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The best baby monitors 2022
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Using a baby monitor to keep an eye (and an ear) on your baby while they're asleep is pretty essential for most parents, especially nervous first-timers.
If your baby is sleeping in a different room from you, it’ll allow you to check whether they're awake or asleep without the risk of disturbing them.
It’ll also alert you when baby wakes for a feed or nappy change overnight, even if you’re sound asleep at the time.
There are three main types of baby monitor to choose from, video, sound or movement, and most models combine at least two of these elements.
Video monitors are the most expensive at around £100-200, but if you've got a smaller budget, you can easily pick up an audio-only model for around £30-40.
1. BT Video Baby Monitor 6000
*Long range of 250m outdoors and 50m indoors so you won't miss a sound
*Temperature indicator so you can monitor the temperature in your baby's room
*5" screen, remote control pan and tilt mechanism
With five lullabies, a camera that can be wall-mounted for ease, night vision, and a range of 250 metres, this video monitor is a practical and well-priced model.
It has a 5" screen, which is big enough for you to keep a close eye on your baby as they sleep. The long connection range means that you won't miss a sound, either.
2. Motorola MBP24 Digital Monitor
*Audio baby monitor with volume control and visual sound level indicator
*14 hours standby and up to 300m range with low battery indicator
*Belt clip for parent unit is convenient for using round the house
This audio monitor uses DECT interference-free technology that gives a strong wireless connection, which means a better range and less chance of missing something important.
It has volume control and a visual sound level indicator with a 300 m range without any audio distortion, and it also has an out-of-range alarm so you know if you're too far away from the microphone.
3. Angelcare AC1300 Video, Movement and Sound Monitor
*Adjustable camera with pan and zoom and under the mattress sensor pad monitors your baby's movements
*Out-of-range indicator works up to 820 feet outdoors
*Best option for added peace-of-mind
Great for anxious new parents, the AC1300 has a sensor that you place under your child's mattress so it'll sound an alarm if no movement's detected for 20 seconds.
Other bonus features are the large 3.5 inch portable LCD colour screen which has infra-red video technology, crystal-clear audio transmission and temperature display.
4. Tommee Tippee Sound and movement monitor
*Baby monitor with a movement sensor pad, room temperature display and two way talk back system
*Can reassure your baby from afar while keeping an eye on their movements as they sleep
*Baby night light which can be remotely controlled from the parent unit
The two-way, talk-back feature allows you to soothe your child from another room, with a movement monitor for added reassurance. The monitor has a paging function to help you quickly locate the monitor if lost, and a gentle nightlight which you can control from the parent unit to help your baby doze off to sleep.
5. Arlo Smart Baby Monitor Home Safety Kit
*Has multi-coloured night light, music player, temperature, humidity and VOCs air sensors
*Two-way talk back means you can reassure your baby from a distance
*Connects to your smartphone, tablet or television
This system grows as your family does, as it allows you to add additional accessories - up to 50 sensors and four cameras. There's also a micro SD slot which allows you to record videos and pictures.
The monitor also keeps an eye on the conditions in your little one's nursery, meaning you can receive a push notification or email when anything is not in the desired range.
6. VTech BM2000 safe & sound, £34.99
*Visual sound alert lights, room temperature thermometer, glowing night light and talk-back to baby unit feature
*Has five lullabies which will comfort your baby and help them to drift off to sleep
*Nightlight soothes and comforts your baby
Full of features despite its competitive price, with a 300 metre range, visual sound alert lights, room temperature thermometer, nightlight and talk-back function - so well worth every penny.
One parent unit is included which is powered by AAA batteries, and the baby monitor comes with a mains adaptor.
What to spend
The cheapest baby monitors on the market are audio monitors, which just pick up the sounds your baby makes.
These start from a budget-friendly £20. If you’d prefer a monitor that also detects your baby’s movement, you can expect to pay £60-plus.
Video monitors that let you look in on what your baby is doing cost from around £80, while at the top of the market, monitors that have sound, movement and video functions will set you back up to £180.
Key features
Baby monitors consist of two units: the baby unit, which goes in your baby’s room, and the parent unit, which you keep near you.
The baby unit of an audio monitor just has a sound receiver, while video monitors also have an inbuilt camera, which transmits images to a screen on the parent unit.
Movement monitors have an additional component – usually a flat sensor pad – that goes in your baby’s bed.
The choice of whether to buy an audio, video and/or movement monitor depends on what you’d find most reassuring.
Audio monitors are significantly cheaper, but you might still end up checking on your baby if you hear a noise but can’t tell if he’s awake or asleep.
Video monitors give you the extra peace of mind of being able to see your baby, but they’re pricey and some cameras don’t have a particularly wide angle, which means that if your baby wriggles down to one end of the cot, you might not be able to see him.
Although they’re designed for night-time use, some don’t have great image quality in low light.
Some models have the option of buying an extra video unit, so you can monitor more than one room at a time – handy if you have a baby and toddler in separate bedrooms.
Movement monitors sense the motions of your baby’s breathing and sound an alarm if nothing is detected.
They can reassure you if you’re especially anxious about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) but again, they’re expensive, and sometimes they give a false alarm – for instance if your baby rolls off the sensor pad.
One of the most important things to consider when you’re choosing a baby monitor is the sound quality.
Most monitors on the market today are digital, which means they’re less likely than the old analogue type to pick up sounds from other baby monitors in neighbouring houses.
Some have an enhanced form of digital transmission called DECT, which makes them even less prone to detecting sounds from elsewhere.
You’ll also want to check out the reception range of the monitor. If you’ve got a big house, or want to be able to sit in the garden while your baby is in bed, a long range will be an asset. Some have an alert to let you know when the monitor is out of range.
Consider how the baby monitor is powered. Some can only run off the mains, in which case you’ll need to make sure you have accessible sockets for both the baby and parent unit.
Some also take batteries, which can be handy for travelling. Often, the parent unit fits onto a charging base so that once it’s powered up, you can wander around the house or garden with it.
Lots of baby monitors have a light display on the parent unit that flashes when sound is detected.
This is a useful feature if, for example, you want to sit down and watch some TV in the evening, as you can mute the baby monitor but still see when your baby cries.
Some parent units also have a talk-back function, so you can talk to your baby and reassure him from another room.
Other handy features include a nightlight and room thermometer on the baby unit, and the facility to play lullabies to your baby.
Need to know
Although baby monitors can offer lots of reassurance, it’s recommended that, to reduce the risk of SIDs, your baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months.
Also, make sure that wherever your baby monitor is plugged in, your baby can’t get hold of the electrical cables, as this could be a strangling hazard.
Read on:
- The best baby monitors 2019
- How to buy the best video monitor for your baby
- How to choose a breathing and movement baby monitor