Baby monitors: Which one is right for you?

Jun 27, 2012 11:00 AM by Christina Holt

Posted in Parenting / Age by Age / Baby & Toddler / Baby Gear

The Baby Monitor Showdown

Video monitor or audio monitor? Nursery temperature display or talk-back feature? When it comes to baby monitors, there are plenty of choices for parents. But which one fits your lifestyle, house size, budget and needs? Check out and compare our favorite baby monitors to see which one is right for you.

Summer Infant Peek Plus Internet Monitor System

Enjoy peace of mind wherever you are, any time — day or night — with the brand new Summer Infant Peek Plus Internet Monitoring system. The Peek Plus is ideal for loved ones interested in checking in on baby from afar and is not only parent approved, it's grandparent, working parent and military parent approved, too. With versatile viewing options, you can monitor your baby through the included handheld parent unit as well as through the internet via a private and secure website.

Price: Pre-order $350
Number of parent units: Two. One handheld, one through private internet viewing
Range: 600 feet with the handheld unit, worldwide with internet viewing and/or free smartphone app

Baby unit features:

Stationary video camera
Built-in black and white night vision

Handheld parent unit features:

2.5-inch color video screen
2.4 GHz digital technology for a secure and private connection
Rechargeable battery
Volume and brightness controls
Belt clip
Visual sound indicators
Out of range and low battery indicators

Plug and Play Internet Gateway features:

Simple set up with easy-to-use features
Peek Plus Internet Gateway plugs directly into a wireless router, enabling one to see and hear Baby from anywhere in the world
Free downloadable app for iPhone, Android and Blackberry
Unique username and password can be shared with up to three viewers at a time
Automatic log-out after 10 minutes of inactivity for added security

Safety 1st Sound Moments Audio Monitor

The Safety 1st Sound Moments Audio Monitor allows you to clip and carry the parent unit as far as 600 feet away and features energy saving AC adapters, which only draw energy when the units are powered on. This eco-friendly baby monitor gives parents multiple and practical options at an economical price.

Price: $40
Number of parent units: Two
Range: 600 feet

Baby unit features:

Digital clock
Tap on and off soft glow night light
Pager button

Handheld parent unit features:

Two parent units with belt clips for ultimate convenience
Quick mute button and volume control

Four channels to minimize interference
Power and low battery indicators
49 MHz frequency
Volume sound indicator lights

Summer Infant BabyTouch Color Video Monitor

The BabyTouch Color Video Monitor is one of the more popular and innovative monitors on the market today. The revolutionary touch-screen monitor controls the pan, zoom, scan and brightness on the video baby unit and the 100 percent digital technology guarantees a secure and private connection up to 400 feet away.

Price: $280
Number of parent units: One
Range: 400 feet

Baby unit features:

Wireless, rechargeable battery-powered camera dock
100 percent digital technology for private and secure connection between units

Handheld parent unit features:

3.5-inch color LCD screen
Automatic black and white night vision
Automatic time-out feature to preserve battery life
One-touch video on/off button for nighttime convenience
Magnetic docking station

Belt clip and flip stand
Touch screen controls the pan, scan, zoom, brightness and camera options for the video baby unit
Talk-back feature allows parents to talk through the monitor to the baby unit
Ability to add three additional cameras

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Philips AVENT DECT Baby Monitor

The generous range of the Philips AVENT DECT Baby Monitor allows parents to hear Baby through a private connection with crisp sound quality — from the other side of the house. The unique talk-back feature and soft night light helps to reassure and calm an agitated baby during nap or nighttime.

Price: $120
Number of parent units: One
Range: 1,082 feet

Baby unit features:

Talk-back feature
Soft night light

Handheld parent unit features:

Wireless unit works up to 24 hours on one charge
Crisp sound quality
60 different channels and DECT technology for uninterrupted monitoring

Data encryption ensures privacy
Over a 1,000 foot range from the baby unit
LED sound signals light up to visually show Baby’s movement and noise level even when the parent unit is muted

Angelcare Movement and Sound Deluxe Plus Baby Monitor

With the Angelcare Movement and Sound Deluxe Plus Baby Monitor, you can easily and safely monitor your sleeping baby with both sound and movement. The under-the-mattress sensor pad detects your baby’s movement and alerts parents after 20 seconds of non-movement. Transitioning your baby into the nursery or monitoring a preemie would not be the same without the Angelcare!

Price: $160
Number of parent units: Two
Range: 820 feet

Baby unit and sensor pad features:

Under-the-mattress sensor pad detects all movement
Optional “tic” sound as the monitor detects movement
Clear sound transmission can be used in conjunction with the sensor pad or on its own

Choice between alarm vibration or alarm sounds after 20 seconds if no movement is detected
Soothing night light
Choice between voice activation or continuous sound monitoring
Adjustable sensitivity

Handheld parent unit features:

Rechargeable batteries included
Eight channels to minimize interference

Sound lights to see and hear Baby’s sounds
Low battery indicator
Nursery room temperature display

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V-Tech Safe & Sound Full-Color Video/Audio Monitor

V-tech Safe & Sound monitor

The V-Tech Safe & Sound Full-Color Video and Audio Monitor allows you to both watch and listen to your baby from up to 1,000 feet away. Key features include a temperature sensor, which gives you the temp in your baby's room, as well as the ability to talk to your baby from the parent monitor until you get to baby's room. If you think your baby just needs a bit of distant soothing, you can also play five different lullabies on the camera.

Price: $130
Number of parent units: One, but other packages offer more
Range: 1,000 feet

Baby unit features:

Polyphonic Lullabies - the camera plays five different lullabies
Night viewing

Handheld parent unit features:

Vibrating sound alert - You're silently alerted when there is sound in the baby's room.
Temperature sensor gives you the temp in baby's room
Talk-back intercom system

Split-screen capability
Zoom ability
Secure digital transmission - eliminates white noise and ensures security
High Resolution 2.8" Color LCD monitor

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Tags: baby gear baby safety

Comments

Comments on "Baby monitors: Which one is right for you?"

I was sceptical about my wife wanting to buy a video monitor. It has been a godsend. It has been really useful to be able to look at the baby to check he is ok without going into the room to disturb him. What I am struggling to find is a monitor where the base runs from battery as well as the parent unit. I would love to get a system that lets us leave him in the car with at least a audio monitor, however they all seem to require mains for the base station.

Happy this helped, Erin! There are so many options out there now :)

I'm in the "hunting" phase right now as far as getting a monitor is concerned. I've heard wonderful things about the video monitor and I also really like the idea of the movement monitor. Normally I can hear my baby when she cries, so I'm honestly more concerned about movement. Thanks for the great article!

LOVE LOVE LOVE our video monitor from Summer Infant. I think it's a must for all new parents.