From Budget-Friendly to Complete Monitoring Systems—These Are the Best Baby Monitors

These baby monitors record your baby’s sleep habits, are travel-safe, and everything in between. Here are our favorites!

March 01, 2021

By: Amanda Mushro

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: LightFieldStudios

Having a baby monitor that you trust can help you sleep like a baby, or at least get some laundry done while your baby naps. With so many options to choose from, it can be confusing when it’s time to bring a monitor into your baby’s nursery. We’ve rounded up everything, from the low-tech, but super reliable models to the complete monitoring systems that record your baby’s breathing and moves at night. No matter which type of monitor you are looking for, we’re sure one of our faves will suit your needs.

Best Audio Only Baby Monitor

Not only can you grab the VTech Audio Baby Monitor at a great price, but you can rest easy knowing that the sound quality is crystal clear, your signals are encrypted (so no worries that anyone will pick up your frequency in their homes), and it has a range of up to 1,000 feet. This monitor is a great low-tech, but super reliable option.

BUY IT: Amazon, $16.19

Best Video Monitor

The Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor is a fan favorite on Amazon for giving super clear images and audio. It has over 44,000 rave reviews from parents! The monitor is lightweight and easy to carry, and parents can zoom in and out or pan the room to get a better look at their little one sleeping soundly.

BUY IT: Amazon, $165.99

Best Video Monitor to Add to Your Home's Security System

While the Google Nest Cam wasn’t originally designed to be a baby monitor, many parents are adding it to their baby registry and their existing Nest security systems. The HD picture is bright and clear during the day and night, and the black and white images are sharp and easy on the eyes. You can use the Nest Cam with your Amazon Alexa and connect more Nest Cams inside and outside your home.

BUY IT: Amazon, $124

Best Complete Monitoring System

The Nanit is an award-winning monitoring system that offers everything you need to see and hear your baby—as well as track their sleep, breathing, and motion. You can even hear or speak to your baby with two-way audio (which works even if you are in other apps on your phone or your screen is turned off). Nanit gives you real-time sound and motion notifications and you can even see the temperature and humidity of the nursery. No matter where you are, you can check on your sleeping baby just by clicking the app. Nanit even offers stats about your baby’s sleep habits and can give personalized advice on how to help your baby sleep better based on that data. When they say complete monitoring system, they mean it!

BUY IT: Amazon, $329

Best Travel Monitor

Whether you are headed on vacation with your baby or they are going to grandma’s for the weekend, this tiny but powerful monitor is perfect. The Victure Baby Monitor is a wifi monitor that allows you to check in on your baby from your phone. Its small size makes it easy to pack in a diaper bag and setup only takes a few seconds.

BUY IT: Amazon, $32.99

Best Budget Wifi Monitor

If you don’t want to carry around a physical monitor or spend a lot of money, but you still want a reliable camera watching over your baby, the Lefun is a great option. You’ll be able to check in on your baby from your phone and have two-way talk options. Best of all, you won’t break the bank grabbing this monitor.

BUY IT: Amazon, $29.99

Best Motion Detection Monitor

The Owlet Digital Video Monitor has a lot of great features that parents say gives them peace of mind at night. The Owlet gives you live readings of your baby’s heart rate and oxygen level. If the monitor and the sock attachment don't detect movement, it'll sound off an alarm as well.

BUY IT: Amazon, $399

Best Wifi Monitor with Extra Features

If you want a great wifi-enabled baby monitor that has a lot more bells and whistles, check out the iBaby Smart Monitor. Not only does this monitor connect to an app on your phone, but it also uses an HD camera, has temperature and humidity sensors, gives motion and cry alerts, and has a super calming moonlight projector to entertain your and your baby.

BUY IT: Amazon, $179.99

Best Dual Monitor

If you need to keep your eyes and ears on two little ones, the Baby Sense Dual Spilt Screen Monitor is a great option. Not only can you watch both kids at the same time, but the clear picture and audio makes it so easy to see what each child is doing. This monitor also offers pan and zoom options as well as two-way audio.

BUY IT: Amazon, $149.98