Best Baby Monitors Every Parent Should Consider
The best baby monitors make it easy to keep an eye on your little one from virtually anywhere in the house. Parents have more options than ever for baby monitors, from videos to sensors, audio and everything in between.
With so many options, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you should look for when choosing a baby monitor and our top 10 picks for the best baby monitors.
How to Choose a Baby Monitor
What should I look for in a baby monitor? We get this question a lot from our visitors. Here are some important things to consider.
Type
There are several types of baby monitors, but two of the most common are:
- Video
- Audio
If you want to be able to view your baby, a video monitoring system is a great option. These systems come with one or more cameras that can be mounted onto a wall or placed near a crib for easy monitoring. In addition, many monitors offer recording and monitoring in 720p or 1080p.
Audio systems typically come with a baby monitor and parent units that allow you to listen for movement, crying and fussing.
Video systems are more complex, but they allow for complete monitoring. Audio systems are simple, but you won’t be able to see your baby.
Wi-Fi or App Connectivity
Some baby monitor systems connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and an app. While convenient, privacy and security concerns should be considered. Make sure that you take steps to secure your connection or choose systems that are designed with security in mind.
Otherwise, consider baby monitors that do not connect to the internet or your smartphone (i.e., radio monitors). While these systems aren’t hackproof (nothing is), they are generally more secure and private.
Extra Features
Many modern baby monitors come with extra features that you may or may not want or need. Consider the pros and cons of each to determine whether they’re worth the extra cost. Some of these “extras” are considered essential by most parents.
- Night Lights and Night Vision: If you’re choosing a video baby monitor, night vision is essential. Otherwise, you won’t be able to see your little one in the dark. Many monitors also have night lights, which may be soothing for your baby. Again, night lights aren’t necessarily essential, but they may be a nice feature to have.
- Two-Way Audio and Lullabies: Do you want to be able to talk to your baby or play a lullaby over the monitor system to soothe them? Consider a monitor that has an intercom system. Many monitors also have a library of built-in lullabies to help your baby drift off to sleep.
- Movement and Temperature Sensors: Many monitors have built-in movement sensors, which can alert you when your baby is moving around in the crib or room (especially useful for monitoring stomach sleeping). Temperature sensors are also an attractive feature, but they’re often unreliable.
These extra features can expand the functionality of your baby monitor, but not every parent deems them necessary.
Can Baby Monitors Be Hacked?
Yes, baby monitors can be hacked. But some types of monitors are more vulnerable than others.
- Wi-fi-connected monitors are convenient, but they can easily be hacked if you don’t have the right security measures in place.
- Radio monitors can also be hacked, but the hacker would have to be in close range and have the right tools for the job.
If you choose a Wi-Fi-connected monitor, make sure that your router is secure, and your network is firewall protected. Securing your home Wi-Fi network can be complicated. Here’s a helpful video to help you get started.
5 EASY Ways to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network (& protect your devices!)
Our Top Picks for the Best Baby Monitors
1. Best Overall – Eufy Security Video Baby Monitor
Eufy Security’s video baby monitor gets high marks not only from parents but from The Bump, New York Magazine, Wired and other publishers. Why? Because it’s private, secure and advanced.
Eufy’s system allows you to connect up to four cameras, all of which are 720p HD and come with a 5” 720p display for crystal clear picture quality. They can also tilt 110°, pan 330° and zoom up to 2x for even more coverage.
A long battery life and a slew of features like night vision, sound alerts, temperature sensors and two-way audio make these baby monitors a great investment. And because they don’t connect to Wi-Fi or an app, you can rest assured that your footage is private and secure.
2. Best Baby Monitor With 2 Cameras – Babysense
With split-screen monitoring and two PTZ (pan tilt zoom) cameras, the Babysense baby monitor is an excellent option for parents who want to keep a close eye on their baby.
Each camera has an adjustable night light and the ability to pan 360° and tilt 90°. Night vision, two-way talkback and a split-screen LCD display are just a few of the many great features of this baby monitor system.
3. Best Baby Monitor That Connects to Phone – Owlet Cam Smart Baby Monitor
The Owlet Cam is a smart baby monitoring system that streams in 1080p right to your phone through the Owlet app. Along with on-demand monitoring, the system also sends notifications when motion is detected.
With the tap of a button, you can view the room’s temperature and even turn on background audio so you can listen while using your phone. Streaming is encrypted to protect your privacy, and the system comes with a convenient wall mount.
4. Best Baby Monitor That Records – Nanit Pro
The Nanit Pro is a complete baby monitoring system that records video, monitors your baby’s breathing, tracks growth and more.
The star of the show is the Nanit Pro camera, which comes with an unobtrusive wall mount for complete monitoring. Nanit provides sleep stats every morning along with a timelapse so you can see your baby’s entire night of sleep. Capture growth and milestones right from the app and relive memories from recorded footage.
For parents that want a complete monitoring solution that goes beyond video, the Nanit Pro is a great option.
5. Best Baby Monitor for Deaf Parents – SereneLife Monitor System
The SereneLife baby monitoring system is ideal for hearing-impaired parents. The system’s camera connects to a smartwatch with a visual display for real-time monitoring at any time.
Vibration alerts let you know when to check on your baby. You can also adjust the viewing angle, view the room’s temperature, play lullabies and even talk to your baby. Night vision ensures that you can always keep an eye on your baby.
6. Best Baby Monitor for Twins – LBtech Baby Monitor with Two Cameras
The LBtech baby monitor system has two cameras – one for each twin. And you have the option of adding two extra cameras (4 total) for complete monitoring of your babies.
The plug-and-play system doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, so your footage is secure and private. Features like two-way audio, night vision and temperature sensing give you more control over your baby monitoring.
The system turns on automatically when sound is detected, and the monitor has a range of 1,000 feet.
7. Best Baby Monitor Without Camera – VTech DM221
For audio-only monitoring, the VTech DM221 is a great option. The intercom-like system allows you to talk to your baby and even monitor the sound level in the room, thanks to the 5-level LED sound indicator.
The built-in night light is soothing for babies and won’t disturb their sleep. There’s also a vibrating sound alert, although it’s not as impressive as the SereneLife system.
Each system comes with the baby monitor itself and two parent units. The batteries are rechargeable, and the 1,000-foot range allows you to monitor your baby from virtually anywhere in the home.
8. Best Inexpensive Baby Monitor – VTech Digital 5” Baby Monitor
For parents on a budget, the VTech 5” digital baby monitor is a great choice. Monitor your baby in 1080p HD and view the footage on your smartphone or tablet. This system connects to your Wi-Fi network and has many of the features you find on higher-end models, including:
- Lullabies
- Night light and night vision
- On-board recording
For under $100, VTech’s system offers excellent value.
9. Best Baby Monitor with Replaceable Battery – Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro
The Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro is a durable video baby monitor system with interchangeable lenses and batteries. The camera operates on a closed-loop system, so your footage remains private and secure.
With a clear LCD screen and 720p camera, you won’t miss a thing with this baby monitoring system.
10. Best Breathing and Movement Monitor – Sense-U
Go beyond video monitoring to track your baby’s breathing and movement. The Sense-U system attaches to your baby’s diaper or swaddle to monitor your baby’s rollover, breathing patterns and temperature.
Audible alarm alerts let you know if your baby is having trouble breathing, sleeping on their stomach, or if their temperature is too high or low.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a baby monitor is a personal decision and one that you shouldn’t take lightly. You can’t be with your baby 24/7, but a quality monitoring system will let you know when it’s time to check up on your little one.
We’ve shared some of the best baby monitors out there based on expert and user reviews. Find one that best meets your needs and budget.
