When you have a baby, there are a lot of things that you will need to buy for your bundle of joy who will be here before you know it. Buying a baby monitor can be a great way to keep an eye on your baby while they sleep in their crib for the night, or just for a nap in the afternoon.
But, as you start to shop around, it can be a little confusing and discouraging as there are several options on the market. So, you ask yourself what is the best baby monitor out there for my family?
Between all the options that different monitors offer and the different price points, picking the best baby video monitor can be a difficult task. To help you with this decision, we compiled the best products out there to make your decision as pain-free as possible for you.
Here are the 10 Best Baby Video Monitors for 2020.
OUR TOP PICK
Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor
Summary
With its perfect size to weight ratio ensuring easy portability and full viewing control, Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor is our top pick for sure! Thanks to this product, now you can use camera features such as tilt, pan, and zoom to make sure your baby doesn’t move out of your sight.
We have picked infant optics dxr-8 for you, an award-winning product that makes sure that your baby stays in your sight even when you’re away. Easy setup, zero load time and delay-free playback are just a few of the features of this device. You can even add more cameras with the scan mode. The Infant Optics features an invisible IR night vision so that even during your baby’s sleep he’s well looked after by you.
There is no setup required and an independent LED bar, which is activated by sound, lets you see when your baby is crying. Worried that a hacker might interfere with your feed? The baby monitor videos make sure that both the audio and video feed is transmitted through a secure channel with FHSS technology. Featured in several top pics and awards infant optics dxr-8 is one of the best the perfect choice for any parent’s needs.
The infant optics dxr-8 innovative lens technology enables you to customize camera performance by shifting different lenses on the camera in just instants. You can choose the most suitable focal length and viewing angle and you are done!
Why We Love It:
· Includes sound-activated LED bar for dark situations
· Alarm function two-way talk and remote thermometer
· Huge battery life with 8 hours video and 12 hours of audio functionality
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$$
EDITORS CHOICE
Hello Baby-US Baby Monitor
Summary
To ensure that you have a clear view of your baby at all times, Hello Baby-US Baby Monitor has a remote pan tilt that can rotate the camera to 355 degrees in horizontal and 120 degrees in vertical. Surely this brand has done the best to keep the monitor hassle-free as the setup is simply plugged and play.
Crystal clear audio technology will make you feel as if you were next to your baby. If you desire even more coverage, it is also possible as the monitor can pair up with as much as 4 cameras. This means you can put a camera in multiple rooms to keep an eye on your baby. Which can be a nice benefit, especially in larger homes.
Want to make sure that your lovely little baby stays in your sight even when you’re away? The baby monitor by Hello Baby US has been made for all those worrying parents that are cautious about their tiny tot. The researchable parent unit gives you full mobility inside the house.
The smart features include various functions that will tell you the room temperature, will sing a lullaby for your baby to make him sleep and a sound level LED indicator. This product is surely is one of the top-rated baby monitors to have in your home.
Why We Love It:
· A 3.2-inch screen along with a digital camera that provides crystal clear image
· Two-way communication feature
· Sound level LED indicator to see how much noise your baby is making
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$$
BEST VALUE
Goose Baby Video Monitor
Summary
Goose Baby Video Monitor is the perfect solution for all the parents who have a limited budget but still like to keep their beloved baby in their sights at all times. Featuring a 2.4-inch LCD screen and 2.4 GHz wireless technology, this monitor offers streaming smooth uninterrupted connection offering you clear and real-time video and audio for the unattended baby.
The room temperature measurement will keep you informed about the temperature of the room so that you can adjust it to keep the environment of your baby’s room comfy. Worried about the dark? Goose Baby has your baby covered even there as the infrared technology lets you see your baby as the night comes.
With the two-way talk and long-range support, you can soothe your baby even when you are far away. The baby monitor wakes up when your baby does, as your baby cries the screen will auto wake up and alert you immediately. With its 360-degree rotation now you can easily install it anywhere in the room and monitor your little one the whole day.
Why We Love It:
· Invisible IR night vision
· Remote temperature display
· Screen off Audio-only mode which saves 50 % battery
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$
Peteme Baby Monitor
Summary
With full HD and crystal clear vision, Peteme Baby Monitor makes sure that you see your baby with the perfect gaze making you feel that you are next to your baby at all times. With 9 infrared lights and 6G lens now you can see your baby even during the night time with perfect image quality.
This baby monitor connects with your phone and sends you an alert about your baby’s movement tracking it in real-time. To make sure that you don’t miss any corner of your perfect little toddler 360-degree movement has been installed. The two-way audio function will enable you to calm your tiny tot remotely even when you’re not around. Isn't it amazing?
Peteme offers premium support to fix any issues to make sure that your baby is happy and safe at all times. Therefore, even there is a problem with your device, you can call the support and they will fix the issue immediately. It is also great that the camera could be viewed by multiple users simultaneously.
Why We Love It:
· FHD image resolution
· Multi sharing and wide viewing angles
· Includes two-way audio
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $
Anmeate Video Baby Monitor
Summary
Anmeate Video Baby monitor is the one and only video baby monitor that features a high-quality LCD screen along with high-resolution display and 2x magnification, making sure that you capture of your tiny tot.
A perfect gift for all those worrying parents who like to keep their little baby in their vision, this device's 8 infrared LED lights monitor your baby’s activities along with the features of night vision and temperature monitoring which are included to make parents at ease when at night and constantly monitor the room temperature. With up to 960 feet transmission range now you can talk with your little cute baby and play lullabies to soothe him.
High battery capacity makes your worry-free about charging hassles as the video monitor can last up to 8 hours in eco mode. With the manual pan 360 degrees and Tilt 60 degrees now your baby stays in sight wherever he moves. Worried about someone hacking into your baby’s feed? You don't have to worry as digital technology ensures a private connection between the camera and the monitor.
Why We Love It:
· 8 Infrared lights and automatic night vision
· Long transmission range
· Digital privacy
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$
Lefun Baby Monitor
Summary
Lefun Baby Monitor features Lefun home cameras that can be used to monitor your baby’s activity from wherever you are via a phone connected with the internet. Now you can save his cute little laugh as the Lefun pet camera supports video recording function and playback via TF card storage.
Worried mother or father sitting at other corners of the globe can now simultaneously connect with the multiple devices accessing function. With the two-way audio now you can indulge your little one with your voice and hear his. The setup is as easy as 1 2 as you can quickly connect the camera via Wi-Fi and use the tilt and pan features to rotate the camera getting a better view at your disposal.
With the financial encryption technology enabled you don’t have to worry about anyone messing with your feed protecting all the data that you concern. Equipped with 1 Dot Matrix Infrared lights, which has a longer life than ordinary IR light, provides over 30ft IR viewable distance for you.
Why We Love It:
· Adapted audio coding and noise cancellation technology
· Smart alerts to avoid property loss
· Compatible with Alexa allowing you to ask the echo show to show your baby’s room
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $
VTech Audio Baby Monitor
Summary
The VTech Audio Baby Monitor features two units, a parents’ unit i.e. monitor and a baby unit i.e. audio monitor. The impressive DECT 6.0 provides crystal clear transmission technology which enables you to hear your baby’s tiny little cute voice eliminating the white noise that you hear from analog monitors.
Now you can monitor the baby’s voice even with the unit muted as the 5 level sound indicator will show you the noise level with the unit muted. With the two-way talk functionality now your baby can hear your comforting noise. You don’t have to worry about charging issues, as well, as the unit supports up to 18 hours of monitoring time on a single charge.
With 1000 feet of outdoor and 150 feet of indoor coverage now you can move around with peace of mind. Tired of holding it in your hand go hands-free mode with the belt clip. Set the beep mode with two options. 1 means the link between parent and baby unit is lost and 2 means battery is low.
Why We Love It:
· DECT 6.0 digital technology
· Five level sound indicator
· Belt clip ensuring hands-free mode
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $
Nooie Baby Monitor
Summary
With the 360-degree motion technology, Nooie Baby Monitor automatically senses any movements and tracks every activity in your home in full 360 degrees. If you are worried about the clarity and night vision, the full HD camera and two infrared LEDs are there to make sure that you get the best resolution along with perfect night vision.
With the stylish design to cater to your home fashion needs and App, the connection is easy as 1 2. Now you can live stream 24/7 including real-time motion and sound alert technology. The two-way audio ensures that you can talk with your family and pets wherever you are.
The deep security protocol ensures that your feed is safe and sound giving you the peace of mind that you need. What is also great is that this monitor work with Alexa if you happen to have her in your household. There are also multiple security protocols to keep your data and privacy secure.
Why We Love It:
· Motion tracking and sound detection
· Cloud and micro SD card storage
· Share access with your family functionality enabling you to share the feed with your family.
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$
VAVA Baby Monitor
Summary
VAVA Baby Monitor features a large 5-inch 720p display to get more detailed info. To see the movements of your little one clearly it even includes color by day and infrared images at night. If you’re a heavy sleeper, then worry not as the loud alarm will wake you up when it detects the noise.
The thermostat will keep you aware of the temperature so that you can care for your baby’s room environment more efficiently. Turn the monitor on in seconds and use the 2x and 4x zoom to get a good peek on your lovely little tot. With a huge battery life now the baby monitor by VAVA can last up to 12 hours in display mode and 24 hours with the display turned off.
The high range feature can get you a clear uninterrupted video from anywhere in the house within 480 to 900 feet. With a long-lasting 4500mAh battery, the highest so far, and a larger 5'' 720P IPS screen you will see everything in unprecedented clarity.
Why We Love It:
· Large 5 inch display for a clear view
· Easy to handle technology with two-way audio
· Enhanced transmission
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $$$
Philips AVENT DECT Baby Monitor
Summary
Philips AVENT DECT Baby monitor uses DECT technology to ensure that there is no interference between you and your baby’s view along with no sound problems. With a huge range up to 900 feet now you can keep your toddler in your sight as you move freely around the house.
Adjust the volume to your preferences with the variable volume control. The 5 sound LEDs will keep you informed of the noise activity in your baby’s room even when the parent unit is muted. Plugin or add batteries if you are mobile and don’t worry about the charge as the operating time on full battery is up to 24 hours. The comfort night light will make sure that it doesn’t disturb you during your precious sleep.
The technology that the DECT Baby Monitor uses enables it to deliver a crisp, clear sound made by your baby certainly impressed us as did the night mode with included lullabies. With the option to talk back to the baby through the device, this baby monitor is one quality option.
Why We Love It:
· DECT technology for zero interference
· Range up to 300 meters
· Variable volume control
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Age: Newborns to toddlers
Price Range: $
How To Choose A Baby Monitor – Buying Guide
The quest for the best baby monitor is not an easy task. When we set out to compile a list of the 10 Best Baby Monitors for 2020, we wanted to be sure that the information we provided meets certain criteria. But how did we take all of the available monitors out there and narrow it down to 10? Here are the criteria we used to make our list.
Features
When we looked at all of the baby monitors on the market, many of them offered a wide array of different features. From the beginning, we wanted to pick a smart baby monitor with features that would be important to you while using the device to watch over your little one. With this in mind, we selected monitors with several features like video and audio, pan and tilt, hd video, rechargeable battery, and two-way audio.
Ease of set up
We are not all technical geniuses and when we looked at what was out there, we wanted to show you the best options that you wouldn’t need someone from tech support to come to your house and set up.
Price
With a baby on the way, every dollar that you will spend for your baby is likely to be thought about over and over before you ever spend it. We wanted to present you with a range of price options to cover any budget you may have. While there are some higher-priced options in our list, we also wanted to showcase some of the lesser-priced, but still excellent options for your baby nursery.
Testimonials
Even though we went through and selected our 10 best baby monitors based on features, ease of set up and price, a big part of our list is you. More specifically, what other parents who have used the products on our list thought about the product. Their stories, pros, cons and other insights helped us provide a better well-rounded list than just using the other criteria.
Understanding the Baby Monitor Controversy
For some parents, when you lay your child down, with only the smart baby monitor and microphone to keep track of what they’re doing, there may be some fears that will worry you. What if they stop breathing? How will I be alerted?
These can be very valid fears and while there are some baby monitors on the market that you can set up to alert you if your baby stops moving, which can be an appealing feature to those new parents who have particular fears regarding SIDS, otherwise known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
However, there is some controversy regarding the use of baby monitors. There is no study on record that provides evidence that using a smart baby monitor will reduce the risk of SIDS or another sleep-related type of infant death.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Institute of Health have formally denounced the use of baby monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS, stating that there is no clinical data to support.
The AAP and NIH have published a set of techniques that have been proven to help reduce the risk of SIDS or any other sleep-related infant death. Knowing and learning these techniques should be something that every parent knows in order to avoid a possible incident with their child.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a video baby monitor?
A: That depends on your lifestyle.
Many parents ask if a video baby monitor is really necessary as they cost a little more and when a new baby comes there are a lot of purchases to make. So, is a video baby monitor really worth the money?
If you live in a small two-bedroom apartment then it doesn’t seem worth the expense unless you have a nanny or babysitter that you want to make sure that this person is doing their job properly.
Baby monitors are only really useful if you spend long hours away from your baby and want to monitor the child on your laptop or smartphone. A video baby monitor allows you to check on your baby easily, this is a good choice for anxious parents who are not experienced at the sounds a baby can make. The visual will help them relax more.
Also, you don’t want to keep opening the door to check on the baby as this will add light to the room and might wake them up. If your child has some health issues a video baby monitor can help. You can also record those precious moments with a video monitor many times.
Q: What can I use instead of a baby monitor?
A: You can use your old phone and an app to turn it into a baby monitor.
With advances in modern technology, apps such as Babyphone Mobile or Babyphone Deluxe, change two phones into a baby monitor. One has to stay next to the baby, the other is the current smartphone you are using, these apps work on both android and iPhone devices acting like a security camera.
The advantage of a security camera are that for traveling parents they can see and hear their baby wherever they are. Just make sure that your Wi-Fi has a secure password and also that you are not streaming your baby sleeping to the whole of the internet community. As you know the effects of Wi-Fi on use are still relatively unknown so you need to consider this when using a telephone device.
Q: How long should I use a baby monitor?
A: That is up to the parents, but usually around 6 months when the baby has developed a routine, that is a good time to switch off the security camera for good.
Also, at 6 months a parent can recognize the difference between cries, so they know what their baby wants. If you find yourself becoming too reliant on the security camera, switch it off! If you have a child with health problems or as of yet has not started a regular sleep patterns, then video monitors can help with your peace of mind.
Many parents keep video monitors until their children are around 2 years old. They can also help understand when they need the bathroom, so it helps with potty training.
Q: Are baby monitors with Wi-fi safe?
A: In fact, a Wi-Fi monitor is safer than the old frequency monitors. This is because you can password protect your Wi-Fi.
Many parents are worried that their hd video can be hacked, this is in fact very rare and if you take protective measures then even more unlikely that this could happen.
Make sure that you have a very strong password, and that this password is not used anywhere else. Make sure that all security software updates for the camera and the app are installed. If you are using your smartphone check the security settings on this. Also, change all the passwords frequently and only give the password to people you trust.
Q: At what age should I stop using a baby monitor?
A: This is up to you as parents, at around 6 months your baby should have settled into a routine with sleep patterns, if so, you may find that you no longer need the monitor.
If your baby is still a little unsettled and it gives you peace of mind, then continue using it until your anxiety goes but if your room is next to the baby’s you will probably find that you don’t need it after this time.
Q: Does a 2-year-old need a baby monitor?
A: The use of a baby monitor at this age is up to the parents and the best advice can trust your gut. If you feel that your child is waking up in the middle of the night or needs the bathroom etc. then install the monitor.
Many parents feel that they can hear their child, so they don’t need this device at this age. Many parents will keep the baby monitor past this age as they feel that they want to see and/or hear what their child is doing. The best advice is that you know your child so only you can make that decision.
When a child moves out of their crib and into a normal bed many parents can feel anxious about their sleeping habits, so they continue using baby monitors. At this age toilet training can start, so can be useful to hear if your child needs to go to the bathroom or not.
Q: What are the benefits of a baby monitor?
A: Owning a baby monitor can have many benefits for you and your spouse. With a baby in the house, a baby monitor set up lets you get other tasks around the house done, or even take a break while the baby is sleeping in another room, but not being too far away to attend to the baby if they cry. Because of this flexibility, we consider owning a baby monitor a must-have for any house.
Let Your Baby Sleep
Believe it or not, your baby will go to sleep. But when they do, it’s likely you will want to leave the room to get some other stuff done around the house. Obviously, you want to keep an eye on them to make sure that they get all the sleep they need without any problems. The best baby monitor will have many features that you can use to help ensure your baby has lots of uninterrupted sleep from temperature checks, heart rate, two-way audio, night vision, parent unit, and even white noise to a pannable camera to check around the room as well. Knowing that they are safe and comfortable from another room is a great feature of baby monitors.
Watch them while you’re outside
There are times when you have to step outside your house, even for a second to get the mail or talk to a neighbor passing by. Having a baby monitor can help put you at ease of worrying about stepping outside for a minute by allowing you to hear and see what your baby is doing and if there is an issue, you can head back in right away.
Monitor your baby’s health
Having a way to look in on your baby has more benefits than just giving you an opportunity to look in on them while they sleep, it can also help to keep your baby healthy as well. If they are not feeling well, checking the baby monitor can clue you into if the problem is caused by something in the crib and allow you to take the appropriate action.
Keep Your Baby Safe
As your baby grows and gets older, your baby will learn how to stand and they may start trying to climb out of their crib at night. Having a baby monitor with night vision can help you protect them from objects hurting them or them hurting themselves if they do try to climb out at night. A baby monitor can also make a wonderful nanny cam so you can check to see how the nanny is doing with your child while you’re away.
Get Some Rest
While owning a baby monitor is a must-have for your baby’s nursery and can have many benefits in their well-being, they have a benefit for your well-being as well. After your baby is born, sleep will be at a premium, to say the least.
While a baby monitor, no matter how sophisticated, can take care of your child for you, it can be a very vital tool for you. By giving you a way to look in and also listen to your baby, you can determine if they are need of you coming to their aid or is they are simply self-soothing.
Being able to tell the difference between the two, just by looking at the baby monitor screen is important, for their growth and for you. As a new parent, you need your rest just as much as they do. Learning your baby’s cues as to when they need you to come in right away and when they don’t is something that will be a benefit to you both.
Nanny Cam
With all of the benefits that having a baby monitor in the house to help you keep an eye on your child while they sleep, a baby monitor can also be an effective nanny cam. You’re always going to be protective of your child. You want to be sure that whomever you trust to help raise your child is doing a good job. Having the right baby monitor with video quality and rechargeable battery will let you check in when you’re not there or review the day’s events by watching a recording of events.
My Babies Planet Overview
When it comes to the safety of your child, choosing the best option to take care of them is one of the best things that you can do. However, choosing the best baby video monitor can be a lot. Some may have a higher price and offer more technological features, while there are some that might have a lower price and fewer options.
We hope that our list of the 10 Best Baby Monitors for 2020 gave you some insight into the options that are out there to help you decide what the best video baby monitor is for your nursery.