A baby monitor lets an exhausted new parent hear or see the baby from another room.
A baby monitor suits parents who want to hear, or see, the baby from another room. Choose between audio only and video, then check whether it has its own screen or uses a phone app, how clear the night view is, the range, and how long the battery lasts.
Gift ideas
A retailer can change a price at any time, so check it before you buy.
Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor features advanced CryAssist technology powered by Zoundream. The technology detects your baby's cries, notifies you, automatically translates the cries and helps you understand whether your baby is: Sleepy, Fussy, Hungry, Gassy or Agitated. The technology will also give you tips on how best to soothe your little one. Connected via the app to your phone in Ultra HD and live streamed on the 5" parent screen, you can pinch & zoom in to keep an eye on your baby, even in the dark at night.
Home security WiFi camera for use as a baby monitor, with 1080P video, free AI detection of motion, people and baby crying, motion tracking, night vision up to 30 ft (9.1 m) and a microSD slot up to 512GB. Model C200.
The VTech BM5850HD-2 Video and Audio Baby Monitor helps you keep watch over your little one with a 5.5 HD parent unit and two cameras, making it ideal for siblings or multiple rooms. The cameras feature motorised pan and tilt, auto night vision and digital zoom, so you can adjust your view and check in day or night. The parent unit includes a rechargeable battery offering up to 13 hours of active video monitoring time, along with sound and motion alerts, two-way talkback, soothing sounds and lullabies to support everyday monitoring. With single view, split screen and patrol mode available on the twin camera pack, you can choose the setup that suits your home.
Full HD camera with pan, tilt and 4x zoom on a 5.5 in parent unit, with a private 300 m FHSS link and no app or WiFi needed. Two-way talk, a six-colour night light and a 5000 mAh battery; the screen splits for a second camera.
A baby monitor suits parents who want to hear, or see, their baby from another room. It is a useful gift for first-time parents in the weeks before the baby arrives, and for any family where the nursery is a long way from the kitchen or the sofa.
It is a sizeable gift, so it suits a group of friends or relatives chipping in, or a grandparent who wants to give something practical.
What to look for in a baby monitor
Audio or video. An audio monitor carries sound. A video monitor adds a camera and a screen.
Screen or app. Some come with a parent unit with its own screen. Others use an app on a phone, which needs wi-fi and a phone to use it on.
Night view. A camera that shows a clear picture in the dark is useful for night feeds.
Range. In a small flat any monitor will do. In a large house, check the range on the listing.
Battery. A parent unit that holds its charge can be carried from room to room.
Extras. Some include a lullaby, a night light or a two-way talk button.
Set-up. Look at how it mounts, and where the cable has to go.
When a baby monitor is the wrong gift
Families differ on how much they want to watch, and some prefer an audio monitor only, or none at all. If you don't know their view, ask before buying. And if they live in a small place where they can hear the baby anyway, they may like a different present more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an audio and a video baby monitor?
An audio monitor carries sound from the baby's room to the parent unit. A video monitor adds a camera and a screen, so parents can see as well as hear. Some families prefer audio only.
Do baby monitors need wi-fi?
Some do. Monitors with a phone app connect over wi-fi, while many with a parent unit connect directly to it. The listing says which, so choose the one that fits the home, the phone and how the family likes to use it.
Is a baby monitor a good baby shower gift?
It can be, but it is a personal choice, and some families want one while others don't. Ask first if you can. It is also a good gift for friends or relatives to give together, since it is a sizeable present.
