Having a baby monitor takes away the anxiety and stress of ensuring that your little one is always safe, even though you’re not beside him. It gives you peace of mind as he naps while you clean his feeding bottles, at night as he sleeps alone in the nursery room, and at any time you need to step away for a moment. After all, you deserve a break too!
Top 8 Baby Monitors of 2018 Reviewed
Today baby monitors are no ordinary devices. Current models utilize high-end HD monitoring technology with added features like Wi-Fi integration for wider coverage. If you’re unsure about the kind of baby monitor you wish to buy, you may want to start your search with this list of 8 best baby monitors on the market today. You’d be amazed at how far these devices can go towards keeping your baby secure even when you’re away.
1. Infant Optics DXR-5 Portable Video Baby Monitor
Infant Optics Video Monitor comes with great features that allow you to watch over your baby privately and with zero interference, including a supersensitive mic that captures each precious moment. Its wireless transmission coverage is up to 800ft in open areas and 150ft in enclosed areas.
2. HappyHomey Baby Monitor
Infrared night vision, two-way audio talk, and high-quality LCD screen – these are among the best features of HappyHomey Baby Monitor. The device comes with inset classic lullabies too so you can play soft music to give your baby a soothing, deep sleep.
3. Lorex Baby Wireless Add-On Camera
This baby monitor offers clear-cut video in black and white that lets you see even the tiniest movements your baby makes in the dark. Other features include two-way talk, a built-in nightlight that gently illuminates the crib at night. The Lorex Baby Monitor covers up to 450ft of wireless range. What’s more, it’s expandable up to four cameras for better, wider and more comprehensive monitoring.
4. Axvue E650 Video Baby Monitor
The Axvue Baby Monitor features 120-degree tilt camera and high-quality portable TFT-LCD screen for clearer viewing and secure privacy. It also features temperature detection, color-sound activated lights, 2-way talk, power saving video, and automated night vision.
5. VTech VM333 Safe & Sound Video Baby Monitor
This device allows you to adjust the camera view with its 2x zoom settings, 270-degree horizontal pan, and 124-degree vertical tilt features. With its very high internal memory (2.4GHz), the device covers up to 1,000ft wireless range. Other features of the VTech Video Camera include automatic infrared night vision, temperature detection, and high-resolution LCD screen.
6. VTech VM343 Video Baby Monitor
Bigger than the previous version, the VTech VM343 features 9-level sound indicator. Like the VM333 model, it also has pan, tilt and zoom features, and night vision mode.
7. Infant Optics Video Baby Monitor
The Infant Optics DXR-8 device features interchangeable optical lens that let you adjust viewing angles and zoom settings, along with remote tilt capability. It can last for 10 hours on power-saving mode and 6 hours with screen on.
8. Motorola Wireless Video Baby Monitor
The Motorola Wireless Baby Monitor features night vision function, two-way audio communication, temperature display, and additional camera capacity with noise alerts. This high-tech device also includes five lullabies to keep your baby feeling comfortable even when he’s alone.
How to Choose A Baby Monitor
By now, you must have a better idea of what makes the best baby monitor and how you will find the one that will work for you. Always remember, the best monitors aren’t simply those that give you clear-cut videos, but more importantly – those that allow you to have a better, longer, and more secure monitoring of your child as if you’re just beside him.
More than having a high-resolution camera, there are a lot of things you need to consider when purchasing a baby monitor. Of course, you want something that gives you clearer, better coverage, helpful features, and high level of privacy. You want something that makes you feel you’re just a few inches away from your baby!
Here are some important features that you should look out for a baby monitor. Learning about what you should look for will greatly help you find the product that works best for your house.
Range
Generally, video monitors have a shorter range than audio monitors. The product should strictly indicate its wireless range. Typically, baby monitors have about 400-600 range, but there are current models go as wide as 1,000ft. It highly depends on the size of your house as well as your needs. Take note, however, that what the label usually indicates is the range in open space. You may lose some of that range inside your house, as the signal has to pass through walls. You may want to choose the baby monitor that gives you wider range especially in closed areas.
Night Vision
One very important use of a baby monitor is during nighttime when your baby sleeps alone in his room. Of course, the last thing you want to see is a dark screen! Night-vision features, therefore, are a must-have. The best baby monitor gives you a very clear view of your baby even in the dark. There are some models that come with a nightlight for better, clear-cut video.
Pan, Tilt and Zoom Capabilities
Most baby monitors give you the ability to adjust the cameras and place them where you want to. But the difference will be on how you are able to make that adjustment. Traditional baby monitors make use of static cameras which you have to manually adjust if you want to change your viewing angle. Best baby monitors today give you the ability to adjust the camera remotely, right from where you are. Look for the device that has remote pan, tilt and zoom features. It makes your life so much easier!
Out-of-house Monitoring
This is something you may or may not need. It depends on how often you need to leave the house. If you and your hubby both work during the day and have to leave the baby to a nanny or relative, a baby monitor with out-of-house range is a great investment. This is a wonderful feature too if you like to share the amazing moments of your baby captured on screen via video feed to family members and friends.
Expandability Options
Some models give you the ability to add more cameras. If you plan to have more than one child, this is a great feature to consider. You will find baby monitors that can support up to four cameras. If it’s not just you who will be using the monitor, you may consider buying a model that has more than one parent unit.
Important Features
Don’t forget to check the device for other important features like two-way talk and temperature/noise alerts. These are very helpful especially when you have to be away from your baby for a few hours or so. Great additional features would be inset lullabies to soothe your baby and a power-saving mode. See if these features are applicable to your lifestyle and current needs. The size of the camera matters too. You may look for the device which has the largest screen possible (which is usually about 3.5 inches). Some parent units have phone compatibility options if you want to use your phone as a parent unit too.
Interference
Baby monitoring devices use the same frequencies as your wireless phone, internet router, and everything else that transmits and receives signal around your house. This could cause interference. Check the label to see your options.
