8 of the most recommended baby monitors 2024
DO YOU NEED A BABY MONITOR?
Baby monitors are great for putting your mind at rest when you’re in a different room to your child. You probably don’t need one if you have a small house or thin walls but it could still be useful on holiday, if you have a garden or when visiting another home.
The different types of baby monitor
Audio monitors. These allow you to hear your baby via the parent unit. They are easy to use and usually less expensive than video monitors.
Video monitors. These enable you to see as well as hear your baby as the parent unit has a screen. Most also have night vision.
Wifi monitors. These have no parent unit. Instead, they connect with an app on a smartphone or tablet. The benefit is that you are not restricted by signal range. As long as you have an internet connection, you can see and hear your baby from anywhere. Choose a model with excellent security features so there’s no chance of being hacked.
Motion sensor monitors. These offer additional reassurance as motion sensor pads detect the slightest movement (including breathing) and activate an alarm if your baby stops moving for more than 20 seconds. This might be helpful if you find yourself anxiously checking your baby throughout the night.
Heart rate monitors. These are the newest kind of monitor and are different as there is no audio or video element (although some can be connected to a video monitor.) Instead, they are a wearable heart rate and oxygen monitor that is connected to an app. If the baby’s readings leave the preset safe zones there is an alarm.
Baby monitor features to look out for
Analogue, digital and DECT monitors. Analogue monitors are the cheapest and use radio waves to transmit signals meaning there may be some hissing and interference. This is much less likely with digital monitors. Both of these types offer a choice of channels, which may be useful if you live in a built-up area. DECT (digitally enhanced cordless telecommunications) technology means no interference from other gadgets and complete privacy.
Range. Check that the range is far enough for your home. Most monitors have an out-of-range alarm so you know when you’ve lost signal. It should also beep if the power is low.
Parent unit. These often have rechargeable batteries to make them more portable and some have a belt clip on the parent unit to attach it to your clothes. Check if it has a good battery life. There is sometimes the option to buy extra parent units that you can leave in different rooms. Many have sound level lights so you can see as well as hear when your baby makes a noise.
Video monitor cameras. These can be a wall-mountable camera or tabletop and often both so think about where you want to position your monitor. Most have night vision so you can see your baby in the dark. Many have a pan, zoom and tilt function that you can operate remotely from the parent unit to change your view of the room. It might be useful to have the option to add more cameras to your monitor, especially if you have twins.
Video monitor screen. These come in different sizes and in black and white or colour but the most important thing is a good clear picture.
Temperature display. Many video monitors have this and some even alert you when the room is too hot or too cold.
Two-way talkback. This means you can talk to your baby through the parent unit, which is useful for comforting them in the night.
Soothing lullabies, night lights and light displays. Sometimes these can be operated through the parent unit.
THE BEST BABY MONITORS
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 21 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, I may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Motorola AM21/MBP21 Audio Baby Monitor
This audio monitor uses DECT technology for security.
Range of up to 300m.
Alerts if out of range or the battery is low.
The parent unit is mains or battery-operated. The baby unit is mains powered.
2. Cubo AI Plus smart baby monitor
Alerts if your baby’s face is covered or if they have rolled over onto their tummy.
Paediatrician co-created.
The camera connects to an app on your phone.
Temperature and humidity display.
Two-way talkback.
Adjustable noise sensitivity.
Sleep analytics.
Multiple cameras can be connected.
No red light on the HD night vision camera.
The camera can be attached to a floor stand, cot mount or a mobile stand.
There is also a cheaper version that just comes with wall mount fittings.
3. Babysense 5" HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor
This comes with two HD cameras and a split-screen monitor so is great for keeping an eye on two children at once.
5” LCD display with night vision.
You can remotely pan, tilt and zoom in.
Internet free connection.
There is an eco mode to preserve the battery life.
Two-way talkback.
The baby unit can play a lullaby or white noise.
Range of up to 300m.
4. Babymoov Yoo Moov video baby monitor
Parent unit features:
4.3” screen
Night vision
Vox mode so that the screen is off until activated by noise. You can adjust the sensitivity.
Temperature display
Zoom function.
Two-way talkback
300m range
Rechargeable battery. USB cables are included.
Up to four cameras can be connected
The video camera features:
360˚ silent motorised monitor
Multi-coloured night light
Five lullabies
Wall mounting kit
5. Tommee Tippee Dreamee video, sound and Movement Baby Monitor
A video, audio and movement monitor.
360˚ camera with pan and tilt.
The parent unit has a 4.3” screen and is HD, colour, has infrared night vision and has two-way talkback.
The sensitivity of the sensor mat can be adjusted
Range of up to 300m indoors with out-of-range alert
The movement pad will alert you if the baby is still for more than 20 seconds or if there is a sudden big movement.
Soothing lullabies that can be activated by crying.
Room thermometer and night light.
6. Owlet Smart Sock 3
This is a different kind of baby monitor that tracks your baby’s well-being while they sleep. The baby wears a kind of sock that monitors their heart rate and oxygen levels, which can then be seen on a smartphone app. If their readings leave the preset safe zones, there is an alert.
Wireless charging from the base station.
Grows with your baby can be used from 0-18 months.
It uses pulse-oximetry technology that has been proven to be both safe and accurate.
7. Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor
Monitors breathing by an overhead camera picking up slight movements from the patterns of a breathing band worn by your baby. This band cannot be covered by a blanket or sleeping bag. They say it can be worn over a sleeping bag as long as it’s not ‘thick’. Instead of the band, you can buy separately patterned sleepsuits, sheets and swaddles.
Alerts are sent to an app, which also gives you sleep insights, a year’s free personalised baby sleep tips from baby sleep experts and a time-lapse highlight reel of the night
The overhead HD camera that tracks breathing can also:
Be used as a video baby monitor with movement and audio alerts, two-way audio and night vision.
Record the room’s temperature and humidity.
Play nature sounds or white noise.
Be wall-mounted or used with a floor stand.
8. VTech VM3263 2.8inch Digital Video Baby Monitor
A popular video baby monitor which is a good price.
The parent unit has a range of up to 300m (outdoors) and an out-of-range alert.
Wall mountable camera with an angle which can be adjusted with a remote control and also features a seven colour nightlight.
Three level sound lights.
Two-way talkback
Soothing sounds and lullabies.
Temperature display.
The parent unit 2.8 inch colour screen with night vision and automatically shuts off when the baby is asleep and comes to life when there is a noise.
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