Choose a Baby Monitor: 6 Valuable Features to Have
Isn’t it nice to have a baby monitor as a pillar of support to monitor your baby from a distance while you do chores or take a break?
But, my God, deciding on a baby monitor for my little boy made my head spin even back then. Today, there are so many more smart-tech options in the market! So, if you’re struggling to choose a baby monitor that fits your needs, let’s kick off this guide.
I’m briefly explaining the types of baby monitors, and then we’ll do a deep dive into essential features to make your shopping list easier. Psst, I cover some FAQs too. So, keep reading!
Table of Contents
3 Types of Baby Monitors
Before purchasing a baby monitor, let’s learn a little bit about their types. Depending on your budget and requirements, you can figure out which types of baby monitors to invest in.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These are the pioneers of baby monitors. | They work on old analog technology. |
| They are cost-friendly and simple to use. | Tons of other background noises impact communication. |
| They work like a walkie-talkie to talk and listen to your baby’s cries. | Comes with a limited range; cannot cover big houses or apartments. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It comes with a display where you can watch your baby every single second, along with audio. | Has privacy concerns. Need strong credentials and regular firmware updates. |
| These monitors have three types: Non-Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, and Hybrid. Each operates on a different technology. | Pricier than audio-only types. However, non-Wi-Fi baby monitors are less expensive than Wi-Fi monitors. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These come as sensor pads or wearable monitors that you can place on your baby’s feet or abdomen. | The pads or wearables can be sensitive, causing false alarms. |
| They can track movements and vitals like oxygen, breathing, temperature, and more. | False alarms can add unnecessary stress or anxiety for parents, especially when your baby sleeps soundly. |
6 Features to Look For in Baby Monitors
A good baby monitor should ideally help you hear, see, and talk to your baby from wherever you are at home.
- This means you should look for a baby monitor that at least offers a good range and a quality connection with no signal interference. Whether you want to choose an audio or video type is based on your specific needs.
Now, that we’re clear about the basic goal of a baby monitor, let’s look at the essential features in more detail.
1. Quality Audio and Video Capabilities
I hate hearing the fizz and buzz sounds from a baby monitor that picks up too much interference. Unclear audio and video would just frustrate me (I’m sure it would for you too).
So, it’s important to have high-resolution video and good audio as a foundational aspect of your baby monitor. Now, let’s look at more specifics about quality audio and video:
- Two-Way Communication – This means you can hear and talk from both the child and parent unit. This has always helped me calm my youngest, Theo from a distance when I’m busy with chores.
- Infrared Night Vision – This feature offers you a clear view of your baby even during the night when your baby is sleeping.
- Close and Wide Lens – Today’s smart monitors come with zoom wide and other lens options that help you see your baby better on your monitor screen.
Psst! Also, check if your baby monitor can record. It helps you save precious memories to the cloud or external storage to re-watch fond moments with the entire family.
2. Range and Signal Strength
The one I have covers approximately 900 feet, which is sufficient range for my house. So, whether you want to buy a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity monitor, learn about its range beforehand.
- Examine the size of your house and also consult the vendor before you make up your mind. I also wanted a compact monitor that is easy to lift and carry.
- So, check out baby monitors that offer a good range and support multiple cameras for those with multiple babies to care for.
It’s also important to place your baby monitor in the right spot. Whether you place it near the crib or on a tall shelf, make sure it gives you a complete view of your baby’s room.
3. Motion and Sound Detection
When Theo was a newborn, my husband and I realized that we did not want to miss out on any movements and soft coos. This is when parents need to be highly attentive, especially when you’ve got other kids at home too.
- So, if this is you, go for video baby monitors that feature motion and sound detection, alerting you 24/7.
- Plus, the ones that have VOX mode are heaven. You can set your baby monitor to ECO (VOX) mode with a high sensitivity level to listen to a newborn’s softest voices.
4. Temperature Monitoring
Newborns cannot yet handle very hot or cold environments, or high-temperature fluctuations, either.
- So, it helps to get a baby monitor with in-built temperature sensors to notify you if the levels fall beyond a threshold.
5. Security and Privacy
This is so very vital, dear parents. It’s scary even to imagine a stranger spying on you, your baby, and your entire family. But this can happen if a baby monitor gets hacked.
So, when selecting the right baby monitor, be wary of these facts to address vulnerabilities:
- If you want Wi-Fi baby monitors, look for one that’ll notify you about firmware updates to keep your baby monitor safe and streamlined.
- Baby monitors with two-factor authentication are also considered safe, as a stranger would require an OTP to break into the system.
- Also, ensure the baby monitor has encrypted data transmission. It adds one more layer of protection to your audio and video feed.
6. Battery Life
Battery-operated baby monitors are a sensible recommendation for those who experience power cuts or worry about the hazard of electrical cords.
- So, in such cases, you can go for a rechargeable or single-use battery that you don’t need to change frequently. Also, make sure it has a decent battery life too.
- You can also look for baby monitors with a battery-saving feature. It switches the device to sleep mode until it detects any sound from your baby’s nursery. Relax—it won’t turn off your camera!
Additional Features You Can Consider
Here are some other fancy features of baby monitors that you may find interesting:
- Lullabies – One of my favorite features is preloaded cradle songs that soothe my Theo and put him to sleep.
- Sleep Analysis – Apart from tracking your baby’s sleep, many smart baby monitors show you a baby’s periodic sleep patterns, aiding in identifying sleep issues.
- Growth Tracking – Today’s baby monitors can record your tot’s height, weight, and overall milestones and prepare a growth chart. This is quite useful for babies with health issues.
- Smart Devices – Modern baby monitors can integrate with smart devices like Apple Watch, smartphones, Alexa, etc.
If you are still unsure of the features you need or wonder if baby monitors are necessary, check out this post: Do You Need a Baby Monitor?
FAQs on How to Choose a Baby Monitor
1. Are Traditional Baby Monitors Still Worth Buying?
Today, audio-only and simple video baby monitors can both be referred to as traditional baby monitors.
– These types of baby monitors do not have features like in-depth vitals monitoring, high security, and more, which most parents look for today.
– Moreover, the more traditional baby monitors are plugged-in types with dangling cords that pose strangulation risks for babies.
Long story short, it depends on your objective.
– If your baby sleeps nearby, and you only need two-way audio, traditional baby monitors can work well for you.
– But if you have a large house with multiple children running around, you may want a baby monitor that offers more features.
So, please ensure you know what you need in a baby monitor before you buy one.
2. Are Wi-Fi Baby Monitors Safe? Should I Buy a Wi-Fi or a Non-Wi-Fi one?
Parents who prefer Wi-Fi baby monitors are the ones who need:
– High or unlimited range and signal.
– Access from their smartphones and other smart home devices.
– Advanced monitoring features via vendor’s app.
Non-Wi-Fi baby monitors don’t have such advanced monitoring features, but they are priced more reasonably.
One more thing: Wi-Fi baby monitors can be hacked more easily, especially if you set weak passwords or use outdated firmware.
So, please weigh the pros and cons of both types and see which best meets your goals.
3. Can I Find A Baby Monitor With Good Features On A Low Budget?
Yes, there are many affordable options available on the market with essential features like quality audio and video, good range and signal strength, and more.
I got a Babysense baby monitor (for $69.99). Just make sure that your affordable option provides you with the basic features and has crucial safety measures like encrypted data transmission, etc.
Social media is great for gathering information about the baby monitor you want to buy.
- You can join Facebook or Reddit communities talking about baby monitors to make a more informed purchase decision.
- Ecommerce platforms like Amazon are also helpful, since you can see people’s reviews and ratings on most products.
Final Thoughts: Choose a Baby Monitor Wisely
With time, baby monitors have evolved beyond audio and visuals. Now, you can trace your infant’s oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and more.
And just because you are on a low budget does not mean you have to compromise on essential features. Today’s affordable baby monitors also offer features like two-way communication, and good audio and video quality, among more. So, research and compare baby monitors that meet key features before you make a decision.
