Baby Monitors

Digital baby monitors

The biggest problems with baby monitors have always been static and interference. Interference is a particularly bad problem. Because the vast majority of baby monitors are analog monitors, they can easily pick up nearby signals on the same bandwidth. Parents report hearing their neighbor's baby through their own monitor -- or worse, hearing neighbor's conversations. Some people report that they can often hear cell-phone, CB radio or cordless phone conversations through their baby monitor. And of course, if you can hear your neighbors, there's a good chance they can hear you, as well.

Many baby monitors are hit-and-miss because of the analog technology. Depending on the monitor's frequency and the other electronics in your home, you could experience interference or static with some analog monitors, but not others. Reviews say there's really no way to tell unless you actually try a baby monitor in your house, so save your receipt. Depending on the electronic devices in your own home and the homes around you, there could be a great deal of variance in the success of any particular baby monitor you purchase.

Nearly all baby monitors operate on a 49MHz, 900MHz or 2.4GHz frequency. The trouble is that many other electronics are also using these bandwidths. Digital monitors scramble the signal, but they still operate on the same frequencies and are subject to interference. Last year, the FCC approved a new bandwidth for voice-only communications, and the new 1.9GHz frequency -- also called DECT (digitally enhanced cordless telecommunications) -- is now available in a handful of cordless phones and a few baby monitors.

At the time of this update, only two widely available baby monitors in the U.S. use this frequency, the Philips SCD 589 Digital Baby Monitor (*est. $160) with a temperature readout and recorded lullabies, and the similar Philips SCD 590 Baby Monitor (*est. $160) , which includes two parent units (no temp readout or lullabies). These Philips baby monitors reap great professional reviews, and owners are more positive about these baby monitors than any others. The obvious drawback is the very high price. We did read a few scattered, but consistent, complaints that the cradles didn't always work to recharge the batteries and that the recharge time is very long. Considering the high price, the Philips baby monitor might be a good last-resort choice for those who have already tried less costly monitors and are still having trouble with interference.

Digital monitors of any frequency (whether DECT or not) are a big improvement when it comes to interference and eavesdropping. If you have had trouble in the past with picking up neighbors' conversations, you want a digital baby monitor. However, not all digital baby monitors get great reviews.

While The First Years Digital Monitor (*est. $80) has yet to generate that much parent feedback, those user comments that are out there are quite critical. Users at Amazon.com cite frequent signal loss and short battery life. Given the number of complaints we read for this baby monitor, we've chosen not to include it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers, especially since it's more expensive than some highly rated digital baby monitors discussed further below.

The Summer Infant Secure Sounds 2.4GHz Digital Monitor (*est. $45) has more parent feedback available, but it doesn't fair any better in its overall ratings. Happy owners of this baby monitor are few and far between. Complaints at Amazon.com include poor range, terrible signal, no volume control for the out-of-range beeper and interference whenever the weather is not clear. We found similar ratings for the two-receiver version of this baby monitor, the Summer Infant Secure Sounds 2.4GHz Digital Monitor with Two Receivers (*est. $70) .

The Summer Infant Secure Sounds Digital Multi-Room Monitor (*est. $50; with two receivers, *est. $70) uses the same basic technology but includes two base stations so parents can monitor more than one room at a time. Many owners say they chose the Secure Sounds Multi-Room baby monitor based on that feature alone, but most have ended up frustrated by the same signal and range problems that plague the standard version.

Fisher-Price also has also introduced a digital monitor -- the Fisher-Price 2.4GHz Ultimate Range Monitor (*est. $50) . Designed to work even when baby and caregiver are as far as 1500 feet apart, this baby monitor does indeed get a few positive user comments about its range. Unfortunately, owners don't have much else positive to say. Scores on Amazon.com and Target.com are in the single-star range, and several parents say they find interference and clicking sounds especially annoying.

The Mobi 70009 Digital Ultra Audio Monitor (*est. $50) , with average ratings of about 3 stars at most sites, fares better than the Fisher-Price Ultimate Range. Owners say both clarity and range are good in this baby monitor, and some say the two-way paging feature is a real plus. Unfortunately, the Mobi is prone to the same unpleasant clicking sounds as the Fisher-Price baby monitor, and some reviewers say they wish the battery would hold its charge longer.

Rather than these digital monitors, we found better reviews for the Graco iMonitor digital baby monitor ( *est. $60 for one receiver , $80 for two receivers ). Although parents still report some problems, almost no parent complains about eavesdropping or interference. The advertised range of the Graco iMonitor is 2,000 feet, but several reviewers suggest that claim is pretty optimistic. A number of parents complain of short range and an endlessly beeping out-of-range indicator. The only other consistent negative we found is that the Graco iMonitor's rechargeable receiver battery drains too fast. However, while the Graco iMonitor is not without some complaints, the majority of parents say that reception is very clear, with no interference or eavesdropping issues.

The very best reviews go to the Philips DECT baby monitors that operate on the little-used 1.9GHz frequency. Although these are expensive, they mainly eliminate interference issues from other electronics, which can still be a problem in digital monitors operating on 900MHz and 2.4GHz frequencies. Because this is also a digital monitor, parents don't have to worry about unintentional eavesdropping.

Analog baby monitors

Most baby monitors on the market are still analog, operating on 49MHz, 900MHz or 2.4GHz frequencies. The trouble, as discussed above, is that none of these actually scramble the signal from monitor to receiver, so all of these analog monitors are subject to interception or interference from devices on the same frequency, as well as unintentional eavesdropping. The upside to analog baby monitors is that they are usually less expensive than digital baby monitors. If you don't live in a heavily populated area, you might not have to worry too much about interference from neighbors' baby monitors, so an analog monitor might be fine.

The cheapest baby monitors work on the 49MHz frequency. Some older cordless phones still work on this frequency, so you might get interference from your phone (check your phone's manual to find its frequency). You could also get interference from other 49MHz baby monitors. The rest of the analog monitors work on 900MHz and 2.4GHz frequencies. However, many cordless phones also operate on these frequencies. If you have a home wireless network, it may operate on a 2.4GHz frequency, so you could get interference there as well.

In the past, we found some good reviews for the Graco Ultra Clear 49MHz baby monitor. Parent reviews said its range was better than others, but the battery life wasn't great. Most parents reported pretty good reception with this monitor -- certainly better than the Fisher-Price Sound 'n Lights. Graco has updated the looks of this monitor, which is now called the Graco Ultra Clear II (*est. $30) . It still works on a 49MHz frequency and comes with two battery-operated receivers. There is a light display on the receivers, two channels and a volume/channel control. One complaint we read at consumer sites is that it does not have a lights-only feature. We also read some complaints about durability and interference, but overall, parents are more positive about the Graco Ultra Clear II baby monitor than about the Fisher Price Sound 'n Lights (*est. $20; with two receivers *est. $30) .

The Evenflo Whisper Connect ( *est. $20 ; with two monitors *est. $30 ) is similar to the Graco 49MHz monitor. One difference is that rechargeable batteries are included. This monitor gets the same sort of reviews that are seen for most inexpensive analog baby monitors -- primarily that it receives too much static and interference. Some parents report picking up radio or television noise.

Baby monitors using a 900MHz or 2.4GHz frequency claim to get less interference and static, but in reviews, these are just as susceptible to interference as 49MHz baby monitors. The Evenflo Whisper Connect Pro 900MHz baby monitor (*est. $30) has seven sound lights, a belt clip, a low-battery indicator, rechargeable batteries and a 650-foot range. We found mixed reviews for this baby monitor from parents. Complaints range from the usual static to the receiver volume being too quiet. Other owners, however, say the reception is clear. More than anything, there seems to be a dramatic range in satisfaction with this baby monitor. Again, save your receipt until you're sure the item works for you. This baby monitor ships with a single receiver.

The Fisher-Price Private Connection 900MHz baby monitor ( *est. $35 with one receiver , $50 with two receivers ) receives mostly positive feedback, and better reviews than most analog baby monitors. Some parents do indicate durability issues with the Private Connection baby monitor, however. We found the largest number of parent-written reviews for this monitor at Amazon.com, where dozens of parents weigh in. Most are very happy with this baby monitor, while some complain of static and short battery life. We found more consistently good reviews for the Graco Ultra Clear II than for the Fisher Price Private Connection, despite the fact that the Graco baby monitor costs less.

We also found some reviews for the Sony BabyCall NTM-910 baby monitor (*est. $45) , a 900MHz analog monitor. Parents mainly like it, and most say clarity is very good -- better than cheaper models. However, we found consistent complaints that the parent unit beeps -- even when parents aren't out of range. Altogether, this looks like a good monitor to try if the Graco iMonitor (*est. $60, with two receivers *est. $80) or cheaper Graco Ultra Clear II analog baby monitor (*est. $30) doesn't work for you.

Video baby monitors

While most parents will be fine simply hearing the sounds of their child, there are others who need to see the child as well, either by choice or necessity. For these parents, there are increasing options, though most experts and parents say that none of them is ideal. Of the options, some reviews say the MobiCam Wireless Ultra Monitoring System (*est. $130) is a good choice. The 900 MHz MobiCam has a wireless handheld receiver with a small color screen. Its range is about 300 feet, and the transmitter unit has a small globe-shaped camera with an infrared mode for nighttime viewing. You can expand this system to control up to three camera units with the same receiver. The unit also has a voice-activated function that automatically turns the camera on. The camera unit sits in one place and you cannot control the angle of the camera with the monitor.

Most parents like the MobiCam, but with reservations. Users express concerns about interference, and some even say the screen is simply too small. The receiver takes four AA batteries, but reviews recommend using the AC adapter as much as possible, since it eats up batteries pretty quickly. This would not be a good choice if you have a home wireless network operating on a 2.4GHz frequency. We read many reports that the monitor would interfere with the network, as well as indications that parents couldn't get online over their wireless connection. Though some say the picture is great, others say it's very staticky.

Owners of the Summer Infant Baby's Quiet Sounds Video Monitor (*est. $200) have very few negative remarks, which is rare with this type of product. While there is the occasional complaint about static, most parents say sound and video are both good. Some parents say the range isn't great. Features are very similar to the MobiCam, but since the Summer Infant Monitor operates on a 900MHz frequency, it's not likely to get interference from a home wireless network. The Summer Infant Video Monitor also costs significantly less than the MobiCam. The catch is that the receiver video unit can't be battery operated -- you have to use the AC adapter, which certainly limits its flexibility. There is also a version of the Summer Infant Quiet Sounds Video Monitor with two cameras (*est. $150). You can place the cameras in two different rooms, and the monitor will switch views every ten seconds.

The Summer Infant camera is equipped with a tabletop or wall mount option, a microphone and an A/C adapter. The actual monitor is equipped with on/off volume control and sound lights that move with baby's sounds. There's even an audio/video out jack so you can pipe the monitor through a stereo.

Summer has recently added another video baby monitor to its lineup. The Secure Sounds Digital Handheld Color Video Monitor with Remote Controlled Crib Soother 02280 (*est. $215) is too new to have much in the way of reviews, and it will be interesting to see how it compares to the rest of Summer's lineup. Features of this video baby monitor include a 1.8" color LCD screen, LED sound lights, an audio-only mode and rechargeable batteries with a 10-hour run time. The crib unit also comes with a nightlight and a selection of lullabies and nature sounds.

Another relatively new entry into the video baby monitor market is Graco's Digital Deluxe Video iMonitor (*est. $200) . Introduced in 2007, the Video iMonitor fails to live up to the excellent reputation of the audio version (at least so far). Other than some positive feedback about the fold-away screen and good night vision, owners don't have many good things to say about the Video iMonitor. Complaints include poor picture quality, blurriness and distracting digital artifacts. Some owners report the audio and video can be annoyingly out of sync.

Note that professional reviewers, including Consumer Reports and Baby Bargains, really don't recommend video baby monitors at all, saying that they are prone to interference, especially from microwave ovens. Most say video monitors are just overkill for anxious parents. However, some parents really seem to like the idea of video monitors.

Movement sensors

If you, or someone you know, are a parent who has to worry about the health of a seriously ill child -- or if you are worried about SIDS -- there is a monitor that may help to alleviate some of your fears. The Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor (*est. $75 with one receiver, $80 with two receivers) includes a motion sensor pad that triggers an alarm if your baby doesn't move for 20 seconds. The Angelcare also has an audible "tick" option that lets you hear each of your baby's movements. While opting for a different baby monitor is not equivalent to disregarding your child's safety, the Angelcare was a worthwhile buy for many parents. Several parents on Amazon.com remark on how well the monitor worked overall and say that it let them know when their child wasn't breathing, either due to their faces being muffled or to sleep apnea.

The Angelcare Deluxe Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor (*est. $130) works the same way as the standard version, but with the addition of a night light, a voice activation feature and rechargeable batteries. The Angelcare Deluxe also allows parents to monitor the nursery temperature remotely. Some parents say these extras are nice, but at just over half the price, the basic Angelcare receives just as good reviews overall.

Angelcare's movement monitors are more expensive than some other models, but the extra reassurance may be worth the investment if you have special needs. Keep in mind that parents of older babies complain of false alarms when infants roll off the sensor pad. However, the motion detection seems to work well for younger babies, and parents can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor pad to reduce the chance of false alarms.

Important Features: Baby monitors

Reviews say you should consider the following when shopping for a baby monitor:

• Consider a digital baby monitor first. The Graco iMonitor is getting good scores for low interference and static. Digital technology is the best assurance against accidental eavesdropping.

• Check frequency. Remember to check the frequency of the baby monitor against that of other household items, such as your cordless phone. If you have a 2.4GHz cordless phone or wireless network, getting a 49MHz or 900MHz baby monitor could hedge your bets against interference.

• Two receivers are a bonus. An extra parent unit is useful, especially for two story houses. One unit can remain downstairs and the other upstairs.

• Lights are nice. Sound activated lights are nice, since televisions and vacuums can sometimes drown out the sound of the baby monitor.

• Look for a baby monitor that uses rechargeable batteries. A rechargeable battery will save you a few bucks, but if the unit doesn't come with rechargeable batteries, you can always buy a set of NiMH rechargeables. You can also skip the batteries and use an AC outlet.

• Keep the receipt. Even the highest rated baby monitors don't work for everyone. It's not uncommon to meet parents who tried four or five monitors before they found one that could co-exist with their other electronics.

Most baby monitors have an out-of-range indicator and volume controls. Most also have more than one channel, so you can switch channels to find better reception.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Philips SCD 589 Baby Monitor (*est. $160)	details
3	Graco iMonitor Digital Monitor (*est. $60 with one receiver) (*est. $80 with two receivers)	details
2	Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor (*est. $75 with one receiver, $80 with two receivers)	details
2	Sony BabyCall NTM-910 (*est. $45)	details
2	Graco Ultra Clear II (*est. $30)	details
1 each	Fisher Price Sounds ‘N Lights , Safety 1st Color View Video Baby Monitor, Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor , Tomy monitor, Evenflo Whisper Connect

The Philips DECT baby monitors get the best reviews for almost eliminating interference and static, but they are very expensive. The Graco iMonitor digital baby monitor is a mid-range choice that eliminates the chance of unintentional eavesdropping, and reviews say it's better at avoiding other interference, as well. Among inexpensive basic baby monitors, the Graco Ultra Clear II gets better reviews than most, and it's less expensive than the Fisher Price Private Connection monitor. We found a couple of good reviews for the Sony BabyCall NTM-910, and this 900MHz analog monitor might be a good option if the Graco iMonitor or Graco Ultra Clear II don't work for you.

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