Though shopping for anything on your baby registry can be overwhelming, items that have to do with your infant's sleep and safety come with a bit of additional pressure — especially when hunting for the best baby monitors for your buck. The price ranges are huge, and so are the features that they offer.
Gone are the days where a baby monitor was simply a walkie-talkie device that would help you listen out for a crying baby who might be out of your earshot. Now, most monitors offer a video feed, with some streaming straight to an app on your phone — and others will even keep tabs on baby's heartbeat and breathing patterns.
Of course, when it comes to baby monitors, the most important feature is safety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, monitors like the Owlet Smart Sock and Baby Vida that track oxygen are actually unsafe because they may lull parents into a false sense of security with their babies — not to mention the fact that their readings are often inaccurate.
"Using a monitor is a lot easier than practicing safe sleep," AAP member Dr. Rachel Moon told Web MD. "And then if the monitors don't work, you're just in a horrible situation then."
But what are the best baby monitors, and how do you decide which is right for you? Read on for our recommendations.
The best baby monitors with features
The best baby monitors with Wi-Fi and other high-tech options
If you're hoping to find a high-tech monitor, we've got recommendations for those, too — though it is important to remember that the AAP recommends parents not use oxygen monitors.
- Arlo Baby Monitor ($199.00): Not only does this monitor look like an adorable bunny, but it also runs on Wi-Fi and works with Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google Assistant. The monitor also checks on temperature and air quality in baby's room, and offers up calming ambient lighting.
- Nanit Pro Monitor ($299.00): There are several different configurations with this monitor, from a floor stand to a wall mount. The big perk of this monitor is that in the morning, it gives you a detailed review of your baby's sleep, including video clips.
- Cubo AI Baby Monitor ($299.00): This AI baby monitor comes in another cute shape: A bird! The Cubo monitor is meant for the first five years of your baby's life, with sleep analytics and high-def video.
- Miku Smart Baby Monitor ($299.00): The Miku monitor connects via Wi-Fi with extra safety features to make sure that the connection remains secure. It also tracks sleep in real time, and monitors temperature and humidity.
Remember that there's no replacement for safe sleep — not even the highest tech baby monitor out there. If you've got a video screen with a clear picture, you might find you have enough.
"Every night before I go to sleep, the last thing I do is look at the baby monitor and see his chest rising and falling, and for me, that’s enough," mom Becky Sulkin told The Wall Street Journal.
Psst: If you purchase an item on this list, Mom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
