Best Baby Monitors 2023: Smart, Video and Audio Models

So, what is the best baby monitor to buy?

The best baby monitor is the BT smart video 5-inch baby monitor as it is able to provide everything that you will want from a baby monitor. This device features a five-inch colour screen and HD sound.

This baby monitor is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa with a two-way talkback system.  The device can be controlled remotely using an Android or ios device and can connect wireless to the Wi-Fi, therefore there is no need for a lot of cables.

The camera can pan 135 degrees to both the right and the left which gives a good view of the baby’s room.  There are several additional features on this monitor, and these include a temperature indicator, five lullabies and a two-way communication system.

If you wanted to go for a much more advance ‘breathing monitor’ then the nanit or owlet are two very popular and high-quality choices. 

What is the best quality baby monitor?

There are a lot of different baby monitors that are available, which is why I have taken the time to review some of them. The best monitor for you will depend on what you feel that you need.

These are one of the most important things that you need for a baby which will enable you to relax when the little one is sleeping.  It is best to opt for a baby monitor system that is flexible and having the ability to be controlled remotely will mean that you can control the device without having to go into the bedroom and risk wakening the little one.

A device that can work from the mains and also from batteries can be very useful in the case of a power cut.

Do you really need a baby monitor?

For safety reasons a baby should sleep in the parents’ room for the first six month, however you may want to get a baby monitor for when the little one moves to their own room.

These monitors are designed to enable you to keep a close eye on the little one whilst they are sleeping. These devices mean that parents can relax when the little one is sleeping. These monitors can also be useful when the little one is sleeping during the day whilst the parents are busy in other rooms in the house.

There are several different products to choose from and these range from a basic monitor to a model that offers lullabies, night light, temperature, heartbeat and oxygen checking.

How to choose the best baby monitor

Different types of baby monitor

Audio:

Audio baby monitors are designed to allow you to listen to the baby whilst they are sleeping.

The basic audio monitors will be cheaper than the more complicated devices.

When deciding which audio monitor to opt for its important to consider the type of audio as some will use analog whereas others will use digital.

There are benefits and disadvantage for each of the options.  The analog devices do not encrypt the transmission therefore anyone could listen to the audio.

The digital devices are safer as they offer more privacy however the devices tend to be a bit more expensive.

It is a good idea to look at the range, additional features, and battery life of the individual devices.

You might think its a good idea to have a white noise machine in the room with your baby, just make sure this isn’t to close to the monitor as it will pick up on the microphone.

Video:

Although it is not essential to have a video on a baby monitor it can be a good way to see the little one whilst they are sleeping.

The video on the monitors is able to work during the night as it uses infra-red and the imagery can be viewed on the mini screen that is attached to the parent unit.

Some baby monitors work using Wi-Fi and they can be controlled remotely whilst it is ideal if you are away from home or in the office.  The remote access can be done using an Android or ios device.

Wi-Fi:

Baby monitors that are worked from the Wi-Fi are some of the safest devices that you can opt for, as the Wi-Fi signal can be protected.

Protecting the Wi-Fi on the baby monitor is an easy thing to do and it is certainly worth doing as it means that only people who are supposed to see and hear the images can. Wi-Fi monitors are a wireless device that connects to a camera on the parent unit and there is no need for a lot of wires.

The video stream on these devices can be viewed from anywhere as long as there is a strong connection within the monitor range. The strength of the baby monitor is affected by the ability to stream the images.

Smart:

The difference between a baby monitor and a smart baby monitor is that a smart monitor has a wide range of additional features. If you want more than a basic baby monitor, then a smart monitor will be the type that you want to opt for.

The additional features will vary from one device to another but may include night vision camera, sensors and alerts for room temperature, motion, oxygen, and sound. A smart device with Wi-Fi will also mean that you can catch footage on the parent unit anywhere around the house.

Some of these devices will also feature soothing features such as relaxing lights, sounds and lullabies.

What to look for when buying a baby monitor

Power supply:

Baby monitors will either work off a mains socket or batteries. There are a lot of devices that have a baby unit that plugs into the mains whereas the parent unit will work from batteries.

There are some devices that do not need to be plugged into the mains and they will work from batteries.

Features for your baby:

There are several different features that can be found on baby monitors, and these include night lights, two-way communication systems, pan and tilt camera, lullabies.

The night light and infrared night vision can be very useful as the night light will help to settle the baby and the night vision makes it easy to see the baby on the camera even during the night.

The two-way communication system is a great way to be able to hear the baby but also talk or sing to the baby to help them settle.  The lullabies and soothing sounds can be a useful feature as it can help to soothe and settle the baby.

The temperature display that is on some of the devices is a useful way to ensure that the room is comfortable for the baby to fall asleep.

Crying/Movement alerts:

Baby monitors that feature movement sensors can be very useful as they will detect the slightest wriggles from the little one.

These monitors come with a sensor pad that is simply placed under the mattress and never actually has any contact with the baby but will detect any movements.

These devices will also give you an alert if the little one has not moved for a certain period of time, usually twenty minutes.

Wearable elements/Smart Features:

Wearable smart monitors will provide parents with an insight into how their little one is sleeping. The wearable device for monitors includes wearable bands.

The wearable band is a soft hypoallergenic band that is worn around the little one’s ankle and it features a smart sensor that can detect heart rate, motion, skin temperature and sleep position.

The sensor in this device is shaped to avoid choking and is enclosed within medical grade silicone.  There are three different sizes of bands that are available. The band is charged wirelessly using a smart charger that is placed in the baby’s bedroom.

Digital or analogue:

There are both advantages and disadvantages of analogue and digital baby monitors. An analogue device works using an analogue signal and it uses a series of electronic pulses that are picked up by the parent unit.

Analogue monitors tend to be less expensive as it uses cheaper technology to send and receive the signal.  These monitors are considered safer, but the signal is not as strong compared to digital.

These devices are prone to picking up interference and static noise. The digital monitors work in the same way as the analogue devices as it transmits over radio waves, but they work on a different frequency and the information is encrypted.

A digital signal is not continuous which means that these devices tend to pick up less static and interference. The sound that is transmitted by these devices tends to be better quality and it can travel further before it degrades.

Digital devices tend to be more expensive as they use newer technology and manufacturing techniques.

Does it connect to your phone?:

In most cases it is very easy to connect a smartphone to a baby monitor and all that you will need is a smart device and a Wi-Fi connection.

There are a range of apps that you can download to get the images and audio and the best one will depend on the baby monitor device that you are using.  Most smart monitors will be able to connect with Android and ios devices.

How much will a baby monitor cost?

A standard audio baby monitor will cost from about twenty pounds depending on the brand and quality. If you are looking for a more advanced device, then the prices will range up to about one hundred and fifty pounds.

The price of the baby monitor device will depend on the features that are on the device, therefore if you want a superior model with every feature going then you will end up paying more for it.

The cost will also be affected by the reliability and quality of the device.  The more popular brands tend to be have a higher price bracket but also tend to be the more reliable devices.

Wall mounted or free standing?

It can be difficult to choose between a free standing or a wall mounted baby monitor. The floor standing units tend to be a bit more flexible, and the camera can be placed anywhere around the crib.

The floor standing units are designed to be leaned against the wall or used freestanding. If the device is not being used against a wall the floor stand can be moved to the preferred location therefore there is no need to rearrange the furniture.

The wall mounted baby monitor devices are attached directly onto the wall, and the biggest disadvantage of these is that once they are fixed the camera can’t be moved. The wall mounted devices will work fine if the crib is next to the wall.

Can a Baby Monitor Help your baby sleep through the night?

Baby monitors can help to give you peace of mind that everything is alright with the little one when they are sleeping.

Although these monitors can help with getting a good night’s sleep it can also have disadvantages as you are able to hear every sniffle on the parent monitor which can lead to fuss and stress. Baby monitors can be very useful for example when the little one awakens you can see what is happening without having to rush into the bedroom.

These monitors can be a problem when it comes to trying to establish a sleeping routine but overall, they are very useful devices.