When choosing a baby monitor, you have to consider practicality, functions, and quality over brand name. Our buying guide with comments from pediatrician Dr. Joey Cuayo-Estanislao is here to help you sift through the different models available, along with our Top 10 list to help you choose the best baby monitor for your little one.
Dr. Joanna Pamela Cuayo-Estanislao is a pediatrician and child health specialist based in Metro Manila. Doc Joey is passionate about health education and empowering families to become informed advocates of their children's health and wellness. She uses social media to educate and raise awareness about important issues and topics in the field of pediatrics and child care.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Baby monitors were designed to help parents keep tabs on their babies as they sleep. Of course, there's no substitute for in-person supervision, but a baby monitor is a great way to help you manage your time, which can become even more precious as you learn to navigate the new challenges that parenthood brings.
This allows parents to do other things like household chores or sleep in their own bedroom while still ensuring that their baby isn't left unsupervised. You can step out of your child's room but still stay sensitive to the slightest noises your baby makes. It is helpful in figuring out your baby's sleep patterns without disrupting the natural sleep process.
There really isn't any data yet that says that baby monitors are needed or required for baby safety. They are usually used more to provide parents with a subjective level of reassurance around their baby's sleep and movement, especially as their baby is sleeping in another room.
Pediatricians don't routinely recommend their use, but some families may find benefits in using them. Do talk to your doctor if you would like to explore this option so they can better guide you and personalize their recommendations according to your family's needs.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
However, when the baby begins to move around, there is a possibility that safety cannot be confirmed by sound alone. In such cases, a baby monitor with video capability is best so you can track your baby's movements in real-time and monitor his safety.
Baby monitors can help put your mind at rest by alerting you if your baby needs you. Most healthy babies do not need to be monitored, but some parents do like being able to see/hear their baby even when they're not in the same room. Just remember, there is no substitute for you watching your baby in person, especially in the first 6-12 months. They can be helpful supplementary tools but do not use them in place of in-person supervision.
There are two types of baby monitors: the one-way type and the two-way type. With the one-way type, only the baby’s voice or noises reach the mother. For those who can go to the baby immediately, a one-way type would work just fine. Just be sure to look at product reviews before purchasing so you will find one that suits you and your baby’s environment.
With the two-way type, it goes both ways - the parent's voice can also reach the baby. Normally, the two-way type is more convenient if you want to stay connected with your baby even if she is far away.
However, there is also a disadvantage to the two-way type. It means that there is a possibility that noise will be delivered when the baby is sleeping every time the voice function is kept on. If that is the case, then it is best to find one that allows you to switch the audio on and off when needed.
For audio-only monitors, it's good to check reviews about what they can pick up, the clarity of their audio, and consider this against the noise level in your home. Most families who opt to get monitors may find that a one-way communication monitor is sufficient, as hearing your baby's fussing would usually signify they need you to come to them.
If you want a monitor you can use even after the baby starts crawling, it is better to choose a model with a movable camera operated through a remote. Also, there are models equipped with night vision. If you plan to monitor the situation when the lights are off, like at bedtime, you may want to choose a model with night vision capability.
Moving cameras can be helpful in situations where you may want to check on baby remotely when they're with another caregiver. Again, however, do make sure that you take all measures to prevent security breaches. A movable camera can be advantageous, but it can also be very useful for scanning your home by anyone who may gain unauthorized access to it.
Digital monitors that use WiFi are great for remote use, like when you are far away from home and want to continue keeping a tab on your home and your baby. However, the ones that use radio waves can only keep you connected within a certain radius.
While digital monitors are certainly more convenient, the advantage of analogs is the safety it gives you from hackers. With digital monitors that use the internet, the possibility of hackers getting into your connection can compromise your security. One drawback of the analog type is that it may interfere with the frequencies of devices that employ radio waves.
When using monitoring devices that connect online, it's important to make sure that you take proper measures to ensure their security. One of the biggest security issues with these cameras is the ability remotely access your baby monitor's feed. If you don't need it, it's best to disable it. If you absolutely must use your monitor’s remote access feature, do check on means to keep your feed and monitor securely. You should also regularly check your monitor logs for suspicious activity, such as foreign IP addresses or strange access times.
Baby monitors may have batteries, and some need to be plugged into an outlet. If you choose one of the latter, make sure to choose one that has a cord long enough to reach the outlet comfortably from its spot near your baby. This would be fine while your baby is not mobile yet, but once he starts learning to crawl and walk, electrical cords become a hazard.
This is the advantage of using a baby monitor with rechargeable batteries. You can also take this along with you if you change your environment, like when you go for a visit to someone else's house or on vacation. This type is more convenient for use in such cases.
Definitely secure any wires in your baby's room, including the ones from your baby monitor. Do place the monitor and its wires, if any, in a spot where your baby can't grab them.
The auto-tracking function is a function that automatically follows a baby as it moves. It is a function that prevents a baby from entering a blind spot. Night vision mode allows you to see your child even when the lights are off, like during bedtime. This is very convenient when you want to monitor his sleeping patterns.
Babies are also not very good yet at adjusting to temperature changes, so it is good to have a temperature-setting alarm. This would let you keep tabs on any temperature changes and adjust accordingly. There are also other fun features like lullabies and image recording functions. It's good to make a list of what features are valuable to you to make a more informed choice.
A lot of monitors nowadays come with all sorts of bells and whistles, but not all of them may be necessary (or even helpful) when it comes to caring for your baby. It's good to talk to your pediatrician about your needs and concerns about caring for your child, so they can also guide you on what may or may not be desirable in your setup.
This is a great choice for working parents who leave their baby with a babysitter and want to check on and communicate with their baby throughout the day. It transmits images almost instantaneously, with only a 0.5-second difference. What's also fantastic about this monitor is that it swivels around and can do 360⁰- turns.
Within minutes, you can set up, connect with your phone, tablet, or PC and begin seamlessly streaming video with this security camera. A great feature is that if you're unable to check in real-time, this device will record your video and store it on a micro SD card so you can play back and watch when you have the time.
The head of the camera is fully adjustable. You can go with the Pan 350°view or the Tilt 100°angle to get your best view of the room. With its Intelligent Motion Alert, you can also receive snapshots and message alerts to ensure the safety of your baby.
One of the things that users like about this product is the smart IR-Cut filter, which switches automatically between day and night. The images it captures in the dark are enhanced to do away with those scary or blurry images to give you a sharp image with reduced color.
The Cleverdog Panorama has a variety of features that are helpful for parents working away from home. Just launch the Cleverdog app on your phone to view your baby, pets, and house anywhere you are. It's equipped with motion detection, which catches pictures of moving things so you can stay on top of security concerns.
It also has an auto-night mode, so you don't have to fiddle with buttons just to adjust the camera to poor lighting conditions. It also has a sharing feature that allows you to share videos and images with friends and families. Perfect for letting your loved ones see for themselves how your baby is growing!
This baby monitor is equipped with a temperature sensor and an automatic light sensor that detects light conditions in the room and automatically switches from day to night mode and vice-versa, depending on the light quality. In addition, lullaby support helps settle down your baby and get them ready for sleep.
If you're looking to own a baby monitor that can't be easily accessed by other people, you'll want to install this in your home. This camera bulb from V380 has everything you need and more, as it comes with an E27 light socket, HD lens, light sensor, and white and IR LEDs.
It also comes installed with a microphone and speakers, so you're able to hear and talk to your children with just the touch of a button. You can also easily rewind the day's footage with its remote recording and playback function.
Distance truly doesn't matter when it comes to this baby monitor since you can view footage from anywhere remotely. You're definitely getting your money's worth and more with this V380 product.
This baby monitor from Niceborn is able to address all of your needs as it comes complete with a large 2.4-inch colorful LCD screen with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, so you're able to monitor your children's safety in real-time and by seeing every detail.
Because of its GFSK technology, it is able to reduce any possible audio interference, and through its two-way intercom, it allows you to communicate with your children freely and with little disturbance.
This baby monitor also comes with a built-in infrared night vision so you can monitor your children in the dark, minus the grainy display other cameras would give you. Overall, f you prefer an easy and straightforward device, this might be the best product for you.
This 1080P baby monitor from Imou Life has everything you need to keep your children safe with its 2C smart monitoring and AI human detection. It comes with great security features such as an abnormal sound alarm, night vision, a built-in microphone, and easily accessible cloud storage.
What's even greater is that its 1080p sensor has innovative IR algorithms which produce crystal clear video both in the daytime and the evening, and its H.265 compression cuts storage in half for the same video quality. This is a stellar product that will definitely give you a bang for your buck!
If you're not a tech-savvy parent or always on the go, you will fall in love with this baby monitor's hassle-free setup where you just power it on, download the app, and then use it. It also has a 360-degree panoramic view which you can control with just the touch of a button.
This 1080p smart camera from Morui is vandal-proof and is equipped with a mobile intelligent detection alarm that will automatically alert you of any suspicious movement. The best thing about this is that you can also use it without Wi-Fi since it has a hotspot launch function available.
If you're looking to buy from an excellent brand that has proven itself in the field of electronics time and again, TP-Link is surely the way to go. The Tapo C200 goes above and beyond as it can easily be paired with your Google Assistant for easy use.
It comes with a high-definition video that is able to provide you with a crystal-clear 1080p definition of your children and their surroundings. It also comes with advanced night vision, which can capture visuals of up to 30 feet.
With this Home Security Wi-Fi Camera, you're also able to communicate with your children with its two-way audio. It can also support your videos on a microSD card for up to 128 gigabytes and will alert you of any suspicious activities with its flawless Motion Detection system.
It has a parent paging function with a vibration alert so you can be notified in a non-intrusive way of changes in temperature and whenever the link between the parent unit and baby unit is lost. This is helpful to make sure that the parent unit stays within range of the baby.
You can also switch from rechargeable to alkaline batteries for when you want to go out to places with no way to charge. This is ideal for parents who are always on the go and also enjoy taking their family out on the occasional camp trip.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Joey Cuayo-Estanislao.
The one major drawback of baby monitors, especially those that have video feeds and can be accessed remotely, is that they really can be prone to hacking. Be sure to regularly update your baby monitor's software and read up on how best to secure your baby monitor's feed.
Another option is just to get a non-wifi baby monitor, which also has video capabilities if a video feed is something your family would need. These can still be hacked if the person is within range of its signal, but they are definitely much safer. Do always check the manufacturer's safety and use guidelines.
There are no guidelines on baby monitor use from pediatric societies, so it's good to talk to your pediatrician about your baby and your family's specific needs and concerns. In general, baby monitors can be helpful once your family is sleep training your baby, and you can leave them on all night so that it's easy to hear if your baby is awake or fussing.
Baby monitors are not routinely recommended by pediatricians as a necessary tool in the care of your baby, and there is also not enough evidence to say if they may help prevent sudden infant death syndrome or other baby issues.
It's always wise to talk to your pediatrician about your concerns and your goals with installing a baby monitor. And remember that, ideally, babies should be sleeping in the same roomーbut not on the same bedーas their caregivers for at least their first 6 months of life.
New innovations that baby monitors now have include monitoring vital signs and wearable monitors. These are, so far, not recommended by pediatricians, as they have been shown to be a cause of unnecessary ER visits and increased anxiety in parents.
Studies conducted to test the accuracy of their readings have also not been as accurate as desired for a device that monitors your baby's vitals and breathing, which may cause unnecessary alarm. If your baby has specific needs where closer monitoring at home may be necessary, talk to your pediatrician about your options.
Unfortunately, so far, these commercially available smart/advanced baby monitors have not been found to be helpful or have been shown to prevent untoward incidences.
As parents, we only want what's best for our babies. That starts with keeping them safe as they start to explore the world around them. Here are our article reviews of other baby products to make sure your baby gets only the best and safest items available.
Re-editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
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