The kids may not have run off to college yet, but letting go—if even just to another room—can be challenging.
You want to be at the ready should anything go awry, and the best way to keep an eye on your tot from a distance is with a baby monitor. Choosing the best baby monitor depends on your living situation, whether you want to keep tabs during a date night, while doing chores, or anything in between. Some parents may be comfortable with just audio, and some may want smartphone and wifi capabilities. The options—and price tags—are aplenty.
Before committing to a baby monitor, it’s important to consider the size of your home and whether you’ll be able to hear baby on your own. Apartment dwellers—or bassinet co-sleepers—may find that just an audio monitor is just fine for their needs. In fact, many reviews for audio devices showed that some parents get too distracted when screen monitors are nearby, and can’t go about household activities peacefully. If your child is older, your home is bigger, or you just want to keep closer tabs on your tot, a camera monitor or smart baby monitor may be the best option for your needs.
Luckily, we live in a time where technology is booming, and thus more accessible. Some families choose to use a smart home security camera (more on that below), but there are several great options designed specifically to monitor babies—with all the necessary bells and whistles. Between audio only models, video, and smartphone capabilities, our guide to the best baby monitors will help narrow down your options.
We researched baby monitors across functionalities, prices, and studied real customer reviews to compile a list of the best baby monitors on the market. If you’ve decided a monitor is the way you want to go, read on for our suggestions, favorite features, and considerations.
Best Baby Monitors: Score Sheet
| Baby Monitor | Amazon Score | Blueprint Score | Overall Score |
| Miku Smart Baby Monitor | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Infant Optics DXR-8 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Nanit Smart Baby Monitor | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Nest Cam Security Camera | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Owlet Sock + Cam Baby Monitor | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
“This monitor has never given us a single false alert and he will not outgrow it, until I am ready and comfortable that he no longer needs it.” -Caleb, Amazon Reviewer
BLUEPRINT SUMMARY
- Wall-mountable, smart baby monitor
- Track baby’s sleep patterns, breathing, vitals, nursery temperature, and humidity
- No wearables required, just use your smartphone for real-time nursery updates
- Ultimate accuracy with in-app analytics
- Night vision and HD video storage
- HD video is downloadable and shareable
- Dual Ole Wolff speakers feature 2-way talk/lullabies and in-app music options
- Adjustable ball-hinged camera moves to where you want to see
- Box includes all the tools and supplies you need to install the monitor
- No subscription fee
CONSIDERATIONS
- Price can be a bit steep for parents on a budget, but Miku also offers financing on their website
- The Miku Smart baby monitor is HSA/FSA approved, so check with your health insurance!
“I purchased the extra wide lens also and it was WELL worth the $11 – seriously, this is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made for my son. In my opinion, I made an investment on his safety.” -Christine, Amazon Reviewer
BLUEPRINT SUMMARY
- Uses interchangeable lens technology for customizable camera angles and pans—and all are adjustable remotely
- 3.5 inch LCD color screen is sound activated, and can be turned on for audio-only power saving mode
- USB charge capabilities
- Up to 10 hours of charge, and 6 hours if screen is on full-time
- Includes temperature monitoring, two-way talkback, alarm function, retractable antenna, and infrared night vision
- Extends to up to 4 lenses
CONSIDERATIONS
- The most expensive baby monitor on our list
- Only one optical zoom lens is included, and other lenses are available for separate purchase
- Mounting options are limited
BLUEPRINT SUMMARY
- The Nanit Plus mounts to the nursery’s wall
- HD live streaming, night and day camera, and zoom
- Track baby’s sleep patterns and receive sleep guidance from the Nanit app
- Receive real-time notifications to any changes in the nursery
- Access information and live streaming video directly through smartphone and Nanit app
- 2-way speaker means you can hear and talk to baby
- Manage all your baby’s sleep time information through your Nanit dashboard through Nanit Insights
- Nanit Breathing Wear wirelessly tracks baby’s breathing patterns and sends real-time alerts via the app
CONSIDERATIONS
- Nanit Breathing Wear is not included in the basic package. The cost for the Nanit camera, wall mount, and breathing wear is $379.95* on Amazon
- Nanit Insights is a paid subscription after the first year. 1 year is included when you purchase the baby monitor
“While it isn’t officially a baby monitor, I really enjoy the compatibility with my smartphone, the functionality, quality, and reliability of the Nest Cam. It’s such a relief knowing that I can check in on my son at any time if I’m away. Plus, once he gets older we can still use the Nest Cam as a security camera for our home.” – Lizzy, Co-Founder and CCO
Keep in mind that the Nest Cam is not designed specifically for monitoring babies. That being said, audio doesn’t run continuously in the background unless you have the app open, which can drain your smartphone battery. You could couple the Nest Cam with an audio-only device like the VTech DM221 or DM111 for continuous audio when you’re home. The last thing to remember is that notifications from the Nest Cam are only pushed through to your phone every 30 minutes, which may seem like an eternity in emergency situations.
BLUEPRINT SUMMARY
- Owlet smart sock and camera baby monitor work together to keep you updated on your baby’s vitals while they sleep
- The smart sock reads your baby’s oxygen levels and heart rate
- The Owlet app let’s you monitor room conditions and view baby on the Owlet cam
- Live video and audio stream directly to your smartphone
- Box includes everything needed to install: 3 socks, Owlet Cam, smart sock sensor, charging cords, camera base, and mounting kit
- Owlet base will light green when everything is normal and will notify you via lights and sounds if something is amiss
- Owlet Socks are machine washable
- Two-way audio, HD video, night vision, and 130° wide angle lens
CONSIDERATIONS
- Some customers have noted connectivity issues
- You must have different accounts for each child, and log out/log in for each one
- HSA/FSA approved
“I love the ‘talk back’ function so I can speak to my kiddo without mounting a flight of stairs every time he has a question. Every morning he says ‘Mama. Can you read me?’ and it is adorable.” -Amazon Reviewer
BLUEPRINT SUMMARY
- Audio only device uses DECT 6.0 (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) to lessen feedback and static
- Transmits a secure signal, so no one except you can listen in on your baby
- Includes 5 levels of volume, mute function with sound level indicators, two-way talkback, backlight display on parent unit, belt clips on both units, vibrating alerts, and rechargeable batteries
- Has 1,000 feet of indoor and outdoor range
- Belt loop on baby unit is also an optional nightlight
- Can be expanded to include additional parent unit
CONSIDERATIONS
- This is an audio only device
- Reviewers have noted that after about 600-700 feet of range, the sound quality begins to struggle
- There is an audible beep feature when the monitor loses connection or is low on battery
Although an all-inclusive, perfect baby monitor is the dream, baby monitors can be mixed and matched for your family’s needs. Whatever the device or custom combination, you can take comfort in going about your daily routines knowing your child is safe and sound with the help of a baby monitor.
Do you have any baby monitor hacks? We want to hear them! Share your stories, tips, and tricks with us on Twitter and Instagram!