Baby Monitors: Reviews

Updated May 2011

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 and remote-control toys. Our report on baby monitors helps you navigate the frequency waters to help you keep tabs on your baby when the nursery door is closed. It will help you determine the best type of monitor for you and then the best model in that class—all determined by expert reviews in conjunction with the opinions of users.

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February 14th:
The Summer Infant video monitor recall: What it can teach us
From: ConsumerSearch

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Best digital baby monitor

Philips Avent SCD510 DECT Baby Monitor

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

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 and remote-control toys. Although it's… expandexpensive, the Philips Avent SCD510 operates on a 1.9 GHz frequency -- eliminating interference from other electronics (Philips guarantees it). It also eliminates the chances of accidental eavesdropping. Features include automatic channel switching (between 120 different channels), a walkie-talkie feature, out-of-range and low-battery warnings and sensitivity control (so you can adjust for ambient noise like an air conditioner). We did read a few complaints that the cradles failed to recharge the batteries, and that the volume on the parent unit is too low. However, if you've had trouble finding a baby monitor that doesn't conflict with your other technology, the Philips Avent SCD510 is worth a look. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: In this report, the editors at ConsumerReports.org compare nine audio monitors and three audio/video monitors, and summarize their findings.

Baby Bargains: The Philips Avent SDC510 is one of the baby monitors reviewed in this popular baby-gear book.

Babble.com: In one of the most recent reviews we found, Kate Bayless recommends one model in Philips' DECT line of baby monitors for its interference-free performance.

Amazon.com: Amazon.com features nearly 200 user reviews, with more than 100 reviewers giving the monitor a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

About.com: This article lists five different baby monitors that are said to receive good reviews from those who use them, but no links are provided to those reviews and there's no explanation for why some of these models are more highly rated by Corley, About.com's guide to baby products.

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Buy from Amazon for $105.00
Albee Baby for $121.99	Diapers.com for $99.99	BabyEarth for $109.95

Basic baby monitor

Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910YLW

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

The Sony BabyCall 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… expandsimilar monitor, they may be able to accidentally eavesdrop. One advantage that the Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910YLW 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 a power adaptor. Altogether, if you're not worried about interference, reviewers concur that the Sony BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910YLW is the best inexpensive baby monitor. A dual-receiver version is available for about $15 more. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: In this report, the editors at ConsumerReports.org compare nine audio monitors and three audio/video monitors, and summarize their findings.

Babble.com: This is one of the best, most recent reviews we found of baby monitors.

Baby Bargains: In their bestselling book, Denise and Alan Fields offer an assessment of Summer Infant baby monitors along with other brands.

Amazon.com: With more than 800 owner-written reviews for the Sony BabyCall NTM-910, Amazon.com is an excellent source of ratings and information on how this baby monitor performs under everyday conditions.

Epinions.com: Epinions.com doesn't have the volume of reviews that Amazon.com does, but there are enough posts about the Sony BabyCall NTM-910 baby monitor to make a visit worthwhile.

Viewpoints.com: Viewpoints.com has a few owner-written reviews of the Sony BabyCall NTM-910 and, while scores here are a bit higher than those on Amazon.com and Epinions.com, posts are balanced enough to be useful.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $31.99

Video baby monitor

Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor

*Est. $140 Compare Prices

Parents don't need a video monitor, experts say, but some find them reassuring. However, video monitor reviews in general aren't very good. The Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor is an exception, with… expandbetter reviews than most. The Summer Infant monitor has 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. $75) is available for monitoring more than one room. Most users say that picture clarity is good enough to justify the price, although a few complain of audio static and interference with other electronics. The Summer Infant Deluxe Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor with a larger 2.5-inch screen is available, but many parents say the smaller screen is sufficient. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Baby Bargains: In their bestselling book, Denise and Alan Fields offer an assessment of Summer Infant baby monitors along with other brands.

Babble.com: Babble.com's Kate Bayless selects 11 monitors as recipients of the Babble's Best honor in this round-up of video baby monitors.

ToysRUs.com: ToysRUs.com has several user-generated reviews for the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor, though some of the narrative reviews aren't as detailed as those at Amazon.com.

Amazon.com: With more than 450 user reviews of the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor, Amazon.com is an excellent source of information on how this monitor performs according to parents who own it.

Viewpoints.com: Viewpoints.com is a community site where members can post reviews of a variety of products, including baby monitors.

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Buy from
Amazon

for $179.99

Movement monitor

Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor

*Est. $85 Compare Prices

While many professionals (including the American Academy of Pediatrics), say that movement-sensing monitors are not necessary and have not been shown to prevent the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), these… expandunits offer many parents peace of mind. The Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor gets the best reviews. It's also the most basic and most affordable option. The Angelcare has an audible alert that lets you hear each of your baby's movements. The biggest complaint among Angelcare owners is occasional false alarms. A two-receiver version is available for about $40 more. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: With more than 350 owner-written reviews of the Angelcare Movement Sensor, Amazon.com is the best source of information and ratings for this model.

Walmart.com: In the 85 reviews for the Angelcare Movement Sensor on Walmart.com, users report similar experiences to those on Amazon.com.

Epinions.com: Epinions.com has fewer owner-written reviews of the Angelcare Movement Sensor than Amazon.com, but entries here tend to be longer and more thorough.

LilaGuide.com: Lilaguide has around 90 reviews for the Angelcare Movement Sensor, but posts are quite short.

Pediatrics: In this policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that despite "multiple studies," there's no evidence that cardiorespiratory monitors prevent SIDS, and that the vast majority of parents should be advised not to use them.

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com has what it calls an "expert review" of the Angelcare Movement Sensor, but it's not clear what if any testing or analysis was done to justify the ratings.

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Buy from Amazon for $99.99
Diapers.com for $119.99	BabyEarth for $109.95	SmartMomma for $89.99

Safety 1st High-Def Digital Color Video Monitor *Est. $95

5 picks by top review sites.

Philips Avent SCD520 DECT Baby Monitor *Est. $120

2 picks by top review sites.

Safety 1st Crystal Clear *Est. $20

2 picks by top review sites.

Graco Ultra Clear II *Est. $25

2 picks by top review sites.