The Best Video Baby Monitors, According to Parents Who've Tried Them

checked mark Fact-Checked by Christine Gordon
Updated: April 14, 2023
best baby video monitors

While bedtime and naptime can be great opportunities for parents to relax or check things off the to-do list, it can be nerve-wracking to leave your baby alone in another room.

Setting up a video baby monitor near your little one’s crib or bed is a great way to feel at ease while doing other things as your baby catches up on her Zzzs. “A crying baby in the night can unnerve parents, and seeing the child visually completes the story and provides that extra level of safety,” explains Robert Hamilton, M.D., a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

Types of video baby monitors

There are a few different types of video baby monitors on the market. Ultimately, any style can be effective for helping you do a quick visual check on your cutie, Hamilton points out. The right one for you and your family will depend on your lifestyle, budget and a few other factors. Video baby monitors can be categorized into two basic categories:

  • Smartphone monitors. Smartphone monitors send video and audio footage of your little one to an app on your smartphone, so that you can watch your baby from wherever you are, whether that be a room away or a continent away. These are great for parents who want to be able to keep an eye on their little one even when they’re on the go.
  • Handheld monitors. Handheld devices are probably what comes to mind when you think of a traditional baby monitor. You position a camera near the baby’s crib or in the nursery, and you can watch her from a handheld device that can be taken to another room. These monitors are especially great for when a babysitter or grandparent takes care of your little one, thanks to the ease of being able to watch baby from a simple handheld receiver rather than needing to download an app.

Choosing the best video baby monitor

All baby video monitors are equipped with different features and functions. Most monitors probably won’t check off every single box, but here are a few features that parents in the What to Expect community recommend looking for when shopping for a baby monitor:

  • Two-way audio
  • A secure connection (whether that be over WiFi or a remote signal)
  • High-resolution camera
  • High-resolution monitor screen (if purchasing a handheld model)
  • Option to add more cameras, particularly if you think you’ll have another child soon
  • Night vision
  • Camera pan and tilt abilities
  • Alerts for when baby wakes up or makes noise
  • Easy installation features (like a clip or simple wall mount)
  • Temperature display
  • Pre-installed lullabies or white noises, if desired

Some parents also enjoy advanced features like sleeping insights that come with a smartphone monitor. Just keep in mind that, while lots of extras might sound great, they can also make a monitor more complicated to use. “Reliability and usability are the operative words,” Dr. Hamilton says.

Hamilton also points out that lots of bells and whistles might make it easier to become too reliant on your monitor to tell you if something is off with your child. So even if you have a monitor with tons of cool features, remember that ultimately, you know your baby best. There’s no substitute for a parent’s intuition!

A quick note on monitors and safety

You should always mount the monitor camera at least three feet away from the crib, never inside or on the edge of the crib, according to guidelines from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). (And keep in mind that your monitor position may need to change again as your baby gets older and becomes more mobile.) Make sure any cords or wires are well outside of your baby’s reach too.

Finally, while a monitor can be a helpful tool, it’s not a substitute for smart sleep practices and parental supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you always place your baby to sleep on her back and keep all other objects — including pillows, blankets, bumpers and plush toys — out of the crib. And never rely on your monitor to supervise your baby when she’s awake. The AAP also states that there is no clear research that says that sleep apnea monitors and monitors that track your baby’s breathing will help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Some monitors on the list below do track baby's breathing and heart rate, but we are recommending them because they are otherwise good products parents can rely on to monitor their babies as they sleep — not for those features specifically.

How we made our picks for the best video baby monitors

We sought out monitors that delivered on functionality, reliability and ease of use. We consulted with experts and listened to what members of the What To Expect community and our own editors love and have used themselves. The result: A list of high-quality baby monitors you can count on — that won’t prove frustrating to operate when your baby starts crying in the middle of the night and you want to peek in on him.

Ready to shop? The following options can help you choose the best video baby monitor for your family.

Price
Screen Size
Range
Temperature Monitoring
Two-Way Audio
Best Video Baby Monitor Overall
Best Video Baby Monitor Overall
Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor & Wall Mount
See More
Price
$299
Screen Size
N/A (works via app)
Range
N/A (works via Wifi)
Temperature Monitoring
Yes
Two-Way Audio
Yes
Easiest-to-Use Video Baby Monitor
Easiest-to-Use Video Baby Monitor
Eufy SpaceView Pro Baby Monitor
See More
$170
5 inches
Up to 1000 feet
Yes
Yes
Best Monitor for Multiple Cameras
Best Monitor for Multiple Cameras
Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro Video Baby Monitor
See More
$200
5 inches
Up to 1000 feet
Yes
Yes
Best Smart Video Baby Monitor
Best Smart Video Baby Monitor
Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor with Wall Mount Kit
See More
$399
N/A (works via app)
N/A (works via Wifi)
Yes
Yes
Most Affordable Video Baby Monitor
Most Affordable Video Baby Monitor
Anmeate Digital Wireless Video Monitor
See More
$75
2.4 inches
Up to 960 feet
Yes
Yes
Video Baby Monitor With the Best Zoom
Video Baby Monitor With the Best Zoom
Hello Baby HB65 Video Monitor
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$90
3.2 inches
Up to 1000 feet
Yes
Yes

Why Trust Us?

Best Video Baby Monitor Overall

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor & Wall Mount

Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor & Wall Mount
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$300
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$300
See Now Target
Target
$300
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$299
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Bed Bath & Beyond
$300
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Registry List:
Pros: Two-way audio, included night light, wall mount and floor stand included
Cons: On the expensive side, hard to adjust camera after mounting

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

This is the latest version of Nanit’s award-winning baby monitor, which checks off all the baby monitor must-haves and then some. It features two-way audio, smart sensors, a night light with gradual dimming and an upgraded 1080p HD camera equipped with night vision. And most recently, Nanit added the most requested feature its monitor: split screen functionality. This means you can view two cameras on the same screen at the same time — ideal for parents of two kids with two Nanit cams, since you can keep an eye on both little ones at once.

Parents can choose between propping up the camera with a wall mount or a floor stand, providing flexibility so that it works in any room. Either way, the camera is designed to be positioned over the crib and tuck cables away safely. (The downside is that once the camera is mounted, it’s difficult to adjust.)

While you’re monitoring baby via your smartphone, you can hear your little one even while using other apps or while your screen is locked, and you can also grant access to other family members or caregivers. Also cool: Parents can track insights such as how long baby has slept or how many times you visited them during the night through Nanit Insights, which is included for the first year.

Weight: 3 pounds

Dimensions: 10.25 x 6.5 x 4 inches

Range: N/A

Community Reviews

"We love our nanit! It was our splurge with our first two years ago and we still use it and are so happy with it!"

- kmdesisto

Easiest-to-Use Video Baby Monitor

Eufy SpaceView Pro Baby Monitor

Best Video Baby Monitors - Eufylife SpaceView Baby Monitor
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$170
See Now Target
Target
$170
See Now
Registry List:
Pros: Excellent video quality, no WiFi needed
Cons: Kickstand can be wobbly, no motion detection

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Though this relatively affordable video baby monitor boasts excellent video quality (even in night mode!) and a broad range. Worth noting: You don’t need WiFi to operate it since it works via a radio signal, making it a convenient choice if your WiFi is spotty or you tend to bring your monitor on the road.

Parents of multiples — or toddlers who share a room — love that the lens pans 330 degrees to capture all corners of a space, and can also tilt 110 degrees to see floor to ceiling. That’s not all this workhorse can do, though — it also comes equipped with five popular lullabies to help soothe a fussy baby. The Pro also boasts longer battery life (up to 12 hours use with the camera on) compared to the older SpaceView model. 

Best of all? It’s a durable, high-quality option that won’t get buggy or break down after several months of heavy use. 

Weight: 2.68 pounds

Dimensions: 9.25 x 8.27 x 5.39 inches

Range: Up to 1000 feet

Community Reviews

"We bought Eufy for our first baby and have been very happy. Going with the same this time around!"

- selizas

"We’ve been using our Eufy Spaceview for 18 months now. It’s been 100% reliable. Will continue to use it with #2."

- mruaya

Best Monitor for Multiple Cameras

Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro Video Baby Monitor

Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$218
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$200
See Now Target
Target
$200
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Registry List:
Pros: Interchangeable lenses, ability to add up to four cameras
Cons: Signal easily interrupted, some parents say the charging input loosens over time

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

The newer version of a 2023 What to Expect Award winner, the Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro can be used long after baby outgrows her crib, thanks to its interchangeable lens feature. Parents can swap lenses in and out to best suit what they want to monitor and how old their child is. For instance, the close-up lens provides a detailed view of your newborn, while the panoramic lens can show the entire room when your kiddo gets older. And the recently upgraded pro also offers better screen resolution, a larger display (5 inches) and a larger reception range.

Also good? This monitor can use up to four cameras, which is ideal for parents hoping to watch over multiple kids or rooms. Other features include temperature monitoring, camera tilt and pan capabilities, night vision, an alarm function and two-way audio. Some WTE community members say that the rechargeable lithium ion battery life shortens over time, but point out that it’s easy to buy a replacement battery.

Last but not least: The brand scores big points for customer service. When one WTE community member called to complain that her camera was acting funny after the warranty had ended, “after a five-minute conversation, they stated that they’d be sending me a replacement camera. I’m very pleased!”

Weight: 1 pound

Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 1 inches

Range: Up to 1000 feet

Community Reviews

"I picked the pro [over the older model]!! It’s not too much more cost wise but it has a bigger screen, better video quality and the biggest thing for me is the increased range! (1000ft vs 700ft)"

- mama30bear

Best Smart Video Baby Monitor

Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor with Wall Mount Kit

Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor with Wall Mount Kit
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$399
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$400
See Now Target
Target
$400
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$400
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Registry List:
Pros: Excellent video quality, two-way audio, WiFi and non-WiFi functionality
Cons: Expensive, some parents say the app can be glitchy

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

The Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor with Wall Mount Kit features two-way audio, night vision, WiFi connectivity (although it still works even when your internet connection is down), temperature and humidity monitoring, movement and sound detection, crypto security and a 1080-p HD camera. The Miku also has functionality designed to track baby's breathing and sleep patterns (although it's worth noting that we don't recommend buying a monitor for these features, since they haven't been proven to help reduce the incidence of SIDS).

Weight: 5.69 pounds

Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.8 x 5.25 inches

Range: N/A

Community Reviews

"We have the Miku for my 13 month old and LOVE it. We got it after trying 2 other monitors. I love that I can still hear the noise on my phone while I’m using other apps. I keep the app open on my phone all night and just leave my phone plugged in. Have never had issues with it. I also like that I can check on him while I’m at work."

- B.mama

Most Affordable Video Baby Monitor

Anmeate Digital Wireless Video Monitor

Anmeate video baby monitor
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$75
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Registry List:
Pros: Can connect several cameras, clear sound, more affordable price
Cons: Monitor battery life could be better, may drop connection sometimes

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

If you want a video monitor that doesn't connect to wifi and also comes with a lower price tag, look no further than the Anmeate Digital Wireless Video Monitor. It comes with all the standard features you'd want, like two-way talk, night vision, a high-resolution screen with 2x zoom, temperature monitoring, pan and tilt abilities, built-in lullabies and tabletop or wall mounting options. You can also play soft lullabies, and connect up to four cameras (nice if you have multiple kiddos). While it might not have every single top-notch bell and whistle, the much more affordable price makes this pick a great bang for your buck.

Weight: 15 ounces

Dimensions: 3.03 x 6.22 x 8.62 inches

Range: 960 feet

Community Reviews

"I have this one and really like it... We’ve been using it for 2 years with our daughter. It works great if you don’t want a wifi enabled monitor, which is what I wanted."

- WaitingOnARainbowMar22

"It’s simple, not crazy $, nice clear picture, easy to move somewhere and basically zero set up process!"

- babyJude2020

Video Baby Monitor With the Best Zoom

Hello Baby HB65 Video Monitor

Best Video Baby Monitors - Hello Baby HB65 Video Monitor
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$90
See Now
Registry List:
Pros: 2x zoom feature, excellent night vision
Cons: App can be buggy

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

The Hello Baby Video Monitor automatically adjusts to night vision when low light is detected. It can also rotate 355 degrees around and 120 degrees up and down, so it will work well in a playroom, too. 

Parents also love that one monitor can pair with up to four cameras and that the app provides real-time information on the temperature of baby’s room and the ability for two-way communication. You're also able to zoom in so you can get an up-close look at your baby while they sleep.

Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 4 inches 

Weight: 1.25 pounds

Range: N/A

Community Reviews

"I have the Hello Baby monitor and it's been great, our daughter is almost 2 and we've been using it since she was born. We can take the monitor outside and it still connects to the camera in her room, which I like. For this next baby we are planning to just buy an additional camera and we can toggle between the two on the monitor. I definitely recommend it, I wanted a simple and easy to use monitor and this has been perfect."

- sweetmarie85