Product review of 4 baby video monitors

Product review of 4 baby video monitors

(Summer Infant)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Baby monitor technology has advanced dramatically over the past decade. Most monitor cameras now tilt, pan and zoom, allowing parents to scan a room and see their children regardless of where they are.

Temperature sensors also make it easy for parents to keep their children cozy. Two-way intercoms enable parents to talk to their children through the monitor unit. And with WiFi-enabled monitors, parents can check in on their children on their smart phone or tablet, whether they’re on a quick dinner date or on a business trip hundreds of miles away.

With so many options, it can be hard to know which baby monitor is the right model for your needs. One of the main decisions to make is whether you prefer to use a handheld unit or have the video transmitted to your phone or tablet via WiFi. There are a few models that allow for both types of viewing (one of which is reviewed here).

Another consideration is video quality. Some video monitors have such poor clarity that you’re better off saving your money and buying an audio-only model. To justify the expense of a video monitor, you’ll want a unit with good resolution.

Here are some of the diverse selections of monitors currently on the market. They represent the three main types of models: non-WiFi, WiFi and hyrbid.

Safety 1stGenesis Digital Color Video Monitor

PRICE: $199

GRADE: A

This non-WiFi model from Safety 1st offers excellent video and audio clarity. The two-way intercom is the best of all the models tested for this article, ensuring that your voice comes through clearly when speaking to your child through the monitor.

The 2.4-inch LCD screen on the hand-held unit is a bit small, but the high video quality makes up for it. The controls on the hand-held unit are extremely intuitive and you can start using it right out of the box.

While other monitors offer compatibility for multiple cameras (sold separately, of course), this model makes it easier than ever to sync up to four cameras in different rooms in the house. Just be aware that the monitor’s range is only 350 feet, which is a bit below average.

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Additional features include camera pan, tilt and zoom, two-way intercom and room temperature display. With its robust features and high-quality video, the Genesis is hard to beat.

VTech Safe&Sound Pan & Tilt Baby Monitor

PRICE: $179

GRADE: A-

With 270-degree side-to-side panning and 124 degrees of up and down movement, the Safe&Sound monitor offers some of the best video coverage on this list. As with most modern monitors, the camera also allows you to zoom.

Like many other monitors on the market, this model is compatible with multiple cameras (sold separately). The unit can actually handle up to eight cameras, and its unique “patrol mode” streamlines the process of scanning multiple rooms.

The temperature sensor on this monitor is impressively accurate, so it’s easy to keep tabs on the coziness of your child’s room. Another impressive feature of the Safe&Sound is the 2.8-inch LCD screen, which is among the largest on the market.

While the video quality on this model is not the greatest, it’s hard to beat the value. The Safe&Sound offers a lot of features at a very reasonable price.

Motorola BLINK1 WiFi Video Baby Monitor Camera

PRICE: $199

GRADE: B+

This WiFi monitor camera is perfect for those who prefer viewing their child on a smart phone or tablet. For parents who always have their mobile device with them, it saves them the redundancy of needing to also have a handheld unit as well. All you need to do to get started is download the free app.

The BLINK1 offers nearly all the features of non-WiFi monitors from the convenience of your mobile device. If you want to tilt the camera for a better view, pan the camera across the room or zoom in on your baby, it only requires the pressing of a button.

Additional features include room temperature display, polyphonic lullabies, two-way communication and infrared night vision. The app also allows you to take snapshots and record video.

If there’s a weakness with the BLINK1, it’s that the video quality isn’t quite up to the caliber of some of the other monitors on this list. But if the convenience of WiFi capability outweighs the slightly underwhelming video, then you’ll love the BLINK1.

Summer Baby Zoom™ WiFi Video Monitor & Internet Viewing System

PRICE: $269

GRADE: B

This monitor from Summer Infant is distinct for two reasons: It’s the most expensive monitor reviewed for this article and it’s also one of the few models on the market that offers both a handheld video monitor and WiFi capability. So the biggest question is whether the convenience of WiFi justifies the price.

For starters, the handheld parent unit has a 2.5-inch screen and provides high-quality video. The day and night vision are among the best on the market. Like the other monitors on this list, the Baby Zoom camera pans, tilts and zooms. It’s extremely quiet and smooth while in motion, which is nice for both parents and sleeping babies. Additional features include a temperature sensor and two-way intercom.

To use this monitor’s WiFi feature, you need to get the free app from iTunes or Google Play. The app lets you take snapshots and record video and store them on your mobile device. It should be noted that the WiFi video is somewhat lower quality. While the overall quality depends on the strength of your WiFi, even in the best of times it won’t be as sharp as when you view video from your handheld unit.

The manufacturer reports that it is currently updating the app, suggesting that the video clarity could improve in the near future and the features will get even better. For now, while this monitor’s versatility is commendable, it’s hard to justify the price because of the lackluster video quality when using the app on your mobile device.


Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.

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