What to look for in a baby monitor

Keeping an eye on your little one is essential for their safety, but it can be incredibly difficult to always be close enough to do so in person. That's why baby monitors are such a wonderful invention. They're quite literally our eyes and ears when we need to duck to the bathroom or want to try to teach our little ones to sleep alone in their nursery. Unfortunately, not every baby monitor is created equal, so finding the right one can be a bit confusing. To help you out, here are a few factors you can focus on to help you make the best choice for your needs.

When it comes to finding the right baby monitor, there are six key things you're going to want to think about when selecting the right product.

You'll also need to think about whether night vision is an important feature for your personal situation. Those who always have a night light on in their baby's room may get away with selecting a model that simply works well in low light. Parents with bubs who will only sleep in complete darkness on the other hand, will need to invest in proper night vision.

Another thing to consider is how you'll actually be keeping an eye on things. Some models come with an external screen included and use radio waves to send audio and visuals to this screen. Other baby monitor models will connect to your home Wi-Fi, and allow you to keep an eye on your little one even if you're out of range. Neither is inherently better, but parents who expect to be out of the home often and still want to check in on their little ones will find the latter far more convenient. However, security can be an issue in this instance, as a strong password and secure home Wi-Fi network will be needed to minimise the chances of someone who isn't authorising looking in. We go into more detail about Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi options below.

Being able to see and hear your baby is important for their safety, but your baby monitor can also make your life more convenient in other ways. For example, if you purchase a model that has two-way audio, you'll be able to communicate with your little one without having to enter the room. This is great for when you just need to soothe them a little but don't want to open the door and potentially wake them further. It's also ideal if you're in another room but need to ask a child who's a bit more independent to be careful. This feature does tend to cost a little extra, so if you're looking to stick to a budget we'd recommend considering whether you'll actually use it before committing, but it is quite a useful addition.

There are two main types of baby monitors—Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi—and each has its own unique set of pros and cons. Deciding which type you would prefer will help you narrow down your search. In a nutshell:

As the name suggests, WiFi options connect to your home's wireless network, so you can keep an eye on bub through your phone, laptop or on an app. These are usually more expensive, have more features (like alerts or video recording) and can basically be used anywhere there is internet.

The downside is that you'll need a strong and reliable internet connection to use it, and there are more security risks. There can also be a slight delay in the recording, thanks to the lengthy process of data transferring.

These use radio frequencies rather than an internet source to transmit sound and video from the monitor to your parent unit screen. They're less susceptible to hacking and are usually more affordable. Unlike WiFi options though, you can't venture too far from the device as there's a limited range.

Finally, once you've worked out the basics as to what you need from a baby monitor, it's worth thinking about added extras that could come in handy. For example, some baby monitors are able to measure the temperature and humidity of a room. This is ideal for those who have little ones with slightly higher care needs, as well as parents of fussy sleepers. If you don't want to be worrying about the battery life of your baby monitor (but still want portability) you'll also want to look into a model that offers VOX, and if your baby loves a good lullaby, there are even options available that can play music for them at the press of a button.

Although not necessary for everyone, it's also worth considering whether a wearable baby monitor would be useful for your family. These models are highly beneficial to those who need to keep a closer eye on their little one (as well as those who feel anxious about putting their baby down to sleep) as they can measure things such as breathing, movement, and heart rate. While these devices are simply for monitoring and are not considered medical equipment, they can offer some added peace of mind and will alert parents if anything seems unusual.