Best baby monitors
Any parent who has tried tiptoeing around the nursery only to accidentally wake their sleeping baby can appreciate a good baby monitor. In today's market, there are endless monitor options to meet the varying needs of most families. Baby monitors are audio and video devices that allow you to check in on your baby by listening in or watching live-stream video while you are in another room.
Most often used to monitor your baby while they’re sleeping, baby monitors are a great way to put your mind at ease, and there are monitors for every need and budget. Some work in conjunction with an app on your phone so you can watch your baby from work or anywhere in the world; some come with a separate viewing unit, some can accommodate multiple cameras, which are great for parents of multiples.
Of course, there are also monitors that promise to watchdog and track your baby's heartbeat, breathing, or movements, sending an alarm if breathing stops (apnea) or when heartbeat is atypically slow. These types of monitors have led some parents to worry that they need a baby monitor for safety's sake.
Fear not, says Dr. Jordan Wright, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Denver, Colorado: “There really isn’t any data that tells us baby monitors are needed for safety. They are more often used to provide parents with a subjective level of reassurance around sleep and safety, although current evidence does not objectively demonstrate that they are actually useful for this purpose.”
In fact, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Home apnea monitors give little or no protection from SIDS."Opens a new window Research hasn't established a link between apnea and SIDS, and even full-term newborns may experience brief periods of apnea in their first few weeks.
"Parents may actually feel more fear and anxiety if they often use medical equipment to check on their healthy baby," the AAP warns. "One study found that parents of monitored infants said they felt more depressed, compared to parents of infants that weren't monitored."
Dr. Wright agrees: Apnea monitors and those that track movement “provide varying amounts of individualized information, but there is not significant evidence to show that they increase safety or decrease the occurrence of outcomes such as SIDS. There is some data to show that these monitors can result in false alarms or inaccurate readings, and in some instances fail to register clinically significant events altogether. This can potentially lead to increased parental anxiety, associated sleep disruptions, or unnecessary medical visits."
Ultimately, Dr. Wright sums up, if you feel more reassurance than anxiety using these kinds of monitors, that's up to you. But take their health and safety claims with a grain of salt, and always follow the AAP's safe sleep recommendationsOpens a new window. Babies should always be put to sleep:
- On their back, not on their stomach or any other position
- On a firm, flat crib mattress, covered only by a tight-fitting sheet, with no blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or anything else in the crib
How we chose the best baby monitors
Knowing how important baby monitors are to parents' peace of mind, we set out to select baby monitors that are easy to use, easy to set up, and offer a good value for the price. If the monitors are audio-only, we wanted them to have good sound quality and a long battery life.
Video monitors, in the meantime, should give a clear picture of small details (such as whether a baby's eyes are open or closed) at minimum, even in a darkened room. Features such as two-way audio, temperature check, a night light, and soothing sounds are nice to have, but not necessities.
It's a tall order, so we started our search in BabyCenter's Community, searching through millions of posts for unvarnished advice from parents on what monitors work best. Once we had a list of likely suspects, we handed them over to our expert editorial team to ensure the monitors met our own standards of quality and ease of use, as well as criteria from the AAP, Dr. Wright, and other experts.
Read on to find the best cheap baby monitor, the best non wi-fi baby monitor, and more. And if you're looking for more safety and home security equipment, our picks for the best babyproofing supplies and nanny cameras might help.
Best baby monitor overall
Owlet Cam HD Video Baby Monitor
This smart wifi baby camera, loved by millions, allows parents to safely and securely stream videos of their baby from anywhere without being tied to a handheld monitor. Compatible with IOS and Android devices, parents will receive instant notifications when the camera detects sound or motion in the baby’s room. Equipped with a thermometer to monitor the room temperature, night-vision, a two-way talk feature, and the ability to seamlessly connect multiple cameras, parents are put at ease as they watch their baby (or babies) sleep on the Owlet Cam Baby monitor.
Note that BabyCenter does not recommend the Owlet Smart Sock, because the AAP does not recommend baby monitors that track vital signs.
Heads up
Parents have reported that the camera view doesn’t load very quickly on the app and if you navigate away from the app and reopen, the connection has to be reestablished. Note that the Owlet Cam is not battery-powered; you'll have to set it up by a plug and it must be plugged in to work.
Parents say
“Owlet Cam Baby Monitor, a must-have.”
Specs:
- Video and audio streams to your phone
- Requires Android or iOS device
- Night vision, two-walk talk, temperature reading, movement sensor, video recording
- Operates on 2.4 gigahertz wireless frequency
- Range up to 150 feet
Best travel baby monitor
Lollipop Baby Monitor with True Crying Detection
Available in several fun colors, the Lollipop baby monitor is a wifi-enabled monitor with the best feature ever: it reliably listens for your baby's crying, then alerts you when it's heard. The Lollipop's other parent-beloved feature is its tracking, which shows you when crying was detected and how much your baby sleeps (you get a 30-day free trial to Lollipop Care data with the camera; more will cost you from $30 to $200 a year).
Two-way communication and lovely sleep sounds are great bonuses too: choose to listen to a vacuum cleaner, a hair dryer, or the soothing sounds of Chopin or Rachmaninoff. But the best feature this monitor boasts is the flexible "leg" that allows you to mount the camera almost anywhere. No longer do parents have to lug a bulky monitor along on their travels; just the wee Lollipop camera and their phones (which they'd do anyway).
Parents say
“I did a lot of research and finally I found the best monitor. Lollipop Baby Monitor with True Crying Detection. It works awesome.”
Heads up
Video recording and sleep tracking requires an add-on subscription. The Lollipop camera must be plugged in to work, so you can't really put it just anywhere if "anwhere" doesn't have a nearby outlet.
Specs
- Video and audio streams to Android and iOS phones
- Alerts parents when crying detected, 2.5x zoom, LED night vision, soothing sounds and music
- Operates on 2.4 gigahertz wireless frequency
- Choose from turquoise, cotton candy pink, or pistachio green
Best audio baby monitor
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
This budget-friendly baby monitor is audio only. A two-way intercom lets you talk to your baby or partner from a distance, and the baby unit has a built-in nightlight to help soothe your child to sleep. The portable parent unit vibrates, and a LED graphic bar visually alerts you to any sounds coming from your baby's room. Rechargeable batteries give up to 18 hours of monitoring time. A belt clip on the parent unit makes it easy to carry around hands-free, and if you misplace the parent unit, a paging feature will help you locate it.
Heads up
It takes 12 hours to fully recharge the batteries. Cordless phones and other electronic devices can interfere with reception and should be put at a distance from both units.
Parents say
"I have yet to encounter a single dissatisfying feature of this monitor. I'd buy it again. I'd give it as a baby shower gift. I'd get it in addition to a more sophisticated monitor setup so that I had a backup in case it failed."
"We got a VTech monitor. We knew we didn't want one that ran on Wi-Fi because we live in the middle of nowhere and have terrible Internet service. I like it – it's super easy to set up and use. I like that I can talk to my baby with it."
Specs:
- Audio monitor
- Two-way communication
- Range is 160 feet indoors and 1000 feet outdoors
- DECT 6.0 digital transmission eliminates white noise
Best non-wifi baby monitor
Infant Optics DXR-8
This internet-free video baby monitor is loved by parents, especially those who have concerns about privacy. This monitor is lightweight and portable and has a cool marquee feature: you can switch out the lenses of the camera to give a zoomed-in view of your nursery (for instance, if you want to keep a tight focus on the crib), a regular view, or a wide-angle view (which could be useful if you have an active baby who's all over the room). You can also adjust the camera's view from a distance: pan around the room, tilt to see up or down, or zoom in for small details. Best of all, your baby's monitor is safe and secure, since Infant Optics doesn't use your wifi signal to transmit images.
Heads up
The camera is sold with a standard and zoom lens, while the wide angle lens is sold separately.
Parents say
“I have the Infant Optics DXR-8 monitor. I’ve used it for almost five years with no issues.”
“This is the one I have and I love it! I prefer monitors without wifi.”
Specs
- Video and audio is transmitted to included 3.5-inch LCD screen
- Alarm function, two-way talk, remote thermometer, invisible IR night vision
- Expandable up to 4 cameras with Scan Mode
- Interchangeable optical lenses: standard and zoom lens included, wide angle lens sold separately.
- Operates on 2400-2483.5 megahertz radio frequencies; GFSK modulation; FHSS spread spectrum
- Range up to 700 feet
- Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included
Best wifi baby monitor
VTech RM7766HD 1080p Smart WiFi Remote Access 360 Degree Pan & Tilt Video Baby Monitor
Parents love this monitor's extraordinarily powerful zoom: enlarge images up to 30 times their size, truly a CSI level of detection that makes it glaringly obvious whether your little one is peacefully sleeping or not. The parent unit that accompanies this monitor is another mom-and-dad fave, because it will allow you to tune in your baby for up to 12 hours before needing a recharge; in other words, it'll get you through a day or a night handily so you don't have to worry about plugging in in the wee hours. Use the free app to also check in on your baby, remotely or from home, using your phone.
Heads up
Parents have reported that after a few months the monitor begins to lose connection throughout the night, which will call for you to reset it.
Specs
- Video and audio streams to included 7-inch color LCD screen, tablets, or phones
- Two-way communication, automatic infrared night vision, temperature sensor, volume control
- 360-degree pan, tilt and zoom the camera from the parent unit or remotely
- 30x zoom with mobile app, 24x from parent unit
- Operates on 2.4 gigahertz wireless frequency
- Built-in rechargeable batteries
How to buy baby monitors
With so many options on the market today with a variety of price points, parents shopping for baby monitors can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the choices. Before you dive into researching baby monitors, having an understanding of what features may be available and clarifying the needs you need a monitor to meet will help you to narrow down and eventually decide upon the best baby monitor for your family.
- Two-way audio: This feature works like a walkie-talkie, and is a convenient way to communicate directly with your baby or even your partner while you are in a different room. Generally you press down a button to speak, and let go to hear.
- Range: A baby monitor's range refers to the distance you can separate the monitor from the camera before the video/audio streaming is interrupted. If you live in a home with multiple floors or older/thicker walls, having a monitor with larger range capacities is a good idea.
- Wifi or an analog connection: Monitors will either use wifi connections or analog connections to stream video from the camera to the monitor or app on your smartphone. Wifi-enabled monitors give you more portability and a larger range, but can be more susceptible to hacking. Wireless encryption ensures that no one can hack into your monitor's feed to watch what is going on in your home. Non-wifi baby monitors usually use radio frequencies, but they may use other frequencies.
- High-resolution camera: A camera with a higher resolution will provide a better, less grainy image on the monitor display.
- High-resolution monitor screen: A higher resolution monitor screen provides a clearer image. Some monitors rely on smartphone apps to stream the video feed, while other monitors have smaller screens. In general, the larger the screen, the better the image.
- Option for multiple cameras: Finding a monitor that allows you to add more than one camera is ideal for parents who have or want to have multiple children.
- Night vision: Many cameras have infrared night-vision technology, which allows you to see your baby on camera although the room is dark.
- Camera pan and tilt abilities: Some cameras contain an internal motor so you can use your phone's app or parent unit to pivot, swivel, and otherwise adjust your camera remotely. Most cameras allow you to adjust them manually; remote adjustments are less common and handy if you want to avoid entering your nursery.
- Movement or noise notifications: When your baby needs you, you want to know immediately. Many monitors will alert you via the monitor screen or through push notifications from apps on your phone, you can know if your baby has woken up, is crying, and in some cases if the temperature in the room has changed.
- Temperature display: the camera units of some monitors have temperature sensors. If the room’s temperature sensor goes above or below your preset temp, the monitor will send an alert.
- Pre-installed lullabies or white noise: Some baby monitors are equipped with pre-loaded lullabies or white noise which can be a nice convenience for parents who want to soothe their babies from a distance.
- Battery life: A battery-powered monitor with a longer battery life gives you more monitoring time before you need to plug it in to charge.
- Portability: Depending on your lifestyle and traveling needs, you may want to look for a monitor that can easily travel away from home, meaning that the camera need not be mounted to the wall.
“Baby monitors, regardless of the type of monitoring the device provides, should not be used as an alternative to utilizing safe sleep criteria as defined by the AAP,” says Dr. Wright. He urges parents to always discuss the use of these products with their pediatricians so they appropriately understand the inherent risks that could arise.
Dr. Wright also reminds parents to follow all manufacturer guidelines for safe installation and use, and general AAP guidelines for monitor safety:
- Baby monitors and any products with cord should always be installed out of your child's reach. Understand that your child's reach changes as they grow, and you may have to move them over time.
- Monitors and cords should be placed at least three feet away from any part of your child's crib, bassinet, play yard, or other sleep environment.
- Monitors should never be placed inside or on the edge of a crib.
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AAP. August 2017. The Truth About Home Apnea Monitors for SIDs https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Home-Apnea-Monitors-for-SIDs.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed November 2021]
Marcus et al. 2012. Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/130/3/e714/30258/Diagnosis-and-Management-of-Childhood-ObstructiveOpens a new window Pediatrics (2012) 130 (3): e714–e755. [Accessed November 2021]
AAP. June 2021. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed November 2021]
AAP. 2012. Baby monitor cords can strangle infants, toddlers. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/article/33/9/36/10285/Baby-monitor-cords-can-strangle-infants-toddlersOpens a new window AAP News (2012) 33 (9): 36. [Accessed November 2021]
Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt are the authors of the book, You Can Two: The Essential Twins Preparation Guide and cofounders of parenting site Two Came True.