Top Pick for
Best overall baby monitor
The best baby monitors in Australia for 2021
We compared over 80 baby monitors to find the top options for all needs and budgets.
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Top Pick for
Best value baby monitor
Top Pick for
Best baby breathing monitor
How did we pick this list?
Our editorial team selected the baby monitors on this list based on real customer reviews. For each category, they carefully selected parameters based on research and identified the products with the highest review score within those parameters.
The best baby monitors in Australia
- Best overall baby monitor: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
- Best value baby monitor: Vtech BM2150 Safe & Sound Audio Baby Monitor
- Best high-end baby monitor: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
- Best Wi-Fi baby monitor: Uniden BW 150R Full HD Pan & Tilt Smart Baby Camera
- Baby monitor with best range: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
- Best baby breathing monitor: Snuza Hero Baby Movement Monitor
- Best baby monitor with multiple cameras: Uniden BW3102 4.3-inch Digital Wireless Baby Video Monitor with 2 Cameras
Best overall baby monitor: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
Pros
- Many reviews say that the image quality is very clear
- Active noise reduction cancels out other noises so you can hear your child clearly
Cons
- Expensive
- Not Wi-Fi enabled
Price (RRP): $444.35
Amazon pricing: From $424.73
Buy at AmazonWhy we chose it
With a score of 4.9 stars, the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO was the highest-rated baby monitor we considered as chosen by more than 1,300 customers on Amazon and Google Reviews.
Offering pan, tilt and zoom functionalities, along with interchangeable lenses (sold separately), the DXR-8 PRO gives you full viewing control of your baby's room.
The generous 5-inch LCD screen on the parent unit meanwhile allows for a more detailed image, while active noise reduction filters out background noise so you can hear your child clearly.
Additional features include two-way talkback, room temperature display and infrared night vision.
Best value baby monitor: Vtech BM2150 Safe & Sound Audio Baby Monitor
Pros
- Many reviewers say the audio quality is excellent
- 5 level volume settings help with audio clarity
Cons
- No video display
- Many reviewers say the units have poor battery life and need to be plugged in regularly
Price (RRP): $59
Amazon pricing: From $52.00
Buy at AmazonBuy at eBayBuy at KoganBuy at CatchWhy we chose it
To determine our best value pick, we considered baby monitors that were priced at less than $200.
Our winner was the Vtech BM2150 Safe & Sound Audio Baby Monitor, which received a rating of 4.6 stars across more than 30 reviews sourced from Amazon, Google Reviews and Harvey Norman.
Retailing for just $59, the Vtech BM2150 is a simple audio unit that monitors the temperature of your child's room and allows for two-way communication between the parent unit and the baby unit.
It also comes with a night light and a selection of lullabies to help soothe your baby to sleep, making it a great multipurpose buy.
Best high-end baby monitor: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
Pros
- Active noise reduction cancels out other noises so you can hear your child clearly
- Many reviewers say that the image quality is very clear
Cons
- Expensive
- Not Wi-Fi enabled
Price (RRP): $444.35
Amazon pricing: From $424.73
Buy at AmazonWhy we chose it
To determine our best high-end pick, we considered baby monitors that were priced at $200 or more.
Our pick was the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO, which came in with a 4.9-star rating across more than 1,300 customer reviews featured on Amazon and Google Reviews.
While definitely situated at the pricier end of the spectrum, the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO has all the features you could want in a baby monitor.
In addition to standard features such as room temperature display, infrared night vision and two-way talkback, the model also offers a clever active noise reduction feature that filters out background noise.
The baby unit also features pan, tilt and zoom functionalities, giving you more viewing control than most other baby monitors on the market.
Best Wi-Fi baby monitor: Uniden BW 150R Full HD Pan & Tilt Smart Baby Camera
Pros
- Compatible with the Google Assistant and Alexa
- Reviewers say the camera quality is clear and the app is easy to use
Cons
- No parent unit included (smartphone only compatibility)
- Not compatible with Siri
Price (RRP): $149
Buy at eBayBuy at Bing LeeBuy at CatchWhy we chose it
Offering the ability to monitor your little one through your smartphone, the Uniden BW 150R Full HD Pan & Tilt Smart Baby Camera is a unit that regularly receives high customer ratings.
App-enabled access allows you to view your child remotely and gives you the ability to adjust the pan and tilt camera to easily scan their room.
The unit can also be used with both Alexa and the Google Assistant, which means you can easily add it to your smart home set-up.
Additional features include room temperature display and alerts, motion detection, lullabies and an adjustable colour night light.
Baby monitor with best range: Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor with 5-inch Screen
Pros
- Active noise reduction cancels out other noises so you can hear your child clearly
- Many reviewers say that the image quality is very clear
Cons
- Expensive
- Not Wi-Fi enabled
Price (RRP): $444.35
Amazon pricing: From $424.73
Buy at AmazonWhy we chose it
Featuring full pan, tilt and zoom functionalities, along with interchangeable lenses (sold separately), the DXR-8 PRO offers the widest viewing range of any baby monitor we considered.
Boasting a 4.9-star score across more than 1,300 reviews sourced from Amazon and Google Reviews, the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO also comes with impressive features such as active noise reduction and infrared night vision.
As the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO is quite pricey though, you may also want to consider the Uniden BW 150R Full HD Pan & Tilt Smart Baby Camera (RRP $149).
While the Uniden BW 150R doesn't offer the same zoom functions as the Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO, it does offer similar pan and tilt features, allowing you to easily scan your child's room via your smartphone.
Best baby breathing monitor: Snuza Hero Baby Movement Monitor
Pros
- Medically certified
- Offers both vibration and audible alerts
Cons
- Some reviewers report false alarms from the device
- Other reviewers note that the device can become detached with excessive movement
Price (RRP): $149.95
Amazon pricing: Check site for current pricing
Buy at AmazonBuy at eBayWhy we chose it
With a 4.7-star rating from more than 400 reviews sourced from Google Reviews, the Snuza Hero was the highest rated baby breathing monitor we considered.
As the first medically certified wearable baby breathing monitor on the market, the Snuza Hero has plenty to offer in terms of peace of mind.
The multi-award-winning device clips onto your baby's nappy and vibrates if no breathing is detected for 15 seconds. If no breathing is detected for an additional 5 seconds, it will then sound an alarm.
The device also alerts you if your baby's breathing rate drops to 8 breaths per minute or less and flashes to let you easily check on their breathing throughout the night.
Best baby monitor with multiple cameras: Uniden BW3102 4.3-inch Digital Wireless Baby Video Monitor with 2 Cameras
Pros
- Multipurpose adjustable clamp enables camera to be secured to cot rails or shelves
- Many online reviews say the system is good value for money
Cons
- Reviewers say the battery life on the main handset only lasts for a few hours
- Unable to tilt or pan
Price (RRP): $249
Amazon pricing: From $258.88
Buy at AmazonBuy at eBayBuy at Bing LeeWhy we chose it
The Uniden BW3102 model can do everything you would expect from a baby monitor and then some.
The two-camera system comes with a 4.3-inch colour LCD screen and a temperature display, allowing you to keep an eye on bub at all hours of the day and night.
Thanks to the camera's special night vision feature, you can also see and hear your child in the dark, without needing to disturb them by turning on a light.
Additional features include a selection of lullabies, a walkie-talkie function that allows you to soothe your baby from afar, and a digitally encrypted system to stop the camera from being hacked.
The model received a 4.5-star rating from more than 80 reviews sourced from Amazon, eBay and Catch.
Amazon prices last updated on 21 September, 2021 at 03:01 am
Methodology
9Brands Considered
35+Products Compared
7Winners Chosen
- We compared nine baby monitor brands and based our picks on real customer reviews and ratings sourced from popular online stores.
- The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Why should you invest in a baby monitor?
Babies need near-constant attention, but keeping an eye on them at all times is an impossible task. Baby monitors help to make this more feasible by giving you a way to check on your child remotely.
Some monitors simply offer audio capabilities but most on the market now offer video too. This means you can pop one or more cameras around the house and check on your little one from a handset you can carry with you.
With sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other fatal sleeping accidents posing a risk to your child, being able to keep an eye on your baby to make sure they're sleeping safely is also incredibly important.
Some systems now even monitor movement and sound an alarm if your baby hasn't moved for a certain amount of time, helping to alert you to problems sooner.
Best Rated Baby Monitor Brand: D-Link
Australians voted D-Link as the best baby monitor brand, thanks to its great audio and video quality, its battery life and its value for money.
What types of baby monitors are available?
There are two main types of baby monitor. These are:
- Audio monitors. These are the traditional model of baby monitor. A monitor sits in your child's room and relays audio via a radio or digital signal to your receiver. These tend to be more affordable options, though cheaper models can have shorter transmission ranges. If you're looking for a simple way to keep an ear on your child's comfort, audio monitors are a safe bet.
- Video monitors. Video monitors have become increasingly popular options as technology has developed. Video feeds allow parents to have eyes, as well as ears, on a child. They work by broadcasting across a locked (proprietary) signal between monitor and receiver or by transmitting via a mobile or Wi-Fi network. If you're going down the networked route, be sure that the connection in your home is reliable and that your network signal is password-protected.
How to compare baby monitors
You want to know that the system you pick will efficiently work to help you keep your child safe. Choosing a system will ultimately depend on your personal needs, but here are some important things to keep in mind:
Range
A wide range can allow you to sit in the garden or another area of your building with your monitor. Range can be impacted by signal strength, product design, building features such as brick walls and your Wi-Fi connection.
Portability
Being able to move your monitor easily is a convenient feature. Whether that's the camera in the baby's room or the receiver on your end, it's inevitable you'll want to move your monitors at some point.
Movement sensors
Some baby monitors come with movement sensors that are typically in the form of pads that can be fitted under a bed or into a baby's clothing. These sensors relay information regarding a baby's tossing and turning, or stillness, during the night.
Sound quality
You tend to get what you pay for when it comes to speaker quality, but an interrupted signal can also impact sound quality. You want to hear your child clearly and easily decipher the difference between a sigh, cry, groan and burp.
Camera type
If you're opting for a video monitor be sure the camera type suits the size and shape of your room. More-expensive models may offer wide-angle views or the ability to toggle and pan the camera angle.
Communication capacity
Does the monitor you're selecting have two-way communication? This will allow you to talk directly to your child, or more likely a babysitter in their room.
Design
Can you wall-mount the monitor, or does it have a flat base? Does your receiver clip onto your clothing? If you plan to use your monitor in a certain way, be sure the model you select supports those ideas.
Power
Most monitors offer rechargeable batteries while some need to be plugged into a powerpoint. Battery-powered monitors offer more flexibility. If you're opting for a model that needs to be plugged in, be sure to consider the layout and power capacity of your home.
Extra features
Newer baby monitors can be purchased with a host of extra features. These include night lights, room thermometers, the ability to play lullabies and more. Keep an eye out for features you think will suit your home and child.
Three things to consider about video monitors
- Camera mount type. Before you shop, take a good look at the room (or rooms) you want to station a camera in. Baby monitors can come with flat surface, clamp or wall mounts, so pick the one that will work best for your location.
- Camera viewing angle. Cameras that do not have wide viewing angles may not let you monitor an entire room. If you're only monitoring your baby while he or she is sleeping, this may not be a problem. Otherwise, opt for a camera that has swivel and zoom capabilities.
- Multi-camera system. Depending on how old your child is, or how many little ones you have, you may want to install cameras in more than one room. If this is the case, you may want to choose a system that supports multiple camera use as it is easier to monitor from the one handset and will probably be cheaper in the long run.
Alternatives to traditional baby monitors
If you're looking to keep an eye over your child without investing in a designated baby monitor, there are some alternative options to consider. These include:
- Smartphone apps. There are apps available to download that serve the role of a baby monitor. You'll need to download the application onto two devices, one that will serve as the monitor and one as the receiver. A tablet that sits in your child's room is generally thought to be the best option. You'll need a reliable Wi-Fi or data network signal for this option.
- Cordless phones. Home phone systems can have a monitor function. Place an enabled handset in your baby's room and it will play back to the base unit.
- Home security cameras. Some advanced home security cameras offer the same services that baby monitors do. If your home is already wired with security cameras that record footage and sound, it may be worthwhile using that system to keep an eye on your child.
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