Baby Monitors: Reviews

If you have a house full of electronics, you will likely have trouble finding a baby monitor that doesn't get interference from wireless networks, cordless phones, microwave ovens, cordless game controllers and… remote-control toys. Although it's expensive, the Philips Avent SCD510 is one of only a few baby monitors operating on a 1.9 GHz frequency -- eliminating interference from other electronics (Philips guarantees it). Since it's a digital baby monitor, it also eliminates the chances of accidental eavesdropping. We did read a few complaints that the cradles failed to always recharge the batteries, and that the volume on the parent unit is low. However, if you've had trouble finding a baby monitor that doesn't conflict with your other technology, the Philips Avent SCD510 could be the solution.

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The Safety 1st High-Def Digital Monitor is a DECT monitor -- meaning it works on a less crowded 1.9 GHz frequency. Parents say this means no interference from other electronics -- a big plus. The Safety 1st High-Def… Digital Monitor costs less than the similar top-rated Philips Avent SCD510 baby monitor, but there are a few important differences. First, there's no battery backup for the transmitter -- so if there's a power surge or outage, the baby's unit stops working and you have to remember to turn it back on after the power comes back on. Secondly, parents wish there were an audible low-battery warning for the parent unit. Otherwise, however, parents are happy with this baby monitor and it gets far better ratings than competing non-DECT monitors that cost the same.

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The Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910 costs much less than a digital baby monitor. The catch is that it's an analog monitor, which means it is subject to interference with other electronics and other baby monitors,… and if your neighbor has a similar monitor, they may be able to accidentally eavesdrop. One advantage that the Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910 may have over other analog baby monitors, however, is a 27-channel range that parents say virtually eliminates static and clicking. Another advantage is that the receiver comes with rechargeable batteries as well as an A/C adaptor. Altogether, if you're not worried about electronic interference, the Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910 is the best inexpensive baby monitor.

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While this video baby monitor doesn't get as many recommendations from experts, reviews from parents are highly positive overall -- a rare accomplishment among video baby monitors. The Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld… Video Monitor features a color display and 900 MHz audio monitoring; both function at a range of up to 350 feet. The monitor has a belt clip, so you can walk around with it. An additional camera (*Est. $85) is available for monitoring more than one room. Most users of this video monitor say that picture clarity is good enough to justify the price, although a few complain of excessive audio static and interference with other electronics. Another version of this video monitor with a 2.5-inch screen (*Est. $190) is available, but many parents say the smaller screen is sufficient.

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