One of the biggest challenges that new parents often face involves waking up in the middle of the night when their baby cries. People who are sound sleepers or individuals whose bedrooms are located some distance from the nursery may not hear when their babies awaken and need to be changed, fed or soothed. Rather than risk their babies’ comfort and consolation, parents can wake up and respond faster by placing a baby monitor in their infants’ room.
And to help you choose the best baby monitor for your specific needs and budget, we thoroughly reviewed and compared dozens of different baby monitors. We then selected the top five units out of the bunch to include on our list. You can also check out our handy buying guide and quick comparison chart below.
Best Overall: Infant Optics DXR-8 Audio & Video Baby Monitor
The Infant Optics DXR-8 is our top pick and we give it our highest recommendation. This baby monitor is designed to keep track of babies and active toddlers alike. It is one of the few baby monitors on the market that provides both crystal-clear, high resolution visual and audio feedback. It also comes with an interchangeable optic lens that can pan out to 170 degrees as well as zoom in and tilt to give you the best picture of your baby’s room.
It’s also widely regarded as one of the top baby monitors because it has a very long battery life, being able to last up to 6 hours on a single charge. And if set to “audio only,” the unit can last even longer – up to 10 hours.
In addition, this baby monitor features a vibrant 3.5″ color LCD screen, which is one of the largest on market, and can be easily charged from your computer or outlet using the included USB charging cable.
Pros
- Interchangeable optic lens for best view
- Adjustable volume control
- Large 3.5 inch LCD color screen
- 2-way audio
Cons
- Expensive
- Battery life shortens when you use both video and audio
Overall, the Infant Optics DXR-8 video baby monitor is a great choice if you want the convenience of both audio and visual feedback of your baby or the nursery in general.
Summer Infant 29763Z Baby Touch Audio/Video Baby Monitor
The Summer Infant 29763Z Baby Touch is a great pick for parents with multiple children, as this device can allow you to monitor up to four rooms at the same time by connecting additional cameras to it. Even more, it provides clear visual and audio feedback anytime of day with its color visuals for daytime use and black and white video for nighttime.
The monitor also comes with a 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen that lets parents zoom in, pan, and tilt the camera as desired. You can also use the touchscreen functions to talk to your baby or to see images taken from up to 400 feet away.
One drawback of the Summer Infant 29763Z Baby Touch, however, is that it’s not WiFi compatible, meaning that you can only control it by using the monitor itself rather than with your smartphone or mobile device. Another is that it’s battery life is somewhat shorter when compared to many other models out there, so that’s something you may also want to keep in mind.
Pros
- Touchscreen functions for easy control
- Large 3.5″ LCD touchscreen
- Infrared night vision
- Can monitor up to 4 different rooms simultaneously with the use of additional cameras
Cons
- Battery life is somewhat on the shorter side
- Not WiFi compatible
The Summer Infant Baby Touch baby monitor can be a great investment for parents who want to monitor several rooms at once. It is also perfect for people who prefer a high-tech monitor for their homes.
Best Value: Hello Baby HB24 Wireless Baby Monitor
If you’re looking to get the best “bang for your buck,” look no further than the Hello Baby HB24. This baby monitor will give you hours of reliable performance at a cost that will fit most parent’s budgets. Priced well below its competition, this video baby monitor can be easily connected to your wireless internet, allowing you to control the audio and video with your smartphone or mobile device. You can also control it with the monitor itself if you so choose.
Another great feature of the Hello Baby HB24 is that it comes with two-way communication capabilities, as well as 8 built-in lullabies that you can play to soothe your baby without actually having to enter the nursery. You can keep track of your sleeping infant without risking waking him or her up by walking into the bedroom. The monitor is also small and lightweight, making it perfect for placing on a side table or dresser in your baby’s room.
One potential downside of this monitor, however, is that it can sometimes be prone to “freezing” due of its wireless connectivity. If your internet blanks out or stops working, the monitor likewise will not function properly either.
Pros
- WiFi compatible
- Can be controlled remotely with a smartphone or mobile device
- Monitors your baby’s room temperature
- Very long range
- Excellent value for your money
Cons
- Can be prone to “freezing” if your internet goes down
- Screen isn’t as large as some of the more expensive models
When you want the convenience of controlling your baby monitor wirelessly, you will be well served with the Hello Baby HB24 monitor. You’ll also like the unit’s built-in lullabies and its ability to monitor temperature the temperature in a room or nursery.
4 Infant Optics DXR-5 Portable Audio/Video Baby Monitor
The Infant Optics DXR-5 lets you keep track of your baby whether you are at home or staying somewhere else overnight. This portable baby monitor is WiFi compatible and gives clear video and audio feedback any time, day or night. It can capture images from up to 800 feet away and record every coo and sigh with its highly sensitive built-in microphone.
Another innovative feature of the Infant Optics DXR-5 is its ability to avoid interference with other gadgets and devices in your home. You can use it and get static-free feedback without your phone, computer, or other devices interfering with its signal. You’ll also like the fact that this monitor can be used for up to 12 hours without needing to be recharged.
A potential issue that buyers should be aware of with this model, however, is that it can lose its signal if your WiFi gets bogged down or weakens. If you have a fast home internet connection, though, this should almost never be a problem for you.
Pros
- Portable to take on overnight stays
- Excellent range
- Very long battery life
- WiFi compatibility
Cons
- No batteries included
- Can lose signal
- Audio and video feedback compromised if Internet blanks out or malfunctions
All in all, the Infant Optics DXR-5 is a good video monitor for parents who like to travel or just prefer the convenience of a portable baby monitor. It’s also ideal for people who prefer one that can connect wirelessly.
5 Best Budget Model: VTech DM221 Safe & Sound Digital Audio Baby Monitor
For those of you who are on a tight budget and are looking for an affordable baby monitor that will let you keep tabs on your baby should definitely take a look at the VTech DM221 Safe & Sound. This monitoring system is fairly cheap and should fit any new parent’s budget. This device will give you clear audio without the annoying interference that can mask sounds and other goings-on coming from your baby’s room or nursery.
This unit features 2-way communication that lets you talk to your baby from another room. Additionally, it has an impressive 1000-foot range and an exceptionally long 18-hour battery life. You can also clip the parental unit to your belt with the attached belt clip, letting you carry the monitor anywhere in the house with you.
The most obvious downside of the VTech DM221 Safe & Sound is that it is audio ONLY and does not capture images or provide any kind of visual feedback. So if you want to be able to see your baby as you monitor the nursery, you’ll need to pay more for a unit that has a camera and video capabilities.
Pros
- Talk and listen to your baby remotely
- 18-hour battery life
- 1000-foot range
- Very affordable
Cons
- Audio only, no visual feedback
- Short warranty
Overall, this is a good pick for parents on a tight budget who want the convenience and safety of a high-quality audio only baby monitor that they know they’ll be able to rely on to perform well, even during thunderstorms.
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Baby Monitor
Type
Baby monitors come in a variety of makes, shapes, and sizes today. You can find baby monitors that are as small as a flip cell phone or as large as a portable radio. You can also find baby monitors that can connect to your WiFi Internet as well as those that are powered by electricity. Before you shop for a baby monitor, you should narrow down what type you want for your home.
If you like the idea of controlling your baby monitor wirelessly with your smartphone or mobile device, you may prefer to buy one like the Infant Optics DXR-5. A wireless baby monitor lets you adjust the camera or volume as well as utilize the two-way communication or built-in lullabies without having to have the actual monitor in your hand.
You also may prefer a baby monitor that gives you both audio and visual feedback so that you can both hear and see your baby. You can find monitors that can play music, monitor the temperature in the nursery, and carry out other high-tech functions to make keeping track of your baby easy and convenient.
Of course, if you are not a fan of high-tech baby monitors, you can still find those that just let you listen in on your baby while he or she sleeps. These monitors give you the peace of mind without the technological worries or higher price tag that often accompanies the more sophisticated baby monitors for sale today.
Range
Another factor to think about involves from how far away do you want to keep track of your baby? Do you want the monitor to be able to work from hundreds of feet away or do you prefer one that requires a more up close range of your baby and the nursery?
If you like the idea of a monitor being able to provide clear feedback from hundreds of feet from your baby’s crib, you may prefer to buy one that can work from 800 to 100 feet away. You can install the monitor from the hallway or the doorway as well as from any location in the baby’s bedroom itself. You can get clear sounds and images without the monitor having to be in your baby’s crib or on a nightstand by the crib.
However, if you are the anxious sort of parent or you just prefer the thought of the monitor being close to your baby, you may buy one that requires closer placement in the nursery. You can find monitors that have more limited ranges for clarity and performance.
Battery Life
As a new parent, you probably have dozens of things to take care of each day. You do not need to worry about charging your baby’s monitor on top of everything else that demands your attention. As you shop for a baby monitor, you might look at the battery life of each model you are considering. The battery life can go a long way in how highly you regard the monitor you choose for your home.
Most baby monitors can last for as long as six hours without needing to be recharged. However, six hours may not be enough to provide constant monitoring through the overnight hours. You will have to get up out of your own bed to plug in the monitor to recharge it.
If you prefer one that lasts longer, you may consider one like the Infant Optics DXR-8, which can go for up to 10 hours without needing recharging. This battery life should last through the night so that you can be assured of hearing your baby if he or she awakens and needs to be changed or fed.
Price
One of the biggest factors that may come into play when shopping for a baby monitor centers on the price being charged for each model you consider. Many new parents have to make adjustments to their budgets after the arrival of a baby. You may have a more limited budget than you imagined when you shop for one of these devices.
You can still find a high-quality baby monitor that is affordable and well within your financial reach. Baby monitors typically are priced reasonably, allowing parents to afford them easily. By establishing a budget before you shop, you can find one that suits your bank account and still gives you the convenience and performance you want.
You should remember, however, that the price tag on a baby monitor may not necessarily correlate with the quality. You should not be afraid to consider lower priced models out of fear that they will not perform well. Likewise, you should not assume that a higher price tag means that the monitor is the best on the market.
Rather, you should set a budget and shop accordingly. You can find a baby monitor that suits your financial boundaries and offers you the monitoring that you want as a new parent.
Baby monitors give today’s parents peace of mind and the convenience to carry out other important household tasks. You can find the best baby monitor for you and your household by learning more about today’s top models and what factors to consider when shopping for a baby monitor.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$$$
Yes
Yes
3.5 inches
Up to 700 ft.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Up to 10 hours
Best Value
$$$
Yes
Yes
2.4 inches
Up to 960 ft.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Up to 12 hours
Best Budget Model
$
No
Yes
N/A
Up to 1000 ft.
N/A
Yes
No
Up to 18 hours
Top Rated
$$$$$
Yes
Yes
3.5 inches
Up to 400 ft.
Yes
Yes
No
Up to 6 hours
Good
$$$$
Yes
Yes
2.4 inches
Up to 800 ft.
Yes
No
No
Up to 12 hours
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