There are many different types of baby monitor that’ll suit parents in different situations. Perhaps you need a versatile monitor to use on the go, or want one that connects to an app on your phone rather than having to rely on the display on the monitor itself. You may want to skip the display completely and just go for an audio monitor.
Whatever you need, we’ve got something for everyone here in our round-up of the best baby monitors. For more buying advice and to find out which features you can expect in a monitor, check out our buying advice after the round-up.
Baby monitor reviews
How to choose a baby monitor
There are a few things that you should consider when it comes to buying your baby monitor. We’ve yet to find a monitor that can do absolutely everything in one neat and reasonably priced package, so it’s a case of weighing up the pros and cons to find one that works best for you.
Panning functionality Useful sound indicator lights 720p HD resolution with night vision
No Wi-Fi No lullaby Wide angle lens must be bought separately
The lack of Wi-Fi will put off some parents as it means you can’t connect the monitor to an app on your phone, but if you don’t mind carrying around the display module and you don’t need to be able to record video clips, you won’t find this to be a problem.
In fact, it’s more convenient if you plan to use it when travelling and want to avoid a complicated set-up process.
The only thing it doesn’t have is a lullaby option, which we didn’t miss.
We like the VAVA’s sound indicator lights, but aren’t as keen on the way the time is displayed on the screen. Additionally, the VAVA doesn’t come with a wall mount and there’s no wide angle lens, although you can buy one separately.
720p resolution with night vision Panning capability Lullaby
No Wi-Fi No night light
It doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities which means no connecting to your phone, nor does it have a night light. However, it has a lullaby, night vision, a 720p 5in screen and panning capabilities, which more than make up for it.
It’s among the more expensive monitors on the market, but it does offer the quality, flexibility and future-proofing that many parents will love. Sadly, it’s not currently available in the UK.
1.
5 and 2x zoom Near 360 degree field of vision Temperature sensor
Slightly grainy image No Wi-Fi Laggy sound
It also has a temperature sensor and feeding reminders, as well as a choice of lullabies to soothe your baby. Plus, you can record your favourite moments if you use an SD card.
On the negative side, we weren’t as wowed by its performance as its specs would suggest, with the sound a little laggy; its battery life not quite as long as claimed; and its picture a little grainy.
Plus, there’s no Wi-Fi capability, so you can’t use it in conjunction with your mobile.
Wi-Fi capability Zoom function Large colour screen
Smart features unimpressive App suffers from lag
On the whole, it’s a brilliant baby monitor, but it does have some downsides. The camera must always be connected to a power source, for example, and there’s no option to add a second camera (yet).
It also offers app connectivity thanks to Wi-Fi, which lets you use your phone as a second display, as well as some smart features, but these are underwhelming and the app suffers from lag.
Comes with 2 cameras, can connect up to 4 Large colour screen with 4x zoom Good sound quality
No Wi-Fi Menus difficult to navigate
It’s easy to set up and use, although we found that the menu for accessing the pan-and-tilt capability of each camera was not very intuitive.
Like the VAVA monitor above, it doesn’t use Wi-Fi, but on the plus side, its connection is secure and free from lag. Its large colour screen has a 4x zoom and night vision. The sound quality is very good as well.
As you’d expect, it costs a little more than the standard VAVA monitor, but if you have two children or are planning to, the extra outlay will be well worth it.
24-hour battery length Set up anywhere
Small monitor No zoom No lullaby
However, it has limitations. The Yoo Travel has a small monitor with muted colours, and there’s no zoom function. Nor does it play a lullaby.
If you think you’ll always have a plug socket nearby for the camera, we’d recommend looking elsewhere for your baby monitor as it misses out on some features that others offer for a similar price.
Secure feed Interference-free Excellent sound quality
No video
DECT technology helps make sure the audio feed is entirely private and secure, and it won’t suffer from interference from nearby phones or monitors.
There are cheaper audio-only monitors available, but if you want the best quality, you’ll find it with the Philips Avent SCD710.
You should consider whether or not the camera module needs to be plugged in. If you plan to travel often, even if that’s just to visit a friend’s house, it might be handy to be able to set up the camera without having to plug it in, relying instead on an inbuilt battery. This means you’ll have the flexibility of placing the baby in any room, anywhere, without needing to find a plug socket within reach.
Alternatively, do you need a camera module at all? Are you content with just audio? Often audio baby monitors have very high quality sound and can be more secure and private. They can also be much cheaper, and sometimes have battery-powered capabilities which means they don’t need to be plugged in.
If you do want a camera, would you like to be able to connect to Wi-Fi to enable you to use an app as a second display? Would you like to record footage from the baby monitor? And do you want the ability to move the camera’s angle remotely, so you don’t need to go into the room and disturb the baby?
Do you think you may need to buy additional camera modules in the future for monitoring two babies at once in separate rooms?
These are all questions you should ask – and answer – before you choose your baby monitor, as it’ll help to narrow down which is best for your needs. Most features will add a bit of extra cost to the monitor, so it’s important to prioritise if you’re on a budget.
Emma is Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money.
