As the name suggests, baby monitors can help anxious parents get a better night’s sleep. Baby monitors are used by thousands of parents worldwide today to help detect when the baby cries or fusses in his/her crib. These monitors are available in a wide range of features, you can choose from HD video display to wireless connectivity with your smartphone or tablet.
Here is the full guide for you on buying baby monitors.
Cost of Baby Monitors
Baby monitors may vary in price depending on functionality means the audio ones will cost you less than the video ones. While some baby monitors with multiple handsets, high definition imaging, and wireless network compatibility will also add to the price.
Quick Tips
- For some people, a baby monitor may seem like an unnecessary expense especially if your home is small and your baby will always be put to sleep within close range. So, go with the choice that feels right for you and your family.
- There are many monitors out there that work on 2.4 GHz frequency that’s shared with other devices in your home. While baby monitors with DECT technology use a separate 1.9 GHz frequency that means less background interference.
- Also, install and test your monitor before your baby comes home. There are many monitors that experience interference based on the background noise, how your home is constructed or the range on your home wireless network, so give your monitor a good test run before you need it.
Types of Baby Monitors
Audio Monitors
Audio baby monitors are sound only monitors that allow you to listen to your baby he sleeps in his crib. While it should focus on baby’s cries along with minimizing background noise such as air conditioner and surroundings. Many baby monitors include a light-up system that grows with baby’s cries.
Digital Monitors
As the name suggests, these monitors are encrypted making it almost impossible for sounds from your baby’s room to be picked by another receiver. They are a bit more expensive than analog monitors. Moreover, the sound quality and the added security may be worth the higher price.
Video+Audio Monitors
These monitors are equipped with a small camera mounted on the wall or placed on a flat surface in the baby’s room, you can watch your baby as well as hear him. Some monitors include a touch screen feature so you can zoom in or tilt the camera. Some camera also comes equipped with night vision that guarantees a clearer image when the lights are low or off. While some high-end versions offer multiple sets of cameras that feed into one handset to help you keep an eye on several rooms.
Wireless Network Monitors
These monitors get connected to your existing wireless network allowing you to use it with your computer, tablet or phone as the receiver. Some version sends notifications to your selected device to let you know if there has been a change in movement or noise in the nursery.
Movement Monitors
Alike motion sensors, these movement monitors detects movements of the baby letting parents and caregivers know if the baby hasn’t moved in her crib for longer than 20 seconds. These type of monitors include a motion-sensitive pad that slips under the baby’s mattress which is sensitive enough to determine the difference between the baby’s breathing and other movements in the crib.
Although no studies have indicated whether movement monitors are effective in preventing SIDS.
Baby Monitoring Features to Look For
As you might already know that some baby monitors includes amazing features like the ability to remotely control the temperature in the baby’s room or turning on soothing sound to get baby back to sleep. These are nice to have features but here are some more baby monitoring features that you need to consider before buying baby monitors.
DECT Technology
Monitors using DECT technology uses a low-frequency band that’s exclusively for voice-only communication as opposed to the 2.4 GHz frequency band which is commonly used by other home devices like cordless phones, video game controls and many more wireless devices.
DECT technology is used to ensure clearest sound coming through baby monitors to the handset. However, if you are willing to buy an analog audio monitor that doesn’t use DECT it should at least allow you to choose between several frequency channels, so you can pick the clearest signal available.
