Baby monitors can be the best way to keep an eye on your kids, they let you hear (and sometimes see) exactly what’s going on even when you’re not in the same room.
However, with so many different monitors on the market in Australia, finding the best one for your needs can be tough.
If you’re looking for the best baby monitor Australia has to offer check out our reviews below.
Still unsure about which is the best option for you? After the baby monitor reviews, we break down everything from the size of the display to the clarity to help you find the one that best meets your needs.
1. HelloBaby Baby Video Monitor (Top Pick)
The HelloBaby is one of the best baby monitors as is ideal for anyone who wants to keep an eye on their baby. It has both a temperature display and an alarm that warns you of temperature changes.
This baby monitor also has infrared night vision so you can see your baby during the night too.
The colour camera has a tilt mode that lets you see the whole room. It also pairs with up to four devices to create a multicam set up that parents can monitor as needed.
With the two way communication, you can talk to your baby at night. You can also play soothing lullabies to comfort your baby back to sleep.
What We Like:
- Has two-way audio
- Includes a 3.2-inch LCD screen
- Monitors the temperature and includes night vision
- Can sync to up to four devices
What We Don’t Like:
- Battery could be better
- Can disconnect due to your internet connection
2. Nannio Comfy Video Baby Monitor
Thanks to the long transmission, the Nannio Comfy Video Baby Monitor is one of the best options for large homes.
This audio video monitor lets you watch your child and get the clear image that you want from across the house. Night vision and a pan-tilt-zoom camera ensures you can always see exactly what is happening.
This unit is capable of working with up to four cameras, it lets mums and dads connect it to their phones and other devices too. It also has an activation feature that responds to the sound of your voice.
The screen is immediately activated if your baby makes a sound and you can also set a baby feed timer too.
What We Like:
- Long-range transmission for larger homes
- Works with up to four cameras
- Long battery life
- 3.5-inch full-colour display
What We Don’t Like:
- Temperature settings are sometimes off
- Has some issues with sound clarity
3. Oricom Video Monitor SC720
This Video Monitor from Australia brand Oricom allows you to keep an eye on your baby from anywhere in your home during night or day.
It has baby friendly night vision, a digital pan-tilt and zoom feature as well as a colour display.
This video baby monitor includes a parent talk back feature so you can soothe or talk to your baby wherever you are in the house.
It also has a room temperature monitor, a comforting night light and the ability to play sounds. You can adjust the volume and play white noise or soothing lullabies for your little one.
This unit has multi-camera capabilities so you can connect up to 4 cameras to create a complete monitoring system. Having a few cameras set up allows you to check on your little one from multiple locations or keep an eye on multiple children at the same time.
The rechargeable lithium battery lasts up to 10 hours per charge.
What We Like:
- Parent talk back feature
- Set up multiple cameras
- Pan tilt and night vision
What We Don’t Like:
- No way to control the lullabies/ white noise from the babies room
4. VTech Safe & Sound Digital Audio Baby Monitor
A good choice for mums and dads on a budget is this VTech baby product. It comes with one product for you and another for the baby’s room.
The parents unit is battery powered for convenience and portability. You can listen to everything that happens in that room from anywhere in your home.
While the small unit relies on mains power, the second unit uses rechargeable batteries that charge quickly. This unit has an audible alert that tells you when the battery is running low and when you’re out of range.
If you’re looking for the best audio baby monitors this is a basic, low cost and easy to use option.
What We Like:
- Works with batteries and electricity
- Tells you when you’re out of range
- Low battery alert warning
- Charges quickly
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic design without many features
- Slightly heavy
5. YOHOOLYO Wireless Baby Monitor
With temperature monitoring and two-way communications, this system lets you talk to your baby wherever you are in the house. The addition of 8 built-in lullabies is perfect for soothing babies to sleep too.
The automatic night vision offers a range of 5 metres so you will be able to see your baby in the dark. The YOHOOLYO baby monitor also has a room temperature display so you will know if it’s a little too hot or cold in your baby’s room.
It comes with a VOX mode that saves the battery to make it last longer and a large display that shows you everything the camera sees. In VOX mode you can enjoy 20 hours of battery life, in normal mode this unit only offers around 4 hours of battery life.
You can add other items from the company to make a complete monitoring system.
What We Like:
- 3.2-inch display
- Compatible with other accessories from the company
- Eight lullabies for babies built-in
- Battery saving power mode
What We Don’t Like:
- Adding other accessories can make the system quite expensive
- Shorter than the expected range
6. Infant Optics DXR-8 Baby Monitor
With a battery that lasts for up to 10 hours, this model is perfect for overnight use.
This audio video monitor has a sensor that checks the temperature of the room and an option for talking to your baby.
The 3.5-inch LCD screen is bright and colourful and shows you a complete view of the room. The sleek display is sound-activated to help save battery power.
You can zoom in via the camera and both tilt and pan it around the room to watch your baby sleep.
What We Like:
- Optical lens with a zoom setting
- Both tilts and pans
- Transmits data quickly to linked devices
- 3.5-inch display
What We Don’t Like:
- Very expensive
- May require the use of other products
7. Oricom Baby Sense Monitor
This is one of the best baby monitors around for sound and movement monitoring. It comes with a pad that you can slip under your baby’s mattress.
This monitors the breathing movement rate of your baby and will alert you if the movements fall below a certain rate or are not detected.
It monitors for changes in temperature and breathing as well as sounds and alerts you in seconds. The included digital sound feature offers good clarity and has a long-lasting battery too.
This is a great option for peace of mind and easing parents anxiety while children are sleeping during the night.
What We Like:
- Releases alarms when your baby doesn’t move or breathe
- Comes with a digital sound monitor
- Runs on batteries that last a long time
- Works with a sensor pad that fits under the mattress
What We Don’t Like:
- Very expensive
8. Angelcare AC401P Movement & Sound Baby Monitor
Designed to monitor both sounds and movements, this model is perfect for parents who want to keep their kids safe. This kit comes with a sensor pad that you place under the crib mattress. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the movement pad to suit your situation.
It monitors the temperature of the room and looks for sounds and movements. When it finds a problem, it will respond in 20 seconds. The full colour digital display gives you all the information you need at a glance.
This model also produces a soft noise to let you know that it’s working and comes with a built-in night light for your baby.
As well as monitoring movement, this baby monitor will let you hear all sounds from your babies room. It also has sound lights so you can see when your baby is making noise just by looking at the parent unit.
What We Like:
- Checks for all types of sounds, including changes to your child’s breathing
- Comes with a sensor pad that responds in 20 seconds
- Large and bright colour display
- Tells you when it’s out of range
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users have found the temperature settings unreliable
9. Vtech Audio Monitor BM2000 Owl
The Vtech BM2000 Owl is a cute owl shaped baby monitor that is both affordable and easy to use. The display shows the room temperature and includes a visual sound indicator.
Key features include 5 lullabies, volume adjustment, sound sensitivity adjustment and being able to listen to and talk back to your little one. The baby unit is plugged into mains power and the parent unit uses rechargeable batteries for portability and convenience.
This audio monitor also includes a night light to soothe your baby if they wake up during the night. If you’re looking for an audio monitor that looks great and is available at a low cost, this is worth trying.
What We Like:
- Lullabies and night light
- Owl shape looks different from other monitors
- 2 way communication
What We Don’t Like:
- Short battery life
Baby Monitor Buyer’s Guide
A baby monitor is designed to give you peace of mind when you’re not in the same room as your little one. The monitor lets you hear and often see your baby without disturbing them. You can get on with other activities while knowing you will be able to hear your baby through the monitor if they begin to cry.
There are lots of baby monitors available in Australia, these options range from basic audio-only models to more advanced video and wi-fi options. Use this buyer’s guide to find the best baby monitor 2020 has to offer.
Types Of Baby Monitors
There are a few key types of baby monitors you may come across during your search. The best baby monitor for you will depend on your requirements. The most common baby monitors include:
Audio Baby Monitor
An audio baby monitor is a low cost option that lets you hear when your baby wakes up or starts crying. This is a simple option that is kind of like a walkie talkie. An audio baby monitor is the most basic solution and usually lets you talk to your baby through the monitor if they start crying.
Video Baby Monitor
A baby monitor with camera is called a video or audio video baby monitor. This is one of the best options as it combines video and audio so you can see and hear what is happening. A digital video baby monitor offers great value for money and is the preferred choice for many parents.
For safety, the system uses a unique broadcast signal so only the specified devices can communicate with each other. The best video baby monitor have security features and safety settings in place.
WiFi Baby Monitor
Climbing the ranks for the best baby monitor 2020 is a wifi baby monitor. A smart or wi-fi baby monitor is a high tech audio video option that allows you to keep an eye on your baby using a smartphone app.
With a smart baby monitor, your phone takes the place of the video monitor and some models allow you to set notifications so you will be alerted to movement and certain activities. A smart baby monitor that connects to wi-fi can be viewed from anywhere in the world as long as you have a good signal.
Wearable Baby Monitor
A wearable baby monitor is designed to monitor your baby’s heart rate and breathing. It also includes a temperature sensor so you can keep track of your little one’s temperature. A heart rate or breathing monitor is often either included in clothing such as a sock or is a patch you attach to your baby.
A movement monitor is usually in the form of a pad you position under the cot mattress. While a baby breathing monitor can give a parent peace of mind they shouldn’t be relied on.
This is the best baby monitor if you are very worried about certain health issues e.g. your baby has had seizures in the past and you want a way of monitoring them at night to help keep them safe. However, they are not the most accurate and when looking at baby monitor reviews it shows that many parents using a baby breathing monitor have experienced a number of false alarms.
Frequency
Make sure that any model you consider has a frequency of at least 900 MHz. This reduces the risk that other electronic devices in your home might interfere with the device. It also improves the clarity of the video and sound.
Set Up & Installaiton
When choosing the best baby monitor for your home, consider the set up requirements. Baby monitors should be straight forward to install and you should be able to see and hear the audio/ video stream immediately. The set up will take longer for clamped or wall mounted baby monitors but it should be a case of positioning the monitor as needed, connecting it with the relevant power source and switching it on.
Wi-Fi connectivity may take longer to set up and it is important to adjust the audio and video security settings for wi-fi units. Once the unit is connected to wi-fi, the baby video monitor app will let you check in on your baby from anywhere in the world.
RELATED: Oricom Vs Angelcare
Range
The area coverage of the baby monitor is important, particularly if you have a large home or want to take the unit outside. The range refers to how far the baby unit and the parent unit can communicate with each other before the signal is lost between them.
If you move out of range the signal will drop and you will no longer be able to see or hear your baby. You will have to move the baby monitor back within range so the devices can reconnect. This is why it is important to check the range before you purchase the baby monitor. With that said, many baby monitors in Australia offer good range coverage suitable for most situations.
Display
A good LCD display is a must-have for parents shopping today. While a baby monitor with a larger screen offers better clarity, a model with a smaller display may cost less. The best option for you depends on your personal preferences but either way, the LCD display should be clear, high quality and easy to see.
Power Source
While baby monitors that run on mains power only do tend to be more affordable they are usually not the best option. If the baby monitor needs to be plugged in for it to work it limits where you can use it. A battery-powered baby monitor gives you more freedom and flexibility but keep a close eye on the battery life.
The battery life of a baby monitor varies greatly between models. You can expect a digital video baby monitor to have a lower battery life than an audio only option but you still need it to at least last the night. Some of the best baby monitors have low power modes that help to conserve battery life while still offering all the key features.
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Device Compatibility
You might consider a product or system that is compatible with other devices too such as your phone. As long as you are within range of the device, you can check in on your baby via your phone. Most of the top brands offer products that are compatible with two or more cameras and other devices. Multi-camera sets can offer great value for money if you have more than one young child.
Key Features
The best baby monitor for you will depend on a range of factors, below we have listed some of the key features that you may consider to be important for you:
Camera positioning
The best video baby monitor cameras include pan and tilt functions. The pan/ tilt video lets parents keep track of what is happening and find the best angle more easily. Some video monitors do not offer a wide angle meaning you may need to pan and tilt to get your baby in the shot.
If you need something more than the pan tilt video, look at installing more than one camera. Multi-camera systems can be very useful for covering larger areas and for keeping an eye on all of your kids.
Most pan/tilt cameras can simply be placed onto a changing table, bedside table, windowsill etc. Positioning the baby monitor onto a flat surface is the most common mount type. Some may also come with a clamp so you can attach the camera to the side of the cot, a nearby bookshelf etc. The best baby monitor position will depend on the room size and the room layout.
Sound Settings
One of the most important features on a baby monitor is its ability to pick up sound. An audio baby monitor should be able to pick up even very soft sounds. If the baby monitor uses radio frequency it may pick up other nearby signals which leads to interference (common interference is experienced from phones, microwaves and other baby monitors). To minimise this, some models let you select the frequencies.
Some of the best baby monitors in Australia use Digital Enhanced Cordless Communication (DECT) which offers a more private connection where interference is less common. These baby monitors may also work across wider distances making them better suited to larger homes.
Infrared Night Vision Camera
If you plan to use the video baby monitor during the evening and night make sure it comes with night vision. If the video baby monitor does include night vision, check the video quality too.
The video may be clear during the day but at night the image may not show necessary details which can be incredibly frustrating. To avoid this, choose a high quality video monitor that offers effective night vision capabilities.
Reading baby monitor reviews can be a great way to get an idea of how well the video monitors work at night.
Movement Monitor
Some of the best baby monitors include a movement monitor that alerts you if there has been no movement for a certain length of time. A movement monitor usually includes a sensor mat that is placed under the baby’s mattress to detect for movement. This is a premium feature that comes with a higher price tag but it can be good for peace of mind.
Battery Type
The top baby monitors use either a mains electric source or batteries. With some, you can plug the cord into a nearby outlet and have power as long as your house has electricity. Those that use batteries may rely on standard AA or AAA batteries or work with rechargeable batteries. Check the battery type of the unit you choose as if you will be using the baby monitor a lot you don’t want to be constantly buying new batteries.
Choosing a battery powered baby monitor ensures the product will last during an electric outage as your baby sleeps. You may want to look at how long the batteries last and how long it takes to charge them too.
Baby Monitor Modes
Depending on the baby monitor you choose, there are a few different modes you should be able to make use of. These include:
Two Way Communication
Two way talk is one of the best features as it lets you use the baby monitor like it’s a walkie talkie. You will be able to hear your baby and you can speak into the parent monitor to soothe your baby even if you’re not in the room. The two way communication walkie talkie set up can also be handy for speaking to someone else who is in the room with the baby e.g. a babysitter or partner.
Indicator Lights
The baby monitor should have indicator lights that alert you when your baby is making noise. Being able to see the sound on the display rather than hearing it can be useful in a range of situations. Some models have different colours or displays to indicate the intensity of the crying too.
The unit should also have a low battery indicator light so you know when it needs to be plugged in and recharged. Equally, the monitor should tell you if the units have stopped communicating. Any indicator lights should be clearly labelled and easy to understand.
Lullaby Mode
Some baby monitors have the ability to play lullabies or white noise to help your little one settle and fall back to sleep. You can usually choose the sound and adjust the volume from the parent unit.
Nightlight
Other common features include a nightlight that can help to soothe a baby if they wake up during the night. A baby monitor with a built-in nightlight is convenient as you can turn the nightlight on/ off as needed from the parent unit. This reduces the disturbance caused by going into the baby’s room to turn a nightlight on or off.
Room Temperature Monitor
Many baby monitors also have a temperature sensor to monitor the baby’ s room, you should be able to set upper and lower limits. This means you will be alerted in the temperature of the baby’ s room rises above or falls below the set parameters. The temperature display helps you keep your little one comfortable during the night.
