Tiny humans are cool! That is, when they begin to sleep through the night. Once this happens, you will find yourself wanting to sneak into the nursery and watch them sleep all the time. The problem then becomes how you can do that without waking them up. The answer is something all expecting parents already know: a baby monitor. Not only will this little contraption from heaven help your little one sleep better, but it will also relieve you of any worry letting you sleep better as well.
Every parent needs one, but there are so many choices, and the last thing you need is extra stress. So in this guide, we thought we would help you find a little peace, and check out some of the best baby monitors of 2021 as well as some key features you should consider when purchasing them. So, snuggle down in that comfy chair and get ready for hours of cuteness as you watch your tiny human drift off to and travel through dreamland.
Best Baby Monitor Reviews
Comparison Chart
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor with up to 1,000 ft of Range, Vibrating Sound-Alert, Talk Back Intercom & Night Light Loop, White/Silver
Wohome Video Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio, 5-inch 720p Display, HD Night Vision, Room Temperature，2X Digital Zoom,2-Way Talk,900ft Range
Baby Monitor, Peteme 1080P WiFi Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio 2-Way Audio with Night Vision Cloud Service Available Security Camera Compatible with iOS/Android
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor
Our first entry is an award-winning option from Infant Optics. The DXR-8 has been granted the title of the best baby monitor of 2018 by Popular Mechanics and with the number of amazing features packed into this tiny monitor, it is no wonder.
Product Highlights
Knowing what parents need from their baby monitor, Infant Optics has crafted this model with everything that you will need to keep a watchful eye out on your little one. The features included in this model are:
- Lightweight and compact design for better portability
- Multiple camera movements built in
- Interchangeable lenses for better visibility
- Durable materials used in the construction of the monitor
- Encrypted 2.4GHZ channel for better security
The Good
When you want to peek in on your baby as they sleep peacefully, having the best video quality is critical. With the DXR-8 you get not only high-quality resolution, but it is easy to use as well. The little additions, like multiple camera movements and lenses that can be changed to enhance the field of view, show you how much the team at this company truly understands what you as a parent want.
The Bad
Even with all the great features that Infant Optics included in the DXR-8, there are still a few improvements that parents think could make this model even better, starting with the resolution. Though it is a great video quality option, it is not high-def which almost seems a little dated. Other than the high-def issue, there are no lullabies included in the programming of the machine, and many feel this could be very helpful in getting and keeping babies asleep.
All in all, we can easily see why this model has won awards, and that is why if you are looking for a good-quality, easy-to-use option for your baby monitoring needs, we highly suggest you consider this model.
PROS
- Great video quality
- Easy-to-use navigation
- Multiple camera displays capable
- Ability to change out camera lenses
- Nice camera controls to allow for wider visual range
CONS
- Not capable of playing music
- No hi-def resolution
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
Our next entry comes to us from one of the biggest names in technology for tykes. Not only does VTech make great educational toys, but they also step into other avenues of baby tech like the DM221 Audio Baby Monitor.
Product Highlights
The DM221 is an excellent piece of equipment to have in your baby kit, and it is fitted with amazing features that will make you happy you chose it as your go-to monitor. These features include the following:
- Patented audio transmission tech (DECT 6.0) for clearer sound
- Built-in sound indicator with multiple levels (5)
- Ability to communicate through reliever with 2-way talkback
- Extended life and rechargeable battery (up to 18 hours on the main unit)
- Multiple power options (both chargeable and battery-powered)
- Designed with a belt clip for better portability
- Wide range capability (outdoors – 1000’/indoors – 160’)
- Programmable alerts for low battery and out of range
- Multiple languages available (English, French, & Spanish)
- Loop can be used as a nightlight
- Fitted with a silent vibration mode
The Good
When you choose to go with an audio-style monitor, you want one that offers optimal sound quality, and with the Vtech DM221, you have found the right choice — though the good stuff doesn’t stop there. There are so many features that make this more than your typical monitor. The best thing is the two-way talkback which allows you to soothe your child with your voice when you’re not in the room. It is also very portable, which is excellent for those that have a lot to get done around the house and are never free to do that.
The Bad
With the many features, you may not be surprised that one of the significant drawbacks is the navigation of use. It is difficult to set up and may take a little to get used to all the functions and features, but once you do, you will love the monitor for sure.
Even with the learning curve needed to get a grasp on this monitor the number of features that have been built into it easily makes it one of the best options on the market today.
PROS
- Great sound quality
- Tons of features
- Extended battery life
- Price
CONS
- Difficult to navigate
Wohome Video Baby Monitor
The next monitor on our list offers wireless video monitoring. The Wohome Video Baby Monitor is a great choice and comes with a lot of great benefits.
Product Highlights
The Wohome Video Baby Monitor offers so many features designed to make your life a little easier than not including it in our list would have been a huge miscalculation. The features that stood out to us are:
- Built with a 5” HD video screen
- 2.4GHz encrypted audio transmission for better security
- Constricted with two-way talk capability
- Long-range capability (500’-1000’)
- Equipped with multiple LCD infrared lights for superior night vision
- Programmed with various lullabies
- Able to be programmed to sleep and activate when the baby cries at a certain level (VOX mode)
- Ability to set feeding time reminder
- Set with a temperature monitoring system
The Good
Your life is stressful enough, so the setup and use of your monitor shouldn’t be, and that is how the team at Wohome feels. That is why, when constructing this model, they concentrated on making the user experience a good one. Then once they had that down, they set about adding in all the features that would make this model stand above its competitors. Things like the VOX and feeding modes, among many others, make this an excellent choice for the parent on the go. Plus, they added lullabies, and that was just the cherry on the ice cream sundae.
The Bad
There is not much to say about this model that falls into the negative category. Though there have been some reports of electrical hums being experienced and that may be very annoying for some.
The one drawback is not a universal issue, and when you look at all that you get with this model, a little electrical hum can be forgiven.
PROS
- Easy to install and use
- Programmed with a feeding clock
- Great quality video and audio
- Designed to play lullabies
CONS
- May experience some electrical hum
Peteme Baby Monitor
This Wi-Fi baby monitor from Peteme is such a feature-rich selection that any family would be in good hands if they decide this was the right choice for them.
Product Highlights
Not only is this a great baby monitor, but the engineers and design team at Peteme has come up with so many great features; it works well as a security motor too. These features that give it all this versatility are:
- High-grade video quality (FHD 1080p)
- Multiple lenses (6G)
- Variety of LED lights (9) for better night visibility
- Equipped with motion detection that can be set up to alert you via smartphone
- Wide field of view (360-degree)
- Built-in two-way talk functionality
The Good
For all you get with this amazing baby monitor, you would think that price tag would be astronomical, but shockingly it isn’t. That is really what sticks out the most, and then when you look at everything else, you simply smile and nod to yourself knowing that you just got a bargain.
The Bad
There are, of course, a few areas where there is some need for improvement. The lack of volume control could be a little annoying if you are a light sleeper and want to take a little nap. It does work better with iPhones and has some Wi-Fi limitations as well.
None of these issues can’t be solved, nor are they a problem all have with this baby monitor. In fact, if you can step back and overlook them, you will be getting by far one of the best out there.
PROS
- Easy to set up
- Price
- Ability to share on multiple devices
CONS
- Lack of volume control
- Better with iOS than Android
- Only works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Infant Optics Add-on Camera Unit
This partner piece to our first entry can be used independently of the unit as well. That is one of the great things that the folks at Infant Optics bring to the table — versatility.
Product Highlights
This camera unit stands alone with the fantastic number of features it has been constructed with. Here are those features:
- Comes with interchangeable lenses
- Easily controlled movements via remote
- Compatible with multiple Infant Optics lenses
- Built with high-grade, durable materials
The Good
This camera is impressive and offers many of the fantastic benefits that come with the name Infant optics. Built with durability and versatility in mind, this camera is perfect for any home looking for a full view of what goes on in their babies’ room.
The Bad
There are some issues with the night vision capability and its quality. Plus, when looking at the build, the main unit is sturdy, but the kickstand seems a bit flimsy.
This unit is a great choice, and though there are a few issues that some have with the overall quality, for the most part, the pros far outweigh the cons.
PROS
- Extended camera movement capabilities
- Able to be used with the interchangeable lens from DXR-8
- Great for monitoring from a distance
- Able to use remote to move the camera
- Protected transmission via Wi-Fi
- Great battery life
CONS
- Issue with quality of night vision
- Durability of kickstand
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have a few great options, you may be unsure of just how to choose the right one for you. There are several features, including type, you can use as benchmarks when it comes to this, and that is what we have compiled below. Let’s start with the type before we break down the components that make an excellent baby monitor.
Types of Baby Monitors
There are four main types of baby monitors:
Audio
These are the more traditional option and gives the parent the capability to monitor their baby by listening as they sleep.
Video
This type of monitor is fitted with video capability and allows you to keep a watchful eye on your little one.
Combination
These models combine both audio and visual so that you get the full 360-degree monitoring capability
Wearable
This baby monitor attaches to the child and allows you to track things like sleep and breathing.
Knowing these factors and why they are so important will help you through the decision-making process and hopefully make that process a little easier.
Here are the key factors to look at as you research your options:
Range
The range is simply the distance from the source monitor the secondary monitor can be and still have full reception. You will want to know how far your monitor works to ensure that you have full coverage throughout your home. Some long-range monitors go up to 700’, which are perfect for big houses. If you go with a Wi-Fi video option, you will be good no matter the size of your home. Plus, many have an app you can use on your smartphone to be able to check in from wherever you are.
Sound Quality
Another critical factor to consider is the quality of sound emitted for your receiver unit. You will want the highest quality sound so that you can keep an ear out for any sound that may indicate your baby is up and ready for their day as well as if there are any issues. Looking for a monitor that has clear, clean sound will help prevent any extra worry and needless fussing.
Battery Life
Most of the units you will be looking at will start by plugging directly into your wall socket. That means the only unit of the two that you will have to worry about battery life is the actual receiving unit. Most run on batteries, and there are those options that use a rechargeable battery. These batteries typically do this by being plugged into a wall socket as well. Many people complain of short battery life, so make sure you check out all the reviews to keep an eye out for the one that has the best extended battery life. There are models that have extra features like power-saving modes to lengthen the life of those batteries, so looking for this as well can help you find one that will have the length of life you feel you need.
Video Quality
When thinking of video quality, you first want to consider screen size. Larger screens often have a higher resolution which will give you a cleaner and sharper image. The monitors that come with smaller screens will have less of a visual area to deal with, although many of these also have good resolution quality. Some options use your smart device as the screen via a downloadable app that you can opt for as well. This is good for video quality as most phones have outstanding video quality capabilities nowadays. Plus, it makes your monitor portable.
Night Vision
This feature is vital as you will be monitoring your baby as they sleep and naturally, that means darkness. So, looking for a monitor that has a night vision setting is critical. Just remember that though you may see everything in color as you baby naps during the day, at night your video will only be transmitted in black and white.
FAQ
With any piece of technology, there are inevitably questions that arise as you do your research. Therefore, we have curated some of the most commonly asked questions for you and answered them below. We hope that we can answer at least a few of the ones you have bouncing around your brain, making your decision-making process easier and less time-consuming.
What baby monitor should I get: audio vs. video?
This is up to you, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. The audio option, which is more traditional, offers a more budget-friendly, easy to set up unit. However, if you have multiple children that you are looking to monitor, opting for a video option is a great choice. Many of these allow for multiple cameras to be relayed to one receiver giving you the option of watching all your little ones. If you are a parent on the go, this is an excellent option. A lot of models offer downloadable apps that you can use on your smartphone to monitor your children while you are away from home.
How long to use a baby monitor?
This is another thing that only you can decide. Most parents suggest stopping use once your baby has begun to sleep soundly through the night. However, if you are a light sleeper, you may want to start weaning yourself earlier by lowering the volume so that only the most intense cries will wake you.
How to prevent baby monitor hacking?
This is more common than you think, but there are a few things you can do to help decrease the risk of hacking:
- Device registration with the company
- Look for a monitor with encrypted connections
- Make sure to turn them off consistently
- Set up an email for the monitor
- Reset factory passwords
- Make sure you choose a good password
- Program personal alerts for the device via google
Where to mount baby monitor/baby video monitor?
When mounting your monitor, you will want to think about health and safety as well as the POV of the camera. Regarding health and safety, make sure that you place the monitor at least 6’ from the child so that you lessen the exposure to radiation from electromagnetic fields created by the monitor.
The POV issue is all about the model you choose and the design of your babies’ room. Some of the best places to mount your monitor are in the corner near the ceiling. This will give you a good angle and a wide field of view. Or you can place it on a high shelf. Now that you have an idea where here are some tips on the actual mounting process:
- Make sure you test the site you chose to make sure you get the most optimal view of the child
- Mark the placement of screws on the wall
- Then you will want to drill the holes in the wall.
- All that you must do now is follow your monitor’s mounting instructions, and you should be just fine.
Why does my baby monitor keep losing signal?
Many things can be causing your baby monitor to lose signal. Things like:
- The receiver is too far from the camera
- Obstacles blocking receiver signals
- Poor or inconsistent wireless connection
- Interference from another baby monitor
- Faulty power cord or source
Final Verdict
Making sure you can be there when your baby needs you is vitally important and by choosing the right monitor, you will ensure that no matter the moment there is one cry, you can be there in a flash to calm and soother them back to dreamland. Taking the time to do your research and use the guide we laid out above will help you do that with less worry and time taken, which means you will have more time to enjoy that beautiful bundle of joy.