Welcome to Baby Monitor Zone, your trusted source for the best baby monitor reviews, information, buying tips and deals on baby monitors. Our goal is to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information and advice on selecting the right one for your situation.

Top Baby Monitor Recommendation

The Summer Infant Best View Handheld Color Video Monitor is the number one baby monitor currently on the market. Officially the winner of Babble’s 2010 best baby monitor, this product is 100% digital with secure signal transmission and absolutely crystal clear reception. The monitor also comes with remote pan, scan and zoom capabilities, which allow you to track your baby’s movement during the course of the night. The handheld receiver has a 2.5″ color display, slim profile and has a range of up to 350 feet. As with many video monitors, the Summer Best View baby monitor has black and white night vision options. In addition, the unit ships with rechargeable batteries, a belt clip and a flip stand for easy monitoring while you are working at the computer or in the kitchen. We have been so impressed with the overall capabilities and performance of this monitor that it has replaced the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld monitor as our number one top choice for parents seeking peace of mind with their sleeping baby.

To purchase or read more reviews for the Summer Infant Best View Handheld Color Video Monitor click here.

Best Analog Video Baby Monitor – Summer Infant Day & Night Baby Video Monitor

The Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor gets the top choice award for the best overall analog video baby monitor. We have tested this monitor personally with our own baby and it has performed admirably under a variety of conditions. The Summer Infant monitor comes with a video camera, transmitter and an audio/video receiver. The receiver has a color LCD display, night vision capabilities and operates in the 900 MHz frequency. With a range of 350 feet we have found that it fits the needs of most parents. In addition, the receiver has rechargeable batteries and is completely portable, allowing parents to roam around the house while the baby sleeps. The Summer Infant baby monitor has gotten great reviews and for the price to value ratio, it wins as the top analog video baby monitor on the market currently. To purchase or read more reviews for the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor click here.

Best Digital Audio Baby Monitor – Philips Avent DECT Digital Baby Monitor

The Philips Avent SCD510 DECT Digital Baby Monitor has received some excellent reviews both professionally and through user-generated reviews online.This monitor makes the perfect choice for those parents that have an assortment of household electronics that may cause interference. By using the 1.9 Ghz frequency, the monitor can create a secure connection with the receiver that is clear and free of other interference. If you have had trouble with the reception and clarity of your previous monitor, the Philips Avent is the top of the line and the best choice you can make for an DECT audio baby monitor. To read more reviews and to purchase the Philips Avent SCD510 DECT click here.

Best Audio Baby Monitor On A Budget – Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor

The Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910 is an analog monitor that is priced on the lower end of the spectrum and is perfect for those parents seeking peace of mind on a budget. Although analog monitors tend to have some difficulty with interference, the Sony BabyCall has 27 channels to choose from, which provides plenty of opportunity to find a clear channel that is static free. The monitor also comes with an AC adapter and rechargeable batteries. There is also a version that ships with 2 receivers for a slightly higher price point. Overall, the Sony BabyCall has gotten some great reviews from users and has been rated as the most inexpensive audio monitor for the best value. You can find deals and read more reviews for the Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor here.

Best Baby Movement Monitor – Angelcare Movement Sensor

The Angelcare Movement Sensor offers parents peace of mind knowing that their baby is safe and sound. It contains a movement sensor pad that is placed underneath the bay’s mattress pad that can detect the baby’s movements as well as their sounds. After 20 seconds, if no movement has been detected the alarm is set off and the receiver will alert the parents. In addition the Angelcare system also includes a sound monitor so parents can also listen to the sounds that their baby is making. Out of all the baby movement sensors on the market today, this one gets out highest rating for both price as well as functionality. For more reviews and prices on the Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor click here.

Best Baby Heart Monitor – Graco Prenatal Heart Listener

For those parents expecting a child, pregnancy can often be stressful, especially if this is your first experience or if there has been history of previous complications. The Graco Prenatal Heart Listener has been designed to detect your unborn baby’s heartbeat as early as the 12th week. Not only does this provide peace of mind, but it also saves on numerous doctor’s visits and allows for you to bond with your child even before they are born. The device uses ultrasound technology to provide excellent sound quality and even allows for you to be able to record the sounds that you hear through the use of a recording cable.

Buying a baby safety monitor can often be a difficult decision. There are a number of types, brands, features and price ranges found on the market today. We hope this site will provide you with the tools and knowledge to make an informed purchasing decision and provide peace of mind while your baby sleeps. Our team has spent many hours reviewing the various models, testing their features and then rating the best baby monitors based on a variety of factors, from price to performance.

Also, depending on your individual needs and comfort levels, a specific baby monitor may be perfect for some people but may not be ideal for your particular situation. The following is a general guide to helping you make the right choice for your family.

Types of Baby Monitors

Audio Baby Monitors – These devices uses a microphone and a transmitter to transmit the sounds  from your baby to a receiver equipped with a speaker (or, in some cases, more than one receiver). Occasionally, some models are bi-directional, allowing for parents or caregivers to speak back to the infant in order to sooth them remotely. The primary challenge of any baby monitor (audio or video) is the ability to send a clear signal, without interference from other electronic devices like phones, appliances, radio and even other monitors within the desired range. Some of the higher-end devices use digital encoding to make sure that interference is reduced as mush as possible, however, these tend to be more expensive than analog audio baby monitors.

Video Baby Monitors – Video baby monitors use a similar method of transmitting both sound and images from a transmitter to a receiver. Typically, these systems contain a mounted camera/microphone that sends the signals to the receiver, which contains a LCD display. Many models also have a night-vision mode so that parents can monitor their child at night or in a darkened room. Parents that need a little bit of extra visual reassurance will find these types of video monitors are a better choice for their family. Also, once your baby has grown, a video baby monitor can be used to check on toddler activity in the playroom as well.

Baby Movement Monitors – The purpose of the baby movement monitor is to detect the movement or breathing of your child.  These systems consist of a transmitter placed in the room, a sensor pad typically placed under the baby’s sleeping mattress and a receiver to monitor the signal. If no movement has been detected for a period of time (usually 20 seconds) an alarm is sent to the receiver. When shopping for a baby movement sensor (or baby breathing monitor) make sure that there is a sensitivity adjuster so that false alarms can be minimized.

Baby Heart Monitors – Otherwise known as fetal heart dopplers,  these devices are actually used to monitor the heartbeat of an unborn child during pregnancy. Typically, they use ultrasound to detect the baby’s heart beat and translate that into an audible sound for the receiver. Depending on the brand and the price point, certain devices can detect a heartbeat as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy. Advanced models also have features such as the ability to record the heartbeat as an MP3 or to display the actual baby’s heart rate on a digital display. If a mother has had previous complications during pregnancy or needs some extra reassurance, a baby heartbeat monitor can do wonders to reduce stress and worry during the pregnancy.

Features To Consider When Choosing A Baby Monitor

Frequency (Analog Vs. Digital) – Most baby monitors rely on common frequencies to transmit their sounds and images to the receiver. Less expensive analog baby monitors usually operate on common radio frequencies (49 MHz) which can often result in interference from other household electronics, cordless phones and radio operated devices. More advanced models use 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz frequencies which result in less interference and better clarity. However, analog baby monitors can still pick up other signals from other devices and baby monitors sharing the same frequency (and the signals can also be picked up by other receivers). If you have a smaller budget, live in an environment without too much interference, or your home is located some distance away from your neighbors then an analog baby monitor might make a good choice. We recommend the Sony BabyCall Baby Monitor as a great choice for a 900MHz analog baby monitor.

For the clearest signal and least possible interference, it is best to choose a digital baby monitor. These devices tend to cost more, however, they use DECT technology to provide interference-free wireless operation and greater range of operation. DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications and provides a way to have a secure frequency with excellent clarity, sound and image quality. These monitors provide the highest quality experience and features and are perfect for parents that want their baby monitor to be interference-free. We recommend the Philips Avent SCD510 DECT Digital Baby Monitor as our top choice digital audio monitor.

Portability – Baby monitor receivers come in all shapes and sizes. Some receivers have larger LCD screens that are fixed to a stand while others have smaller LCD displays built into the device that can be carried from room to room. Most parents prefer to have a portable baby monitoring device that also has rechargeable batteries so they can move around the house without the need for an outlet.

Volume Controls - Volume controls are necessary if you need to adjust the sound levels during a call or if you don’t need to hear very sound made by your baby. Most monitors have this feature built in.

Number Of Channels – A baby monitor that has multiple channels will help in reducing interference from other devices or other baby monitors sharing the same frequency. The more channels, the more chances of finding a frequency that is not being shared by anyone else. Digital DECT baby monitors make this feature unnecessary as the DECT monitors have secure frequencies with no interference.

Number of Receivers - Some models come with more than one receiver. This is often convenient if one receiver runs out of batteries and the other is fully charged or in the situation that more than one person wants to monitor the baby.

Low-Battery Indicator – A low battery indicator helps parents or caregivers know when the receiver is about to run out of power. Typically they will indicate low levels by either a sound or by lights.

Power Source - Most monitors come with some sort of AC adapter, however, for portability you will also want a model that has rechargeable batteries as well. Monitors without a rechargeable battery option will quickly become cumbersome to use and more expensive over time.

Range – The range of the baby monitor is often determined by the technology (analog vs digital) and the frequency the monitor is operating under. You will also need to determine how far away you want the monitor to function. For most people 200 feet i enough, however, some monitors can go over 1000 feet and still receive a clear transmission.

Size – These days, monitors come in all shapes and sizes. Some models have an LCD display that is meant to be placed in a set position and not moved while others have been built specifically for portability and movement around the house. Try to think about your specific needs and your environment when choosing the right size for your device.

Night Vision – Most baby video monitors come with night vision capabilities. Without this feature, video monitors revert to audio monitors at night time or under low-light conditions.

Sound Lights – Sound lights are triggered by the volume of the cries from your baby. The louder and harder your baby cries, the more the lights will activate (typically flashing red). This feature is perfect for those parents who want some sort of visual indication of a baby’s status without the louder volume. Some models also have a vibrate mode which activates under similar circumstances.

Charging Station – This feature allows for easy recharging of the receivers. Typically it consists of a recharging base that the receiver can be placed into. Other models possess a simple AC adapter that plugs directly into the receiver.

Sensitivity Controls – This feature allows caregivers and parents the ability to fine tune the receptivity of the baby monitor so that it doesn’t pick up noise from fans or other objects not related to the baby.

Intercom – Some models also have a feature which allows two-way communication through the device, similar to a walkie-talkie. This allows for parents to speak to their child and sooth them via the baby monitor.

How To Choose The Best Baby Monitor

There are a few things to consider before you purchase your baby monitor. The first thing to consider is your overall budget. Video monitors are often more expensive than audio monitors so for those on a tighter budget, an audio baby monitor may make more sense economically and still get the job done.

Next, consider your environment. Are you located in an apartment building with other parents that may have baby safety monitors on the same frequency as yours? Or are you located far away from your neighbors? In the case of close proximity to your neighbors and the greater possibility of interference, a DECT digital baby monitor may cause less frustration. Otherwise, an analog device might be a better choice economically.

Finally, think about your own personal needs. Take a look at the features listed above. What features will help you feel better about the safety and well-being of your baby? Only you can decide what you need to feel secure about your baby’s health.

Baby Monitor Safety Tips

• Test the monitor for volume levels and interference before using it to monitor your baby.
• Make sure that any cords, plugs and devices are kept out of the reach of your baby.
• Make sure your baby monitor is recharged or has fresh batteries.
• Never leave your baby alone for an extended period of time. The baby monitor is an additional way for you to keep an eye on your baby but should never be relied upon completely while supervising your child.

For more in-depth suggestions visit our baby monitor safety tips article.

Where To Find The Best Deals On Baby Monitors

Shopping for the perfect baby monitor can often be challenging, especially when looking for the best price. Many deals can be found online, however, and often the best deals and sales can be found on Amazon. You can click here to find some great deals and read more reviews on the best baby monitors.