10 of the best baby monitors – tried and tested

How we compiled this list

We recruited families across the UK to test all the different types of baby monitor to see which ones really perform. They reported back to us with their thoughts on everything from signal range and battery life to video quality, and really put the monitors through their paces.

We also spoke to members of our Top Testers Club who have purchased baby monitors over the last few years, to see which models and brands are most popular with parents, and to get a better idea for the types of baby monitor that are most in demand. This also flagged some important concerns many parents have regarding certain models and features.

Once we had feedback, we cast our editorial eye across the market as a whole and examined all the baby monitors as a group, looking at how they compared with each other and how they catered to different requirements. Our aim is to bring you the very best across each category and budget, recognising that different situations have very different needs.

Skip straight to the 10 best baby monitors

What are the different types of baby monitor?

Audio monitors tend to be the most affordable option, but they only allow you to hear your baby, not see them. They generally come in 2 parts: a unit with an audio sensor goes in the baby's room, and a parent unit that you keep with you to listen out for cries. Many of these operate wirelessly: some require batteries, others can be charged when not in use.

Video monitors consist of a camera with sound to capture both video and audio of your baby, and some way of viewing that video feed (either a parent unit with a screen, an app for your phone, or both). You'll need to mount the camera in the child's room so you can see the whole cot (some may come with a stand, clip or wall mount for this). Most cameras are wired, so you'll also need a plug socket within easy reach.

Movement monitors come with an additional unit (usually a thin mat that goes under the cot mattress) which tracks the tiny movements your child makes as they sleep. These are essentially breathing monitors, and the idea is to give extra reassurance that your child is safe and well: if no movement is detected after a short period, you get an alert). You may find that a high-end video monitor has its own built-in movement sensor, too. These tend to work in the opposite way: they alert you when your child makes a large movement (such as rolling over, sitting, or standing up) to let you know they are awake / unsettled.

Wearable monitors make use of similar technology to fitness trackers or heart rate monitors to take an even closer look at what your baby is doing while they sleep. You put your baby to sleep wearing the smart item (either a piece of clothing or a clip-on monitor) and it tracks their movement and breathing to deliver data to an app. They often work in conjunction with a video monitor, so you get sound and picture too. Tracking this data can help reassure anxious parents during overnight sleep, and also help to learn more about the baby's sleep habits and patterns to create a better routine. The UK government's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has determined that some of these products are are borderline with medical devices, so it's likely we'll see more regulations in this area in the future.

Best baby monitors at a glance

• Best smart video baby monitor: VTech RM7767HD Smart 7" Video Baby Monitor, £199.99
• Best budget video monitor: Motorola VM481 Video Baby Monitor, £89.99
• Best baby monitor for travel: Babymoov Yoo Travel Video Monitor, £125.99
• Best baby monitor for multiple kids: Babysense HD Split-Screen Monitor, £179.99
• Best baby monitor for sleep tracking: Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor, £299
• Best baby monitor for growing with your baby: Cubo AI Plus, £289
• Best baby monitor for movement tracking: Angelcare AC327 Baby Movement Monitor, £199
• Best baby monitor for heart rate tracking: Owlet Smart Sock, £269
• Best baby monitor for audio monitoring: BT Audio Baby Monitor 450, £49.99
• Best budget audio monitor: VTtech BM1000, £24.99

What to look for when buying a baby monitor

Power supply – Some monitors (particularly video ones) will need to be plugged in at all times, so you'll need to ensure you can mount the baby unit safely with all wires out of the way of tiny hands. Audio or "wireless" monitors may take batteries, or come with a mains charger. For those that need charging, check the battery life: most last 8-12 hours max, so will need recharging every day.

Parent unit – If your video monitor comes with a parent unit (a screen to view and control the camera) then you'll need to be able to charge this too. Most have a reasonable battery life but larger screens or those with more features use more power, and if you want to keep the screen on with the brightness up at night, you'll usually need to plug it in. Look for parent units with standby modes to conserve power and give you more flexibility.

Range – Many baby monitors have their own analog or digital signal built into the units: digital is now the norm but do check before you buy. The product specs will list the maximum range of this signal: this is how far you can take the parent unit from the cot or crib. However, the stated range doesn't take into account walls, floors, furniture, or anything else that could interfere with the signal. If you have a large house, you may find that you can't go too far from the baby's room.

Wi-Fi connection – Although most monitors will have their own signal built in, some will also connect to your home Wi-Fi, and have an app you can add to your phone. This opens up lots of new options, including increased range, the ability to record and save videos, and perhaps the ability to view the live feed from multiple devices (such as a parent unit and a smartphone). It may also mean you can view the feed using your phone's data if you're away from home (although we don't condone spying on the babysitter!). If you're adding your baby monitor to your home Wi-Fi it's important to ensure your home WiFi is secure and your devices are password protected.

Camera and video quality – Most decent video monitors now have HD video, and you'll want something with good night vision as you're likely to be watching a dark room. Also consider the lens in the camera: more expensive models may have a wide angle lens to view the entire cot, a zoom function, or be able to track movement and automatically pan and tilt. Others may need to be mounted higher up for the same visibility.

Crying and movement alerts – Movement monitors and wearables offer the most in terms of movement alerts and tracking, keeping an eye on your child's breathing throughout the night. But many of the more high-end video monitors can also be set to wake – and even record video – if your baby stirs or makes a sound. This feature and comes in particularly handy as your child gets older and is able to climb out of their cot: at least you'll be able to watch back and see how they did it!

Features to soothe your baby – A lot of monitors have 2-way audio so you can talk to your child through the audio or camera unit. Some will even play light shows, lullabies, soothing sounds, or white noise. Do look into these options as they're often overlooked, but could mean you don't need to buy a separate sleep aid. On the flip side, they can push up the price of the overall unit considerably, and many families end up not using any of them.

Ease of expansion – Do you have more than one child, or are you considering extending your family in the future? If so, you may wish to look for a unit that you can extend with added cameras. Some people use monitors until their children are preschool age, and being able to see all your children on one screen is far easier than plugging in, charging, and keeping an eye on two or more separate systems.

Mount or stand – Video monitors will need to be placed on a shelf, fastened to a wall or placed on a stand to give you a good view of your baby. Some come with stands, others have mounts that need to be screwed into the wall. Do look into this when you purchase, especially if you live in rented accommodation and can't put holes in the walls. You can buy universal stands (such as the Flexi Air 360, £54.99, a MadeForMums Awards bronze winner) or flexible camera holders that fasten onto the cot like the FlexxiCam, £16.85) or you could consider damage-free options like Command hooks or strips.

Price – Baby monitors range from around £20 for a simple audio monitor to over £300 for a wearable and camera unit combined. Somewhere in the middle, you'll find an ever-increasing range of video monitors, which can vary from about £60 to £200. More expensive models will generally have more features, larger and better quality screens, and better cameras.

Here's our pick of the best baby monitors to buy in 2023

Best video baby monitors

1. VTech RM7767HD Smart 7" Video Monitor, £199.99

– Best smart video monitor

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: up to 300m (plus Wi-Fi capability) | Screen size: 7 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: Yes (optional) | Award: Bronze – Baby Monitor, MadeForMums Awards 2022

If you're looking for a video monitor that does it all, this really packs a punch. It boasts a wide angle pan and tilt camera, a giant 7 inch high definition screen, a good built-in range, plus the option to connect using Wi-Fi and view your video feed (using a free app) on your phone. Do this, and you can record video and take photos, thanks to the camera's motion sensor and tracking capabilities, but it's not necessary and the monitor can be used without being connected to Wi-Fi at all.

Along with those key features, it also offers a whole host of extras that parent tester Tara enjoyed. "I was really happy with its large number of features including a nightlight option (in various colours), the ability to adjust the camera and zoom in, and calming melodies which can be triggered via the screen. The two-way talk function is also great and will continue to become even more valuable as my baby gets older," she said. There's also temperature and humidity monitoring.

The camera is easy to set up (although the power cable is quite short) and once it's fitted and connected via its own signal or Wi-Fi you get clear picture and good zoom functionality, plus a decent range (one tester found she could go out into their garden with the parent unit). In our tests we found the parent unit lasted around 4-6 hours with the screen on, and 8+ hours in power saver mode.

It's not completely faultless: the night vision can be dark at times, it may disconnect occasionally and you will need to turn the camera on and off to fix this, but overall it represents great value for money given its many functions. For those who are unsure of connecting their baby monitor to the home Wi-Fi, it gives that option (and the associated extra features) without it being a requirement.

Pros: Pan and tilt camera remotely, connects with free app, large display
Cons: Sometimes loses connection, short power cable, needs frequent charging

Available from: Boots, John Lewis and Argos

2. Motorola VM481 Video Baby Monitor, £89.99

– Best budget video monitor

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range:300m | Screen size: 2 inches | Talkback function: No | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: No | Control with app: No

If you're looking for a video monitor on a tight budget, this Motorola model offers all the basic features you need and comes in under £100 (in fact, it's often on offer at around the £70 mark). Although still an investment compared to an audio monitor, it's significantly cheaper than the smart monitors and tracking monitors that now dominate the market, and comes from a brand that offers a good sturdy build. Shahada, a member of our Top Testers Club, says her Motorola monitor "is still going after over 3.5yrs of being used everyday."

This monitor operates without Wi-Fi, which is great if you have reservations about connecting your baby monitor to your home network and/or downloading an app. The built-in 300m range is enough for most houses, and though it doesn't pan remotely, the camera itself has a well-designed stand that can be angled to get a good view of the cot. The screen on the parent unit is small at 2 inches, but for £10 more you could upgrade to the Motorola VM483, which has a larger 2.8 inch screen plus a talkback function.

Kate, a member of our Top Testers Club praised Motorola monitors for "amazing video quality and great range in our very long house," but, along with many other parents, she did flag the brand's notoriously short battery life. This is an issue with a lot of baby monitors but a particular bugbear with Motorola, so bear in mind you're likely to have to keep the parent unit plugged in most of the time to get the most out of this product.

Pros: Great value, compact design, secure network
Cons: Small screen, poor battery life

Available from: Amazon

3. Babymoov Yoo Travel Video Monitor, £159.99

– Best for travel

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 250m | Screen size: 2.4 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and visual | Control with app: No

Designed for wire-free use, this travel baby monitor is perfect for holidays and trips to visit family, but it also comes in handy if your child sleeps in different rooms around the house at different times. Battery life is the key feature here: it can last up to 8 hours before it needs charging, so it should easily stay on overnight if you switch on the voice activation mode to save power.

It comes with most of the features of a standard video monitor, including 2-way talk, a zoom function, sound and visual alerts, and a temperature function. It's also designed to be expandable, with the ability to connect up to 4 cameras if needed. On the downside, the camera stand is not suited to all rooms and some of our testers found it difficult to angle the camera perfectly to see the cot, so you may wish to buy a bendy stand or mount to help with it. It's also not got the best screen or night vision compared to some on this list, but that is likely due to the need to conserve battery life.

Home tester Rosanna said, "This is an excellent monitor for the family on the go or as a back-up in the home. The entirely wireless travel element to the camera is a big plus point, making it easy to set up and you aren’t restricted to plug sockets."

Pros: Wire free, good battery life, perfect for travel
Cons: Small screen, night vision isn't as good as some, stand is not very flexible

Available from: Babymoov, Pram Centre and BuggyBaby

4. Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor, £179.99

– Best for multiple kids

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 300m | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: No | Control with app: No | Award: Bronze – Baby Monitor, MadeForMums Awards 2022

If you have more than one young child, you'll need a baby monitor that can be expanded with multiple cameras. While a number of the models listed here have the option to add an extra camera, this model goes one better by also offering a split-screen display on a single parent unit. The package comes with 2 cameras as standard, but you can add up to 4 in total (although you can only see 2 on screen at any time).

MFM Reviewer Elizabeth, who tested this with her 2 young children, said, "The split screen function is invaluable when you have more than one infant. Being able to keep an eye on both my little ones, without having to switch the camera from one to the other has been immeasurably helpful. You can even adjust the camera when in split-screen mode."

Parent tester Alexandra added, "I love the split-screen, and the dual camera functions work really well. The night vision is excellent, the audio is clear and unbroken. The screen is a really good size and the battery life is amazing. I also love the two-way talk-back functionality."

The camera has pan and tilt options plus 2x and 4x zoom and clear night vision. There are also built in white noise and lullabies. However, although Babysense does make a breathing monitor, this model doesn't have any of the more "smart" features like movement alerts or a Wi-Fi connection and app. The upside of that? Babysense has managed to create a monitor that should last up to 20 hours in ECO Mode and 12 hours in Standard Mode – significantly more than some rivals. However, it does mean you're restricted to the built-in range of 300m.

Pros: Add up to 4 cameras, see 2 at a time, good night vision and quality screen
Cons: No movement alerts or smart features, can't buy it with just 1 camera

Read the full MFM Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor review

Available from: Amazon and Babysense

Best tracking / movement / wearable baby monitors

5. Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor, from £299

– Best for sleep tracking

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: Yes | Award: Gold – Baby Monitor, MadeForMums Awards 2022

The Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor is a hybrid video monitor, sleep tracker and wearable. The camera itself has in-depth movement tracking options of its own, but by adding a wearable element (a swaddle, pyjamas or a chest band - sold separately or in bundles) you'll be able to find out even more about your baby's sleep habits by tracking their breathing too. The app will then give you expert guidance and tips to help your baby to sleep better. Unlike some smart monitors, the wearable is not a sensor in itself, it's printed with a pattern that the camera tracks to "see" your child breathing, so there are no electronic parts on or near your baby.

Parent tester Bianca said, "It’s sophisticated, reliable and high-tech. The app is amazing and the sleep insights are fascinating. I honestly think it’s the best camera on the market. My boyfriend and I are total health and tech geeks and love analysing our daughter’s sleep." All our testers raved about the app's sleep tracking and guidance, although they did point out the added expense of using this monitor over time: you'll need to buy more wearables in larger sizes, the multistand (which also unlocks the ability to set alert zones to track a toddler's movement) comes at an extra cost, and the app is only free for the first year (12 months basic membership is included – for enhanced features you'll need to pay).

Along with its smart capabilities the Nanit is also aesthetically pleasing and well-designed, with multiple mounting options for a clear view. Both the wall mount and stand have built-in cable tidies which are a huge bonus where safety is concerned. The wide-angle lens offers a clear picture, although like anything that connects to your home Wi-Fi, our testers did report that it would occasionally disconnect or lag slightly. You also need to consider if you're happy to view the feed on your phone or tablet, as there is no separate parent unit/screen. In our tests having it open ran down the battery of an iPhone 13 in about 5 hours.

Other features include two-way sound, sleep aids like white noise and lullabies built in, a temperature sensor, and a new split screen option if you have multiple cameras.

Pros: Sleep tracking, cable cover attachments included, great quality camera
Cons: High price point, sleep tracking costs extra after first year, no screen (phone only)

Available from: Amazon, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis

6. Cubo AI Plus Smart Baby Monitor, £289

– Best for growing with your child

Type: Video and movement | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi| Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Numerous sound and motion | Control with app: Yes

This little bird-shaped baby monitor does a lot more than just look cute. It packs in all kinds of smart motion features, including alerts when your baby rolls over or covers their face, a cry and cough sensor, plus the option to add a sensor pad for further tracking and sleep information. It's controlled by an app so you don't get a parent screen but instead set up numerous custom alerts to your phone.

Parent tester Janet, who tested this with her baby son, said, "I cannot recommend this monitor enough. It is so much more than just a simple baby monitor. I feel so much more relaxed at night now I know that when myself and my husband are asleep that my baby is being monitored and that we will be alerted if we need to be." She also added, "the quality of the camera is outstanding. It is not difficult to see detail on the screen and the sound is also very good. I can’t fault it at all."

One feature that really stood out to us was the ability to map out custom "danger zones" in your home – you then get a special alert if your child moves into these areas. While a lot of baby monitors have standard in-cot motion alerts, this special features gives this monitor more longevity once your child has moved to a bed: you could set up a zone around their bedroom door to alert you when they leave their room, for example. The Nanit (see above) has this feature, but you'll need to buy an additional stand to unlock it.

Our parent testers also loved the extent to which the app tracks and records, too. "I loved how the Cubo was able to capture and record moments, allowing you to see the development of your child," said parent tester Janet. These can be downloaded and kept, although Janet did point out this may come at an extra cost later down the line – the Cubo AI Plus comes with a 12-month premium subscription, after which you'll need to pay to keep certain enhanced features.

Pros: Customisable alerts, quality camera, looks great, motion tracking
Cons: Premium subscription expires after 12 months, expensive, add-ons cost extra

Available from: Amazon and Cubo AI

7. Angelcare AC327 Baby Movement Monitor, £199.99

– Best for movement tracking

Type: Video and movement | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 250m | Screen size: 4.3 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: No | Awards: Silver – Baby Monitor, MadeForMums Awards 2022

Another does-it-all monitor that offers extra peace of mind, this video monitor comes with a movement sensor pad that you slip under the baby's mattress. It tracks the tiny movements that come with the child's breathing, and sounds an alert if there's no movement for 15 seconds. Parent tester Luke described it as "a great feature for peace of mind, especially as my 6 month old is now having naps in his nursery and not the same room as us."

While this may not be a feature every parent is after, some of our parent testers said they found it to be reassuring. One mum whose son was born prematurely and had apneas in hospital said having a movement sensor helped to calm her anxiety when bringing him home: “I don't think I would have relaxed without it. Since being in his cot it has also never false alarmed so is accurate.”

This monitor also benefits from being expandable, something that is not always the case with smart monitors. You can connect a second sensor pad and camera and see two children on the screen at once, making it a great option for parents of twins or young children close in age.

Despite the multiple elements, our testers found this "very easy to put together with clear instructions." Parent tester Lucy added, "The quality of the screen is excellent which means I can clearly see my baby," although she did note that at some angles it was hard to see the whole cot on the screen, meaning this is a camera you may need to mount quite high up.

Parent tester Luke said, "The core features are great and do as they should, it handles video and sound between the camera and the parent unit brilliantly with no lag and in decent quality," although he did find the parent unit was not the most intuitive to use. On the plus side, the range between the camera and the parent unit got a big thumbs up. "This has allowed me to catch up on chores on all parts of the house and garden whilst baby is snoozing," said Luke.

Pros: Movement sensor, easy set-up, clear picture, good range
Cons: Expensive, parent unit not very intuitive

Available from: Boots, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis

8. Owlet Smart Sock, £269

– Best for heart rate tracking

Type: Heart rate | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi | Talkback function: No | Night vision: No | Alerts: Pulse | Control with app: Yes | Award: MadeForMums Award 2021, Baby monitor – Silver

The Owlet features a wearable "sock", designed to provide more precise information than traditional video monitors. It uses an infrared light to measure the child's pulse. This is then connected to a base which sends information over Wi-Fi to a connected smartphone, meaning you can check your baby's pulse wherever you are.

While it may be useful to have these statistics at hand, you should remember it will not be 100% accurate at detecting low oxygen levels in the blood. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found it to have an 88% sensitivity rating in detecting oxygen levels in the blood, so it’s best viewed as a device to provide some extra reassurance, and not a medical device.

Our testers found the smart sock easy to put on their babies, with mum Paulina saying: “The sock is comfortable for my daughter. She didn't even notice she was wearing something on her feet.” However there were concerns babies wouldn’t keep the it on for the full 12 months Owlet has designed for. They also found the app easy to use but mum Zoe did experience some connectivity issues.

The standard Owlet set-up doesn't feature a camera, instead letting the app alert you to your baby's movement. However, if you do prefer to have a visual too, you can purchase a bundle featuring an impressive HD camera, but at £389 this makes it the most expensive offering in our list.

Pros: Comfortable to wear, easy to set up and use app
Cons: Connectivity issues, doesn’t have longevity, high price point

Available from: Amazon and Owlet

Best audio baby monitors

9. BT Audio Baby Monitor 450, £49.99

– Best for audio monitoring

Type: Audio | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 50m indoor/300m outdoor | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: No | Alerts: Sound and lights | Control with app: No

Although it's an audio only monitor, the BT Audio Baby Monitor 450 offers some great features, including the highest quality HD sound and a wide 50m indoor and 300m outdoor range.

Ideal for soothing your child to sleep, it features 2-way talkback, 18 different lullabies and even a star and moon light show. For more subtle light features, there’s an adjustable nightlight which is also ideal for older babies. The parent unit has the option for alerts as either sound or lights, and there's also a temperature sensor.

At £50 (and often on offer for less) this is a lot more affordable than more of the advanced monitors on the market. While it lacks technical wizardry (for example there’s no app connectivity) some will find this a bonus, and it’s a solid and reliable option from a trusted brand. If you have no need or desire for a video monitor, this is definitely worth considering.

Pros: Wide range of lullabies, light show, affordable, large outdoor range, sound sensitive lights
Cons: Basic functionality, no video

Available from: Amazon

10. VTech BM1000, £24.99

– Best budget buy

Type: Audio | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 50m | Talkback function: No | Night vision: No | Alerts: Sound and lights | Control with app: No

This is a simple audio-only baby monitor that works well across the home without breaking the bank. Despite being a budget buy, the sound quality is clear and consistent even when moving between rooms. The sound sensitive lights are also a useful alert system for when you have the audio alerts kept low.

Battery life tops out at about 7 hours, so good enough for a night or two (given that it will be on standby for much of this time if your baby is sleeping). The top of the monitor itself is a little top heavy though, so it's worth making sure you have it set up in a solid spot to avoid it falling and potentially waking baby.

The out of range alert is a nice addition which lets you feel peace of mind knowing that you're connected, even if your baby is quiet and there are no noise alerts. The addition of a belt clip is also nice touch that lets you keep this on you as you move about without thinking about it.

Pros: Affordable, sound sensitive lights, belt clip, out of range alert
Cons: Very basic functionality

Available from: Very, Amazon, Kiddies Kingdom and VTech

Read more...

• Buyer's guide to baby monitors
• Best cots and cot beds for babies
• The best baby mattresses