By Brittany Rowland

As we surveyed the wide selection of baby monitors available on the market, we kept the following important qualities in mind:

1. Wide range
2. Secure, interference-free channels
3. Clear reception
4. Low battery/out of range indicators
5. Ample battery life
6. Minimal static
7. Two-way audio communication
8. Adjustable volume and sensitivity
9. Bonuses like nightlight, camera, or lullabies

Baby Monitor Buying Guide

A Baby Monitor Buying Guide

A baby monitor gives parents some freedom to do tasks around the home while their child sleeps, all the while letting them monitor their child’s noises so they know when he or she awakes. If you’re looking for a baby monitor, you first need to decide if you want digital video in addition to audio. Video monitors are generally more expensive than traditional audio monitors, but some parents like the peace of mind that comes from being able to see their baby at any time, day or night. With the frightening reports of SIDS deaths, some parents are also springing for monitors that detect movement and sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing.

Whichever type of monitor you choose, keep the following aspects in mind as you shop:

Range

A baby monitor with a long range gives you greater mobility, but it can also pick up more interference the farther you stray from the transmitter. Look for models that include an out of range signal.

Analog vs. Digital

Analog monitors are less expensive, but the sound quality can suffer, and nearly anyone can pick up the radio signal. Digital monitors generally have better sound quality and are more secure, giving you privacy.

Video

If you spring for a video monitor, consider models that allow you to pan and zoom, letting you view the nursery as well as the baby. Most video monitors have night vision. Some include perks like a nightlight, a camera, and preloaded lullabies.

Sound lights
No matter how clearly a monitor receiver picks up sounds from the nursery, you may not be able to hear it if you’re vacuuming or running the dishwasher. Look for models that feature LED sound lights, which show you the noise level in your baby’s room. Some baby monitors also vibrate, so you’ll be sure to notice when your baby needs you.

Low battery indicator

You don’t want your batteries to run out, leaving you under the illusion that your little one is sleeping peacefully when he may be crying frantically. A good monitor should include a low battery indicator that lets you know when it’s time to charge it.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

For a no-frills baby monitor, this Safety 1st model provides remarkably clear audio from your infant’s room. With a belt clip, you can easily carry around the unit as you go about your business; it allows for a range of up to 1000 feet. The battery life is ample, too. An indicator light lets you know when the juice is running low so you can charge it with the included AC adapter—we just wish the indicator were audible as well, so parents wouldn’t have to worry about it running low at night. We were impressed that, in addition to its basic functionality, this monitor has very clear sound quality. It may not be the fanciest model available, but it more than serves its purpose and costs only $41.07.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

The Lorex Sweet Peek Video Baby Monitor offers ample range of up to 450 feet. The video monitor provides decent video coverage of your child in his or her crib. You’ll get a clear picture even at night with the night vision on the 2.4-inch display. The baby monitor is stationary and doesn’t allow the panning and tilting of other models like the Levana Astra 32006. Still, you’ll be happy to know you can add additional cameras (up to 4) and monitor different rooms with the same parent unit. The two-way audio communication also comes in handy when you need to send some soothing words to your child but you can’t make it to the room right away. This Lorex model is available for $118.95.

Prices

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By Brittany Rowland

You’ll feel relieved to be able to hear and see your baby sleep with this Levana Astra digital baby video monitor. The camera monitors your child while you go about your business in the home. The picture quality is very good, even at night thanks to the night vision. You can even pan, tilt, and zoom the camera remotely to see what’s going on in your baby’s room. With a PEEP mode, the video turns off to save battery power, and you’re alerted if the baby starts making noise. The parent unit is compact and lightweight enough to carry around the house, and it offers a 750-foot range. The reception is reasonably clear with minimal static. Perks include 3 lullabies for the infant. For a video monitor, $129.98 is a little steep, but still reasonable given the features.

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By Brittany Rowland

A sleek baby monitor from Philips, this Avent device lets you hear the slightest cooing and breathing from your infant with the highest sensitivity setting. If you prefer, you can turn down the volume and still detect noises from the nursery thanks to the LED light indicator. With DECT technology, the sound is crystal clear and highly sensitive; you won’t have to worry about interference from cell phones or other wireless devices, and your baby monitor’s channel will be private and secure. The monitor also functions as a nightlight and plays calming lullabies. As a special bonus, parents can speak to their babies through an intercom, letting them offer soothing words to help the child fall back asleep. The baby monitor is available for $60.00.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

The NextStepIP System is another baby monitor system that allows parents to pull up live video on their smartphones and computers. The monitor system includes pan and tilt controls, so parents can survey the entire nursery and catch all the action. Its night vision illuminates the sleeping child for the camera without disturbing the baby’s sleep. With a one-time purchase of an app on an Apple or Android phone, parents have two-way audio communication with the monitor transmitter.

As baby monitoring technology advances in the twenty-first century, parents will be happy to be able to keep a watchful eye over their babies even in today’s busy world.

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By Brittany Rowland

An affordable baby monitor from Sony, this model provides a wide service range with an out-of-range indicator. The monitor conveniently clips to a belt and includes 27 channels to choose from, letting you select the clearest station with the least interference. The faint buzzing, or white noise, is at a minimum; the voice activation mode focuses on human noises and cuts out extraneous noise, making this model fairly quiet. Some consumers report problems using it at night, when the bright lights and occasional beeps could disturb sleep. However, for $32.99, it’s a reliable device that gives you freedom around the house while your baby sleeps.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

Parents will appreciate being able to see their child sleeping with this Summer Infant baby video monitor. The five-inch screen provides a clear black and white live image, even in the dark thanks to its night vision. The video screen can be turned off if you’re turning in for the night, and the parent unit still provides audio from the nursery—or, if you prefer, you can watch the sound level with the LED sound lights. This video monitor works best if you’re content setting the TV in one spot, since it’s too bulky to carry around. The set is available for $84.54.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

We were impressed with the Graco Secure Coverage Digital Monitor for its static-free reception and its reasonable price of $44.87. The parent unit is light and compact enough to carry around in a pocket or clipped to a belt. A nifty feature is the vibrating setting that buzzes when it picks up your child’s cries. The feature comes in handy because otherwise the volume might not be as loud as you’d like if you’re engaged in some noisy task. However, the digital monitor comes through very clearly without interference, and you can rest assured knowing the channel is secure.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

This Angelcare baby sound monitor has remarkably little static and offers eight channels for minimal radio interference. The baby monitor includes a gentle night light that infants and toddlers will find reassuring. Parents will be reassured, too, when they hear even the softest sleeping sounds coming from their babies. The monitor is adjustable for sensitivity and volume. Take it too far out of range, and an indicator goes off. The rechargeable batteries last a long period per charge—at least a day. For the ability to hear everything in the nursery without extraneous noise or static, and to monitor the room temperature, $59.99 is a decent price.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

For parents of premature infants or who worry about SIDS, the Angelcare movement sensor can offer a sense of security. The pad rests under the baby and sounds an alarm if it detects no movement for more than 20 seconds. Additionally, the sound monitor offers a clear connection and has a great range. You’ll appreciate being able to “see” the baby’s noise level even if you can’t hear it over a vacuum cleaner or dishwasher. It’s handy having two parents’ units, also, so both mom and dad can rest assured that their child is safe. For all that the set offers, the $95.29 price tag seems very reasonable.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

Parents will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with this digital video baby monitor from Motorola. The model offers three screen sizes; the medium one, at 2.8 inches, runs at $169.90, and is large and clear enough to give you a good view of your infant. The monitor offers a crisp picture resolution, even in the dark with infrared night vision. Other perks include digital camera functionality, room temperature monitoring, adjustable volume, and 5 built-in lullabies. For a wireless monitor, we were impressed with how well it worked, with no interference from other wireless devices in the home.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany