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WHICH? REVIEWS: Baby monitors
Keep your child within earshot with a baby monitor that won't let you down. We've tested and rated 14 monitors from top brands. Discover the top scorers for range, durability, sound quality and ease of use.
Baby monitors give you a visible and audible way of keeping a check on your baby, without being in the room.
Some households find they can function perfectly well without a baby monitor as any cries can be heard through an open door or thin walls. But even so, there are still reasons why you might need one. For example, if you have a cat or dog, you will need to shut the nursery door. Gardening or laundry will take you outside, where you won't be able to hear a crying baby. If you are a little hard of hearing, the visual element of the monitors such as sound-sensitive lights can be a big help.
Householders with thick walls will find baby monitors essential as their home is effectively sound-proofed.
Baby monitors provide peace of mind where a healthy baby is concerned, rather than actual safety. They should be used as an aid and not as a substitute for responsible and proper adult supervision.
You can find out our Best Buy recommendations by taking out a £1 30-day trial to www.which.co.uk. Below, we explain more about the features of baby monitors.
Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are the cheaper option in the long run. Some come with the unit and can be charged in the cradle. Other models explicitly say you can’t use them, as they may cause the unit to malfunction and void the warranty.
Battery indicator
This warns you when the batteries are about to run out.
Belt clip
It's handy to be able to carry the parent unit around with you but make sure you don't accidentally knock the volume adjuster.
Crib soother Gentle vibrations can be activated to try to soothe your baby.
Digital technology
Some models have microprocessors designed to ensure that the only nursery sounds you will be able to hear are those from your own nursery, not anyone else's. However, this doesn't stop the transmissions from your own monitor being picked up by somebody else.
Lullabies
A lullaby can be activated if your baby stirs. The effectiveness of this will depend on the individual baby. This has the potential to be more irritating than soothing for some. On pricier models facilities exist for you to make your own or record your voice.
Motion sensor mat
Green lights flash and a tick is heard every time your baby moves. If your baby stops moving for more than 20 seconds, an alarm sounds and red lights flash. Can be unnecessarily distressing.
Multi-channel options
Two channels should be adequate for most people, but if you live in a busy, built-up area with lots of other parents with monitors in close proximity, creating the likelihood of regular interference, the option of more channels may be helpful.
Night light
This gives the area around the unit a soft glow, which may comfort you baby and can help you see him or her in a darkened room. Some models allow you to control this remotely.
Out-of-range alarm
If you wander out of range, an alarm sounds. This could be useful as a means of helping you assess how far down the garden you can go.
Pager
Press a button on the baby unit and follow the bleeping to your lost parent unit.
Talk back
The intercom facility allows you to talk back to your baby. This is great if you want to murmur reassuring words to your sleeping baby, or relay instructions to your wilful toddler.
Temperature alarm
Warns you when the temperature goes outside a set range. Can be with sounds and/or lights. It will normally display the temperature too.
Sound sensitive lights
This is one of the more useful extra features. It allows you to turn off the sound, and a sound-activated multi-light display panel shows whether or not your baby is crying. The louder your baby cries, the more lights are illuminated. This is very handy if you are hard of hearing. It could also be useful in a situation when, for example, you have friends round or are having a meeting with someone at home and you won't be able to hear your baby over the noise.
Temperature monitor
Some baby monitors have a digital room temperature display that shows the temperature in your baby's room. A light on the unit flashes when the temperature goes below 16 or above 20 degrees.
Torch
To check on baby without turning on the room's main light.
Video monitor
To see as well as hear your baby. Two models we tested have 'night vision', so you can see your baby in the dark.
Volume warning
Some models will vibrate to alert you to cries, if you have the volume on your unit too low.
So what's the best best baby monitor for you? By taking out a £1 30-day trial to www.which.co.uk you can discover all you need to know about baby monitorS and find out our Best Buy recommendations.
(c) Copyright Which? Ltd 2008, all rights reserved.
Temperature alarm
Warns you when the temperature goes outside a set range. Can be with sounds and/or lights. It will normally display the temperature too.
Sound sensitive lights
This is one of the more useful extra features. It allows you to turn off the sound, and a sound-activated multi-light display panel shows whether or not your baby is crying. The louder your baby cries, the more lights are illuminated. This is very handy if you are hard of hearing. It could also be useful in a situation when, for example, you have friends round or are having a meeting with someone at home and you won't be able to hear your baby over the noise.
Temperature monitor
Some baby monitors have a digital room temperature display that shows the temperature in your baby's room. A light on the unit flashes when the temperature goes below 16 or above 20 degrees.
Torch
To check on baby without turning on the room's main light.
Video monitor
To see as well as hear your baby. Two models we tested have 'night vision', so you can see your baby in the dark.
Volume warning
Some models will vibrate to alert you to cries, if you have the volume on your unit too low.
So what's the best best baby monitor for you? By taking out a £1 30-day trial to www.which.co.uk you can discover all you need to know about baby monitorS and find out our Best Buy recommendations.
(c) Copyright Which? Ltd 2008, all rights reserved.
