We purchased top-ranked video baby monitor and conducted various tests and side-by-side comparisons over several months to determine which products work best, which features are most important, and which monitors are not worth your time. While video monitors were once a luxury item, they have become more the norm and are often found on baby registry lists and in nurseries. Once you add the convenience and peace of mind video images can provide with round-the-clock “eyes on baby,” it is easy to see why parents feel this type of monitor is a must-have product to ensure quality sleep for all.
Warning! - Watching is Addicting
While the ability to check on your baby visually (without disrupting a sleeping infant) is the main reason parents opt for a video monitor, it can also be highly addictive for new parents, who can't stop looking at the little person they created. Sure, peace of mind during naps and the long nighttime hours is a tremendous asset and can often keep parents from getting out of bed, but just being able to spy on a little one cooing and breathing can be habit-forming. You might find yourself watching the baby so often that you get little else accomplished in the day or even sleep at night. Don't say we didn't warn you.
A Video Monitor Can Mean More Sleep
You might be asking yourself whether you need a video monitor? Probably one of the hardest parts of being a new parent is the inevitable sleep deprivation that comes with it. In addition to the paranoia of possible nighttime dangers and wondering if the baby's room is the right temperature, there are the middle-of-the-night wake-ups, where you aren't sure if you heard the baby cry or not. You can't shake the worry without getting up to check on your baby in person. Between feeding and diaper changes, worried midnight visual checks of breathing are not uncommon for parents of newborns. Rest assured, you are not alone in your fears or your sleeplessness. When it comes to bringing home a new little person, one of the few things most parents can agree on is the terminal lack of sleep they endure.
A video monitor can alleviate some fears by allowing parents to “lay eyes” on their baby without getting out of bed and losing valuable sleep. Often, the baby's noises in the middle of the night don't indicate a problem or necessitate an in-person visit. Having a visual monitor by your bed can help you make an informed decision about whether your baby needs assistance or can self-soothe and go back to sleep without you.
While an audio-only monitor can alert you to noise in the baby's room, you may not be able to assess whether the baby needs you. However, with a live video, it is easier to decide whether your baby needs help. Without video, you'll need to get up immediately and check to avoid increased baby distress or your anxiety. If you get up and go to the baby, there is a greater chance you both will lose precious sleep that possibly wasn't necessary. Having a monitor that provides instant visuals might be worth all the money in the world if it means you both get more shut-eye. Luckily, monitor prices have come down. The quality has improved, making it more affordable than ever to invest in a monitor that can last through toddler time and potentially serve as a nanny cam or provide security later.
Types of Video Monitors
There are two types of baby video monitors: dedicated monitors with a paired parent unit and camera, and WiFi monitors that require an internet connection and a personal device.
Dedicated Video Baby Monitors — These monitors work like a walkie-talkie, with the camera unit placed in the baby's room and the parent unit used around the house or at night in the parents' bedroom. The parent unit allows you to watch and listen to the baby. Each product differs slightly in the features it offers, but the basic principle is the same: the camera monitors the baby, and parents can see the baby on the parent unit to assess the baby's needs. Many versions offer multiple cameras, sound activation, 2-way talk, zoom-in, and pan-tilt control from the parent unit. The parent unit works only with its corresponding camera and can't support any other kind of activity; hence, it is considered a “dedicated” monitor.
WiFi Video Monitors — These monitors require internet connectivity and a compatible device to serve as the parent unit (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer). These monitors come with a camera that connects to an app or website. They typically require downloading an app and setting up an account. Some require a monthly subscription. This style is more complex and has a higher chance of failure, given the variables that can go wrong. With reliance on an internet connection and a separate monitoring device, there is an increased risk of technical difficulties or errors not present with dedicated monitors. However, this type of monitor uniquely allows parents to observe little ones from anywhere with an internet connection. While not the main reason parents choose to purchase a baby monitor, checking in on little ones from work can be very appealing. Also, some models let you invite family to take a peek. This peeking can be very rewarding for long-distance grandparents, helping them feel close. Also, the connection range of WiFi monitors is far greater than that of dedicated options. Depending on your home size, WiFi monitors might be your only option.
Range for Dedicated Video Monitors is Worse than Sound Monitors
Connectivity range is one of the most significant problems with monitors, and even more so with video monitors. Range problems, or a lack of useful range, are the biggest complaints about the monitors. If a monitor doesn't work in your home, it is useless and doesn't even make a proper doorstop.
The problem usually begins with the manufacturer's claimed range. These ranges sound pretty good and make potential buyers feel warm and fuzzy. However, the actual range varies depending on the walls, other electronics in your home, and the materials used to build your house. So a monitor that claimed 500 ft on the box might be more like 65 feet and two walls. This range might work in smaller homes, but it likely won't work in larger spaces or at floor/ceiling transitions. We suspect most parents will not leave their baby in an open field, so that range is useless for the typical consumer.
On the upside, most video options use digital technologies that experience far less interference from other devices. Digital technology helps the monitors eliminate static interference. Also, for the WiFi options, parents don't need to worry about range as long as the WiFi signal is strong.
Therefore, it is essential to do a little research by measuring how far the baby's room is from where the parent unit will go and how many walls the signal needs to travel through. This distance will provide a starting point for comparing manufacturers' advertised ranges. We tested the monitors for their range in a home through multiple walls, for an apples-to-apples comparison. These tests provide a better picture than the manufacturer's, but they are only an estimate because the range can still vary depending on your house and what is in it. Your specific range will depend on your home, but with our guide, you should be able to avoid monitors that are unlikely to work.
We strongly suggest that you purchase items through a retailer with a good return policy to avoid frustration and disappointment. If you have a lot of difficulties finding a monitor with an adequate range, you might consider switching to an audio-only product or using a WiFi option. However, keep in mind that WiFi options may be more likely to fail, and if your internet connection is spotty or your upload speed isn't fast enough, you may need an audio monitor as a backup.
Sound is Still Key
Because what you really want to do is gaze upon your new little person, you are only thinking about video quality, display size, and night vision, but the sound clarity of a video monitor is still an important factor. After all, when you are fast asleep, it is not the movement on a screen that wakes you, but it is the sound of a baby crying that alerts you and disturbs your slumber. Given this reality, we examined each monitor's sound-related features. Does the volume adjust high enough to hear when sleeping? Does it offer a voice activation feature, so you don't have to listen to the white noise of the baby's room as you try to fall asleep?
While we aren't looking for home theater-quality sound, we are looking for a sound reception that is clear, easy to interpret, and accurately reflects what is happening. Sound activation is a bonus (a must, in our opinion) that helps reduce the ambient noise parents must endure while trying to fall asleep with a monitor in play. If sound activation isn't a feature, we consider whether the volume could be adjusted low enough to avoid hearing house noises yet still loud enough for a crying baby to wake a dead-tired parent at 2 am. Luckily, many of the dedicated models offer voice activation, and most were loud and clear enough to wake the dead, or at least the zombie-like state most parents fall into at some point during babyhood. While video monitors are not necessarily on par with audio-only products, they are adequate to do the job.
Video
You want to see those chubby cheeks and fluttery eyelashes on your little miracle, or you wouldn't be considering a video monitor. Most of the parent units had similar display sizes, and larger ones didn't necessarily offer a better image. Except for the WiFi models, where the display depends on which device you use as the parent unit. We discovered that clearly seeing the baby outweighs the size of the display on the parent unit. Sure, it would be great to see each breath on a larger display, but a grainy image on a larger display is disappointing compared to a clear image on a smaller one. In an ideal world, you would get a clear image on a screen big enough to see details, but small enough to transport easily.
So while bigger might be better for some devices, it isn't always the best. We think it is more important to have a display that shows your baby and the room as they truly are than a large image that creates an unclear visual. If you can't see the baby well enough, there is no point in having a video monitor. If the goal is a video that lets parents assess their baby's needs without leaving their warm bed, then a display parents can't see doesn't fit the bill, no matter the size.
The WiFi cameras typically provide the best video quality thanks to their high-resolution cameras and the advanced technology of the personal device you pair them with.
Night Vision is More Important than Daytime
Undoubtedly, you will use your monitor during the daytime while your baby naps, but most monitor use happens at night. This makes the night vision and display during the wee hours more important than the image quality during daylight. Most monitors include infrared LEDs that provide a black-and-white view of the nursery even when the room is very dark. While a black-and-white picture is not as great as color, it is the only viewing option available for nighttime peeping.
For infrared to work, the camera must be close to the baby so that the LEDs can work their magic. Too far away and you won't be able to see the baby; too close and the camera or its cord could pose a potential health risk.
Image clarity for night viewing will naturally be somewhat downgraded compared to daytime viewing. This doesn't mean you can't find a monitor that delivers a clear picture. Several we tried are so crisp at night that we could see more details of the baby and the nursery than were necessary for proper monitoring. In general, we were not disappointed with the night vision of most monitors. The lower-quality video monitors illuminate only a small portion of the field of view, creating a spotlight effect, leaving parts of the room black or fuzzy, making it hard to see whether the baby's eyes are open. The WiFi monitors offer the best night video.
Pan and Tilt
In the beginning, the baby won't be doing much but lying in bed and producing waste products, so the idea of needing a pan-tilt feature might leave you feeling like it's gimmicky and not worth the extra price. You will probably set up your camera and point it directly at your lovable human larva, which will be the end of the story. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your point of view, the baby will start moving, and before you know it, your baby will be cruising all around the crib and sometimes out of the crib like a monkey at the zoo. When this happens, and trust us, it will happen, you will find yourself saying, “Ah, now I see what all the fuss is about” when it comes to a remote-controlled camera.
Most monitors claim to offer pan-tilt functionality. However, there are two types of pan-tilt, so make sure you get the one you want and the one you think you are getting. The first kind of pan and tilt is the true pan and tilt, where your actions on the parent unit cause the camera in the baby's room to move and scan the room (remote camera control). It changes the field of view by increasing the amount of space you can see through the camera, allowing you to move the camera to view more parts of the room. Depending on which camera you choose and where you mount it, you might be able to view the entire room with the pan-tilt features. This type is the least limiting and most versatile version of pan-tilt.
The second kind of pan-and-tilt is more like a bait-and-switch (sort of). This pan-tilt does NOT control the camera in the room. What it actually does is pan around the original field of view while using the zoom feature. So, first, you need to zoom in; then you can pan around the field of view you originally had, using closer images. This type creates the illusion of pan-tilt, but it doesn't increase what you can see or how much of the room is visible. Whatever your original field of view was, that is all you will ever have. Ever. You will never see where the baby has gone unless you go into the room and manually move the camera to a new location, which isn't practical if you are trying to avoid disrupting the baby.
While the pan-tilt feature on each model may not be a deal-breaker, it is worth researching which version you are paying for and exactly what you are getting. Thinking you are getting a camera with remote control, only to find out you have no control over the camera, can be frustrating and disappointing. If the camera offers a field of view almost as large as the room, you might be able to forgive it not being adjustable from the parent unit.
Zoom
There are also two types of zoom. The first is an optical zoom, or a traditional zoom-in and zoom-out feature you might be familiar with on some cameras, where the lens does the work of zooming in on the desired object. This type offers the best image clarity and the most versatility.
The second and sadly more common type of zoom is called digital zoom. Digital zoom is sort of like using the zoom feature on some software or a crop tool. It is also similar to how many smartphones and tablets work when you want to enlarge a portion of an image. This kind of zoom looks like it brings you closer to the desired action, but it doesn't really get closer. All it does is crop and eliminate the portions of the image you don't want to see. So while it looks like the baby's face might be closer, it isn't. This type results in images that aren't as clear and are often pixelated. Because you only see the same image cropped, you lose some resolution and clarity when you zoom. This lack of resolution means this is the worst kind of zoom. Cameras that only offer this kind of zoom often result in unclear images and make it hard to distinguish details like the baby's face. The WiFi cameras offer the best digital zoom with the clearest details.
Sound Activation vs. Notifications and Alerts
Sound activation is one of our favorite features, and we think it is one of the top features parents should consider. But what is it? Monitors are designed to relay sound from the baby unit to the parent unit. Many monitors do this by sending a constant stream of noise from one room to another, and do very little to differentiate between ambient room sounds and the baby crying. This means you will be hearing the monitor all the time, all night long, while you try to sleep (possibly unsuccessfully). Sound activation is a feature that limits the level and type of sounds transmitted from one unit to another. This means the parent unit is silent when the baby isn't making noise. A feature like this can help parents get more sleep by providing a quieter room to sleep in. This might be an all-or-nothing function, or it could be something parents can adjust themselves using a sound sensitivity adjustment feature. Either way, with sound activation, you only hear what you want to hear when you want to hear it. This feature is not available on every monitor; most of the WiFi options do not have it.
Notifications and alerts are entirely different and virtually useless for monitoring a baby. These features work by sending a message to your handheld device or an alert email when a sound or motion occurs in the room. While this feature might be useful if you use the monitor for security (its original purpose), it isn't great for a baby.
Why?
Notifications often come after the fact, so by the time you get the notification that sound is happening in the baby's room, your baby could have been crying for several minutes or longer, depending on the monitor. Also, a sound notification will not tell you whether the baby is crying hysterically and needs you now, or just cooing and doesn't need you. But what about motion alerts? While a motion alert might be interesting if you are worried about someone entering the room without your knowledge, it will also come after the fact. The monitor could send you loads of motion alerts for a baby playing with her toes. We found the notification and alerts feature mostly useless for younger babies and only mildly useful for older babies and toddlers. While testing the monitors, we felt we received far too many push notifications and found the constant stream sort of annoying. This feature is only available on WiFi-enabled monitors.
In the end, we like the sound activation feature and almost consider it a deal-breaker if a monitor doesn't offer it. However, if you don't mind white noise and constant static, it may not be a deal-breaker for you. Alternatively, the ability to receive notifications is not necessary. It is more of a personal choice, one you might even find yourself turning off notifications (as we did eventually). It simply isn't a feature suitable for monitoring babies.
Multiple Cameras?
A video monitor might have a longer shelf life than an audio-only monitor. Let's face it, what your preschooler might be shouting from behind their door is probably far less important than whether or not they've snuck a marker into nap time and are decorating the walls and furniture with it (true story). So while most audio monitors will hit the donation pile by the time children are 3, a video monitor might just be hitting its stride of usefulness. The ability to monitor little ones at all times, regardless of what room you are in, might be exactly what you need to relieve anxiety and increase your alone time. Add on the feature of two-way talking, and you could be telling little Johnny to drop that marker without even getting out of the bathtub. The ability to add cameras to your device will increase its usefulness over time by giving you the ability to monitor multiple rooms or different parts of a larger room so you can keep tabs on two children or one rambunctious one.
Most of the monitors we looked at could add at least one additional camera; one is a single camera only device, while others could add up to 4 or more. If you have plans in the future for more children, or you can imagine the need for more cameras down the road, it is probably best to purchase them now, just in case compatible cameras are no longer available down the road. You can count on the additional camera sold separately to run you around $100 each (for dedicated monitors, depending on the brand) or the same as the first camera for WiFi options. This cost might be worth it if it means not needing to buy a new unit when baby number two comes along.
The other aspect of multiple cameras to consider is that the WiFi versions can be used as a nanny camera so you can see what is happening even when away from home. Being able to put a camera in each room your child and nanny might occupy means the nanny can't escape the eye of big brother, and you can feel more confident in your choice of caregiver.
Electrical Pollution or Dirty Electricity
Excuse me? Dirty what? This concept falls into the category of things you didn't know you needed to know but really should know, and then after you know will wish you didn't know. Electronic devices all have an electromagnetic field (EMF) associated with them; wireless devices and items like microwaves have even more. EMF can be associated with radiation, which can potentially be harmful in heavy doses. With more and more technology in our homes, much of it wireless, the amount of EMF exposure is on the rise. Overexposure to these fields might affect human health (the studies are still in the works). These consequences might even be more significant to babies because they are in the process of developing and have thin skulls for bone and brain growth. These factors could potentially leave a baby more vulnerable to exposure to EMF than adults.
Most of the baby monitors are wireless devices and are more likely to have significant EMF emissions than wired electronics. Also, the cameras are often placed close to the baby's crib, giving the baby increased exposure for the duration of their sleeping hours. Some preliminary studies indicate that exposure to the kind of radiation caused by wireless electronics may cause health issues over time. The jury might still be out on this topic. Still, we feel it is essential to review the information and limit exposure when possible to be safe until more research and evidence is presented either way.
Putting the monitor as far away from the baby as possible can decrease the amount of EMF the baby is exposed to. Using monitors only when necessary can also help limit exposure and the potentially harmful effects. Some monitors with voice activation might limit the transmission amount of EMF (we aren't sure, but different sources suggest it). Finally, using a WiFi version plugged in with an Ethernet cable usually limits it even further. In general, decreasing the number of electronics in a baby's room is a good idea. After that, unplugging devices when not in use is a significant step. Finally, placing any electronic devices as far away from the sleeping baby as possible is also smart.
We used an EMF monitor with each device in our review to determine EMF levels and how far the camera needed to be from the crib to limit exposure to the baby. At 6 inches away from the baby monitor, almost all of the monitors gave off an EMF reading of 6+. At 3 feet away from the devices, most of those reading were split in half or better. At 6 feet away (most cameras can be placed at least 10 - 15 feet from the baby), most camera readings were below 2. If you want to limit the amount of EMF your baby is exposed to, picking a device with the lowest reading is your best bet, then place it as far away from the baby as possible to still be useful. The parent units didn't decrease as much as the cameras with distance, but it is probably still a good idea to keep them as far away as possible to be still usable.
Security/Privacy Concerns
As with any product, safety and security are important to us here at BabyGearLab. The dedicated monitors are relatively safe given their lack of internet connectivity and use of DECT technology to encrypt the signal (DECT encryption technologies are generally quite secure, although some hackers have managed to find a hole in some DECT portable phones that transmit without encryption). But, WiFi monitors present a more compelling target for hackers, and some products, such as some of the Foscam models (which didn't make the cut for our review), have been victims of some well-publicized and somewhat disturbing hacks where hackers are watching the baby and use the speak-to-baby feature to scare parents.
Infamous Hacks of Foscam Monitors
Since all the WiFi monitors need to transmit the video signal over the internet, they implicitly provide a potential target for hackers to intercept the signal and decrypt it. However, differences in how the video signal transmits over the internet and different encryption technology mean that different monitors offer different security profiles.
A few cases with some Foscam models have been widely publicized and left parents feeling a little uneasy about who might be looking in or talking to their beloved babies, and rightfully so. Given that no camera connected to the internet is 100% fail-safe, it makes sense for parents to educate themselves and take some precautions.
If you search the internet for “video baby monitor hacks,” you'll quickly find a series of articles such as:http://kdvr.com/2015/04/21/couple-whose-baby-monitor-was-hacked-has-message-for-other-families/
Foscam claims that firmware updates have addressed these security holes, but the company is unique in offering additional security recommendations that seem bizarre and arcane for a consumer product aimed at parents.
Check the logs of your Foscam cameras often. Foscam cameras have embedded logs that allow you to see exactly which IP addresses are accessing the camera. You will be able to tell if an outsider has gained access to your camera.
We feel that the topology used by the Foscam IP cameras, where you connect directly to the camera via its IP address, is inferior to the encrypted security method used by Google with their Nest products. For these reasons and others, the Foscam IP-based cameras did not make the cut for our review.
Across the board, WiFi monitor manufacturers recommend that you:
- Make sure you have the most recent firmware for your camera
- Set your own password; do not rely on default passwords
- Make passwords at least 10-12+ characters long and use a combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers, and special characters to make it harder to guess
- Change passwords frequently
- Limit what the camera can see
- Unplug the camera when not actively monitoring your baby. Do not rely on turning it off; many cameras can be remotely activated if hacked
Best Crib Viewing Requires Wall or Ceiling Mounting
The cameras need to be relatively close to the baby for the infrared LEDs to work. If the camera is too far away, the night vision won't work as well. With this in mind, we suggest mounting the cameras on the wall or ceiling as far from the crib as possible to reduce exposure to EMF, but as close as necessary to operate in the dark. Not all cameras can be mounted, so if you think you will need or want this, be sure to check the specifications for details. If necessary, a small shelf might be useful for models that aren't mountable.
Safety
For the sake of safety, please route and secure ALL cords up and out of children's reach. They are a significant strangulation hazard and should never be within reach of a baby or in proximity to fall into or be pulled into a crib. Do not wait until your baby is more mobile. They will get there before you know it, and the first time you notice could be after they find the cord.
How to Choose the Right Video Monitor for Your Goals
While all of this might sound too daunting to tackle, you can find the right monitor for your needs by considering a few key questions.
First - WiFi or Dedicated Unit
This decision will largely depend on personal preference, peace of mind, or the range needed for your specific purposes. If you have WiFi at home and aren't sure whether to go with a WiFi option, you need to consider how well your wireless works and whether it is reliable. If it works well and is reliable (it isn't spotty or has connectivity issues), it might be a good option for you that offers lots of potential down the road. It will allow you to move the parent unit farther from the baby's room, and the video feed can be seen online from just about anywhere. The downside is that this type of monitor will fail if your internet fails, leaving you without any real coverage, which might go unnoticed if it happens in the middle of the night. The best kind of devices are those that are mobile and can be placed bedside for easy nighttime monitoring, so keep this in mind if you find the WiFi products tempting, you will probably need a device that can do nothing but monitor your baby, at least during nighttime hours.
A dedicated unit is a good option if you have limited internet access, lack reliable WiFi connectivity, or don't have a device to use as a parent device. These models have a baby monitor and a dedicated parent unit that work harmoniously and continue to operate on battery power even if the electricity goes out. There is no app to download, no account to create, no subscription to pay. If you want true peace-of-mind monitoring, these models are probably the better bet.
Second - Field of View/Pan/Tilt/Zoom
The second thing to think about is whether you want to control the camera from the parent unit, or if you are content just navigating in a stationary field of view, and how large that field of view is.
If you want or need to control the camera in the baby's room from the parent unit, getting a true pan-tilt model is essential. This feature is usually in higher-priced models, but it is not a guarantee; just reading that a model has a pan/tilt/zoom feature is not enough to ensure that the camera is actually adjustable from the parent unit. Be sure to read the fine print before purchasing any monitor if this is a desirable feature. It can be frustrating to have a baby or an older toddler just out of the field of view, and there is no way to see them without going into the room and disturbing them. Adjusting the camera on the parent unit is a bonus, especially if the field of view is small in standard mode. While it might not seem as important when your baby moves very little, it can increase the unit's longevity if parents continue monitoring mobile toddlers long after infancy has passed. Nothing is more frustrating than hearing the “party” in a 2-year-old's room but being unable to “see” it from a stationary camera with a limited field of view.
Parents can still take a peek at their children from work, no matter where they might be sleeping or playing in their room, and, after zooming in, can pan around the room as needed for a more detailed image. If the field of view is large enough and the image quality is good, then zooming in and panning within the original field of view is still acceptable.
Third - Additional Features
Once you decide whether you want a WiFi model or a dedicated unit, and which pan, tilt, and zoom features you want, you will likely be looking at only one or two contenders. If there is only one, your job is done, and you have found the best monitor for your needs. If there is more than one, you need to consider which additional features matter most to you. Many of the monitors have additional features, but very few have all of them, and even fewer will have all the ones you may want.
Some of the features to consider include:
- Ability to add cameras
- Two-way talk
- Sound activation
- Motion detection
- Parent unit screen size (WiFi options have the greatest variability)
- Video quality
- Temperature and other air sensors
- Lullabies and other baby-centric features
- Tracking vitals or movement indicative of breathing
If you have a strong preference for any of these additional features, this will likely narrow the field to only one possibility: the video monitor of your dreams. We highly recommend sound activation or sound sensitivity settings. Whether or not a monitor has this feature is almost a deal-breaker for us. We think being able to fall asleep while monitoring the baby is essential. Falling asleep is easier if the monitor is quiet and doesn't generate unnecessary noise.
What's Your Budget?
If budget is a concern for you, as it is for many parents, it can also be a deciding factor in narrowing down your choices. Video monitors have a wide price range depending on type and capabilities. Once you've narrowed the field, price could be the deciding factor in finding “the one.” If you are willing to forgo some of the bells and whistles, it is easier to find a budget-minded video option with good visuals. And honestly, we aren't sure most parents use the bells and whistles in the long run.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing a video-type monitor can be daunting. Luckily, we've done the homework for you. Once you walk through the selection steps, you will find the best monitor for your baby. The technology for this type of monitor has advanced by leaps and bounds, giving parents a broader range of options that work better than ever before. We feel confident that there is an option to give even the most paranoid parents peace of mind. Happy sleeping!
