What to Consider When Buying a Baby Monitor

There are many things you need to keep your baby safe. The most important one is a baby monitor, which can help you make sure that your child is asleep and undisturbed at all times.

You may think that any old device will do the job, but in reality there are significant differences between different models – some of them come with additional features for your convenience, while others offer better sound quality or more reliability. If you’re looking for a new model or just want to upgrade what you have now, this article offers an overview of the best baby monitor types on the market right now. Consider reading it before making up your mind!

We hand picked below our top 3 choices for the best baby monitors of 2022, but you can also read our full baby monitor review article if you’re stil undecided.

How Does A Baby Monitor Work?

A baby monitor is a two units system, where one unit (the transmitter) is placed in the child room, and another unit (the receiver) is to be kept near the parent. This way, when the baby makes some noise, it is picked up by the transmitter and transmitted to the receiver, which will make an audible warning sound at the parent’s end.

There are different kinds of monitors, but all of them work the same way. There are other ways that this system works. So let us see what these ways are.

Two-way audio communication: It is like a walkie-talkie, where both the transmitter and the receiver unit have a speaker and microphone on each side. So when the baby makes a noise, it can be heard by both parents and replied to.

Video baby monitors: It is like audio communication, but there is an added video feature. So a parent can hear the baby’s nose and see what the baby is doing and if they require some attention.

Of course, there are many different variations and features to these two main types from above. We will describe every part in the article below and let you know which one will be suitable for you.

What Type Of Baby Monitor Is Best?

Baby movement monitors track your baby’s movements and sometimes also track vitals like breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and room temperature.

Parents who do not wish to invest in a full video monitor will often opt for an audio-only model. These units typically cost less than their HD counterparts but still provide crystal clear sound and convenient features like voice-activation capability.

Video baby monitors can offer crystal clear images, especially helpful if you have a new baby or toddler who spends lots of time crawling on the floor. Most models also come equipped with night vision and automatic zoom, making it easier to see your little one no matter what time of day it is.

Since safety is always our top priority, we highly recommend choosing either breathing or movement monitors. This way, if your child does become ill at night or has sleeping problems, you’ll know they are safe and sound.

There is no such thing as the ideal baby monitor. The one you choose is determined by what makes you feel most at ease.

Here are the main types of baby monitors:

• Audio monitors: These devices detect sound and alert you if your baby cries out or makes a noise. They also allow you to talk back to your baby through the unit’s speaker.

• Video monitors: These units typically come with night vision, automatic camera adjustment, and zoom features that can be pretty helpful when you want to check in on your little one.

• Baby movement monitors: They track the baby’s activity and sometimes track vitals like breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and room temperature. Pediatricians and other medical experts recommend using a movement monitor for babies under one year old because it can alert parents to any changes in their baby’s breathing. Respiratory problems are a leading cause of infant mortality, so choosing a movement monitor that tracks vitals is a crucial way to keep your little one safe.

Audio Monitors

The cheapest form of baby monitor is the one with no camera. They are, however, the most basic because they only include a microphone and don’t have a screen. For many families, they might be an excellent alternative depending on your home’s layout and degree of convenience. 

With an audio monitor, you can listen in on your child at all times. These usually consist of two components: a base unit plugged into the wall with a speaker and an adjustable microphone for listening in, and one or more receivers (usually tiny walkie-talkies) with built-in speakers so you can carry them with you throughout your home.

As a general rule of thumb, the range of an audio monitor receiver is around 300 feet in the open air and 50-75 feet indoors through several walls. Coverage can vary widely depending on how many partitions are between you and your child, the layout of your house (open floor plan or cramped elements), and what interference there might be (microwaves, wireless phones, etc.).

Both the quality of the sound transmitted by an audio monitor and the volume emitted can vary greatly. Make sure to take a good look at a model before making a purchase – you want one that transmits sound with as little static as possible. Some models even have a sound, light indicator, telling you when the baby is making noise.

Video Monitors

Most parents choose video monitors for their children because they are the most popular choice. The prices for these monitors vary, ranging from around $30 to over $200.

A video monitor gives you the ability to see your baby, with most models offering built-in night vision LED lights that allow you to see your child even in complete darkness. The primary components of a video monitor are similar to those found in an audio monitor: a base unit and several receivers.

Video monitor signals are usually connected to your WIFI Network at home and can be viewed from all over the world using an internet connection. So the range is not limited as with an audio monitor.

The quality of video that you get will depend on the camera resolution, which can vary significantly even within one product line. As with audio, make sure to take a good look at the video quality on any model before you buy.

Breathing Or Movement Monitors

Over the last several years, there has been a significant rise in the popularity and use of wearable breathing monitors. Some wearables include a sock or band that measures your baby’s activity and vitals, while others use clips or specialized sensors placed underneath the crib mattress. Movement monitors can also be paired with a video monitor and are available as a package.

Movement monitors are often the most expensive type of baby monitor, especially those paired with a video component. The prices for these types of monitors begin at around $150.

Your child’s age and stage are also important factors to consider before choosing a baby monitor. For example, if you have an infant, it’s most likely not necessary to invest in a video monitor. However, if your little one is crawling or beginning to walk, then you might want to consider purchasing a movement monitor.

Babies and young children often benefit from having more than one type of baby monitor. If you have an infant, for example, using both an audio monitor in the nursery and a video monitor when your child is playing in another room can be helpful. It helps parents feel reassured that their little one is safe, even when they aren’t in the same room.

What To Look For In A Video Baby Monitor

Many parents who choose a video monitor are overwhelmed by the many options and how much to spend. A brief description of features may help you decide which video baby monitor is best for your family. Here is our take on the essential features to take into consideration:

• Display quality/screen size: Some video monitors have larger screens with higher resolutions that offer a clearer image. Some have smaller displays, while others utilize an app you download to your phone, which may not be ideal viewing depending on the size of your phone, but is excellent for travel.

• Sound quality: Another critical factor, especially if you have a large house and lots of walls and rooms between your baby and the receiver. Some monitors have a two-way audio feature to soothe your baby by talking to them.

• Range/Reception: The monitor range is essential for outdoor or big houses with many walls and floors between you and the receiver. Larger homes may have multiple “dead spots” where you won’t maintain a signal. You might want to consider purchasing various cameras if your camera’s range doesn’t seem up to snuff. Outdoor functionality can vary depending on the brand but will give you peace of mind knowing you can hear if your child is playing in the backyard, even if they are far away.

• Night vision: This feature lets you see your baby in the dark without turning on a bright light that may disturb your child or wake them up. Most monitors provide this with infrared technology.

• Temperature sensor: If you live in an area where temperatures can vary greatly, some video monitors will also record the temperature of your baby’s room.

• Camera angle: It might be challenging to spot a sleeping infant who isn’t in the center of your monitor’s viewing area, and some monitors can’t be remotely adjusted electronically to zoom out and capture an entire crib or bassinet view. This might not be a problem early on. Still, as your child advances from crawling, to standing, to walking, you will probably want a monitor with adjustable camera angles so that the camera can be moved from another room and still maintain a view of your child’s crib or play area.

• Multiple cameras: You may also want to consider if you’d like the option of having multiple cameras connected to your video baby monitor. This way, you can keep track of multiple children or keep an eye on your dog when you are in the backyard with your child.

• Battery life: The amount of time you can carry the screen around before connecting it to recharge is determined by this. Many parents invest in rechargeable batteries, which are often more expensive, or buy a baby monitor which can connect to your phone what has more battery life, can be easily recharged, and is more portable.

• Wireless encryption: This ensures that no one else can tap into your monitor’s “feed” and see what’s happening in your house. WiFi-enabled monitors are great for portability and range but may be more susceptible to hacking. If you go this route, be sure to secure your home wireless network and keep the monitor’s firmware updated.

• Specialized features: Besides watching your little one, some cameras monitor your baby’s vitals like movement and breathing. Some also come with built-in lullabies to help calm your baby—other features like temperature and humidity scans may be more beneficial depending on where you live.

Are Baby Monitors Safe?

Babies should constantly be monitored when they are sleeping or otherwise unattended, but baby monitors can be very helpful in doing this.

It’s not unusual to be a little cautious of a smart baby monitor, as with any internet-connected device that examines or listens to your home. Hackers may use any internet device to spy on you, which is why it’s essential to keep all machines up to date. Anything networked is vulnerable, and while you shouldn’t be alarmed by a camera invasion epidemic, you should always consider the convenience of these devices versus the risk of someone gaining access to the feed.

At the very least, you should keep your baby monitor’s and home security camera’s firmware up to date, as well as your router’s firmware and security settings.

Video Vs. Audio

If you’re on a budget, an audio-only monitor (such as those used by your parents) will do the trick: you’ll be able to hear the baby cry and perhaps converse with older youngsters over an intercom-like system.

Once you’ve invested in a video monitor, you’ll never want to go back. Being able to see if your child is stirring or sleeping peacefully lets you know when the nap is coming to an end before they begin crying or complaining. And seeing whether or not the transition to a new sleep cycle might tell you when it’s time to relax for another hour.

A video monitor is also helpful if you have older children – especially if they’re headed toward adolescence. Watching them interact with younger siblings can give parents a window into how their kids learn to coexist with others.

Are Baby Monitor Thermometers Accurate?

To be frank, no. The fact is that the devices are designed to function safely, but they are not accurate enough for medical use. So you can use them as a guide only. The temperature reading of your baby’s room is affected by several factors, including the size and type of your house. Babies are not easy to please, so you need to check them frequently to ensure they are okay. The most accurate thermometers will remain the ones that can be introduced in the ear or at least touch the child’s forehead. The safest way to monitor your baby’s temperature is using a rectal thermometer. It provides the most accurate results, but it can be tricky to use and uncomfortable for mum or dad. So the baby monitor thermometers are suitable if you got them cause they can detect some temperature change, but you can’t rely on them to be accurate.

Can Baby Monitors Record Video As Well?

Yes, they can; we are talking about the WIFI baby monitors that usually are connected to your phone through an app. You can record and take screenshots with some models; the saved media files are either saved directly on your phone or saved to a cloud if the manufacturer provides this option.

Can A Baby Monitor Be Hacked Without WIFI?

Digital wireless or audio-only baby monitors can’t be hacked because they feature a closed network that works only in certain proximity between the two ends of the device. New tech devices that use wireless networks and connect to the internet are a subject to hackers theoretically, but I wouldn’t worry about it. First of all, many manufacturers have already built in an anti-hack safety feature, as well as your internet provider. Secondly, I wouldn’t worry about it because spying on your sleeping baby is not the priority of most hackers unless you are a significant person. The paparazzi would pay to see footage of something like this.

Will Insurance Pay For A Baby Monitor?

Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of monitors for children over time. There are usually restrictions on what type of equipment is covered by an insurance plan and what cases it may be covered. A doctor or parent trying to obtain coverage for a monitor should check with his insurance provider to see if it would be covered.

Insurance providers may pay for a monitor if a parent has a preexisting condition that requires monitoring. They may also cover monitors for children who have been diagnosed with autism or other disorders that require constant monitoring. Some insurance providers will only pay as long as the child has one of these conditions, and they will not continue to provide coverage once the child is no longer diagnosed with any of the conditions.

In other cases, insurance providers may provide coverage for a monitor used in conjunction with treatments such as certain types of medical therapy. If a parent wants to obtain coverage from an insurance provider for this type of device, he should check with his provider or speak with a representative at a branch office of his insurer.

In most cases, parents must pay for a baby monitor out-of-pocket and may be reimbursed by their insurance provider if they submit proper documentation to the insurance company.

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