Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor

Bottom line

The Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor offers excellent sound and video quality at a lower price due to its smaller screen size. In addition to video and sound monitoring, the MBP33 is nicely featured with a talk back to baby intercom, lullabies, a sound/light display and a room temperature monitor.  

Clarity

Excellent video image quality. According to independent testers, Motorola video monitors, including the Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor, offer the best image quality and range they have seen -- working over more than 2,000 feet. The MBP33 monitor uses 2.4 GHz FHSS technology, which creates a strong, clear connection that is interference free. Users say that this monitor works very well for them, even in environments crowded with wireless electronics.

According to reviewers, the sound quality is competitive with the very best digital audio monitors, and users agree that the sound works very well. The jury is still out on the MBP33's night vision capabilities. Some users say the quality isn't as high as they would hope, but most say that it is clear enough to get a good picture of what's going on in the nursery. The biggest difference between the MBP33 and pricier monitors is its smaller 2.8-inch diameter screen, but users say the image quality is good despite the size.

Ease of use

Simple to operate. Users say that the Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor is simple to operate and use. It lacks the remote control pan and tilt feature of its pricier, larger sibling, the MBP36 (*Est. $240) and other high-end video monitors, but the video's angle can be adjusted manually. For most parents who just want a general view of the crib area, this will be sufficient. While the MBP33 has good sound quality, it lacks a voice activation mode. This is a disadvantage for parents who run music or white noise in the baby's nursery. The monitor will transmit this sound to the parent as long as sound monitoring is activated, which may interfere with their sleep. 

The parent unit comes with a rechargeable battery pack, but reviewers say the battery life is terrible. They say the batteries run down after only a few hours, and the batteries have to be changed frequently. The power source in the baby unit is AC adapter only, so this can't be used unless it can be plugged in.

There are a few reports of the Motorola MBP33 failing after relatively short intervals of use.

Lifestyle features

A nice array of features. Parents have great things to say about the extra features included on the Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor. Topping the list is the talk back to the baby intercom that allows you to speak directly to the baby through the monitor. One parent of a toddler loves being able to surprise his child by saying "get back in bed" without leaving the living room. Parents also like the monitor's lullaby machine and soothing nightlight display.  It will also monitor room temperature.

Customer service

There may be issues with quality control. Motorola has responded proactively to product failure complaints regarding the Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor. Some customers complained that customer service is unhelpful or that the faulty product was replaced with another faulty product, but then went on to report that the vice president of sales at Motorola responded to them with a direct line to his office. The monitor carries a one-year warranty valid in North America only. We recommended you register your product and hang onto the receipt.