Baby monitors come in different designs and types to meet the varying needs of parents and caregivers. If you are new in the sphere of baby monitors and looking to buy one, you will be surprised by the multitude of models out there. In our post today, we will show you how to choose a good baby monitor depending on your needs and budget.
A baby monitor is an invaluable item to have for parenting. Whether you are a first-time parent or an experienced one, a baby monitor will give you more peace of mind when it comes to parenting. These devices help you keep tabs on the little one as you carry out your chores. Besides, they make parenting easy, especially at night when both you and the baby require a restful night’s sleep.
While some models are important for a baby monitor to be functional and practical in your everyday life, some are just poor in features and performance that you could do without. Besides, some manufacturers play on the insecurity of parents to ramp up their prices.
To help clear the uncertainty, especially for those buying a baby monitor for the first time, here is a guide on how to choose a good baby monitor. We will take you through the important things you should consider when buying a baby monitor. But first things first, let’s begin by understating the types of baby monitors available on the market:
Types of Baby Monitors
There are four main types of baby monitors: audio only, video and audio, and health tracking monitors. Each type of baby monitor has its benefits, trade-offs, and features that make it ideal for specific situations.
1. Audio Baby Monitors
Audio monitors are designed to deliver only the audio feed from the baby’s room. You then receive this feed on your parent unit, allowing you to rely on the audio to monitor the little one. These monitors are among the oldest types used to alert parents when the baby is asleep or awake.
2. Video and Audio Baby Monitors
Video and audio baby monitors on the other hand come with a display that shows live feed of the baby in their room, in addition to audio. Like a security camera, these monitors enable you not just to listen to their babies but also watch them with every move they make.
3. Wi-Fi and Non Wi-Fi Baby Monitors (Smart Monitors)
Wi-Fi monitors are the newest generation of baby security cameras comprising of myriad of monitoring options. They not only allow you to receive audio and video feeds but also monitor the temperature and humidity in the nursery. Further, these systems help you track your baby’s sleep pattern and breathing status. Check out the best Wi-Fi baby monitors to enjoy smart monitoring.
With Wi-Fi connectivity, these smart monitors are compatible with devices such as smartphones or tablets. This helps you watch and listen to your little one right from your preferred device. These monitors are fully dependent on internet connectivity to operate. Fortunately, their counterpart non-Wi-Fi baby monitors do not require an internet connection to operate. You can access similar features without worrying about Wi-Fi connectivity.
Furthermore, most of these smart baby monitors come with mobile phone monitoring apps that parents use to keep tabs on their little ones via their smartphones.
How to Choose a Good Baby Monitor: Important Features to Look Out For
A good baby monitor does more than just alert you when the baby starts to cry or is in distress. To purchase a reliable monitor, you must consider your budget and its purpose. Baby monitors vary in features and performance, however, there are key features that you must consider before settling for one. Below are the key things you should be on the lookout for when looking to buy a baby monitor:
1. Audio and Video Quality
The first feature to look for is the audio and video quality of the baby monitor. Go for a model that has HD screen resolution. It will provide a crisp clear video feed of that baby in all situations. Furthermore, a good baby monitor should have clear sound quality within the range that it operates in.
2. Volume Control
Volume control is a feature that you will use the most in a baby monitor. It is therefore important to find a model that has easily accessible volume control. Typically, baby monitors with a physical control button for volume are the best.
3. Night Vision
Infrared night vision is another essential feature that a good baby monitor should have. With this feature, you will be able to see the baby clearly in the dark. The night vision technology that the baby monitor uses should also be safe from radiation.
4. Two-Way Talk Back
Modern baby monitors have a two-way talk-back feature that allows the parent to communicate with the baby directly. This feature is very important when you miss talking to your little one or need to calm them down when they are in distress.
5. Multi-Camera Support
Next on how to choose a good baby monitor is multi-camera support. This functionality is particularly handy when you have more than one baby to take care of. With one monitor, you will be able to keep an eye on different rooms simultaneously and keep tabs on each baby with ease.
6. Voice Activation
Voice activation is another important feature that every good baby monitor should come with. It works by alerting you whenever the baby is awake. As a result, you don’t have to keep checking the monitor constantly to know if the baby is sleeping or not.
7. Temperature and Humidity Sensor
You must get a baby monitor with both temperature and humidity sensors, especially if you reside in an area where the temperature levels vary significantly through the night. This will help you keep your baby safe and comfortable throughout.
8. Privacy and Security
Privacy and security come next on our list. Irrespective of the type of baby monitor that you get, ensure that it is built with the most advanced security features. That way, you will be able to protect yourself and the baby against potential privacy intruders.
9. Range
Connectivity range is what sets apart a cheap baby monitor from a good one. We recommend that you buy a baby monitor with the longest range possible. That way, you will be able to keep tabs on the baby from anywhere in your home without any connectivity issues.
10. Preset Lullabies
Modern baby monitors come with preset lullabies that are essential for soothing the baby to sleep. The more the range of lullabies included, the better. You will have the flexibility to play different songs every day as you prepare your young one to sleep.
Conclusion
The main purpose of investing in a good baby monitor is to keep tabs on your baby without having to go to their room and check on them every other minute. When making a purchase, remember that your parenting style and lifestyle also play a role in determining the product that you pick. Hopefully, you have found this article on how to choose a good baby monitor to be insightful and of great help.
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