The Best Baby Sleep Monitors – 2019 Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

The Nanit Sleep System doubles as both a high-tech baby monitor and a baby sleep tracking app. Based on your baby’s movement, the Nanit will let you know, via smartphone notification, when your child is awake, asleep, or fussy.

Since the camera streams to your phone over the internet, instead of using a receiver, there’s no range limit. You can even watch your baby when you’re not home, pinching in to zoom like you would with any other photo on your phone. Thanks to multi-user functionality, multiple parents and caregivers can view the same data.

The Nanit Sleep System is one of the higher-end options, in large part due to the advanced analytics available in the Nanit Insights subscription service. The monitor comes with a one-year trial of the service (after that, it costs 100 dollars per year for 30-day storage or 300 dollars for unlimited storage). It compiles sleep data and provides detailed information about your baby’s sleep habits, including how long it took your baby to fall asleep, sleep duration and how many times you or another caregiver visited the nursery

The Nanit wall mount is placed directly over your baby’s bed, for a clear, unobstructed view of your baby. A cord management system keeps the cord safely from your baby’s reach. The monitor also includes a nightlight, as well as temperature and humidity sensors to ensure the optimal sleep environment.

Good for parents who:

• Want to track their baby’s sleep with detailed analytics
• Want a monitor with top-quality video and audio capabilities
• Want a Wi-Fi-enabled option they can stream from anywhere

The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor is a top-rated audio-only monitor. Designed like a walkie talkie, it’s intuitive and easy for parents to use. Lights on the device visually indicate the level of noise coming from your baby’s room, in case you have to turn the volume down. There’s also a vibrate-only alert option.

Thanks to DECT technology, this baby monitor promises clear audio free of static and interference, over a fully private connection. Parents can travel up to 1,000 feet away with the receiver, which comes with a handy belt clip so you can easily attach it as you walk throughout your home.

Intercom functionality allows parents to talk back to their baby, soothing them back to sleep. Rechargeable batteries provide 18 hours of battery life on a full charge.

As an audio-only option, the VTech DM221 is a highly affordable baby monitor. You can buy one with a single receiver unit, or two – either way, it’s below $50.

Good for parents who:

• Want an internet-free, highly reliable baby monitor
• Have larger homes
• Don’t want video monitoring

This baby monitor is definitely the cutest. Available as a bunny, kitten, or puppy, the Arlo baby monitor fits right in with the rest of your baby’s bedroom decor.

The Arlo uses your home wireless connection and streams live video to your phone via a smartphone app. The video maintains 1080-pixel HD quality, whether you’re watching live in color or infrared at night. You can zoom in up to 8 times closer.

Like most internet-connected baby monitors, the Arlo turns your phone into a receiver, removing the need for you to carry an extra device around. As long as your phone is on, you can watch your baby no matter where you are. You can even save video recordings to the cloud for downloading up to 7 days later. App-enabled notifications let you know whenever your baby cries or moves.

Additional features include two-way talk, air and temperature sensors, nightlight, and white noise/lullaby player. This voice-activated baby monitor integrates with other smart home devices, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.

The Arlo battery is rechargeable, allowing parents to use it wire-free for extra safety. A separate floor stand or wall mount is available as an additional purchase.

Good for parents who:

• Want an aesthetically-pleasing baby monitor
• Have other smart home devices
• Want to record and share videos of their baby sleeping

The Cocoon Cam streams HD video straight to a smartphone app over your home internet connection. As a wall-mounted camera, there’s no need to worry about power cords. The camera captures audio and video, and streams in night vision when the lights are out.

The video feed is overlaid with an analysis of your baby’s breathing patterns. While your baby sleeps, the camera monitors their chest to detect whether anything abnormal happens, in which case you are immediately alerted via a notification from the app. Other notifications include your baby crying, waking up, or falling asleep. You can also talk to your baby through the app by using your phone’s microphone.

The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against relying on baby breathing monitors to prevent SIDS risk. We’ve chosen to include The Cocoon Cam Plus in our picks because it’s highly-rated by parents, is a solid video monitor on its own, and some parents may find the breathing analysis comforting.

If that’s you, this app may be worth the price, but note that it does not include some of the other features other baby monitors in the same price range have, such as white noise players and temperature sensors.

Good for parents who:

• Want a wall-mount monitor
• Like the ease and convenience of a smartphone app with no range limit
• Are interested in analyzing their baby’s breathing patterns

The Babysense Video Monitor uses 2.4GHz FHSS technology instead of your home wifi, so you don’t have to worry about the internet going down. The lengthy 900-foot range allows for secure monitoring, even from rooms far away, and you can soothe and hush your baby using the two-way talk function.

With two high-quality cameras, you can view your baby from different angles of their bedroom, or or place the second camera in another room of your house, like a nursery or family room. The system can work with up to 2 more cameras, available for purchase separately.

Both of the Babysense cameras capture night vision and color video. Some panning and tilting is available remotely on the receiver, with additional adjustment available manually.

The handheld receiver comes with a stand so it can be propped up next to you. The Babysense’s “eco” power-saving mode turns off the screen while maintaining the audio, and turns back on whenever there is an abnormal sound to help alert you.

Good for parents who:

• Want an internet-free monitor
• Want to watch their baby in multiple rooms or from different angles
• Have more than one young infant

The Willcare Newborn Baby Monitor contains everything parents are looking for: an adjustable camera, night vision, two-way talk, temperature monitoring, and even a music player with 4 lullabies. The Willcare baby monitor includes a wall mount, too, for parents who want a cordless option. That’s a lot of features for a decent price.

The 3.5” LCD screen provides high-quality, constant footage of your sleeping baby. The voice-activated “eco” mode turns off the video, but keeps the audio on, reducing battery consumption by 50% while still allowing you to monitor your baby’s sleep. You can also set the eco mode to turn on automatically, whenever your baby is regularly breathing, so you can sleep better too, without an LCD display lighting up your bedroom.

Parents can rotate the camera 360 degrees, but have to do so manually. The system works with up to 3 additional cameras, which can be purchased separately.

One standout feature is the built-in food clock, which helps you stay on track with feeding your baby.

Good for parents who:

• Want the classic features for a good value
• Don’t want to worry about battery life
• Want a wall-mount monitor

There are two main types of baby monitors: audio-only, or audio with video. Within those two categories, there is also variation in how the signal is transmitted.

• Analog monitors, which tend to be the least expensive, transmit the frequency directly from the transmitter to the receiver. This means anyone with a device on the same frequency can technically listen in.
• Digital monitors encode the signal, so other people can’t listen in. Either type of radio-based monitor (analog or digital) is a good safeguard in areas with poor internet connection.
• Wi-Fi-enabled monitor uses your home’s wireless network to transmit the signal. Instead of a physical receiver, Wi-Fi-enabled systems often allow you to use an app on your phone or tablet to monitor your baby, which many parents consider a convenience. However, if your internet connection gets interrupted, so will the feed.

With the exception of some wireless monitors, baby monitors typically include a physical receiver unit for the parents.

• Audio receivers usually allow you to mute or adjust the volume of the device, so it doesn’t interfere with the other activites you’re doing. Some audio models, when muted, have LED lights that light up according to the volume, so if your baby is crying, you’ll know even if it’s on mute.
• Video receivers have full-color video screens with adjustable brightness. The size of the video receiver is important, as this largely dictates how clearly you can see your baby. Ensure the screen size is suitable for you. Many video receivers also have night vision, so you can still see your baby even when his room is dark.

A baby monitor’s range indicates how far apart the transmitter and receiver can be before you lose reception. It’s important to know your model’s range and stay well within it so you can continuously monitor your baby.

Models advertised as “long-range” have significantly larger range, usually more than 700 feet, making them a good fit for those with larger homes. Wi-Fi-enabled systems that stream video through an app typically have unlimited range, allowing parents to watch from anywhere as long as they have their smartphones.

Most baby monitors plug directly into the wall. Receivers, since they’re designed to be portable, typically operate on battery life, but many can be recharged when plugged into the wall. Short battery life is a common complaint with baby monitors, as it drains quickly in some models, so always read the reviews if this is important to you. Some models include a replacement battery, so you can continue to use the device in the event of a power outage where you’re unable to recharge it.

Some models also include power-saving modes. On video receivers, this typically involves the ability to transition from video to audio-only mode to conserve power.

Some baby monitors allow you to talk to your baby. You can speak into the receiver and the transmitter in your baby’s room will relay your voice to sooth your baby. The transmitter may also come with white noise, lullabies or nature sounds that you can turn on remotely. You may even be able to record yourself singing the lullabies for later playback.

Some baby monitors come with extra receivers, allowing you to keep them in separate rooms or share them among parents and caregivers. Some also come with extra cameras, allowing you to mount from different angles within your baby’s room, or to have a camera in another room your baby frequents, such as your own bedroom or a playroom.

Multi-camera-enabled systems may come with two cameras to start, with the option to purchase up to two additional cameras. If you’re using both cameras, you can toggle between views on the receiver.

Wi-Fi-enabled monitors are more portable—and perhaps more convenient—than other types, but some do come with security risks. While someone could technically listen in on your frequency if you have a radio-based monitor, Wi-Fi-enabled monitors are more susceptible to hacking.

Look for a Wi-Fi-enabled monitor with encryption and one that allows you to change its password. Be sure to also secure your own wireless network and keep the monitor’s firmware updated. If you choose a digital monitor, look for one with a 2.4 GHz FHSS wireless transmission

There’s variation in how baby monitor cameras operate. Some are stationary, while others can be manually pointed toward your baby’s crib. Many parents enjoy the versatility of models that provide the option to pan or tilt remotely from the parent unit.

You may want a wide-angle lens or the ability to zoom in. Also consider where your camera will sit. Some models can be mounted to the wall, while others can sit on a shelf or other surface.

Some parents are fine with basic baby monitors that simply let them know if their baby makes a sound, while others prefer crystal-clear audio and video. You’ll at least want to find a model that has a reliable audio and video feed.

If it’s important to you to be able to see your baby’s face clearly, look for a monitor with higher resolution and night vision. Devices with better audio and video quality tend to cost more, but they also allow parents to really know what’s going on in their baby’s nursery.

Many baby monitors today do more than just let you know if your baby is awake. Be sure to decide which features matter most to you as many add to the price of a unit.

• Temperature Monitoring: Some baby monitors allow you to monitor the temperature of your baby’s room. The ideal temperature for babies to sleep in is slightly warmer than it is for adults, between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Nightlight: Many baby monitors come with a nightlight, which makes it easier for you to walk in and check on your child during the night without bumping into anything.
• Sleep Data: Some Wi-Fi-enabled monitors also collect and share data about your baby’s sleep patterns. You can get a sense of how well your baby slept, how often she woke up and how long it took her to fall asleep. This can be especially helpful if your baby is going through a sleep regression or otherwise having trouble sleeping.