In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Keeping a closer eye on your baby's movements or vital signs can offer peace of mind for some parents, which can improve the odds of restorative sleep for everyone.
The Nanit Smart System is the best overall movement monitor. We love it because it provides enough information to offer peace of mind by tracking motion-related breathing, but it doesn't overwhelm with too many details that are hard for a layperson to decipher. The video quality is good, it comes with a parent unit, and it is easy to use. If you want to skip a wearable, the Babysense True Sleep is a good movement monitor with a dedicated parent unit.
The Snuz Hero SE is a movement-only option that is straightforward, cost-effective, and can easily be paired with a video monitor of your choice or used as a standalone on travel or in-room sleeping. This is a clip-style wearable with an in-nursery alarm and vibration feature designed to rouse a baby before the alarm goes off.
We have tested over 110 baby monitors, including the 7 movement monitors in this review, in side-by-side tests to evaluate expected reliability, monitoring capabilities, alerts, and more.
Be sure to read our best baby monitor review for details on all kinds of baby monitors. Our testing is designed to give you the information you need to make the best choice for your family and monitoring goals.
Editor's Note: We updated this monitor review in October 2026, with an all-new lineup of movement monitors from Owlet, Nanit, Babysense, Sense-U, and more.
Quick Picks
Here's a quick list of our favorite Movement Monitor recommendations.
The Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand is a video monitor that requires a breathing-band baby wearable for the camera to read and track breathing-related movement. It is an excellent example of a monitor that provides peace of mind without increasing anxiety that can come from tracking too many vitals. We love the simplicity of what it offers and how reliable it seems to be, with few false alarms and accurate readings of the details it follows. The floor stand helps make for a fairly painless setup, and the video quality and included parent unit are both good. The movement monitoring of the Nanit is great. The alerts are useful, timely, and loud when using the parent device. We like the adjustability and the night light.
The Nanit is expensive, and the tracking component's lifespan is limited. While Nanit claims the larger band size can fit children up to 2 years old, but we suspect most babies won't tolerate it that long. This means you've paid a very high price for an average video monitor for the remainder of your monitoring years, which could be an additional 2+. The camera is stationary with a limited field of view. The app doesn't support sound activation, and it asks for a lot of personal details about our baby that aren't required for good monitoring, like gender, name, and birthday. Alternatively, the Babysense True Sleep is more straightforward but provides similar tracking. As our tester remarked, “The Nanit felt convoluted for what it does. It's kind of a hassle to remember the wearable for every sleep, and I didn't use most of the features after the first couple of months.” Overall, the Nanit does its job well, and we think it is a good choice for those seeking some information but not all of the details. But it isn't the right fit for everyone, as the price is high, and some important functions are missing.
The Owlet Dream Duo (Gen 3) is the king of vitals tracking with the ability to monitor blood oxygen saturation (O2%), pulse, room temperature, and more. The sock is easy to put on, most babies tolerate it well, and it proved pretty reliable in our testing and research. It has alerts at the base station and the parent device, plus the camera provides real-time video and audio from the nursery.
The sock has an 18-month lifespan if your baby leaves it on (which becomes less likely as they age). When the vitals-tracking life is over, you only have a stationary camera with a narrower field of view for your remaining years of monitoring, which could be more than 2-3 years. The detailed vitals tracking can also cause anxiety for some parents, which is the opposite of what you want. One NICU nurse we consulted remarked, “This feels really unnecessary, and parents won't know how to interpret the data they see. I worry it could create unnecessary panic.” To track breathing-related motion, which could provide peace of mind without the stress, we prefer the Babysense True Sleep or the Nanit. Both of which alert when breathing-related motion falls below a certain threshold. While we get the appeal of the Owlet and think it could be a good fit for some parents who want or need to track vitals, we think it is expensive and likely overkill for most parents just looking to help alleviate sleeping concerns.
Younger babies tolerate the Owlet sock well, but we suspect the stated upper age of 18 months is wishful thinking, as many babies love nothing more than taking socks off when bored in bed. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Owlet monitor has an easy-to-use app with some adjustability for notifications and sensitivities, though perhaps not all the ones parents want. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Owlet provides visual and audible alerts. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Not Medical Devices
Although some vital information is tracked, none of the monitors we reviewed are medical devices, and none should be used as such. All have the potential to fail or provide erroneous information due to user error or technological failures. If your little one has a known condition that requires monitoring, you should discuss options with your child's doctor and not rely on any of the monitors in this review to track or monitor medical conditions.
The Snuza Hero SE is a straightforward wearable that monitors movement that indicates breathing by clipping to a diaper edge. This monitor has an in-nursery alarm that goes off after a vibration stimulation is used to rouse little ones from a deep sleep, where movement might stop. In our tests, the volume of this alert was 56 dBa when the alarm started. First, it would vibrate, and if no movement occurred after 15 seconds, the alarm would go off. We like the simple design, the easy-to-use interface, and the quick setup. Our tester said, “Even when I forgot to clip the Sunza in place, I could still put it on a sleeping baby without waking them most of the time.”
This wearable is relatively bulky and could be uncomfortable or difficult to place when worn with certain types of clothing. The Snuza also only alerts inside the nursery. While this is the fastest way to stimulate your baby, it could go unheard by parents. However, this can be mitigated by adding a sound monitor or video monitor, or by having your little one sleep in a bedside bassinet in your room. We love the Snuza and think it is a great choice for those who want to monitor movement without all the confusing bells and whistles, or for those who travel frequently and need an on-the-go option.
The Snuza is a straightforward, highly portable wearable movement monitor. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Snuza Hero clips to your baby's diaper and includes a vibration feature to more subtly rouse little ones who've stopped moving. Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Snuza is easy to clip onto a diaper and can be tucked inside some clothing. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Wearable: Mattress sensor | Parent Unit: Dedicated unit
PROS
Alerts in room and parent device
Breathing motion
No wearable
CONS
Requires certain mattress types
Needs a firm surface
Potential interference
The Babysense True Sleep in many ways feels like the best solution. The sensor pads might take more time to set up, but the ability to skip a wearable and track motion indicative of breathing is fairly unique. We love the one-button on/off of the control unit and the easy-to-use dedicated parent device. This option is straightforward and no-nonsense, and the camera is remotely controlled for a wider field of view than the stationary options. We like the idea of the alarm rousing a little one who may be in distress and alerting parents via the camera that they need to get into the nursery ASAP.
This monitor lacks some bells and whistles, but we think that is part of its charm. Fewer things to track means less anxiety about what the numbers show. However, if you want more data, the Owlet Duo is the better bet, but it is expensive, and the camera doesn't move. If your mattress type or crib setup isn't compatible and you are primarily interested in tracking breathing-related motion, the Nanit is a good choice, with an easy-to-use wearable band, but it can be hard to build the habit of remembering to put the band on. As one tester reports, “I frequently forgot to put the band on before my baby fell asleep. It is amazing how sleep deprivation makes you forgetful.” In the end, we think the Babysense is one of the easiest options to use from day to day, and the dedicated design makes it perfect for those who don't want to use a smartphone for monitoring or who have caregivers to consider.
The Babysense menu and buttons are intuitive and helpful. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The sound activation on the True Sleep also wakes the screen for easy nighttime viewing with no fumbling in the dark for buttons. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The attached crib control unit on the Babysense is super easy to use and alerts in the nursery to help rouse a baby who may need help. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The True Sleep sensor pads and control unit are easy to set up, but do require specific mattress types and a firm board to sit on. However, this one-time effort can feel less arduous than the need for a wearable for every sleep. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Product Comparison Table
We test each movement monitor in our lab in real life to determine performance and functionality, and how they compare to one another in how and what they alert to, and the expected potential reliability. Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
We purchased all of the movement monitors in this review. They were tested side by side for ease of use, EMF, false alarms, and features. We used two different brands of EMF meters during testing to ensure accurate readings.
Our movement monitor testing covers 5 rating metrics:
Expected Reliability (25% of overall score weighting)
Set up (20% weighting)
Ease of Use (20% weighting)
Monitoring Capabilities (20% weighting)
Alerts (15% weighting)
EMF (informational purposes only)
Since 2012, we've purchased and tested more than 32 movement monitors and over 110 monitors across multiple monitoring types. Our tests include multiple tests per metric to rate reliability and other functions.
We test each monitor for EMF, so if this is important to you, you have the information you need to compare models. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Movement products undergo more than 27 individual tests to assess performance. The critical metric for movement monitors is the reliability score, which corresponds to 25% of the overall score. Our Reliability results combine real-world testing and extensive online research to capture the experiences of a vast swath of users. We record and rank reports related to reliability, false positives, and potential failures. We test and compare everything about the monitors, from the user interface and setup to daily operation and the alerts or alarms.
We go deep into the testing to parse out the differences between models and why one is better than another. Credit: Sentry Kelly
Why Trust GearLab
Consideration for inclusion in our movement monitor review begins with our founder, , board-certified pediatrician Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Dr. Spurrier chooses products with safety and efficacy in mind. The in-house test team is led by Bob Wofford, father of 7, and our Senior Review Analyst. Wendy Schmitz, Editor-in-Chief, helps with the test analysis and ranking of products to determine award winners. Our vast experience since 2013 helps us provide the details you need to find the right monitor for your baby.
There are multiple types of movement monitors using various technologies. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Analysis and Test Results
We purchased and tested each movement monitor in this review for expected reliability, setup, ease of use, alerts, and more.
SIDS Prevention
For important tips on SIDS prevention and the safest sleep practices for your baby, read the article written by our founder and board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Best sleep practices are the best way to help prevent sleep-related injuries or death and are far more important than choosing the best monitor.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
It feels like the prices for everything are high. Movement monitors are no exception, and it is a great time to consider if you even need one. While they can offer peace of mind, they are not medical devices and typically have a lifespan of a year or less. We think some of them could increase anxiety and lead to less sleep, so buyer beware before shelling out the cash.
Our favorite budget choice is the Babysense True Sleep, a video and mattress-sensor pad monitor that tracks breathing-related motion. It works well, and we like the camera and parent unit that come with it. We think it could be all you need for peace of mind, without all the bells and whistles that you may not use over time. If you already have a video monitor you love, the Snuza Hero is a good add-on that helps you track breathing motion without adding it to the main monitor. This means you can use any monitor with the video and sound features you love, without compromising on the features you accept just to get movement monitoring. Many movement monitors lack a remote camera and sound activation, features we think are really important.
We research and test the reliability of monitors to capture a wide swatch of experiences. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Expected Reliability
Parents purchase monitors to gain peace of mind and monitor their little ones while they sleep. Movement monitors typically track movement indicative of breathing, as well as vitals such as blood oxygen levels and pulse rate, thereby helping ease fears and concerns.
Expected Reliability Performance Ratings
Product
User Experience
Connectivity & Range
Momcozy Smart BM08
9.0
8.0
Babysense True Sleep Movement
8.0
7.0
Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand
7.0
8.0
Owlet Dream Duo Monitoring System (Gen 3)
8.0
7.0
iBaby i20 Smart
6.0
8.0
Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle
7.0
7.0
Snuza Hero SE
8.0
3.0
If a monitor doesn't function as expected, then it is unlikely to help ease anxiety and won't increase your odds of getting a better night's sleep. While you might be worried the alarm won't go off when it should, false alarms are also a concern.
The True Sleep allows you to track movement related to breathing with no contact required like you need in wearables. Credit: Matt Lighthart
No Contact Monitoring
False alarms can be a frightening experience and often leave more questions than answers. Their occurrence makes reliability a critical consideration, and it is the number one complaint. Historically, in our experience, the sensor pads were the most reliable because there was no risk of the sensor becoming dislodged. We also like the idea of no contact, so there isn't anything to remember to put on the baby.
Traditionally, analysis indicated that the primary cause of false alarms was the loss of contact between the wearable monitor and the baby's body. As your baby becomes mobile, this chance increases, either by accident or intentional removal by your baby. For this reason, the sensor pads were expected to yield fewer false alarms, as they cover a wide area of the mattress and do not depend on a calm, stationary baby.
The Babysense True Sleep sensor pads create a no-contact monitoring system without a wearable. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Babysense True Sleep comes with two pads, which can reduce false alarms by covering more area than a single pad. However, it seems that external factors can influence how well these pads work, and things like an overhead fan or a vibrating air filter can cause the monitor to operate poorly.
The Momcozy BM08 lets you toggle alerts on and off, but we couldn't find any way to set an alert or alarm based on motion data related to breathing or pulse. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The least reliable options in our tests were the camera monitors without wearables. These include the iBaby i20 Smart and the Momcozy Smart BM08. In our tests, both monitors indicated breathing and a heart rate on our teddy bear, who we can assure you was not alive and never has been. These results make us nervous about whether their technology can be relied upon. We don't know what the cameras were picking up on, but the fact that they were tracking something with no living creature in the room means the technology, in our mind, just isn't up to snuff for useful monitoring.
The wearable style clip monitors can offer fewer false alarms if they remain in good contact with the baby's body. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Wearables
In our research and analysis, we've seen an increase in reports indicating that wearable monitors are more reliable now. Users, by and large, report fewer false alarms or problems with wearable options than in the past, and analysis suggests they might be more reliable than sensor pads when used correctly. While any device can fail if it becomes detached or isn't used as directed, most wearables performed well and provide peace of mind.
The Nanit includes a breathing band wearable, which is required if you plan to track breathing-related motion. Credit: Matt Lighthart
As long as the wearables stay connected, they seem to be the more reliable option. The Nanit Smart System has a breathing band wrap that is unlikely to be dislodged and is then “read” by the Nanit camera to monitor breathing motion. Wearables like the Owlet Dream Duo and the Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle also offer more nuanced insights into your baby's sleep, which could lead to better results and greater accuracy. However, for some parents, that level of detail could increase anxiety and be less useful.
The Owlet base station and sock connect using Bluetooth and the basestation connects to your smartphone with WiFi. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Connectivity
Connectivity is the monitor's ability to communicate with the components it needs to alert parents when a problem arises. Some monitors, like the Owlet and Sense-U, include a sock and base station that must be close enough to stay connected via Bluetooth for the “prompt” alert to work. If the sock can't connect to the base station, no prompt will appear. Other options require maintaining connectivity to your smart device, and connectivity issues can cause failure. If you have concerns about Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, a simple clip-on wearable like the Snuza Hero does not require a connection to another device and only needs to make contact with your baby's body. The Babysense is also a standout, as the movement component is connected via cords under the mattress, and the video monitor hears the alarm. It has a range of 168 feet and 7 walls in our tests. However, it can only be turned off in the nursery.
The True Sleep sensor pads offer good reliability when installed correctly. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Overall Expected Reliability
Finding a reliable monitor is more challenging than you think. Ultimately, the product's reliability is heavily influenced by following the directions closely with every use. We encourage parents to read and reread the instructions or contact customer service if reliability is an issue.
The highest-ranking option for expected reliability is the Babysense True Sleep. When installed correctly, the sensor pads take the guesswork out of monitoring and require less daily involvement than any wearable option. The least reliable is the Momcozy because it tracked vitals that were not there, and it doesn't alert to any changes in the stats.
The Snuza set up only requires good batteries, turning it on, and clipping it to a diaper. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Setup
Some monitors have a super-simple setup that includes inserting a battery, turning it on, and putting it on your baby. Other monitors require significantly more effort. While any first-time setup is typically a one-time deal, it could be something you struggle with if you aren't comfortable with tools and technology or if you use it away from home.
Setup Performance Ratings
Product
Install
Power up
Snuza Hero SE
9.5
9.0
Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand
8.0
6.0
Owlet Dream Duo Monitoring System (Gen 3)
7.5
6.5
Babysense True Sleep Movement
4.0
9.0
iBaby i20 Smart
6.0
7.0
Momcozy Smart BM08
5.0
7.0
Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle
5.0
5.5
Nursery Safety
Always route cords out of your baby's reach to avoid potential injury or death from accidental strangulation. Even if your baby cannot roll or move, or reach nearby cords, it is vital that you install your monitor safely the first time to avoid potential future problems. Do NOT save this for a later time!
The Nanit bundle we purchased came with a floor stand that made set up super simple. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Install/Re-install
Each monitor has a different setup. Some have wires to route, studs to find, and apps to download. Sometimes you need to set up an account, and you might need a subscription. While they might come with the supplies you need for installation, they are much more work than just plug-and-play. The Babysense True Sleep is the most challenging to set up, requiring some prep with sensor pads that need a firm surface and have limited mattress-style compatibility. However, once it is up, using it is easier since you don't need to remember a wearable and can place the camera wherever you want.
The easiest to set up is the Snuza, which requires checking the battery, turning it on, and clipping it to the diaper (read your manual). The Nanit with the floor stand was the second-easiest, though there is an app to mess with, and the camera requires a very specific alignment. If you skip the floor stand, things get more complicated as it needs wall mounting, which requires a ladder and a stud finder. Sock wearables like the Owlet and the Sense-U somewhat split the difference: you don't need the camera to monitor vitals, but you do need to download an app, create an account, and pair the base station with the sock and smart device. We struggled more with the Sense-U getting the sock and base station to connect.
The Owlet bundle has a lot going on and requires downloading an app, setting up an account, pairing all the parts, and routing cables for safety. Credit: Rachael Lamore
Powering Up
Powering up includes whether the unit requires an app or a smart device, and which power source it uses: battery or wall plug. Most of the WiFi monitors require a smart device and an app download. The Nanit bundle we purchased does have a parent unit, so no app is needed, but it still requires WiFi. The clip-style Snuza doesn't require a parent unit or an app. This makes it super easy to set up. We'd recommend keeping a spare battery on hand for those inevitable dead batteries, since it isn't rechargeable. The lowest-scoring products for powering up are the Owlet and the Sense-U, with so many parts to think about (base station, sock, camera, and parent device), it can be a lot to juggle.
The Sense-U, much like the Owlet, requires downloading an app, making an account, pairing parts, and requires Bluetooth and WiFi to properly function. Credit: Rachael Lamore
Overall Setup
Depending on the monitor, its needs, and your comfort level with technology and app-paired devices, setup could be frustrating or a no-brainer. The Snuza Hero is the easiest to set up. It can be done easily over and over with no concerns about power, internet, smart devices, or charging. The lowest setup score was earned by the Sense-U. While it has similar parts and steps to the Owlet, it took us three tries to pair everything, and we had to start over once. Sense-U even states it can take multiple efforts, which is frustrating. The Babysense is also more involved, but once it is up, you're good to go.
The Snuza comes with a travel case and is super easy to travel with. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Parents should consider how challenging a monitor is to use. Factors such as functionality, buttons, settings, smartphone interface, and battery changes all come into play for this metric.
Ease of Use Performance Ratings
Product
Interface
Portability
Connectivity
Snuza Hero SE
8.5
9.0
7.0
Babysense True Sleep Movement
9.0
6.0
7.0
Owlet Dream Duo Monitoring System (Gen 3)
8.0
6.0
5.0
iBaby i20 Smart
7.0
5.0
5.0
Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand
8.0
4.0
5.0
Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle
6.5
5.0
5.0
Momcozy Smart BM08
4.0
5.0
5.0
The Sense-U requires both Bluetooth and WiFi to have full monitoring abilities. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our testing includes reviewing the user interface, the unit's portability, and its connectivity needs (WiFi and Bluetooth).
The True Sleep has one of the easiest user interfaces on its parent device. Credit: Matt Lighthart
User Interface
An intuitive user interface can make complicated gadgets easier to use. Most of the WiFi monitors require downloading an app and connecting a smart device to a monitor, camera, base station, or wearable. However, nothing trumps a simple monitor with only a few buttons that does only one thing.
The Nanit app is easy to navigate. Credit: Rachael Lamore
Some apps can be intuitive with familiar icons and obvious menus, while others have mysterious icons that don't mean what you think and confusing menus that require too many clicks to get where you want to go. We prefer interfaces where the most commonly used features and functions are on a central dashboard, and details and settings are no more than 1-2 clicks away. Finding the details you need when sleep-deprived in the middle of the night should not be an involved process. Simplicity is key.
The BM08 isn't hard to use, but it doesn't really alert to anything, making it a poor choice if you want timely information without actively viewing the stats. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Snuza Hero SE requires no extra parts or a smartphone, and has only a few buttons. It is easy to attach to a baby's diaper and easy to operate. However, the easiest option is the Babysense True Sleep, as its movement-monitoring component is a single large button mounted on the front of the crib. Even the parent unit, with its buttons and menus, is easy to use. For app-driven options, the Nanit and Owlet have the easiest layouts to navigate and menus to understand. The hardest user interface is the Momcozy Smart BM08. We had difficulties with a lagging connection, delays in unlocking the screen and opening the live video, and no alerts or alarms for the health-tracking data, so it doesn't provide what parents hope for in nighttime alerts.
The Nanit has a lot of parts making it less than ideal for travel. You can buy a travel case, but we still wouldn't want to be hassled with it. Credit: Rachael Lamore
Portability
Portability includes evaluating which options are easiest to take on trips or to grandma's house. In short, the Snuza diaper clip is by far the easiest to take on travel due to its smaller size and functionality. Next up would be the sock-style monitors set up with the base station and smartphone, but without their cameras. The sensor pad-style monitor requires a specific mattress and a hard surface beneath it, so setup might not be possible. The Nanit would be the hardest to travel with since it requires the camera at a higher angle, the breathing band, and a WiFi connection. The stand is a pain to take apart and put back together, and getting the right camera alignment is a challenge.
Caution!
Wearable units do not work in a moving car or stroller because they can't distinguish between a baby's movements and the vehicle's or stroller's motion. This incompatibility is not a fault of any monitor but a result of the design and how it determines a baby's movements. This includes the clips, buttons, and socks (even though they track vitals).
Connectivity is sometimes more than just between the nursery unit and the parent device. Some movement monitors require Bluetooth between components of the device or WiFi for remote monitoring. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Connectivity Requirements
Connectivity refers to the connection between the nursery unit and the parent device. The Nanit requires WiFi and should work wherever you have internet connectivity. Owlet claims you can just use the sock and base station through the app, so no camera connectivity is required (the camera will not connect to public WiFi), but you still need both internet (for your phone) and Bluetooth. You might be able to use the sock with the base station using Bluetooth only, since the base station has alerts. However, you need 2.4 GHz to make the initial connection. The best option for connectivity is the Snuza Hero. The Babysense connectivity is wired from the pads to the control unit, so there is no concern with spotty connectivity. But if you plan to rely on the parent unit and camera to relay the alarm to another room, they will need to be within range.
It is hard to get easier to use than the Snuza Hero. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Overall Ease of Use
Ease of use is somewhat subjective and dependent on your monitoring goals and your comfort level with technology. If you want the easiest option with the least prior experience or reading required, the Snuza Hero SE takes the cake. If you want more functionality but still prefer an intuitive option, the *Owlet Dream Duo is a great choice, with less setup and confusion than something like the Nanit Smart System or Babysense. The Momcozy is the hardest to use because the health monitoring doesn't alert in any way, no matter what it detects, which makes it impossible to use as an early alert system.
Many of the monitors in this review can monitor things besides movement. The Nanit has alerts for no breathing, movement in the room, humidity, temperature, video, sound, and more. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Monitoring Capabilities
In the days of yore, okay, maybe not that long ago, movement monitors typically just monitored for movement associated with breathing, and they didn't do much else. Now, there are more monitors that do significantly more.
Monitoring Performance Ratings
Product
Features
Requirements
Owlet Dream Duo Monitoring System (Gen 3)
9.0
5.0
iBaby i20 Smart
8.5
5.0
Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle
8.5
5.0
Babysense True Sleep Movement
5.0
8.0
Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand
8.0
5.0
Snuza Hero SE
3.0
9.0
Momcozy Smart BM08
6.0
5.0
Features
While each monitor is different, and basic options are still available, some now offer sound, video, temperature sensors, vital trackers, sleep trackers, and more.
Monitoring Capabilities
Movement
O2 Saturation
Heart Rate
Sleep Tracking
Breathing Rate
Babysense
✖
✖
✖
✖
iBaby i20
✖
Momcozy BM08
✖
✖
Nanit Smart System
✖
✖
Owlet Dream Duo (Gen 3)
Sense-U Smart Sock 2
✖
Snuza Hero SE
✖
✖
✖
✖
The Snuza Hero does nothing else but monitor a baby for movement indicative of breathing. To be clear, it doesn't track breathing; rather, it attempts to monitor movement associated with breathing. It alerts inside the nursery, right at the clip, and doesn't relay any information to a parent device or smartphone.
Alternatively, the rest of the lineup all include cameras with video and audio capabilities. In our video monitor review, the Sense-U, Nanit, and Owlet all had great video, but only the Nanit had sound activation and only through the parent device that comes with it. Those three also offer the most in monitoring capabilities, with the Owlet and Sense-U offering more vitals tracking, including pulse and blood oxygen saturation, while the Nanit only tracks movement indicative of breathing.
Requirements
Requirements are an assessment of what is required to make the monitor work. Does it require a special wearable? WiFi? Smart device? Camera? The Snuza doesn't require anything but a diaper to clip to, making it the lowest-requirement option, but it monitors the fewest things. The Owlet and Sense-U both require a sock, a base station, a phone, an app, and, as add-ons, a camera for full monitoring.
The OWlet monitors the most information in the test group. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Overall Monitoring Capability
Monitoring capabilities vary by monitor. We caution that choosing the one that does the most isn't always the answer. First, some of the information is largely unnecessary for adequately monitoring a baby or for better peace of mind, so you are paying for stuff you likely don't need. Two, having more information isn't always better, and many parents feel a heightened sense of anxiety and need to monitor when faced with all the data they typically wouldn't have and may not understand. Something as simple as the Snuza or the Babysense True Sleep can ensure your little one is moving in a way indicative of breathing with an alert when they aren't. Boom! That is all you need. The Babysense even gives you a parent device so you can see and hear inside the nursery, further easing your mind. We think this is all the average parent needs. Call us old school.
The Nanit monitors less than the Owlet, but it has enough alerts to keep you in the know. Credit: Matt Lighthart
For some parents, nothing will do but all the bells and whistles. If that is you, the Owlet and the Sense-U track almost everything. The Nanit tracks breathing movements, making it more akin to the Babysense, but it requires a wearable. However, we caution that many of the things being monitored are only useful for a year, and other things, like room temperature, most parents forget about. In the end, you'll just be stuck with the monitor's camera, so it is worth thinking about which cameras are the best, and our money is on remote-controlled cameras all day. The Babysense and Sense-U both have that, while the Owlet and Nanit do not.
The Sense-U Baby comes with an alarm base station that can be placed anywhere with connectivity to the button, so you have 2 options for receiving alarms related to a baby who might be no longer moving in a way that indicates breathing. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Alerts
A movement monitor is only as good as its ability to alert that there is a problem. If the alert or alarm for no movement is insufficient to rouse you or your baby, it's pointless.
Alerts Performance Ratings
Product
Persistence
Adjustability
Nanit Smart System with Floor Stand
8.0
8.0
Owlet Dream Duo Monitoring System (Gen 3)
8.0
8.0
Sense-U Smart Baby Sock 2 Bundle
8.0
8.0
Snuza Hero SE
9.0
3.0
Babysense True Sleep Movement
7.0
3.0
iBaby i20 Smart
2.0
7.0
Momcozy Smart BM08
1.0
1.0
In the past, most monitors had an in-nursery alarm intended to rouse the baby and prompt breathing, with the parent as a secondary concern. Unfortunately, false alarms can result in unnecessary, potentially traumatizing, and startling awakenings. This could affect sleep hygiene for babies and caregivers over time, with no real benefit. Some monitors only alert on the parent device/smartphone, which might reduce false alarms, but could go unnoticed by a sleep-exhausted parent who sleeps through the alarm or alert. Some only alert in the nursery, while others alert in the nursery and at the parent device.
To complicate matters, it is difficult to get all of the monitors to alert if you have a breathing baby, and some refused to be tricked despite our efforts. As a result, our alert testing and scoring are based on the types of alerts the monitor offers, how those alerts or alarms are relayed, and what, if any, adjustability the monitor or the volume and occurrence of the alarm has. These scores should not be confused with alarm volume or with whether the alert or alarm will rouse you from a deep sleep. Whether an alarm will wake you depends on the alarm volume and your ability to sleep through it. If you know you are a deep sleeper who could sleep through an alarm clock with ease, this is important to consider.
Smartphone Settings
Most of the app-reliant monitors use the phone's settings for alert and alarm notification volumes, or for sounds relayed from the nursery. Therefore, you must ensure your phone settings are properly set for your monitoring goals. We recommend checking this every night before bed, as people sometimes change settings during the day.
The iBaby lacks effectiveness, persistence, or urgency when it comes to alerts. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Persistance and Adjustability
The best alerts or alarms are those that are loud, persistent, and tell you what you want to hear. The Momcozy does not alert on any breathing or heart rate tracking information. It is probably just as well, as it doesn't seem to be accurate (it tracked a heartbeat on a teddy bear). The Snuza is the most persistent as it won't stop until you manually turn it off. But there is no adjustability for its sensitivity or what it alerts to. The Momcozy and the iBaby are both lack persistence as they have notification banners for some alerts that are easy to ignore, much like a test message chime. The iBaby only chimed one time, while we couldn't get the Momcozy to alert to anything, even a crying baby.
The Sense-U base station alerts inside the nursery with sounds and lights. Credit: Matt Lighthart
In our view, the best monitoring alerts the baby and the parent so your little one is roused, and you have an opportunity to respond. The Snuza vibrates to rouse the baby, and if motion doesn't resume, an alarm goes off. Paired with a video or audio monitor, the parent will hear the alarm and can respond. The Babysense is similar. It has an in-room alarm audible on its video monitor. The Owlet and Sense-U have a base station in the nursery that sounds an alarm, while an alert is sent to the parent device/smartphone. The Nanit doesn't alert in the baby room at all. While not a deal-breaker, it means that only a caregiver's response to an alert can rouse the baby.
Some Sense-U alerts are adequate while others could do more to rouse parents. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The monitors with the most adjustability are the Owlet, Sense-U, and the Nanit. They have very similar sliders in their apps that let you choose when you want to receive an alert. The Owlet does not allow you to change the O2 level alert, which has vexed some parents. But for the most part, these offer the greatest ability to adjust how sensitive you want the monitor to be to most of the things it is programmed to alert to.
The EMF emission reading for the Sense-U sock was one of the highest we tested. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
The jury is still out on the effects of EMF on the human body and the sensitive developing systems of babies. Nevertheless, we believe there is enough evidence to indicate potential harm, so we think parents should consider the EMF (Volts/meter) emitted by all products in use near their little ones. We believe that a “better safe than sorry” approach is prudent and that parents should make thoughtful, informed choices when selecting EMF-emitting products. Every home has an ambient EMF level, and each new product brought into the home can increase the EMF emissions. However, putting an EMF-emitting device directly on your baby is different in our minds. It is a nonessential practice, and we think parents should weigh the pros and cons before doing so. This concern is why we test each product to determine how much EMF it generates.
The highest average EMF was from the Sense-U Sock, at 1.28 V/m. If EMF exposure concerns you and you like the sock idea, the Owlet could be a better bet, though it is still higher than most competitors at 0.77 V/m. The Snuza Hero has the lowest EMF, with nothing higher than the ambient room EMF.
We tested the EMF of each monitor. For wearables, we tested it right on the unit, as this is where the baby also touches it. Credit: Natalie Kafader
For perspective, we also tested smartphone EMF in various Bluetooth and WiFi configurations, with active and inactive calling, and on some wearable fitness monitors. This testing provides information on how the wearable monitors' EMF levels compare with those of items we use or wear daily. We believe parents can better relate to this data, given the rising concerns about radiation from cell phones and cancer. A smartphone with WiFi on and making a call measured 17 V/m at a distance of 1 inch. At a distance of 1 inch from the meter, the Fitbit has an average reading of 3 V/m.
Even though conclusive data about how much EMF is dangerous is lacking (and will likely remain so for ethical reasons), we don't recommend high EMF emitting products for the first six months (when movement monitors are most useful), especially as there are excellent alternatives that do not have this issue. Babies are more susceptible to EMF than adults because they are still developing and have thinner skulls.
The takeaway?
Because of the concerns and supporting data regarding the long-term use of smartphones next to your head and the potential risk of radiation and cancer related to EMF, we don't feel comfortable (our opinion) using a high-EMF emitting product directly on a baby.
We recommend that any EMF-emitting monitor be placed as far away from your baby as possible, without disrupting its performance. And if you choose a wearable, we recommend the lowest-EMF option that meets your needs.
Other Notable Options
As monitoring technology changes and demands shift, there is always something different on the horizon. Below are some other potential contenders we like, but are so similar to the included options that they didn't make the cut.
Levana Oma — A diaper clip wearable similar to the Snuza Hero but it lacks the vibration rousing feature. However, it is often on sale at a lower price and is smaller. We love that it is highly portable and relatively reliable, making it a great solution for travel or pairing with your favorite video monitor.
Sense-U Button Pro Bundle — This bundle is similer to the Sense-U Sock we tested. The camera and app appear to be the same, but instead of a sock, it includes a clip-on button. While still a wearable, some parent might find the button easier to clip in place, especially if they forget to add it before their baby falls asleep. In the past, we found the button easy to use and fairly reliable.
How to Pick the Best Movement Monitor
Finding the right monitor might include monitoring activity that indicates regular breathing or tracking vital signs. We don't think most people need this kind of monitor, but if you think you do, you have a few things to consider.
Wearable?
Do you want a straightforward wearable or a more involved system? A simple diaper clip can be great for travel or pairing with a video or sound monitor. These monitors are often easy to use and set up, and they work well with few false alarms. Alternatively, non-wearable options (like sensor pads) have a longer initial setup but require minimal ongoing effort, do not require a wearable, and often combine features such as a parent unit, video, or sound.
Video or Sound?
If you are looking for a one-and-done solution, some options offer sound and alerts to a parent unit, and some of our favorites offer the full meal deal with video.
Safe Sleep
No matter what monitoring decisions you make, nothing replaces safe and smart sleeping practices to reduce the risk of SIDs. Babies must always sleep on their back, in their own space, on a firm surface, using only a tight-fitting sheet for bedding (no blankets, lovies, stuffed animals, pillows, bumpers, etc.). Providing a safe and comfortable sleep space is more crucial than choosing any monitor. This safe space should have good airflow with a fan or air filter nearby to increase circulation. There should be no smoking, and the room should be a comfortable temperature for an adult in lightweight clothing.
Conclusion
Some parents find that movement monitors provide peace of mind. However, movement monitors are not medical devices; you shouldn't rely on them to prevent SIDS or monitor any medical condition. If using a movement monitor can help increase your odds of a good night's sleep, you might consider making it a part of your monitoring routine.
