Owlet Dream Sock vs Smart Sock: Which is right for your baby? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between the Dream Sock and the Smart Sock to help you decide which best suits your family’s needs.
When monitoring your baby’s health and well-being, investing in the right monitor is important. With so many brands to choose from, Owlet has established itself as a leading name in smart baby technology. With their innovative line of baby monitors, Owlet offers peace of mind by tracking your baby’s vital signs all from the comfort of your smartphone.
Two of their most popular products, the Owlet Dream Sock and the Owlet Smart Sock, have become go-to choices for caregivers who want deeper insights into their baby’s wellness. But while they may look similar at a glance, there are key differences in features, functionality, and purpose that can influence which one is the right choice for your family.
Owlet Dream Sock vs Smart Sock
The Owlet Dream Sock and Smart Sock are wearable baby monitors designed to track your infant’s well-being during sleep. However, they differ in features, regulatory status, and intended use.
Whether you’re a first-time parent or looking to upgrade your current baby monitor, this comparison will give you the clarity you need to make an informed decision.
Owlet Smart Sock Overview
Functionality
The Owlet Smart Sock is a wearable baby monitor designed to track an infant’s real-time heart rate and oxygen saturation levels (SpO₂) while they sleep.
This smart sock uses pulse oximetry technology similar to what hospitals use to send data to a companion app, alerting caregivers if readings stray outside of personalized, preset safe zones. These alerts provide an added layer of assurance for parents, especially for those with infants at risk of sleep-related health issues.
Design
The third-generation Smart Sock has several hardware upgrades that include:
- Improved Sensor Accuracy: The updated sensor is better at maintaining accurate readings, even when the baby makes gentle or minor movements.
- Compact Base Station: Furthermore, the new base station is more discreet and aesthetically minimalist. It acts as both a charging dock and a visual/audible alert system if data readings are abnormal.
- Wireless Charging: The smart scope features wireless charging. This allows for a more convenient and seamless user experience. Additionally, it makes recharging the sock between uses much easier and quicker, improving overall usability.
Sleep Insights
While its primary focus is on vital signs, the Owlet Smart Sock also tracks basic sleep metrics, including:
- Light and Deep Sleep Stages: Although not as comprehensive as adult-grade sleep trackers, it gives caregivers an idea of the baby’s sleep quality.
- Awake Duration and Sleep Trends: This app compiles data to show patterns and allow caregivers to better understand their baby’s nightly habits and behaviors.
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Regulatory Status
In late 2021, the FDA classified the Smart Sock 3 as a medical device due to its health monitoring features. As a result, the company pivoted toward the Dream Sock, which is designed to provide similar insights but falls under a different regulatory category, avoiding classification as a medical device.
Pros
- Real-time Monitoring: Owlet Dream sock provides immediate alerts if heart rate or oxygen levels deviate from preset ranges.
- Peace of Mind: With the real-time monitoring, many parents find comfort in the instant notifications during the night.
- Improved Sensor in Version 3: The Smart Sock 3 features a more compact sensor and wireless charging capabilities
- User-Friendly Setup: Parents have found the Owlet easy to set up and operate, with a straightforward app interface and intuitive base station.
- Functionality Without Wi-Fi: The Smart Sock connects to its base station via Bluetooth, allowing it to function even if Wi-Fi is unavailable. However, Wi-Fi is required to receive notifications on your smartphone.
Cons
- 1. Regulatory Issues: The FDA issued a warning in 2021, stating that the device was marketed without proper clearance, leading to its discontinuation.
- 2. Connectivity Challenges: Users experience issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and app synchronization
Owlet Dream Sock Overview
Functionality
The Owlet Dream Sock originally debuted as a wellness product designed primarily to help parents monitor their baby’s sleep patterns. Over time, it has evolved significantly, marking its transition from a general wellness tracker to a legitimate over-the-counter medical device.
This clearance authorizes the Dream Sock to display real-time pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels, alongside health notifications that alert you if a baby’s vital signs fall outside of pre-established safety thresholds. This added functionality offers an enhanced layer of confidence and insight into your infant’s well-being during sleep.
Sleep Insights
Beyond its health-monitoring features, the Dream Sock offers robust sleep tracking capabilities. It delivers detailed sleep analytics, including:
- Total sleep duration
- Number and duration of wake-ups
- Sleep quality indicators
With these insights, parents understand their baby’s sleep habits, enabling better-informed decisions about bedtime routines, feeding schedules, and nap planning.
Design & Usability
Regarding the design of the Owlet Dream Sock vs Smart Sock, the Dream Sock stands out. It is thoughtfully designed to grow with the baby and comes with multiple fabric sock sizes to fit infants from birth to approximately 18 months of age.
Furthermore, the sock is made of soft, breathable fabric that ensures comfort while maintaining secure contact for accurate readings. It is also designed for overnight wear, with easy-to-wash materials and a form factor that doesn’t disrupt the baby’s natural sleep.
Regulatory Status
The FDA clearance marked a turning point in how the Owlet Dream Sock is positioned in the market. It is now classified as an over-the-counter medical device in the United States, enabling it to be sold without a prescription.
This classification also affirms its safety and accuracy for monitoring infant vital signs and represents a blend of medical-grade health monitoring and consumer-friendly usability.
Pros
- Real-Time Health Monitoring. The Dream Sock provides live readings of your baby’s pulse rate and oxygen saturation, alerting you if these fall outside preset zones.
- Sleep Tracking and Predictive Insights. Beyond vital signs, the device tracks sleep quality, duration, and wakings. The accompanying app also offers predictive sleep technology, suggesting optimal nap times based on your baby’s sleep patterns.
- User-Friendly Design. The Owlet Dream Sock stands out for its ease of use. It has a straightforward setup and an intuitive app interface to fit snugly without causing discomfort.
- Travel friendly: The compact design makes it convenient for travel, allowing parents to monitor their baby’s health metrics on the go.
- FDA Clearance: The Dream Sock is FDA-cleared for use with healthy infants aged 1–18 months, weighing between 6–30 lbs, lending credibility to its health monitoring claims.
- Remote Monitoring Capability: Through the Owlet Dream App, parents can monitor their baby’s health data remotely. This feature is particularly beneficial for working parents or caregivers.
- Smooth Integration with Owlet Cam. When paired with the Owlet Cam 2, the Dream Sock offers a comprehensive monitoring system, combining visual and health data to give a complete picture of your baby’s well-being.
Cons
- Potential for Increased Anxiety. While many parents find the device reassuring, some report heightened anxiety due to frequent checking of the app or reacting to alerts, even when false.
- The Dream Sock is a significant investment. While it offers advanced features, the cost may be prohibitive for some families.
- Limited Age and Weight Range. The device is designed for infants up to 18 months old and weighing between 6–30 lbs. This limits its use as your child grows.
Final Words
Hopefully, you have found this Owlet Dream Sock Vs Smart Sock article insightful. Both the Owlet Dream Sock and Smart Sock offer peace of mind to parents by monitoring their baby’s sleep and vital signs, but they cater to slightly different needs.
Ultimately, choose the Smart Sock if you’re looking for real-time health monitoring, and go with the Dream Sock if your priority is sleep tracking and insights without the need for continuous vitals alerts.