After nine months of pregnancy, shower planning, and nursery decorating, your little one has finally arrived. From the moment you leave the hospital though, there’s something very important on your mind: to keep them safe at all times. Caring for your newborn isn’t always an easy feat, considering that you’re constantly on the move, running on little sleep, and attending to their needs around the clock.
Baby monitors can help make baby care less stressful for new parents. These small devices can help you watch your newborn’s activity at home, so you’ll know if they’re crying, cooing, moving, or sleeping. You’ll be thankful that you can keep tabs on your infant, just in case they are fussy, hungry, or need some TLC during the day or night.
There are many different types of baby monitors, including audio, digital, movement, video, and wireless network monitors. Audio monitors works best for hearing purposes only. Digital monitors offer additional security and sound quality, because you won’t have to worry about your baby’s cries transferring to a nearby receivers. Movement monitors track your baby’s activity in their crib, so you’ll know if they switch positions or can’t fall asleep. For the high-tech surveillance experience, a video monitor gives you live footage of your little one. Wireless network monitors allow you to use your laptop, smartphone, or tablet to watch your baby’s activity.
With all the baby monitor options out there, it can be hard to find the right fit. Plus, you might be dropping major bucks on a baby monitor if it comes with high-tech audio, footage, and security features. Before your drop major bucks on a baby monitor though, there are some things you might want to consider.
Receiver location: Where will you be using your baby monitor at home? It’s important that you consider how many receivers you’ll need in key living areas. If you’re only planning on using a baby monitor in the nursery, you might just need one receiver for your bedroom. On the other hand, if you would like to be able to hear your little one in the living room, kitchen, or playroom, having multiple receivers on hand can be super helpful.
Sound quality: When your baby needs a feeding, diaper change, you want to attend to them ASAP. Baby monitors should have good sound quality and minimal interference issues. You don’t want your neighbors’ devices messing with your monitor conversations. To avoid this problem, look for monitors that have a strong signal, less gigahertz (GHz) frequency, and digital enhanced cordless telecommunication (DECT) technology. These features can help reduce muffling for monitors.
Alert features: Observing your newborn can be stressful at times, but some baby monitors come with core alert features to help you out. Opt for monitors that have light-up sound indicators, so you can see alerts for your baby’s sound activity. Plus, it helps if a monitor cancels out unnecessary noise, so you can rest easy and not mistake a nursery fan for infant cries.
Safety: Safety is a top priority when you’re taking care of your infant. Even though the point of a safety monitor is to keep an eye on your little one, you have to make sure that they can’t hurt themselves with any equipment. Don’t place any cords, wires, or devices in your baby’s crib. The advises not to buy any baby monitors that claim to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Warranty: When you buy a baby monitor, you’ll want to see what’s covered under its guarantee or warranty. This can come in handy if there are defects in materials or workmanship.You don’t want to waste time or money on repairs or replacements.
Whether you’re looking for a device to hear your baby upstairs or a vitals reader, there is a baby monitor out there to suit your parenting needs. Here are our top seven picks for the best baby monitors.
You can personalize camera for baby surveillance needs • Wireless transmission • Long battery life
Range is smaller compared to similar models
Infant Optics’ DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor is the ultimate security companion: it allows you to personalize camera settings, have access to secure audio and video activity, and keep tabs on your little one for up to 10 hours.
1. Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor
Interchangeable lens technology, secure audio and video, and extended battery life make Infant Optics’ DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor our top choice.
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Dimensions:
19.3 x 13.4 x 6.5 inches
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Weight:
3.55 pounds
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Frequency:
2400 Mhz to 2483.5 Mhz
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Range:
Up to 700 feet
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
A monitor, a camera, an additional zoom lens, and a replacement battery
is our top pick for its interchangeable lens technology, secure audio and video footage, and long battery life.
The monitor’s interchangeable lens technology enables you to have total vision control of your infant’s room, so you can what them at all times. You can switch the focal length, viewing angle, and camera lenses for a customizable surveillance system. Pan, tilt, and zoom the baby monitor to capture your little one at all the right angles when they’re eating, napping, or moving. Plus, it’s 2.4GHz FHSS wireless transmission provides secure audio playback and video footage.
Concerned about sound? This baby monitor has your back. It has a frequency of up to 2483.5 Mhz and two-way talk, so you can detect your baby’s needs and soothe them with your voice. It has a range of up to 700 feet, making it easy to hear your baby from one room to another. Sound-activated LEDs even detect noise with the volume down, just in case your infant is cooing, crying, or napping.
That’s not all though. This monitor comes with a 10-hour battery life, which is long compared to similar models. You won’t have to worry about juicing up the monitor every few hours, because it provides the power you need to watch your baby for longer periods of time.
When you buy this monitor, you’ll get a one-year warranty that covers defects in materials in craftsmanship within 12 months of the purchasing date. You can file a warranty claim with Infant Optics.
Amazon customer
says:
“We tried several monitors before getting this one and I was never satisfied until now! This monitor has all the features I wanted and works great. I love the zoom lense which provides a much clearer picture than zoom features on other cameras. I also love the notification beep you get if the camera is out of range of the parent unit is low on battery – it gives me peace of mind
that even at night while I’m sleeping I would know if the monitor wasn’t working correctly. Great night vision and clear picture as well!”
Provides ample range for larger homes • DECT technology ensures sound security • Two-way talk lets you comfort baby if you’re not with them • Lullaby noise to help little one get back to sleep
Doesn’t have camera or video capability
For larger homes, the Philips Avent DECT Baby Monitor is your top safety companion with its good range, DECT technology for secure sound, and clear two-way talk for you and your little one.
2. Philips Avent DECT Baby Monitor
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Dimensions:
19.3 x 13.4 x 6.5 inches
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Weight:
1.54 pounds
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Frequency:
1.9 – 2.4 Ghz
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Range:
Up to 50 meters (indoors), up to 330 meters (outdoors)
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Battery life:
18 hours
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
A parent unit, a baby unit, and a docking station for charging
If you have a larger home, the
provides secure sound, a good range, two-way talk, and soothing sleeping settings to help your baby rest easy.
This baby monitor features DECT technology, which prevents interference issues and data encryption for added privacy, so you won’t have to worry about neighbors’ gadgets picking up conversations. There’s an indoor range of up to 50 meters and an outdoor range of up to 330 meters for high-quality sound. Regardless of where you are inside or outside, you’ll be able use clear two-way talk if your little one needs impromptu comfort.
The Philips Avent DECT Baby Monitor earns bonus points for its other features, including room temperature control and soothing sleeping settings. While you’re on the couch or cooking in the kitchen, its temperature control allows you to monitor the climate in your baby’s nursery. If the temperature drops or rises, it will alert you to go change the thermostat. Plus, for nights or naps where your little one is fussy, the monitor will play lullabies and provide a tranquil glow, so they can head off to dreamland sans stress.
Philips offers a one year warranty for this baby monitor model and you’ll have to contact the company for more details on what repairs and replacements it covers.
, an Amazon reviewer, says:
“I read several reviews before purchasing this monitor. I was searching for a monitor with long range indoors. I have a two story home that is 10,000 square feet. I have the monitor upstairs on one side of the house and the receiver downstairs on the opposite side of the house. It works perfectly. I needed a system that would allow me to communicate with the children, but not necessarily see them. This monitor has exceeded my expectations. I hear them and they hear me, just what we were hoping for. If you have a large home and need a monitor with two way talk, this one is worth the money.”
Handheld monitor is portable and doesn’t take up too much space • Day video and night vision won’t disturb baby • Two-way talkback system for instant communication • Works with more cameras if watching more than one child
No DECT technology features
Watch your baby in small living spaces with Hello Baby’s Wireless Video Baby Monitor, which has a portable design, day video and night vision for added security, and a two-way talkback system to communicate with your baby.
3. Hello Baby Wireless Video Baby Monitor
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Dimensions:
8.7 x 5.9 x 3 inches
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Weight:
1 pound
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Frequency:
2.4 GhZ
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Range:
Up to 960 feet
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Battery life:
7 to 8 hours
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
A portable hand held monitor, a camera, and a rechargeable lithium ion battery
Keeping an eye on your baby in a small living space might be easier, but you’ll most likely need a monitor that has minimal interference and a portable design.
not only provides the surveillance basics, but it comes with all the extra perks: great sound, clear day video and night vision, and two-way talk.
If your little one needs assistance, the sound quality of the this baby monitor is great. It uses 2.4 GhZ wireless technology, which prevents signal dropouts and lets you hear noises up to 960 feet. You won’t have to worry about any other receivers or radios picking up your household conversations.
Unlike other baby monitors, this model comes with the option to see your baby at all times. It has clear day video and night vision, so you won’t have to worry about pixelated images. For night vision, infrared LEDs automatically adjust to the light level in your baby’s room and transmit high-quality black and white footage. Did we also mention that you can set up four different cameras with this baby monitor? This can be super helpful if you have multiple small children at home.
If you’re not in the same room as your little one, the portable handheld monitor is easy to use. Just press the talk button to comfort them with your voice in seconds. A row of LED lights alert you if they’re crying or making noises, even if the volume is low. Plus, you can choose one of the eight lullabies to help your little one fall back asleep. Even if you live in an apartment, you’ll feel reassured that this baby monitor takes up minimal space and still gets the job done when it comes to safety.
A one-year warranty comes with this baby monitor and you can contact Hello Baby directly if you need technical assistance or need to file a warranty claim.
Amazon customer
writes:
“We bought this as a replacement for another brand that died after a month… I LOVE this monitor! You can touch the power button to shut the video screen off and just have sound at night. (We like to sleep with a very dark room.) It has a night mode and it’s so clear!!!! Holds a charge so well, so I can see baby while she’s napping while I’m in the kitchen cleaning up. Easy to set up and wonderful to use!”
Affordable • Clear day and night video • Set up alerts for your baby’s caretaking needs • ECO Mode turns monitor on and off based on baby’s activity
If you need a budget-friendly baby monitor, Babysense’s Video Baby Monitor offers vibrant day and night video for heightened safety, an ECO mode that helps conserve battery life, and customizable alert settings for your little one’s routine.
4. Babysense Video Baby Monitor
Babysense’s Video Baby Monitor delivers all the safety perks, including high-quality day and night video, customizable schedule alerts, and an ECO Mode setting at an affordable price.
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Dimensions:
8.7 x 5.9 x 3 inches
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Weight:
8.6 ounces
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Frequency:
2.4GHz
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Range:
Up to 900 feet
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Battery life:
Up to 12 hours
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
A parent unit, a baby unit, a power adapter, a user manual, and a built-in battery
At $75,
delivers all of the safety features you’re looking for at a fraction of the price.
Advanced day and night video makes this baby monitor a top choice for moms. A high-quality LCD screen gives you vibrant footage, so you won’t have to worry about a fuzzy screen when you’re observing your baby. Its infrared night vision feature can tell when the light level is low and it delivers clear black and white video in dark rooms. Digital zoom is also available if you want to watch your baby more closely when they’re relaxing or resting in their crib. The unit comes with an ECO Mode too that will automatically turn on or shut off depending on your baby’s sound activity.
Worried about sound quality? No need to with this baby monitor. It operates on 2.4 GHz transmission for secure sound, so you can still hear your baby well even if there are other receivers and radios nearby. It has a range of up to 900 feet too, just in case you need to communicate with your baby in another part of the house.
If your baby needs TLC, this monitor also offers additional features, like two-way talk-back communication, pre-programmed lullabies, and customizable alert settings. Soothe them with your voice by talking into the monitor or pre-program lullabies to help them sleep. Plus, you can set up scheduled alerts for feeding, diaper changes, or medication.
Babysense provides a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for this product, but if you need more coverage, you can purchase an extended two-year or three-year warranty from Amazon.
, an Amazon reviewer, says:
“I have a two year old and a two month old, and needed a monitor that would allow me to switch between multiple rooms. I had never used a video monitor before, and looked into several different brands before purchasing this Babysense one. I am so glad I took a chance on this one! This monitor allows me to quickly switch back and forth between babies’ rooms, and even has a feature that will automatically switch between both every 10 seconds. Infrared allows me to see my children even when it is dark, and eco mode saves on battery and eliminates background noise when baby is quiet. The only feature I would like to add is a vibration alert when the noise level reaches a certain point. I often use nap time to clean and don’t always hear the monitor over a running vacuum. Overall, this is a great monitor and excellent value for the price.”
Wearable technology to watch your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels • Smartphone app lets you see baby’s stats anytime • Digital alerts
Pricey compared to other models • No DECT technology • No video features
Wellness and safety come together with the Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor, which monitors your baby’s vitals, provides immediate alerts, and gives you real-time notifications on your smartphone.
5. Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor
Keep tabs on your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels with Owlet’s Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor.
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Dimensions:
3.5 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches
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Weight:
1.3 pounds
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Range:
Up to 100 feet
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Battery life:
18 hours
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Warranty:
45-day Piece of Mind Guarantee
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What comes in the box:
A base station, a smart socks sensor, three washable socks (sizes 0 to 18 months), charging cords, a lithium metal battery, the Owlet App, and the Connected Care App
Wearable technology is making its way to parenting products, and the
is here to help you keep track of your baby’s vitals.
This baby monitor set comes with three washable socks, a smart socks sensor, and a base station with high-tech benefits. Pulse oximetry in each sock monitors your little one’s heart rate and oxygen levels while they’re relaxing or sleeping in their crib.
All you have to do is wrap the sock around your baby’s foot, watch the base station glow green, and access real-time readings with the Owlet App. If your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels are low, the base station will notify you immediately with lights and sounds. Safety and wellness in one baby monitor? We’ll take it.
Owlet provides a 45-day Peace of Mind Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with the baby monitor, you can return it.
Amazon customer
writes:
“Thank you Owlet! Your wonderful sock saved our newborn granddaughter! One night while we were still at the hospital we decided to put her new Owlet on just to try it out. In the middle of the night the Owlet alarm went off, she had stopped breathing! She stayed in the NIC unit for eight days while they tried to determine the cause. She is now almost five-months-old and she still wears her Owlet sock day and night! God Bless you for your wonderful product! Every newborn baby should have one!”
Motion sensor pad to detect baby’s movements • Easy-to-read parent unit for sound monitoring • Alerts you if baby doesn’t move while they’re asleep or awake
Doesn’t come with video features
Keep track of your baby’s activity when they’re asleep or awake with Angelcare’s Movement and Sound Monitor that provides a motion sensor pad for additional safety.
6. Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor
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Dimensions:
12.7 x 5.2 x 11.1 inches
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Weight:
4 pounds
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Frequency:
2.4 GhZ
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Range:
262 – 328 feet (indoors), Up to 820 feet (outdoors)
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Battery life:
4 hours
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
An AC adaptor, backup batteries, a sensory pad, a parent unit, and a nursery unit
allows you to monitor your baby’s sounds and movements with a very convenient setup.
This baby monitor goes beyond the basic surveillance features, because it comes with a sensory pad that detects your little one’s activity. Whether your baby is asleep or awake, the motion detectors will sense if your baby is shifting positions. If your baby doesn’t move within 20 seconds, the sensory pad will alert you with an alarm.
If you’re concerned about hearing your little one, there’s no need to worry. The transmission from the nursery unit to the parent unit offers clear sound, so you won’t pick up on nearby receivers or radios. Plus, the parent unit provides an easy-to-read screen with a full-color display and a nursery room temperature reading. You’ll be able to safely observe your little one sans stress.
This Angelcare monitor comes with a one-year warranty and you can contact Angelcare if you need assistance submitting a warranty claim.
Amazon customer
says:
“If you are a parent who is worried about if your baby is going to stop breathing during the night, get this! I use this and a video monitor. The main complaint is that it goes off if you take the baby out of the crib and forget to turn the monitor off. Well I would hope it goes off :). It really does help me sleep better at night. It has only gone off once and it was actually when I was standing right in his room over his crib. I believe he did actually stop breathing that time. I just touched his belly and he took a deep breath. Other than that it never went off again, of course unless we picked the baby up and forgot to turn the monitor off. It is hard to believe that this pad can go under a mattress and still know he is breathing, but I swear it works. I tested it multiple times before using it and was very impressed.”
Two cameras for double the security • Secure digital wireless technology for optimal sound • Two-way talk feature for instant communication
You’ll need to buy additional cameras if you have a bigger family
Families with multiples or more than one child will love MoonyBaby’s Large LCD Video Baby Monitor, because it comes with two cameras, secure digital wireless technology for private conversations, and a two-way talk feature for immediate soothing.
7. MoonyBaby Large LCD Video Baby Monitor
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Dimensions:
10 x 5 x 3.5 inches
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Weight:
1.85 pounds
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Frequency:
2.4 GhZ
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Range:
1,000 feet
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Battery life:
4 hours
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Warranty:
1 year
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What comes in the box:
A parent unit with LCD monitor, two baby unit cameras, and three power adapters
Taking care of multiple children comes with its challenges, but the
is here to help you out with secure digital wireless technology, two cameras for double security, and two-way talk for seamless communication.
Sound security is a big concern among parents, but this baby monitor has you covered. Its secure digital wireless technology ensures a private connection between the camera and monitor, so you can hear your baby without interference issues.
Two cameras are provided with the set for additional security. Each are paired with the monitor, so you don’t have to worry about moving them to another room if you move your children. You can press the shortcut button to switch views between the two cameras. Oh, and did we mention you can set up to four cameras with this monitor? Definitely a win.
Two-way talk is another benefit of this baby monitor. If your children are having trouble settling down for bedtime or naps, you can use the two-way talk feature to calm them with your voice.
MoonBaby offers a one-year warranty for this monitor that covers defects in materials and workmanship. If your monitor falls under the warranty coverage, they’ll repair or replace your unit for free 12 months after the purchasing date.
