Best Baby Monitors

From LoveToKnow Baby

What are the best baby monitors on the market today?

Ask any new parent about the one item she can't live without, and she may tell you she loves her baby monitor because it gives her a little more freedom. Baby monitors are certainly popular baby products.

Why Use a Baby Monitor?

If you live in a small apartment or house, you can probably get by without a baby monitor. However, even if you do have small housing, you may find a baby monitor useful, especially when you bring your newborn home. Baby monitors give parents a little more freedom to move around their homes. Monitors will pick up your baby's sounds basically like a walkie-talkie. Many of them only have one-way reception. In other words, you can hear your baby, but your baby can't hear you. Some, however, offer a two-way intercom option.

Baby Monitor Problems

Unfortunately, even though your baby monitor allows you to hear your baby when you aren't in the same room with her, you may also hear lots of other sounds...the lawnmower outside, the television in an adjoining room, and even the neighbors' phone conversations. That's right. Because your monitor shares the same frequency as other monitors, cordless phones, and scanners, you may get a lot of unwanted interference. Most baby monitors have at least two channels, but changing channels won't eliminate the problem of unwanted sounds. Sometimes monitors with a higher number of megahertz may have less interference, but this can still remain a problem.

Best Baby Monitor Features

Most baby monitors can be used with batteries or the typical electric connection. Some baby monitors, such as video baby monitors may also be wireless. Many of these offer at least two channels, and you may also have the option of having more than one receiver or camera. Some video baby monitors even monitor the temperature and humidity levels in babies' rooms.

Best Audio Baby Monitors

By far, the most common baby monitors are audio monitors. Some of the best baby monitors with audio include the following:

Evenflo Monitor and Intercom-This monitor received four out of five stars for its performance. Parents reported that this monitor had limited interference. The monitor offers a variable light display which increases as baby's sounds become louder and more frequent. The best feature for this monitor, however, is the "talk" button, which allows parents to talk to their babies through the intercom system. Pricing is around $50 for this model.
Fisher Price Direct Link Privacy Monitor-Rating a four and a half out of five stars, this monitor gets the thumbs up from lots of parents. Because this monitor uses a scrambling feature which filters out unwanted interference and prevents others from listening to your conversations, this monitor offers a broader feeling of security. This monitor also offers a variable lights feature, and is priced under $50.
Graco Ultraclear Monitor-This monitor received four out of five stars for its effectiveness and affordability. Pricing for one of these monitors, including two receivers, typically runs around $50.

Best Baby Monitors with Video

Some parents want the extra security that video baby monitors provide. Not only can you hear your baby, but you can also watch him on a TV-like monitor. Many of these monitors are in color, and some of them offer a handheld option.

Summer Infant Handheld Color Video Monitor with Night Vision-Priced at around $170, this monitor has an audio range of 350 feet and audio frequency of 900MHz. This is a favorite handheld monitor.
Safety 1st Sight and Sound Assurance Video Monitor-Priced at around $150, this monitor features a camera adjustable angle monitor and 900MHz technology.
Safety 1st Color View Video Monitor-Priced at around $200, this baby monitor offers two high resolution screens, a handheld receiver, and 2.4 GHz technology.