Here’s my pick of the best video camera baby monitors you could buy now. I have listed all the popular types: with a phone app, no Wi-Fi, with 2 cameras, etc.
The best baby monitor with the camera:
Like your baby, you also need to sleep well at night. Taking care of yourself means you can also take better care of your kid. If you’re like me, who is ever-vigilant when it comes to ensuring my little one is safe and comfortable, leaving your baby in a separate room to sleep at night or daytime nap can come with some level of worry.
Although you can check as frequently as you like, doing so will steal away a significant amount of your time you should be spending resting (or doing something else). Moreover, there is also the petrifying risk of waking your baby unintentionally.
With a camera baby monitor, you won’t have to be tied closely to your baby’s crib all the time. You can rest better and accomplish more when you can afford to be away without taking your eyes off of your kid for a long time.
However, like any other baby product, there are tons of baby monitor brands out there. I was once a new parent, and I found it a bit exasperating when all I wanted to do was find a good product, go home, and use it, but I was overwhelmed with so many choices.
I’ve tried several baby monitors and also did some research on the existing brands. In this article, I will share what I think are the best ones and what you should look for in choosing the right product for you and your baby. It will help you to choose the best for your baby and how to make the right choice. We can never compromise on the safety of our baby. We have to choose the best for them.
The best baby monitor with a camera
Fortunately, we now live when technology is continually making tasks more accessible, including watching over our little bundles of joy. The products included in this list all have video and audio streaming capabilities.
Eufy Spaceview
Watch over your baby from a different room in a clear, crisp, and detailed 5 inches 750p display. The Eufy Spaceview baby monitor
has a long-range of 1000 feet (that’s more than the length of 3 football fields), so whether you are in the kitchen, the garage, or the garden, you can always keep your eyes on your little one.
The monitor has a built-in microphone that you can talk through so you can sing him a lullaby while he’s in the nursery.
The camera works ideally in the daylight or in the dark of the evening with night vision. It comes with a remote pan-tilt-zoom camera that can look around 330 degrees to see every corner of the room and 110 degrees up and down from the ceiling to the floor.
Completely wireless, this baby monitor requires no Wi-Fi connection and prefers a more stable FHSS transmission.
For all the details, check the Eufy SpaceView on Amazon here.
Eufy: Best baby monitor with camera overall
As a parent who has tried various baby monitor brands and designs for 5 years, Eufy Spaceview comes at the top. All the things a parent needs in a baby monitor, this one has. The display quality is top-notch. Very clear and detailed. It also has the most extended battery life, and you can use it for up to 15 hours when fully charged. The width of the camera motion and the signal range is simply remarkable.
Suppose you’re a new parent and looking into trying out baby monitors yourself. In that case, it’s a good idea to start with Eufy Spaceview. Who knows, maybe you won’t have to look for any other baby monitor.
Eufy: Best baby monitor with 2 cameras
Today, Eufy Spaceview (link to Amazon here) has the option of adding another camera to the primary package. Given the features that I loved about Eufy, this extra camera adds more value to the original product. If you have multiples who stay in 2 separate rooms, using a monitor with a dual camera to watch over your kids makes perfect sense.
Eufy: Best baby monitor with camera and no Wi-Fi
There are 2 reasons why I’d opt for this baby monitor with no Wi-Fi. First, it’s more stable. Internet and Wi-Fi networks can at times be unreliable due to poor download and upload speed. Eufy’s non-Wi-Fi FHSS transmission avoids these issues by switching through a wide range of frequencies for maximum communication stability.
Another reason is privacy. While all the data is stored in your unit, a non-wifi network can avoid interference from the outside. It is challenging to hack into this type of connection.
Eufy: Best baby monitor with remote, pan, tilt, & zoom camera
When it comes to a baby monitor with a remote pan-tilt-zoom feature, Eufy is my best pick. Its 330 degrees pan angle beats the meager 135 of Infant Optics.
This breadth works perfectly when you want to scan the whole room from one side to the other. Remote control of the monitors also means you won’t have to ninja your way into the room of your little sleeping monkey to adjust the camera.
Nanit
With Nanit, you can watch over your little ones even when you’re in the office or going to the grocery store while your child is with the babysitter. Through live streaming, high-quality 1080p video, and audio, you can watch from your phone and the baby monitor.
Even when it’s lights off, you can check on them as often as you like at night with the HD camera’s night vision. Whether you mount it on the wall or prop it up with the stand, the versatile installation works in any space.
For all the details, check the Nanit on Amazon here.
Nanit: Best baby monitor with camera and phone app
Nanit is equipped with an algorithm that tracks the sleeping patterns of your baby. The app can be downloaded to your phone or a tablet. You can also allow Alexa to aid you in tracking your baby’s sleep and development.
Subscribe to Nanit Insight and access the stats with a phone app to learn the best and personalized practices for putting your baby to sleep. The subscription costs $50 a year, but you can take advantage of the free one-year trial.
The app doesn’t only provide you with stats and notifications; it also stores pictures and video clips in memories you can share and cherish with your family.
Nanit: Best baby monitor with camera and sensor
When our little one is asleep, one of our worries is if he’s comfortable or whether he’s getting too warm or too cool. The camera of the Nanit (more details here) comes with a built-in sensor. It measures temperature and humidity, so you want to have to check on your kid and risk disturbing his sleep constantly.
The package also comes with a breathing sensor that monitors your baby’s breathing patterns. Just let your kid wear this around his torso before you put him to bed. If there’s any irregularity, you will get notified in real-time. It will be recorded as part of the stats for more observation.
This band contains no electronics. The pattern designs on the cotton and washable machine fabric help the camera to read the tiniest movements of your baby’s breathing.
Others good baby monitors with a camera
Those, as mentioned above was just the top 2. Here are 5 more baby monitor brands worth mentioning and looking into it so that you can make a wise decision.
Miku Smart Baby Monitor
Miku is another reliable brand. It streams live HD video in 1080p. Its camera has night vision aided by infrared LED and has a field of view of 130 degrees vast. You can also use its two-way microphone to talk or sing to your baby or play a lullaby through its speakers.
Although the Miku doesn’t tilt and pan like the Eufy, or might lag behind Nanit in terms of sophistication, what I liked about it is that your baby doesn’t need to wear a breathing band to monitor his breathing.
For all the details, check the Miku on Amazon here.
Arlo Baby
At 1080p, Arlo Baby’s monitor streams clear and detailed HD videos compared to the traditional baby monitor’s standard definition at 480p. You can zoom in and out 8 times if you need to get a closer look at your sleeping baby. It has a night vision for checking on your baby even when lights off, a night light, and rechargeable batteries. Its sensors detect sound and motion to alert you if your baby’s awake.
The app works with Alexa, Stringify, Apple Home kit, and others. Your data is recorded in the cloud for 7 days which you can also access through the app. The good thing about this is that the basic plan requires no subscription. There is no fee for cloud storage. The only time you’re going to spend money on the app is if you’re upgrading your plan for larger cloud storage.
For all the details, check the Arlo Baby Monitor on Amazon here.
Google Nest Cam
This camera is built for home security, but who says you can’t use it for monitoring your baby? The Google Nest Cam offers live streaming surveillance 24/7. Its 1080p HD camera has 130 degrees of view with 8x zoom and displays at 1920 by 1080 resolution.
Using the easy-install app on your phone, you can control the camera from anywhere you are.
Just like other baby monitors, it has a two-way microphone you can use to talk to your kid or the nanny while you’re away. Rewind the previous 3 hours to check on what you’ve missed. Compared to Arlo Baby, the video is stored for up to 10 days.
For all the details, check the Google Nest Cam on Amazon here.
Motorola Halo+ Over-The-Crib Baby Monitor
The Motorola Halo+ Over-The-Crib is a baby monitor you can mount over your baby’s crib to watch your baby up close. You can use the 4.3 inches wide parent monitor unit while you’re at home or the phone app when you’re away.
This baby monitor also tracks your baby’s sleeping patterns, feeding, and the number of nappy times, which is good if you like to pay close attention to the number of diapers your baby uses in a full day.
Just like other cameras, it has a built-in two-way microphone so you can communicate with your baby remotely.
For all the details, check the Motorola Halo+ Over-The-Crib on Amazon here.
Owlet Smart Sock 3 & Cam Bundle
This Owlet Baby Monitor, your baby, can wear like a sock. It monitors heart rate and oxygen levels and notifies you if something is wrong.
It adds another layer of security, but I think the smart sock is not necessary for me. As long as you follow safe sleep protocols like using a firm and bare mattress, removing items that are suffocation hazards, there’s no need for your baby to wear the sock.
But it’s all up to you. If you think you and your baby need it, it’s not a bad idea.
For all the details, check the Owlet Smart Sock 3 & Cam Bundle on Amazon here.
15 features to look for while buying the best baby monitor with a camera
Now that you have a general picture of what might be the best baby monitor brands out there, it’s time to get more specific. It would be best if you weren’t getting your hands on the first product you come across.
As most people who then become parents are notorious for, I (and also you probably) like to take time getting to know the WIIFM (short for ‘what’s in it for me’) of the things that I’m looking for when buying the best baby monitor with a camera.
When shopping for a baby monitor that you will use for the next several years to come, weigh the features against you and your baby’s circumstances. Which ones are priorities, which ones can you afford to pass?
1- Good quality camera
This is the basic yet most essential aspect of a baby monitor. You need to be able to see how your baby is doing. Is he asleep or awake or about to perform a jailbreak? When purchasing, find one with the best baby monitor camera quality.
Traditional baby monitors have a standard definition camera and display of 480p (some even lower). A good quality camera should at least be 760p or even 1080p. These are HD resolutions that will give you clear and detailed pictures and videos.
2- Cordless
Cords dangling near your baby should rightfully invoke a sense of dread, ala Final Destination in you. The more scared you are for your child, the better you will be putting him away from harm.
The baby monitor you’ll buy should be with a cordless camera or at least with a detachable cord you can plug in only when the unit needs charging (and out of your kid’s reach).
And if you choose a product that has cords, make sure it’s tucked away safely even when you think your baby is not active enough YET to reach it. One way of securing the baby monitor cord is using a cord cover.
For more information on how to baby-proof wires, check out this article I wrote on how to safely mount a baby monitor.
3- Portable
Most cameras have to be installed on walls. But more and more brands are giving the option of portability with stands that are sold separately. Other cameras like the Miku are designed to stand on their own, so you can quickly put it on top of a table or a nightstand.
I like to move my baby’s crib around the house. If I want him to have more fun, I’ll move his crib nearer the window, or if I am doing chores downstairs, I’ll bring him to the same level. If this is your style, you should consider this feature for the product you’re looking for and think which one will suit you best.
4- Battery operated camera
This feature goes hand in hand with the camera’s portability and the use of cords.
It’s safe to buy a baby monitor with a battery-operated camera because it means it doesn’t require a cord to plug into a power outlet which is the same concern mentioned earlier. Not needing a power outlet also means you can take the camera anywhere in the house.
Another important thing is the battery life. Those babies sleep 8 to 9 hours during the day and another during the night, so a good camera should last up to 9 hours. However, depending on how young or old your baby is, you won’t expect them to sleep for the whole 9 hours straight. There will be feeding sessions throughout. The best camera should have a battery life that is beyond 9 hours.
5- Extra camera (2, 3, or 4)
Often, baby monitors come with a single camera and a single parent unit to view the video. However, several brands provide the option of adding 1 or more cameras to the network.
Suppose you have more than one kid who has separate rooms. You have to track multiple rooms; having a baby monitor with an extra camera will greatly help. You won’t have to run from the nursery to the playroom and the living room looking for your runaway toddler when the video feed can tell you exactly where your kid is.
6- Remote pan-tilt-zoom camera
My kid is active even when asleep. One moment he’s at the center of the crib; the next moment, he’s rolled to the side. Being able to readjust the camera from another part of the house indeed came in handy for me.
Not all baby monitors have this feature; however, some compensate with a wider-angle lens, but a remote pan-tilt-zoom camera is much more convenient.
A typical baby monitor with this option can pan 130 degrees, but others can do more than that. Take Eufy, for example, which can pan 330 degrees and look up and down 110 degrees. Zooming out can further increase the scope and breadth of the camera.
7- Wi-fi
Having a baby monitor with a Wi-Fi connection has its pros and cons. Its most obvious advantage is the ability to view the live video stream from the app using your smartphone or a tablet, no matter where you are. It also allows you to store videos and photos on the cloud if you have limited physical storage.
The downside is that the quality of the video stream depends on the quality of your internet connection. If you’re having trouble with the internet speed either on your phone’s end or the baby monitor at home, expect to have lower-quality videos if you’ll be able to stream. Besides, if you don’t give much thought to the security of your network, hackers can quickly gain access to the live video stream and your storage.
In any case, this feature is preferable if you’ll be accessing the videos away from home. But to avoid inconvenience, make sure that you have an excellent and reliable internet connection set up and tight security in place.
For more information on this Wi-Fi topic, check out this research I did on the safety of Wi-Fi baby monitors.
8- You can talk through
A good baby monitor has a built-in two-way microphone, and most do have it. It allows you to not only hear your baby but to talk to him as well. If your child is more familiar with your voice than the lullabies that most monitor play, you can even sing to your child even when you’re busy.
The common issue with this is the lack of some noise-canceling feature. It’s good that the microphone on your baby’s end is sensitive enough to pick up relevant sounds like those your baby makes upon waking up. But if the microphone picks up even the droning sound of a fan in your baby’s room, it can make it difficult to hear your baby, or at least it can be a nuisance. At worst, irrelevant sounds can trigger false alarms and notifications.
9- Long-range
The advertised range of baby monitors is measured in an open setting with no obstructions. Inside your house, this range will drastically drop. A 1000 feet range might only be 100 to 200 feet, depending on how many stories and walls there are between the baby monitor and the parent unit or your phone.
If you have a relatively large house, get one with ranges between 700 to 1000 or more feet.
If long-range is your top priority (because you live in a castle, or you just like to relax in your backyard while your baby is napping), check out this complete guide I wrote about long-range baby monitors.
10- That record
Baby monitors that are more sophisticated than others allow you to record videos and store them in the cloud. As a parent, you want to be able to look back to your baby’s memories or share the most recent cute antics your little one had pulled off. This feature does just that.
However, some will require a paid subscription for this or the expansion of the available cloud storage. If you think you’re not recording or taking enough photos of your precious little one using your phone, then maybe you’ll need this.
11- Night vision
Night vision has become a common feature of baby monitors. It allows you to see your baby in the dark so you won’t have to walk over to the nursery, turn the light on, and risk waking him up.
The best baby monitor with this feature automatically turns night mode on for you when it becomes too dark.
12- Secure
The most secure type of transmission for baby monitors is FHSS wireless transmission. This is almost impossible to hack; the downside is that it means no Wi-Fi connection. No Wi-Fi means you can only access the video feed from the parent unit. There is no associated phone app where you can watch your kid when you’re away from home.
Wi-fi-enabled baby monitors can be secured if you put up extra layers of security for your wireless home network and update the firmware regularly.
If getting hack is a major concern for you (because you are a celebrity, or you simply don’t want hackers to find out how a slacker on cleaning you become), I suggest you take a look at this article I wrote about which baby monitor types cannot be hacked.
13- Work with Google home
With this feature, you’re not only able to communicate or sing to your kid through the microphone, but you can also talk to Google Assistant.
It means you also employ the aid the AI in watching over your child. With voice commands, you can get updates from the monitor’s camera and sensors. Do you want to know the room temperature in the nursery? Ask the Google Assistant. If you need updates on your kid’s sleeping stats or tips on more effective ways of helping him get a night of better sleep, ask it and relay the app’s information.
If you’re the techy type of parent who wants a hands-free experience, look for this feature.
14- Mounting kit
When it comes to this aspect of installing your baby monitor, look for flexibility, portability, and simplicity of installation.
First, you’d want the mounting to kit to allow you quickly change the position and angle of the camera (other than the remote pan-tilt-zoom feature). Second, you might need to move the camera to different locations in your house. The best solution to this is to amount like a strong clamp you can attach to other furniture. Lastly, it should be easy enough to install on your own without using tools to damage the walls.
For more information, check out my list of the essentials items you need to mount your baby monitor.
15- Floor stand
A few cameras can be attached to the rails of the crib for an overhead view of your sleeping child, but once your kid learns to stand, you’d want to keep it away from his reach. Compatibility with a floor stand is one solution to this.
Compared to wall-mounted cameras, a baby monitor on a floor stand gives you a closer bird’s eye view of your baby.
Takeaway
Parenting need not be as tricky as it had been for virtually the past thousands of years. If purchasing a camera baby monitor complete with some of the mentioned features will help you with your role as a parent while still caring for yourself, go ahead and buy one.
If you simply want to get the best baby monitor with a camera, don’t waste more of your time, and just buy the Eufy Spaceview on Amazon here.
P.S. If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors
To get the best insights and tips to find the best baby monitor, I read more than 300 reviews online and ask my friends or others parents. From all their insights and my own experience, I’ve built this list of the best baby monitors.
Still unsure about the monitor? Here are some other types of baby monitor you should also consider for your nursery: