How To Choose A Baby Monitor To Keep An Eye On Your Baby.
Use this how to choose a baby monitor guide to help you pick the perfect one for your needs. Picking a baby monitor can be tricky, there are many things to consider. Baby monitors are extra eyes that help you stay connected to your happy bundle of joy. When you are looking for ways on how to choose a baby monitor, it is advisable that you go for a baby monitor with best range.
These are just a few of the factors one has to consider getting the right choice for your needs.
There are several baby monitors in the market and parents have to be extremely keen not to buy inferior quality baby monitors.
This is what we are going to cover in this article about how to choose the best baby monitor.
What Types Of Baby Monitors Are Available?
There are different types of baby monitors found in the market today. Several manufactured have emerged and sometimes is hard to find the best.
They sometimes visual cue, like light and relays feed when there is movement or noise in the nursery.
Audio Only Baby Monitors
Monitors that have an audio sound feature lets you receive sound feed from the little one’s room without going there.
Pros
• Have longer battery life
• Talk-back intercom system
• Portable
• Easier to tote
Cons
• Lacks video feed
Video Baby Monitors
Video baby monitors relay video feeds from the baby’s nursery to the parent unit in real-time. They need a good place where the camera can be mounted or placed. Wall mounting is a safe and solid place they can be positioned.
Pros
• Displays both audio and visual feed
• Two-way talk-back communication
• Provides visuals from a long distance
• Can be used in audio mode only
• Connects multiple cameras
Cons
• Quite costly
• Shorter battery life in maximum mode
Wi-Fi Smart Video Baby Monitors
Works like the video baby monitor using a dedicated mobile device. It requires a smartphone and an app to use it. Some latest top-notch monitors are called wireless smart cameras and not baby monitors.
Pros
• Lets you receive video feed on your mobile device
• Provides audio and video feed from the baby’s room in real-time
• Features two-way talk-back communication
• Visuals can be obtained from a distance
• Has night vision
Cons
• Very expensive
• Video feed drains phone’s battery
Movement And Sound Baby Monitors
This type of baby monitor provides an entire and complete coverage of the little ones when they are sleeping. They provide high quality and real-time audio and video feed and are designed with extra features of sensors for detecting movement.
Pros
• Allows you to receive full visual and video feed
• Sends motion alerts
• Has two-way talk-back communication
• Allows connection of multiple cameras
Cons
• Expensive than the rest
• Have shorter range compared to audio-only monitors
• Short battery life
Considerations Before You Buy A Baby Monitor
Range
This is one of the main factors parents should pay attention to when choosing the best device to monitor their children. A baby monitor with a wide range is ideal when you have other things to do in a house that has rooms a distance from each other. You can also monitor the kid while outside.
Portability
A baby monitor which you can move around within the house or carry when going on a holiday is a plus. In whatever circumstance, you will want to move your camera from one point to another at a point. It is therefore a convenient thing to have a portable monitor.
Movement Sensors
Some models are designed with movement sensors. These sensors have pads that allow you to fix them under the baby’s bed or clothing. The sensors operate by relaying information to the parent unit when the baby turns, tosses, or when they are still at night. It is an important feature to consider.
Sound Quality
All baby monitors are fitted with the sound feature on them. When it comes to relaying information, the sound should not have an interrupted signal. The monitor should have good speakers to produce quality sound. This will enable you to receive the exact feed from the baby’s room so that you can attend appropriately.
Camera Type
If you prefer using a video baby monitor, test the camera to be sure that it fits the needs of the baby’s room size and shape. Monitors with top-notch camera features are sometimes expensive but they provide wide-angle displays. They also give you freedom to pan and tilt their angle.
Communication Capacity
Communication is important when dealing with a baby monitor. It should therefore provide a two-way talk-back communication feature. With this feature, a parent can respond to a cry of the baby by soothing or playing melodies without going to the baby’s room.
Power
Monitors are designed in a different way depending on the manufacturer. Some are made with rechargeable batteries but others require a plug-in power source. Monitors that are battery-powered are ideal because they are flexible.
Battery life
A good monitoring device should serve longer when the battery is fully charged. Long-lasting battery life gives good service and saves time of recharging. Besides, it is convenient as you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to recharge it.
Security
Some baby monitors are made with security features that hackers can’t find a chance of tapping sensitive transmission. Choose a device from a well-known manufacturer and be sure that it receives security updates regularly. A secured baby monitor ensures that the video and audio feed between you and the baby remains safe and secure from hackers.
Number Of Parent Units
Some baby monitors are uniquely made and they can allow connections of up to a maximum of four cameras. This feature is ideal if you have four kids in different rooms and you want to monitor them simultaneously. A parent with more than one kid should consider this feature when buying a baby monitor.
Three Things About Video Baby Monitor To Be Considered
Mount Type
As earlier mentioned in this article, all baby monitors are not the same. There are different manufacturers and they design cameras differently. For this reason, understand the nature of the room the camera has to be mounted. Choose one that best suits your location because some have flat surfaces, while others can be mounted or clamped on the wall.
Viewing Angle
Some cameras have wide viewing angles while others don’t have. Baby monitors with small viewing angle limit you to just viewing a section of the room of the baby. A camera with a wider viewing angle allows you to receive images of any part of the room. Choose one with swivel and zoom features.
Multi-camera System
If you have more than one kid you are taking care of them in different rooms, a single camera is not effective. A parent with more than one kid to monitor needs a camera that can accommodate more than one camera. A system that supports several cameras is convenient and cheaper.
Traditional Baby Monitors Alternatives
Parents who don’t have the ability to watch over their little ones with costly baby monitors have other options. Such alternatives are affordable and they include the following:
Smartphone Apps
You can download apps using your smartphone and use them on your phone to monitor the little one. You’ll need at least two devices and download an app on each of the devices. You will need a Wi-Fi that is reliable or data from a reliable network signal.
Cordless Phones
Some home phone systems are designed with monitoring features. This type of phone systems can be used as baby monitoring devices. When such a handset is placed in the baby’s room, it plays back to a base unit. It is another better option.
Home Security Cameras
There are some home security cameras with advanced features that offer similar services like baby monitors. If there is an existence of wired security cameras in your house to provide both audio and video, you can use the system to monitor the baby.
FAQs
Is a baby monitor really necessary?
A baby monitor is a very important device when it comes to monitoring little ones. Parents who prefer their kids sleeping in a separate room will find monitoring devices necessary. They can monitor them while in their own rooms or do other tasks why having an eye on them.
Is it safe to use a video baby monitor?
Video baby monitors play very importantly when it comes to monitoring our little ones. They relay audio and video so that you can know what is happening in the baby’s room. Video baby is safe to use as long as it is kept a distance away from the baby.
What do baby monitors cost?
There are several baby monitors in the market, everywhere in the world. Their prices vary depending on the features and type of baby monitor. It starts at $25 and could be $500. You can get a baby monitor depending on your budget as they range from cheap to most expensive. The choice is all yours.
Can a baby monitor be hacked into?
It is true that some baby monitors can be hacked into and the most susceptible ones are video recording baby monitors. Security experts have warned of using Wi-Fi baby monitors because they are vulnerable to being hacked. It is advised to use those with very strong passwords.
Can a baby sleep next to a baby monitor?
Experts indicate that it is not safe to put a baby monitor next to the baby. Baby monitors work by transmitting infrared rays which is harmful to the health of the baby. It is advisable therefore to put it a distance of at least three feet far away from the child.
Final Thoughts On How To Choose A Baby Monitor
A baby monitor has been found to be a useful device for parents to monitor their children. It will help you get a better nights sleep as you can easily keep an eye on the baby.
It makes life easier and is convenient. It is advised that you get a reliable monitoring device and put on all security measures to keep the sensitivity of your baby safe. Use a safe and secure baby monitor.
