ensure unbiased independent testing results.
For our range tests, we document the distance and the number of walls through which each monitor successfully transmits its signal.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our baby monitor testing generally consists of multiple rating metrics (style dependent):
Range tests
Ease of Use tests
Sound Quality (if applicable)
Video Quality (if applicable)
Expected Reliability (if applicable)
Battery Life
Features
EMF (informational only)
Movement monitors also include testing and research on reliability and portability. Each baby monitor is also tested for the amount of EMF it emits.
We measured EMF levels for all the sound monitors. In this video, you can see the VTech DM1211 placed about six feet away on the nightstand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Each rating metric contributes to the overall score by a specific weighting based on the baby monitor category. Weighting is based on how important we believe the metric is and how much it might influence the decision-making of most families. Weighting varies from category to category; for example, sound quality is more important for audio monitors, and image quality is more important for video monitors. Our extensive monitor testing and rating process means we are in a unique position to help you find the best monitor for your needs.
Why Trust GearLab
BabyGearLab has tested over 90 different baby monitors in our quest to find the absolute best products available. Our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, a board-certified pediatrician, heads our product selection team with an eye for performance, quality, and functionality. Since the beginning, Bob Wofford, Senior Review Analyst and father of 7, created our test procedures and is constantly modifying and updating our processes to adapt to ever-changing technology and features. Bob has been testing monitors since 2013. Wendy Schmitz, a Senior Review Editor and mother of 2 joined baby monitor testing in 2014, bringing her scientific background to the team. The monitor team is rounded out by Senior Review Editor Abriah Wofford, who began testing baby monitors in 2017. With over 23 years of combined experience using and testing 81 total monitors from the video, sound, and movement types, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more experienced group of experts than this team.
In a separate space, we set up the baby unit with music playing at a standard volume, then we take the maximum sound DB levels emitted from the parent unit from a room next door.
How to Pick the Best Baby Monitor
If you want to keep tabs on your baby while catching some Zzzs, there are a few different monitoring types to consider depending on your goals or what information you hope to receive. Traditional baby monitoring informed parents when their baby was crying or needed assistance. Over time, monitoring has evolved into watching your baby or knowing when they stop moving predictably. Knowing which products do what can help you determine which kind of product is the right choice for your family.
One and Done
Some products offer a “one and done” solution that can provide sound, video, and movement monitoring (or vital tracking) in one purchase or add-on capabilities. Mostly, these products tend to be like most “jack of all trades” solutions where they can perform all abilities but don't do any particularly well. While we understand the desire to make a single purchase, we advise you to proceed with caution and be willing to accept some subpar capabilities. Our tests found that video monitors sometimes provide terrible sound quality, and many movement monitors have terrible video quality if they offer it. While some video monitors have movement features that create more false alarms than you'd want or track vitals in a way that might not be so accurate. We recommend buying any product from a retailer with an easy and free return policy if your “one and done” dream isn't up to snuff. See more below. Our favorite one-and-done solution is the Owlet Dream Duo 2; while not perfect, it is a high-quality option that performs well in most tests. Our prior favorite was the Nanit Pro, but it struggled this go for video quality compared to newcomers.
Type of Monitors
There are three basic types of monitors and a handful of cool options that do their best to do everything. Depending on your needs and monitoring goals, you can use a simple sound monitor, but if you want all the bells and whistles with all the details, then a movement monitor that includes video is probably more your bag.
We test each video monitor for video quality, considering clarity, color, crispness, detail, and how closely it resembles the nursery.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Video Monitors
The most addictive, popular, and fun way to monitor your baby is a video baby monitor. What was traditionally considered a luxury is now commonplace, with prices often similar to or cheaper than sound options. This monitor style gives you a peek inside the nursery to hear and see what is happening in your baby's room to determine their needs better than an audio-only monitor. Most video products work well in the dark and have adequate sound, so you can see and hear what is happening.
Video Key Performance Ratings
Product
Video
Sound
Range
Ease of Use
Eufy S340
9.3
8.8
10.0
8.1
Owlet Dream Duo 2
7.7
9.2
10.0
7.7
Cubo Ai Plus
7.2
7.1
10.0
7.7
Lollipop
8.3
6.6
10.0
5.9
Nanit Pro
7.6
5.3
10.0
7.8
Babysense MaxView
7.1
8.1
8.0
7.5
HelloBaby HB6550
4.9
8.7
8.4
7.5
iBaby M8 2K
7.9
6.1
10.0
5.4
Wyze Cam V3
8.4
5.0
10.0
5.0
Nest Cam
6.7
7.1
10.0
4.5
VTech VM901
7.4
5.8
7.0
7.5
LeapFrog LF920HD
4.4
7.1
7.6
7.5
Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO
5.2
6.3
5.6
7.5
Infant Optics DXR-8
5.6
5.1
5.2
7.1
VTech VM819
5.4
3.8
6.4
5.9
Some options are “dedicated” with a camera that talks to a parent unit. In contrast, others use WiFi to send information from the camera to your personal device (smartphone/tablet). WiFi-enabled options are great for larger houses where range might be an issue, and it's also useful for viewing your little one while away from home. While video capability isn't mandatory for getting a good night's sleep, it can provide more information to help you determine your baby's needs before you get out of bed. This could potentially increase your sleep time. If you want an addictive monitor for peeping on your bundle of joy, this is the monitor type for you. If more information is potentially anxiety-inducing for you, then the video monitors that track vitals could be too much information, and you can save money by skipping them.
The sound clarity for the DM111 isn't super impressive, but for the price, it is hard to quibble with no distortion and bright sounds with a sound filtering option that works well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sound Monitors
The traditional baby monitor for babies is a straightforward sound monitor that transmits audio from the baby's nursery to the paired parent device. This review includes our top-ranked and favorite sound monitors cherry-picked from years of hands-on testing.
a good sound monitor relays sound from the baby's room to the parent unit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
As this type of product transmits only sound from your baby's room, you use the sound to determine if your little one needs you. If you're looking for a straightforward monitoring solution for staying in contact with your baby, then a basic sound monitor is really all you need. Many parents have relied on this type of baby monitor to keep tabs on their little ones at night and during nap time.
Sound Monitor Key Performance Ratings
Product
Sound Clarity
Ease of Use
Range
Features
VTech DM1211
8.0
9.1
8.8
8.7
TimeFlys QQ Portable
7.5
9.1
5.3
9.7
Hatch Rest+
6.0
8.7
8.8
6.1
VTech DM221
9.5
5.5
5.5
8.7
VTech DM111
6.8
10.0
7.3
3.3
Motorola AM24
7.3
6.1
6.0
6.2
This kind of monitor is also a potential option for travel since it requires little setup, does not generally require WiFi, and provides adequate monitoring for most situations.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Movement Monitors
If you have concerns about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and want reassurance that your baby is moving regularly enough to indicate breathing, then selecting one of our favorite movement monitors is the way to go. Movement products sense the type of normal movement associated with a baby's breathing. These products attempt to discern when your baby has not moved within a prescribed period (typically 20 seconds) in a way that is indicative of breathing. This lack of movement could potentially indicate that they are not breathing. While this may seem like a no-brainer for parents worried about SIDS, these devices aren't foolproof and do NOT protect against SIDS. They have not been approved by the FDA as a medical device and are known to have false alarms where the baby is fine and then suddenly awakened by a loud (in nursery) alarm.
Movement Monitor Key Performance Ratings
Product
Expected Reliability
Setup
Ease of Use
Monitoring Capability
Owlet Dream Duo
7.8
8.5
8.2
8.5
Eufy S340
7.0
8.5
8.4
8.8
Snuza Hero v2
8.1
9.3
8.4
5.8
Levana Oma
7.6
9.2
8.0
5.8
Nanit Pro
7.8
6.2
6.5
8.5
Sense-U Baby v3
6.8
7.3
7.4
6.8
Babysense 7
7.7
6.4
6.0
5.5
While this baby monitor type is intriguing, we caution parents that it is not a substitute for safe sleeping practices and doesn't prevent SIDS. However, if you are willing to accept possible false alarms, it can provide another layer of monitoring that helps some parents achieve increased peace of mind. Be forewarned; movement sensing is only useful until your baby can roll over. At that point, they become unreliable with an uptick of false alarms (in our experience), even if the manufacturer claims otherwise. We considered various movement options, including mattress sensors, wearable products, and oxygen saturation monitors, and our favorites are included in this review.
Some vital tracking monitors like the Eufy S340 include a base station for prompts and alerts when vitals track outside preset thresholds.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Those that track other vitals, like heart rate and oxygen saturation, can often work for significantly longer past the rollover stage. Which option is best for you will depend on your situation and how you plan to use it. A video or mattress option isn't as good for travel as the diaper clip, but a diaper clip might not give the alerts or in-depth information you desire.
Always, Always Practice Safe Sleep
Movement monitors do not claim to prevent SIDS, but they can potentially provide parents peace of mind, leading to better quality sleep for parents. To reduce the likelihood of SIDS, you should practice safe sleep guidelines for EVERY sleep (with or without a movement device). No baby monitor should replace safe sleep practices, and no baby monitor has been proven effective at reducing the occurrence of SIDS.
Always put your baby on their back to sleep
Baby should have their own firm sleep space with a tightly fitted sheet
Do not use a crib bumper, blanket, or toys in the crib (we know they are cute, but don't do it)
An example of Babysense 7 sensor pads placed on flat and hard wooden slats on top of wired mattress support. This is an important step to ensure proper functioning of the unit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Mattress Pad Sensors
The most reliable kind of movement-sensing product is arguably the mattress pad design. This type of product goes under the mattress (typically on a hard surface) and is only compatible with certain kinds of mattresses. These products relay messages to a nursery-located device that then alerts parents on a parent device or with a loud audible alarm in the nursery (model dependent). The problem with this kind of monitor is it will wake your baby if the alarm goes off. While it startles infants that have perhaps stopped breathing (which is good), a false alarm will wake a peacefully sleeping baby (who is breathing fine) for no reason. It is also a dying breed of monitor, with only one left in our review.
The Sensu-U Baby v3 is a button-style wearable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Wearable
A wearable movement baby monitor attaches to your baby's diaper, clothing, or as a sock (depending on the model). Most wearable baby monitors alert inside the room with only a few options relaying to a parent device (smartphone or other device). In our experience, many wearables have frequent false alarms or high Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels (which we try to avoid), though in fairness, these numbers are dropping every year. The Snuza Hero SE is a cost-effective wearable with a unique vibration feature and very low levels of EMF, making it an exception to this general rule. If your bedroom is a far distance from the nursery, and you may not hear an in-nursery alarm, then you should seriously consider buying a sound or video monitor to help relay the alarm directly to your room. Otherwise, your little one could be startled awake and unable to self-soothe without your assistance, and you'll be unaware, or they may need your help, and you won't know. The Eufy S340 and the Owlet Dream Duo 2 are both app-driven sock-style wearables with a push notification to your smartphone and an alert/prompt to a base station near your bedside.
We tested both WiFi and dedicated monitors from several different popular brands for our comprehensive video monitor review, so you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your family.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Can One Product Do it All?
Yes and no, it depends on what you want the device to do and what levels of EMF or subpar metric results you will accept. If you are looking for video and sound, you're in luck; all of the video monitors have both. If you'd like sound and movement monitoring, none of the current movement products come with sound alone, only video and sound. Suppose you want movement (or vitals), audio, and video in a single product (package). In that case, you have more options than ever before, including wearable vital monitoring socks and a wearable band that is “read” by a camera (Nanit Pro Complete).
Because movement monitors only work for about six to nine months (though some sock options work longer now), have false alarms, and can't replace safe sleep practices or reduce the occurrence of SIDs, we think parents should choose a video product and forgo the movement if their budget is tight. You might also consider a WiFi video baby monitor with a sound monitor backup. The sound monitor doesn't need the Internet to work, so you won't miss a monitoring minute even if your Internet goes down. They typically offer better sound quality and features like sound activation for a quiet baby monitor. This setup would allow you to hear your little one via a good-quality sound product and then peek in on them via your video option if need be.
The Nest Cam 2nd Gen does not have a remote control camera, you can only pan and tilt digitally within the field of view.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How Long Will You Use It?
The lifespan of your potential device depends on your needs and the type of device you choose. Movement products have the shortest lifespan with efficacy for only 6-9 months old or when your baby starts rolling and moving. On the other hand, sound and video products can often work for years, well past toddlerhood. Video products arguably have the most extended lifespan because they can help keep tabs on older children as they nap and play. WiFi cameras have an extended lifespan, as some of them can graduate to watching a babysitter or for security purposes. If the duration of use concerns you, WiFi video products should be your go-to choice to get the most bang for your buck.
The variety of video monitors we purchased and tested for this review included those from several popular brands, and WiFi options as well as dedicated monitors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Making a Choice
Finding the best and most suitable baby monitor for your baby can be simple when you narrow the options using key considerations designed to keep you on track and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed or choosing a monitor you aren't happy with.
The VTech DM221 provides exceptional sound clarity, setting a high standard.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
First, Pick Your Type
After some consideration, many parents determine that an audio-only monitor will meet their needs. These parents know they will respond to the baby's nursery each and every time their little one cries. They don't require viewing capabilities, and using a sound option is the least expensive way to find a quality baby monitor with high functionality. It is cost-effective and relatively portable. However, if you need or hope to view your little one from your bed or another location, a video monitor is the only way to go. Buying a WiFi-enabled monitor means fewer range limitations. You can see your baby away from home, typically with 720-1080p quality images. WiFi also provides the potential for future use as a security or nanny cam; this provides added value you might not have considered (but maybe should). Some of the camera options are so inexpensive that they cost less than sound-only options!
Alternatively, monitoring your infant's movements is a luxury that most parents don't “need,” even if they may want it or feel peace using it. It can also supply a potentially false sense of safety, which concerns us. If you're worried about SIDS, studies indicate that placing your baby to sleep in their own bed in your room (using safe sleep practices) can go a long way in preventing SIDS and is potentially more effective than video monitoring. This plan also has the advantage of being nearby for nighttime feedings and the breathing checks many new parents conduct. Choosing a bassinet may be a better solution for SIDS paranoia than a movement product or other baby monitor types, at least in the early months of infancy. However, if your heart demands a movement monitor to feel at peace, we encourage you to pair it with a sound or video device to ensure that you hear the alarm that often only goes off in the nursery itself.
The Nanit basically does it all with WiFi connectivity it has a range only limited by your internet capabilities.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Second, Determine Your Range
A baby monitor's range can be the determining factor in if it will work in your home. Depending on the distance from your room to the nursery and your home type or interfering appliances, you could be limited in the products that can work. If your house is large or has more than a handful of walls (typically between 4-5) between the two rooms, you'll likely be stuck using a WiFi option (assuming you have the Internet). If your home is smaller or has fewer walls, then a wider variety of products will be possible. Many wearable movement monitors work in the baby's room and do not rely on communicating with a parent's device. However, if your room is out of earshot, you'll never hear the alarm, making the unit practically useless without pairing it with a sound monitor. If you think range might be an issue in your home, we recommend choosing your product carefully and purchasing from retailers like Amazon that traditionally have a generous and simple return policy. Also, don't let the baby monitor sit in the box; you'll want to try it right away and return it immediately if it doesn't work well where you plan to use it. Do not believe the manufacturer's range claim! Our test shows that most manufacturer claims are wildly inaccurate.
The iBaby offers a variety of features including 10 lullabies, recording, picture taking, two way talk and pan/tilt/zoom.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Third, Prioritize Your Features
Once you figure out the kind of baby monitor you need and have estimated your indoor range (with wall count), you can review the potential competitors and their features. Budget-friendly options typically lack loads of features but are still highly functional. If you want more baby-centric features such as nightlights, lullabies, and talk-to-baby, they will cost more and often make the product more challenging to use. The one feature we feel is almost non-negotiable is sound activation. This functionality (when it works well) keeps your baby monitor silent when your little one is silent, increasing your chance of sleeping well.
The additions of new monitors are made regularly when we update the video monitor review. Many of these contenders impress and went on to earn awards.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Determining your specific monitoring goals or needs and selecting the right baby monitor to meet those expectations can be overwhelming, especially if you aren't sure what kind of product would work best. With so many monitoring types and brands of monitors with so many features (or lack thereof), it isn't a straightforward purchase. Our comprehensive reviews can help save time and energy by providing the best award-winning products across categories all in one place. Over the years, we've tested many monitors of all types to find the very best options for each one. We are sure our lineup includes something to meet your needs and budget.
