Image: MomJunction Design Team
Parents with newborns can often go paranoid thinking about the whereabouts and safety of their baby. So, here’s our list of the best audio baby monitors to help you choose the right one. A baby doesn’t mean that you will have to compromise on your personal life. You can enjoy doing things you like without the constant need to monitor them. An audio baby monitor helps you stay alert if your baby needs you. It helps you catch up on some much-needed shut-eye if you’re juggling between work and home commitments along with a baby.
Belinda Joyce, a midwife, maternal & child health nurse, and author, says, “Baby monitors give parents the confidence to go about their day while their baby sleeps—they help you know when your baby needs you. While video monitors can be helpful in seeing what your baby is doing without disturbing them, audio-only monitors are more than adequate in most situations.”
These tried-and-tested baby monitors are available with various features like volume control, vibration, or silent mode options that are convenient to use. Some can make a note of your baby’s vitals. So, explore our list to pick a trusted monitor that can make life easier for you.
Top Picks
Benefits Of Audio Baby Monitors
- Tracking baby’s rest and sleep
The audio monitor helps parents to know if their baby is restless, cooing to itself, or asleep. Babies should ideally sleep 12 to 14 hours a day and the monitor helps parents to keep track of their sleep habits without actually entering the room and agitating them.
- Sleep for parents
Once parents know that they can hear their baby cry on the monitor, it helps them sleep better with the assurance that they can attend to their baby whenever required. A rested parent will always do a better job of looking after their baby.
- Safety
A baby monitor ensures that you can immediately hear when your baby bumps its head or takes a tumble. You can promptly attend to your baby when they are in any kind of distress. Some even monitor the vitals of your baby like heart rate and breathing, and can alert you if your baby hasn’t moved for a long time.
- Convenient
First of all, an audio monitor is extremely easy and convenient to set up. Secondly, even though you might not be visible to your baby, you can hear them at all times, so you don’t have to keep running to their room to check on them. Thirdly, you can hear your baby so you don’t need to keep checking a video screen.
7 Best Audio Baby Monitors
1. Best For Crystal Clear Sound: VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
This product ensures a clear and long range of audio transmission of about 1000 feet with no disturbing background noise. The baby unit has a comforting night light which you have the option of switching on or off and also switches off automatically when there’s no sound for 15 minutes. You can set the monitor to hear all sounds from your baby’s room or even sounds that exceed a certain decibel. This smart device also features a sound indicator with 5 levels through LED lights, and you can have a 2-way conversation with your baby at any time through the intercom. The parent unit can be run either on AC power or a rechargeable Ni-MH battery so that you can monitor your baby at all times. For more information about the product, click this review video detailing a tester’s experience.
Pros
- DECT 6.0 technology
- Lightweight
- Comes with a belt clip
- 16 hours of battery life
- Crystal clear sound
Cons
- The child unit does not work on battery.
"I was skeptical about getting this monitor due to the WiFi-free mechanism, but its consistent performance has won me over. Besides, setting it up was also easy, and its battery life is commendable. Overall, it has proven to be a dependable choice to ensure my baby’s safety and comfort."
Why It’s Worth Buying: It’s no wonder that this trusted product has earned over 18,443 positive reviews on Amazon.
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Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 18,443 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
2. Best Alexa-Enabled: Hatch Baby Sound Machine And Audio Monitor
Designed by experts, this versatile machine combines the functions of a sound machine, baby monitor, clock, and night light. The sound machine plays a variety of lullabies and white noise to lull your baby to sleep, while the night light has a range of colors to choose from while soothing your baby. The LED clock and alarm help parents and carers keep track of time and the baby’s routine. The safe and effective audio monitor trusted by moms and dads helps you to keep a check on your baby and you can have a conversation as well. This is one of the best ways to keep a check on your precious baby while also soothing and comforting them with the other features. Check out this product testing video to learn more about a tester’s experience with the smart baby monitor.
Pros
- Safe and secure for privacy
- Alexa-enabled
- Toddler lock
- Backup battery
- Can be controlled from anywhere
- Customizable sound, color, and brightness
Cons
- Some may find the transmission of sound in the 2-way radio rather slow.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 6,294 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
3. Best Night-Friendly Mode: Philips Avent Dect Audio Baby Monitor
Featuring DECT technology, this tried-and-tested baby monitor has a wide range of up to 1000 feet and creates an ideal two-way communication with your baby without any disturbance or sound interference. It also features a night light to comfort your baby and can play 5 different soothing lullabies to put them to sleep. You can even monitor the temperature in your baby’s room from your own room through an alert in case the temperature changes. Its innovative nighttime-friendly mode dims the lights and sounds to ensure that the baby is not disturbed. It also features a unique eco mode that saves battery life by reducing the radio transmissions. You can definitely be at peace while audio monitoring your child with this handy baby monitor. Take a look at this review video about a tester’s experience to get more information on the product and its cool features.
Pros
- 18-hour operating time
- Efficient docking station for charging
- No interference from other devices
- Secure and private connection
Cons
- The parent unit has a flickering blue light that may be disturbing for some.
"The range and battery life of this baby monitor are its stand-out features. That said, its LED light would benefit from some design tweaks. Still, the option to soothe my baby with the two-way talk feature and temperature monitor has made it my preferred device to keep an eye on her."
Trivia4. Best Secure Connection: HelloBaby Two-Way Audio Baby Monitor
This wifi baby monitor promises you peace of mind with its DECT 6.0 technology that ensures clear and uninterrupted transmission in a range of 1000 feet so that you can constantly monitor your baby. It features 5 graphic LED light bars that allow you to monitor the sound level in your baby’s room even when it’s muted, and you can talk to your baby from your own room to soothe it. The mommy approved monitor has an added feature where you can regulate the temperature in your baby’s room from your own room. These lightweight portable units can be carried anywhere you go and have a battery life of up to 18 hours. This baby monitor type also features a comforting nightlight and can play soothing lullabies, making it super convenient.
Pros
- Secure private connection
- Crystal clear transmission
- Battery powered
- Supports two-way talk
- Eliminates background noise
Cons
- Battery is not included with the product.
5. Best Vibration Mode: Time Flys Digital Audio Baby Monitor
Looking after your baby is made simpler with this pleasant owl-shaped audio baby monitor that comes equipped with 36 channels and ensures that you have undisturbed, clear transmission to monitor your baby. The parent unit features an LCD screen that displays the temperature in your baby’s room through a temperature sensor which you can control, and has a choice of 8 lullabies to lull your baby to sleep. You can have two-way communication with your baby and use the night light to calm your baby. It has the option of using the vibration mode and acoustics interchangeably to warn parents if their baby needs attention. The parent unit is also equipped with Ni-HM batteries so that you never lose touch with your baby.
Pros
- Portable belt clip
- Built-in low battery alert
- Sounds an alarm when out of range
- 2 sets of rechargeable AAA batteries included
Cons
- Some may find the night light too bright.
6. Best Radiation-Free: Babysense Original Baby Movement Monitor
Incredibly sensitive, this safe and effective baby monitor has two sensor pads which cover the entire crib, can be placed below the mattress, and will warn you immediately if your baby does not move within a stipulated time. Even the slightest movements can be picked up by this device which is completely safe as it never comes into direct contact with your baby. Very simple to install, it has no dangerous wires hanging around it, nor does it emit any radiation. It operates on regular AA household batteries which last for up to 6 months. There is no interference from other household devices so the transmission is always clear and uninterrupted. You can go about your work knowing that your baby is always safe!
Pros
- Non-WiFi monitor
- Hack-proof
- Lower risk of false alarms
- HSA/FSA-approved
Cons
- Suitable for babies only till the age of 1 year
7. Best Lightweight: Motorola Comfort 10 Digital Audio Baby Monitor
Fitted with DECT 6.0 technology and a range of 990 feet, this mom-approved high-quality audio monitor offers crystal-clear sound transmission with minimal interference and background sounds. This smart monitor will immediately give out an alert if you are out of range so that you never lose connection with your baby. Equipped with an extremely sensitive microphone, even the softest sounds of your baby will be caught and the LED lights on the parent unit will indicate the level of sound. The parent unit features a rechargeable battery so you can carry it around the house for audio monitoring and you will receive an alert when the battery starts running low. This safe and effective system ensures that your baby is monitored at all points of time.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sleek design
- No interference from other electronic devices
- 1 AAA battery included
- Equipped with smart features
Cons
- Doesn’t allow you to speak to your baby through the parent unit
"I was looking for a baby monitor without a screen, and this one fits the bill. It has an elegant design with a clear sound quality and is pretty easy to use. It's been a good option for close-range monitoring."
Do rememberHow To Choose The Right Audio Baby Monitor?
Keep these factors in mind when choosing an audio baby monitor.
- Analog or digital monitors: Analog monitors do not ensure privacy and anyone can listen in as the transmission is not encrypted. Digital technology monitors, on the other hand, ensure privacy while offering various smart features. Digital monitors tend to be more expensive and sometimes the signal of your WiFi router may cause interference if they happen to be on the same frequency. These ensure that the signal is private, but they cost a bit more, and you might experience some interference from your wireless router if both are on the same frequency. You will also have to weigh the pros and cons of each regarding their special features, battery life, and range.
- Sound quality: Some audio monitors have a silent function while others have the feature of continuous sound emitting, and it’s a personal choice. Either way, the sound quality should be crystal clear and crisp with no white noise or static interference to distort the sound of your baby. The microphone also needs to be sensitive enough to pick up every sound of your baby.
- Alert styles: Some audio monitors come with extra features, like an added alert system to get your attention. Some may have LED lights that blink or have a vibration mode in case the volume of the parent unit is set at low. Some also come with alerts that warn you when your battery is running low or if you are moving out of range.
- Safety: When it comes to your baby, safety is always a prime concern. There should be no cords or wires running on the cot, nor should it have to be placed where your baby can reach it.
- Other features: Some parents may want to go for a feature-rich model so that they can check on their baby’s vitals. Some monitors offer temperature monitoring and can also keep a check on your baby’s heart rate or breathing or signal if your baby hasn’t moved for a certain span of time. This would be more relevant if your baby is a preemie or unwell and requires more intense monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are audio baby monitors safe to use?
Modern technology has brought some relief to parents through baby monitors as they can see their babies when needed. But remember that nothing can replace physical supervision. Studies show hardly any evidence that baby monitors minimize the risk of SIDS (2).
2. Can audio baby monitors be hacked?
Yes, baby monitors may be hacked. So you have to take the necessary steps to minimize the interference. Ensure the password is strong and the system software is updated (2).
3. Are audio baby monitors worth it?
Audio baby monitors may help reduce anxiety in new parents who try to monitor their babies constantly.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navarathna is an established writer and researcher passionate about electronic gadgets and children’s items to make your life easier. Here, she brings you a curated list of the best audio baby monitors from trusted brands with great connectivity, good battery backup, clear transmissions, and additional features. Furthermore, Vibha has described each product’s pros and cons and included a handy buyer’s guide to help you choose the right product.
The Bottom Line
The best audio baby monitors work efficiently to inform you whenever your baby needs your assistance. You can sleep soundly knowing that you’ll be able to hear if your baby needs you. When choosing a baby monitor, look for lightweight, durable models with long battery life. Our top picks include the Philips Avent Dect Audio Baby Monitor, which comes with preloaded lullabies, and the Babysense Original Baby Movement Monitor, which allows tracking of movements. You could also consider additional features such as voice assistant compatibility, voice-activation mode, toddler locks, background sound elimination, and hack-proof systems. However, ensure the monitor’s night light is not too bright, and the transmission of sound is fast.
Infographic: How Using Audio Baby Monitors May Benefit A Baby?
While many parents install video monitors in their baby’s room to ensure their baby’s safety, an audio baby monitor can also do the needful at a budgeted price. Read through the infographic below to learn about other benefits of this device and how it helps the baby and parents.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Zenith Radio Nurse 1938
https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/338247/#:~:text=Summarymonitoring%20of%20children%20after%20bedtime. - Monitoring the Situation
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Monitoring-the-Situation.aspx
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