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In this guide
A baby monitor lets you hear (and often see) your baby from another room. They range from simple audio units to Wi-Fi cameras with phone apps, and the right one depends on your home and how you like to check in.
Audio, video or Wi-Fi?
Audio monitors are simple, reliable and inexpensive, with long battery life. Ideal if you mostly want to know when your baby wakes.
Video monitors come with their own screen. They work without the internet, which many parents prefer for privacy and reliability.
Wi-Fi (app) monitors stream to your phone, so you can check in from anywhere and share access with a partner. They depend on your home Wi-Fi, so check the security settings and keep the app updated.
Features worth having
- Range that comfortably covers your home and garden.
- Two-way talk, so you can soothe without going in.
- Night vision and a room temperature reading.
- A good battery on the parent unit if you'll carry it around.
A note on movement and breathing sensors
Some monitors include movement or breathing sensors. They can be reassuring, but they aren't medical devices, and safe sleep charities say there's no evidence they reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Safe sleep habits matter far more.
Keep monitor cables and power leads well out of reach of the cot, at least a metre away.
The monitors parents add most
Questions parents ask
When should I set up a baby monitor?
Before your baby moves into their own room, which safe sleep advice suggests should be after six months. Many parents still use one for naps before then.
Can Wi-Fi baby monitors be hacked?
Any internet device can be at risk. Use a strong, unique password, turn on two-step sign-in if offered, and keep the app and camera updated. If that worries you, a non-Wi-Fi video monitor avoids it entirely.
