Child Developement

Baby Monitor Buying Guide

Baby monitors are a useful tool to check-up on your baby in the night or while you are at work or around the house.

What to consider

House size and range needed

If there are many walls or a great distance between you and your baby, opting for a longer range monitor is necessary.

Video vs. Audio

Video monitors are becoming increasingly prevalent as you are able to visibly see any signs of distress. However, audio monitors are typically more affordable. Some monitors have two way audio and allow you to soothe your baby through the monitor.

Sensors

Some monitors come with built in sensors (temperature, motion, humidity). If anything is wrong, an alarm is triggered. Motion sensors work either through video or through the placement of a motion pad under the baby's mattress. If your baby was born prematurely or suffers from any respiratory issues, motion sensors might be useful.

Remote connectivity & mobility

Some recent models allow you to view and operate (zoom, tilt, pan) the monitor remotely

Product Listing

Popular brands	Philips Avent	Motorola	iBaby	Infant Optics	Angelcare Movement & Sound	V-tech	Philips Avent
Product
Model	SCD620/05	MBP835 connect	M6S monitor	DXR-8	AC401	Digital Audio Baby Monitor	DECT SCD560-01
Viewing angle (degrees)	not specified	300	360	270. Customizable with interchangable lenses.	audio only	audio only	audio only
Video Resolution	2.7" color screen	3.5" color screen	1080p	3.5 inch color display	audio only	audio only	audio only
Video mobility	night vision	night vision, pan, tilt, zoom	night vision, zoom, pan, tilt	night vision, zoom, pan, tilt	audio only	audio only	audio only
Audio	Two-way	Two-way	Two-way	Two-way	Two-way	One-way	Two-way
Recording	none	Optional at additional cost	Yes	none	none	none	none
Sensors	none	Temperature and movement	Humidity, temperature, air quality	Temperature	Temperature. Motion via motion detection pad placed under baby's bed.	none	Temperature
Range	300 meters	Anywhere with wifi connection	Anywhere with wifi connection	210 meters	330 meters	300 meters	330 meters
Battery life	12 hours	7 hours	Plug in	12 hours	Plug in with back up battery pack	18 hours	18 hours
Features	Storable lullabies	none	Storable lullabies & voice recording	none	Will deliver notification if baby has been motionless for 20 seconds	Nightlight	none
Type of Monitor (handheld unit vs. mobile app or laptop etc.)	Handheld unit	Handheld unit, mobile app	None. Connect to phone or tablet via mobile app	Handheld unit	Handheld unit	Handheld unit	Handheld unit
Price	SGD316.90	SGD499	SGD415.47	SGD474.6	SGD389	SGD95.84	SGD169
where to buy	Lazada	Lazada	Lazada	Qoo10	Lazada	Lazada	Mothercare

Tips

If you have more than one monitoring unit set up, they might interfere with each other. Make sure to check your new unit is compatible before you buy it.
Even with video monitoring, it is important to periodically check up on your baby.
If your WiFi is unreliable, go with a more low-tech monitor so your connection is not interrupted.
Make sure to check that your baby monitor operates on a frequency different from 2.4GHz, which is used by other household products (microwaves, phones, speakers).
Baby monitors encode signals if they are digital while analog monitors can be intercepted. Make sure to buy a digital baby monitor to prevent people from listening in.
Make sure the handheld unit is versatile enough for you to be able to carry it with you throughout the house
Check to see if your monitor comes with a warranty. This often depends on where you buy it from, video monitors typically come with a one year warranty.
Putting a phone in your baby's crib, while on a Facetime or Skype call, can serve as a quick easy to use the baby monitor as well.