Welcome to the sexiest topic on your nursery to-do list: baby monitors. I’m only half joking. The months-long process that goes into selecting every item for your baby’s nursery, will eventually culminate in your inability to say the word ‘muslin’ – just you wait. However, a baby monitor is one of the few items you will purchase that is for your benefit and peace of mind. It’s also fun to talk about gadgets, so let’s get started.
I’ve taken the time to research the four best baby monitors to buy, according to your lifestyle. You’re welcome, job done, go enjoy a cup of tea. Before I launch into my ‘top picks’, it’s worth discussing where to buy. I love to support local where I can, especially as there are so many amazing female-owned businesses ready to help new parents. My personal favourite is Metro Baby, an Australian-owned online store with an all-female buying team. Metro Baby is a one-stop shop for all your tech needs from breast pumps to baby cams to hair clippers – baby mullet be gone! They also cover all your non-digital needs with well-respected brands.
Love or loathe the idea of surveillance, baby monitors are a necessity. They offer peace of mind and give you the freedom to enjoy small moments of self-care such as the all-important (but often neglected) shower or sitting in the garden with a cup of tea. Whether you’re the type of parent who needs to know every cough, wriggle or whine, or the parent that just requires the wakeup bat signal (if only), there is a monitor for you.
# 1: The ‘give me all the bells and whistles’ parent
The Oricom Babysense7 + Secure 875 Monitor is the most comprehensive baby monitor package you will find on the market. If you’re on the anxious side or your little one suffers from breathing issues, this is the monitor for you.
The Babysense7 uses proven technology to monitor the breathing rate of your baby. It also includes an alarm activated system if your baby’s breathing dips below a rate of 10 breaths per minute or if their breathing cannot be detected for more than 20 seconds.
The camera itself also sports a motorised pan-tilt function as well as 2x digital zoom function. Great for when your little one is on the move. Other functions include:
- – High quality 5” touchscreen
- – Room temperature monitor
- – 800 x 480 screen resolution
- – Baby friendly night vision
- – Lullabies and white noise
- – Feed timer
- – Parent talk back
- – Soft, comforting night light
- – Vox capable (single camera only)
- – Up to 6hrs battery life (with VOX enabled)
- – Wall mountable camera unit
- – Multi-camera capable up to 4 units. Additional cameras sold separately (CU875)
With all these features, this is the most expensive on the market, starting at over $400.
#2: The ‘smart home’ parent
Kodak’s Cherish C520 brings baby surveillance into the 21st century with its WiFi connectivity and Smart Home App. Full disclosure, this is the baby monitor I own, and I love it. With the app, I am able to travel the scope of my home, inside and out, and never lose connectivity with the camera. As with all baby monitors, there is a limited connection range between the camera and monitor. While some monitors have a better range than others, it comes down to the size of your home and the location of the nursery in proximity to where you spend most of your time. However, with the Kodak app, you need not worry about that restriction.
Aside from the app, the C520 is not short on features:
- – Portable parent and baby unit
- – Built in battery in camera and monitor – take this with you on the go
- – Wifi connected with extended range
- – Infrared HD night vision
- – 5 inch widescreen display
- – Split screen feature – watch two cameras at once
- – 5 soothing lullabies
- – 85 degree viewing angle
- – Wall mountable – view via bird’s eye view
- – Temperature and humidity sensor
- – Two way communication; built in microwave and speaker
- – SD card and cloud recording – so you can capture and save first words / first time climbing out of crib…
- – 720P Remote video streaming
This mid-range option starts at just over $300.
#3: The ‘juggling’ parent
It’s important we don’t neglect those expecting twins (or more!) or parents with more than one child who are looking to upgrade for a more seamless experience. What the Lollipop Smart Camera lacks in bells and whistles, makes up for versatility and ease of monitoring with multi-cam viewing on your phone app. Available in three colours, these camera are a fun accessory to jazz up the space.
Other features include:
- – Easy to set up
- – App alerts for crying, noise detection and motion detection
- – Multiple Lollipop cameras (up to 4) can be viewed at the same time
- – Advanced night vision
- – The Lollipop camera can also act as a sound machine – it can play white noise sounds
- – Camera has 128degree view
- – Live 720p HD feed
- – Camera is not battery operated – it must always have the power source to operate
- – Camera lens are made in Japan
- – Weighs 1 kg
This would also be a great option for your ‘yes’ space to give peace of mind when your little one plays by themselves…apparently kids do that.
With its versatility and fun design, this camera is priced well at just over $300.
#4: The ‘minimalist’ parent
If I’m really honest with myself, there hasn’t once been a time when I didn’t wake to my baby crying (screaming), coughing, whining, singing etc. I’ve never not heard her. So, there is something to be said for not needing all the bells and whistles and instead going for the bare basics. You also save a buck or two in the process which is worth mentioning.
The Oricom Secure715 is described as an entry level baby monitor, but still offers all the quality specs you would expect from higher range models. Oricom is a trusted brand in the monitor world and the Secure715 offers all the functionality of a quality camera with zoom and pivoting function, as well as a high-quality colour display monitor. The design of the camera and monitor also feels quite retro, which will go well with your scandi-inspired cot that you spent a fortune on (it’s possible I’m projecting here).
Other features include:
- – 2.4” colour display
- – Baby friendly night vision
- – Parent talk back
- – 5 soothing lullabies
- – Digital volume control
- – High quality frame rate (25 fps)
- – Manually angle camera 360 degrees
- – Rechargeable battery included, up to 10hrs battery life (with VOX turned on)
- – Multi-camera capable up to 4 units. Additional cameras sold separately CU715
At just over $100, this is a great option for your nursery or a backup option for other spaces in your home.
