When you’re a new parent, the thought of leaving your little one alone in a room can send you spiraling with fear. Are they crying? Are they still breathing?
These are just some of the questions you’ve probably thought of.
To remove some of the stress and give yourself peace of mind, you should invest in a baby monitor. These devices have advanced a lot in recent years.
For this reason, many parents don’t know how to choose the best baby monitor.
Don’t worry! We’ve researched for you. Here’s a detailed look at the best baby monitors, and their features.
Comparison Chart
Nanit Plus – Smart Baby Monitor and Floor Stand: Camera with HD Video & Audio – Sleep Tracking – Night Vision – Temperature & Humidity Sensors and Two-Way Audio
CasaCam BM200 Video Baby Monitor with 5″ Touchscreen and HD Pan & Tilt Camera, Two Way Audio, Lullabies, Nightlight, Automatic Night Vision and Temperature Monitoring Capability
Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired Home Security Camera 24/7 Live Video, 1080p HD, Wifi, Night Vision, 2-Way Talk, Mobile Intelligent Alerts, 3-Hour Event Snapshot, Works with Google Assistant & Alexa
Best Baby Monitors Reviews
Nanit Plus – Smart Baby Monitor and Floor Stand
The Nanit Plus monitor is called the Tesla of baby monitors! As Tesla is known to manufacture products with the most innovative features, that means a lot. The Nanit Plus is the next generation of baby monitors, as it boasts advanced features, such as a personal sleeping coach and breathing monitoring.
Review
When it comes to smart baby monitors, Nanit is one of the leaders on the market. The Nanit Plus monitor is a high-end item.
If you’re looking for an advanced monitor that not only gives you an image and sound of your little one, but also analyzes their sleep pattern, then it’s worth the extra cost.
Like most baby monitors, the Nanit comes with a camera that shows an HD bird’s eye view video of your precious one. The camera also lets you have a view of the whole room, so you can even see the nanny if you have one.
You can even bring your Nanit with you when you travel, as it has a floor stand. The whole Nanit Plus setup consists of the aforementioned camera; the Breathing Wear, which includes a patterned swaddle, a patterned band, or a sleeping bag; and there is a corresponding app available for iOS and Android users.
Bear in mind that the Breathing Wear is also sold separately, and is necessary if you want to track your baby’s breathing and movements. We’ll get to that soon, so don’t worry.
All data, such as sleep tracking, video storage, parenting tips, and breathing monitoring, are a part of the one-year Nanit Insights free subscription. After the trial period, you can still get a live stream, but other options won’t be available unless you pay an extra $100.
In general, most parents only choose to have these stats on hand for the first year of their baby’s life.
Installing the camera is pretty straightforward, as the package comes with an instructions booklet. Once you do that, you then need to connect it to the app on your phone.
One of the best features of this monitor is that it streams video even when you don’t use your home Wi-Fi. This is made possible by a Bluetooth connection; quite a neat function when you’re somewhere with low or even no internet connection.
In the app, you’ll need to enter your baby’s name, birth date, and gender. Based on that information, you’ll then get personalized parenting tips. And that’s it, you can now see your little one comfortably sleeping in their crib.
The sharpness and quality of the video are what make the Nanit Plus stand out from its competitors. The colors are clear and incredibly accurate, it’s as if you are watching a baby right in their room.
But to get the most from this device and monitor your baby’s breathing in real-time, we advise you to purchase the Breathing Wear. You can choose between a swaddle, a sleeping bag, or a band.
Most parents first get a sleeping bag, and as their baby grows older, they move to a swaddle, and eventually a band. These are all made from 100% cotton and are machine-washable.
Each of them has a unique set of patterns that help track your baby’s motions. You will no longer have to tiptoe inside the room to check if they’re still breathing, you can find all this out via the baby monitor.
For parents who’ve read tons of articles on sudden infant death syndrome and worry a lot, this is a fantastic feature.
When your baby starts moving, you’ll get a notification on the app. While some baby monitors don’t show these unless the app is left open, with Nanit Plus, notifications show even when you lock your phone.
The audio monitoring system is fantastic. Since it’s a two-way system, the baby can also hear you so you can speak to them directly. You can sing to them to calm them down when they’re a little fussy. And not only that! It also allows you to play nature sounds, such as white noise, to help your baby fall asleep.
Other unique features of the app are displaying the room temperature, humidity levels, and how long your baby has been sleeping. On the Nanit app, you’ll see a dashboard that shows you this information, together with the time you put your baby to sleep.
When you’re a new parent, you may forget that maintaining a consistent sleeping schedule is key for both your baby’s and your well-being. But don’t worry. If that happens, the app will let you know, so that you can be in the loop.
Pros
- High-quality camera
- Two-way audio
- Breathing monitoring
- Works without internet
Cons
- Expensive
- Paid subscription after a year
CasaCam BM200 Video Baby Monitor with 5″ Touchscreen
Are you looking for a baby monitor that comes with a large screen? This CasaCam unit might be the right option for you. With a 5’’ touchscreen display, you can show your newborn to friends even when they’re sleeping.
Review
Parents who are Star Wars fans will be over the moon when they discover that they can get a baby monitor with a design that resembles R2-D2. Your little one will be surrounded by Star Wars-related items from an early age.
While some parents purchase baby monitors that connect to their smartphones, others prefer to get a unit that comes with its screen. The CasaCam also streams video in full color.
The camera is adjustable, so you can tilt it remotely, so as not to disturb your baby while sleeping. Since it can pan left and right 270 degrees, as well as tilt 110 degrees, you’ll get a great view of your child and see every cute detail.
If you’ve already got a big family, getting separate baby monitors for each child can be a considerable cost. That’s why this product is great for those who have up to four children.
The monitor supports four different cameras, allowing you to monitor all your kids from one device for a fraction of the price. The digital zoom gives you a closer look at your little one when you start missing them.
When nighttime comes, you don’t have to go to the nursery to change the mode. With automatic night vision, this baby monitor automatically adjusts to the light conditions in the room. It isn’t the sharpest image in the darkness, but you’ll still be able to see your baby.
Furthermore, since it features a built-in nightlight, you don’t have to turn on the light every time you enter the room and need to breastfeed your little one. It’ll allow you to see your baby clearly without waking them up.
Fussy evenings are quite common in the first couple of months. However, you don’t always have to get to your little one right away. With four installed lullabies available, you can soothe your baby back to sleep via the monitor.
If the room temperature isn’t right, these won’t be much of a help. Fortunately, the product contains an in-built thermometer that makes sure your baby is sleeping in a comfortably warm room. The moment the room becomes too warm or too cold, a notification will pop up and you can see this issue.
Another feature that we love is that the screen and sound automatically turn off when they can’t detect any motion. When you’re trying to sleep, even the dimmest light setting can be annoying.
But with this monitor, you can sleep like your baby. Additionally, you can choose between six different languages, making this monitor an excellent option for a wide range of international users.
If you live in an older house that has thicker walls, you may struggle with a slow, inconsistent Wi-Fi connection. In this case, the best baby monitor for you is the one that streams signal despite these conditions.
The CasaCam works well even with a poor internet connection. What’s more, it can also function independently of Wi-Fi, keeping the connection private. You don’t have to worry about anybody hacking your baby monitor.
Finally, when you purchase this baby monitor, you get a warranty allowing you to return the product within 100 days, no questions asked.
Pros
- Free video storage
- Four lullabies included
- Temperature monitoring
- Multilanguage display
Cons
- Poor battery
- Night vision not clear
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor
Infant Optics is one of the leading companies that manufacture baby monitors. The Infant Optics DXR-8 baby monitor is a popular choice for many parents because of its big display, interchangeable optical lenses, and price.
Review
The Infant Optics baby monitor was the first to feature interchangeable optical lenses. There’s a standard lens, a zoom-in lens, and a wide-angle lens. This means you can get a close-up look at your baby and their surroundings.
The camera is very durable, so even if you accidentally knock it down, there won’t be any scratches.
Rotating the camera remotely is also possible, which is useful as you don’t have to get inside the room and potentially wake up your little one.
It’s also relatively silent, so it won’t disturb your baby. However, the camera pan and tilt system have their flaws.
In the main, you can only move it up, down, left, and right, which isn’t enough for some parents.
Although it doesn’t offer the best quality video, it still does the most important job – streams video of your baby. And for some parents, this is all their baby monitor needs to do.
The camera features a sound-activated LED indicator so that you can hear when your baby is crying. There’s also a sleep mode that doesn’t show the video but only sound.
You can turn it on or off during the night. When it’s on, the green light shines from it, but it’s barely noticeable so your baby is not likely to be disturbed by it.
A consistent sleep schedule is crucial for newborn babies. If you stick to it, both you and your baby will be able to get some much-deserved rest.
If you want to keep track of your baby’s sleeping, a baby monitor should also display the time. Unfortunately, this product doesn’t show it.
With this product, you also get a rechargeable battery. You can take the monitor out with you to the garden, and relax, while still getting a view of your baby.
Another useful feature is that it starts beeping the moment the battery is low. That way, you don’t risk losing signal in the middle of the night when you need to monitor your baby.
For some, it may be a turn-off that this baby monitor doesn’t use Wi-Fi to stream video, instead, it uses a 2.4 GHz FHSS system. However, for others, this is a crucial feature, as this kind of setting keeps your baby monitor safe from hackers.
Another good point about this monitor is that the fact that it does not require a Wi-Fi connection makes it better for families who travel a lot. You just need to plug this device wherever you go, and you can keep an eye on your baby, no Wi-Fi required.
Plus, since it’s lightweight, you can carry it everywhere with ease. Since it doesn’t require any apps to show the video, you can also keep your phone free from additional clutter.
Pros
- Affordable
- Rechargeable battery included
- Durable camera
- Hacker-proof
Cons
- Limited camera mobility
- No time feature
Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired Home Security Camera
Finding an affordable baby monitor that also does a good job can be difficult. Luckily, we’ve discovered one, and that’s the Google Nest cam. You can even use this one to monitor your home, once the baby grows up.
Review
Although technically a home security camera, you can use this Google Nest cam to monitor your baby as well. Considering its list of features, such as 1080p HD video, infrared night vision, and person detection, it’s a rather affordable product.
Setting up this camera is simple. You can mount it to a wall, or put it on a shelf close to the crib. To get the most of it, you need to connect it to Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, without a monthly subscription, videos disappear from storage, and you can only view your baby in live mode.
However, if a $10 monthly subscription sounds like too much for you, you can do just fine with the live mode alone. Be aware that if you do not pay the subscription once the trial period is over, you will lose all your saved videos.
The camera also has a two-way audio system, which is of outstanding quality. Your baby will be able to hear you clearly as you sing a lullaby to soothe them. And when the baby grows up, you can talk to them through the camera and remind them to put that milk carton back in the fridge!
Since it’s a home camera, it also detects smoke right away, which is a bonus feature, as standard baby monitors don’t have such an option. The night vision solution also offers a crisp image of your little one.
Another huge plus of this product is the movement detection system, again due to it being a home camera. It can also track your baby’s movement during the night.
With the Nest subscription, you can review the video from the previous night and save the parts when your baby rolls around in its crib. However, keep in mind that unless you are subscribed to Nest, you won’t have much storage.
Person detection is another cool feature of this product. You can set the camera to recognize particular faces and alert you when there’s an unknown person in its proximity. This kind of feature can be especially valuable for parents who want to be extra cautious.
Unfortunately, since this isn’t a baby monitor, you don’t get audio at all times. This means you can’t hear your baby cooing, crying, or babbling unless you go to Nest app and tune in this option. This can potentially turn some parents off, especially if they don’t sleep close to their baby.
The issue is that once you turn on this option, you’ll get alerts any time there’s even a minor sound, which will disturb your sleep.
Pros
- Smoke detection
- Infrared night vision
- Inexpensive
- Person detection
Cons
- Can’t track audio at all times
- Lack of local storage
Motorola Video Baby Monitor 5”
Although a well-known phone manufacturer, Motorola’s baby monitor production is growing. With a large screen, lullabies included, and a room temperature display, this baby monitor has a lot to offer.
Review
If you’re looking for a relatively simple baby monitor that has a long battery life, then this Motorola product may be the one for you. The camera comes with a rechargeable battery. It can last up to three hours, so even if there’s a power outage, you’ll still be able to see your baby.
Generally speaking, parents are very satisfied with the camera. It shows clear images of their babies and comes with pan, zoom, and tilt options, so you can adjust it to get a better view of your child.
If it doesn’t pan enough for your requirements, you might want to install the camera on the wall, or a shelf near the crib. One issue is that the image tends to be a bit blurry when the baby is wiggly. Nonetheless, you’ll still be able to see them.
When the lights are out, you’ll get a sharp image of your little one due to the infrared night vision feature. This is especially good news since that’s the time you probably need to monitor your baby the most.
The audio system is impressive. There’s barely any white noise, so you can hear any cooing. It’s one of the most silent baby monitors. Adjusting the volume is relatively easy; there are buttons on the parent unit, and using them is rather intuitive.
You can also use these buttons to turn on and off the unit or to calm down your baby by pressing the voice button and talking to them.
Another good feature is that you can choose how long you want the camera and the screen to stay on. The screen can stay on for 5, 30, or 60 minutes, while the camera can stay on for 2, 4, or 6 hours. That allows you to save the battery when you know the monitor doesn’t need to be on.
As this Motorola baby monitor doesn’t use Wi-Fi, you also don’t have to worry about it being hacked. This also means there isn’t an app you can install on your phone to connect to the baby monitor.
However, there is an app available for Android and iOS users that lets you track your baby’s growing progress by logging their height, weight, sleeping pattern, and even feeding quality.
Download the Hubble for Motorola to see the data. Furthermore, you can read some interesting facts about your cognitive development and get parenting tips.
Finally, the range of this baby monitor is its best feature. It provides a connection within 1,000 ft. Once you are out of this range, you’ll get an alert.
Pros
- Five lullabies
- Secure connection
- Very quiet
- Good image even in low light
Cons
- No smartphone app
- Blurry image when baby moves
Buyer’s Guide
Some baby monitors contain lullabies and some can even alert you when the room temperature isn’t quite comfortable.
Although these are interesting features, they are not the most important to consider when buying the best baby monitor. In the section below, we’ll explore the main features to look for in-depth.
Types of Baby Monitors
Two main types of baby monitors exist – audio and audiovisual monitors. Audio monitors are basic models, which only let you hear your baby crying, cooing, or babbling.
Some of them have two-way audio, which means you can also talk to your baby with a press of a button.
On the other hand, audiovisual monitors also display an image of your baby, in addition to audio.
That way, you will know if there’s a blanket over their face, or you can look at them when you start missing them during the night. Furthermore, these can use a Wi-Fi connection or a 2.4 GHz FHSS system.
Some parents prefer baby monitors that don’t need Wi-Fi as they are concerned about potential hacking. Others want a baby monitor that uses Wi-Fi so that they can check on their child even when they’re at work.
Interconnectivity
The baby monitor industry has seen a boom in recent years. You can now even connect a baby monitor to multiple cameras in your house and use the same device you use for home security to also monitor your baby.
In general, parents who live in a larger house prefer these models as they allow them to get a view of their baby from every room in the house.
Furthermore, some baby monitors include multiple monitors, which is also efficient in these situations. You can then place one monitor in the kitchen to check on your baby while you’re making a meal, or in the living room while you’re chilling.
Finally, modern baby monitors can easily transmit a signal to smart devices, such as phones and tablets, grandparents can even see their grandchild from their home if they have one of these too.
Display Quality/Screen Size
The best baby monitor shows a crisp image of your baby, and colors are vivid. There are more and more large-screen models that show an HD image of your baby.
Some models may have smaller screens but still, sufficiently give you a clear view of your bundle of joy. The images on the baby monitors that connect to your cell phone will depend on your phone’s specifications.
Room Temperature Checker
Did you know that there are baby monitors that alert you when it’s too cold or too hot in your baby’s room? That’s right. You don’t need to check on them every couple of minutes to see if the temperature is right.
In general, the best temperature for a nursery is between 68° and 72° Fahrenheit.
Should the temperature drop or go above it, you’ll receive a notification. But don’t worry if the baby monitor you’ve set your eyes on doesn’t have this function. You can just put a thermometer in their room to monitor the temperature.
Zoom Capability
The best baby monitor will have different zoom functions. This unique function will allow you to change the angle of the camera, pan and tilt it, and zoom in on your little one. With a zoom capability, you can see those tiny fingers and get a clear view of their smallest movements.
Such an innovative solution for parents looking for more advanced features in a baby monitor.
Motion and Sound Sensors
Depending on your model, you might only be able to hear when your baby is crying. However, as technology is advancing, more monitors can track the movements of your baby, such as waking up or rolling around.
With reliable functions such as these, parents are more at ease than ever, as they get notified about the changes right away. What’s more, some baby monitors can even track your baby’s breathing. Although they don’t prevent sudden infant death syndrome, they do give parents peace of mind.
Night Vision
When you want to check on your baby in the middle of the night, the last thing you’d want to do is go to their room and wake them up. That’s why a lot of baby monitors have an infrared or night vision function.
You can then check on your little one even when it’s completely dark in the nursery. Bear in mind that the quality of the image depends on the quality of the baby monitor.
Some offer sharp night vision, which is usually something most parents prefer. Furthermore, try to get a model that automatically detects when the lighting in the room changes. This option enables the device to switch to night mode when it’s darker.
Battery Life
Although all add-ons seem exciting, one of the most essential features to consider when buying a baby monitor is its battery life.
Overall, the battery should last for around seven hours. That should do just fine at night. If it lasts for a few hours, you risk not being able to see your baby.
Furthermore, some products come with rechargeable batteries and also alert you when the battery is running low. That way, you can charge the monitor right away and be ready for the night. Plus, if there are sudden power outages, you’ll still be able to see your baby for a couple of hours.
FAQs
Who Should Use a Baby Monitor?
Although a baby monitor isn’t a necessity, it’s certainly a blessing. Having this product allows parents to get a view of their baby even when they’re in the garden or a room far from the nursery. That way, they can continue with regular activities and don’t need to visit the baby every couple of minutes to check how they are doing.
Whether you should use a baby monitor or not also depends on the location of the nursery. Whether the baby will even have a nursery or will sleep with you will also be a determining factor. If the baby sleeps with you, you probably won’t need to get a baby monitor.
Moreover, if a nursery is next to your room, you’ll most likely hear every whimper, so there’s no need for a baby monitor.
In a nutshell, a baby monitor isn’t an essential thing on your list. However, it’s convenient and gives you peace of mind.
How Should I Safely Use a Baby Monitor?
Many parents don’t realize that there are some precautions they should take when mounting a baby monitor. Always place a baby monitor at least three feet away from the crib. That way, you’ll get a clear view of the baby, but it also won’t be in its reach.
Bear in mind that there shouldn’t be any objects in front of it that would obstruct its view. As your child grows, you may need to change the position, so that they can’t reach it.
Another thing you should consider are the cords that come with it. Placing a baby monitor in the crib can potentially be dangerous for the baby.
Especially if the baby monitor you choose isn’t wireless, be sure to place it far away from those curious hands. Make sure to conceal the cords with a cord cover, or if possible, stick them to a wall.
To sum up, you need to place a baby monitor in a way that allows you to get the best view of your baby, but it should also be safe for your little one.
How Secure Is a Baby Monitor?
Nowadays, most baby monitors use a Wi-Fi connection. Although this function allows parents to view their baby even from an office, an insecure connection is a potential target for hackers. It might seem unlikely that someone would hack such an innocent device. Unfortunately, there have been cases of this very issue.
To prevent this from happening, even if your model uses Wi-Fi, make sure you choose a password that’s unique to you. Regularly install any updates and improve the security of your home wireless network by creating a hard-to-guess password.
However, if you’re still concerned, you can always get an audio-only baby monitor or one that doesn’t use Wi-Fi.
How Do Night Vision Cameras Work? Could They Be Harmful to My Baby?
Baby monitors with night vision cameras rely a lot on infrared light to get as clear an image as possible. Although invisible to the human eye, human bodies emit heat which cameras with night vision can pick up. The energy intensity level of night vision cameras is really low, therefore it isn’t harmful to babies. However, you shouldn’t keep them close to your child or their eyes.
At What Age Should You Stop Using a Baby Monitor?
As a new parent, you always worry about your newborn and want to make sure they’re doing fine. This often includes using a baby monitor for as long as possible to monitor them. However, at some point, you will decide to stop using one. Up to six months, it’s advisable for parents to have a baby monitor.
You can check on your baby and make sure everything is fine. Plus, it allows you to get a view of your baby’s breathing and movement, without walking in and walking them up.
After six months, you can still use a baby monitor but may be lower down the volume so that you aren’t alarmed every time there’s even the slightest noise.
Finally, when your child turns one, you can remove the baby monitor from a room. Children should already have a set sleeping schedule, and SIDS isn’t a concern from this age onward.
In reality, getting rid of a baby monitor is more difficult for parents than for children. This unit gives them a sense of security, but it can also be a source of anxiety.
You don’t want to stare at the baby monitor for hours on end, especially when there’s no more need for it. You need to let your child sleep alone in their room and prepare them to be independent.
How Many Monitors Do You Need?
This will depend on the number of children you have and the functions your baby monitor offers. For instance, some baby monitors can connect to three or four cameras, so they’re perfect for parents who have more than one child.
On the other hand, some only connect to one camera, so if you have more children, you might need to get additional products.
In general, if you have just one child, you only need one baby monitor. There’s no need to spend money on more devices.
What Kind of Monitor do You Need for Twins?
Most twins sleep in the same room. However, parents often wonder if one baby monitor is enough to provide a good view of both children.
Depending on the furniture arrangement, a baby monitor might be able to give you images of your twins. However, to ensure you have a clear view, it’s better if you get two cameras and set them up so that each one monitors one of the twins.
Moreover, although some baby monitors come with one camera, additional ones can be attached to them. You can consider those models, as well.
Finally, if twins sleep in separate rooms, consider getting baby monitors that can connect with multiple cameras. That way, you don’t have to purchase separate ones for each room.
Final Verdict
Baby monitors are a fantastic investment for parents. They allow you to monitor your little bundle of joy from your garden or a bedroom without interrupting their sleep. However, with so many options available, it’s difficult to choose the best model.
If we had to choose one that stood out the most, it would have to be the Nanit Plus baby monitor. Although expensive, overall, it’s the best baby monitor you can find today. It gives a fantastic view of your baby, and it also boasts advanced features, such as a personal sleep coach. With it, you can track your baby’s sleeping schedule and adjust it accordingly.
Another feature we love is that if you spend a couple of extra dollars and get the Breathing Wear, the monitor can even track your baby’s breathing. That way, you can always be reassured that your baby is breathing normally.
The runner-up has to be the Infant Optics monitor. It’s budget-friendly, and hacker-proof, as it doesn’t use a Wi-Fi connection. On top of that, it also boasts a rechargeable battery.