Best Baby Monitors of 2018

Nothing in the world is more precious than a baby, but it is a time of life when we are at our most vulnerable. Baby monitors are fantastic ways to ensure the safety of little ones while you are in another room, extending your vision and ears around the house. These days, baby monitors are smart home devices that connect with other hardware such as smartphones and tablets.
As is usually the case, some video baby monitors are better than others, even if on the surface they boast similar features. While excellent monitors cost around $200, there are certainly noteworthy products available for a fraction of that price. Some features customers should look for include two-way audio, high resolution video, pan and tilt functions, motion sensing, and night vision.
The truth is, no single solution is perfect and it is worth considering your individual needs and budget when looking for a baby monitor. We have tested a selection of video baby monitors to find the very best available today, from high-featured hardware to basic low-cost solutions that are still effective.

1. Infant Optics DXR-8

A relatively new name in the baby monitoring market, Infant Optics is aiming to stand out from the crowd with the DXR-8. While this is an all-round solid monitor, it has a couple of core features that make it an interesting product in its own right.
The first unique feature is an optical zoom lens, which sounds like a gimmick but is actually a very useful addition to a baby monitor. Some rooms are big, so the 2x zoom lens means the monitor can be further away and still deliver a high-quality image. Having a good viewing angle is critical; we love the interchangeable lens of the DXR-8.
With a different lens, parents can benefit from a wide-angle view and control different zoom patterns. We also like the temperature gauge which ensures the room is comfortable. Standard baby monitor features like two-way audio and a 3.5-inch color LCD screen closed-system are also on board.
Price: $195.00
Our Rating: 9 / 10

2. iBaby Monitor M6S

Thanks to the rise of mobile and connected technology, baby monitors have been able to integrate with smartphones and become connected to home devices. While all leading monitors have smart features these days, the iBaby M6S is probably the best we have tested when it comes to seamlessly integrating technology.
The funky-looking M6S boasts motion- and sound-activated recording, and it can also double as a Bluetooth speaker of sorts. Users can play their own music through the device as well as pre-programed lullabies. This means babies who can only nod off to their parents’ voices can listen to a recorded message through the M6S.
When motion or sound is detected, the camera will take a 15-second clip or snapshot that is saved to be viewed later. Therefore, this is an excellent feature for post-sleep monitoring of child sleep patterns.
Price: $134.00
Our Rating: 9 / 10

3. Netgear Arlo Baby

Yes, Netgear’s Arlo Baby is very cute – it is a perfect accompaniment for a little one’s room. However, it is also a well featured, modern, and functional video baby monitor. Cutesy looks aside, the Netgear Arlo Baby is a capable device thanks to its super-sharp video quality that connects directly to a smartphone or tablet. It also has the best night vision capabilities we tested, with the ability to record video (night and day) in 1080p full HD resolution.
This is a smart home device at heart, so it creates a connected experience where you can perform several tasks through an easy-to-use app. For example, users can control temperature, monitor air quality, and play lullabies through the, admittedly low-quality, on-board speakers. One drawback is the need to manually position the camera, while the notification system has a bit of a lag for accessing the video.
Price: $199.00
Our Rating: 8 / 10

4. VTech VM991 Safe & Sound

The main reason to opt for the VTech VM991 Safe & Sound monitor is because it provides a hybrid solution and has its own portable 5-inch touchscreen monitor. It also works through a smartphone application. However, for that 2-in-1 capability, customers will need to pay a lot of money as the VTech VM991 is an expensive monitor.
Despite the cost, the device is solidly spec’d, with mechanical pan and tilt for its 720p camera and event-triggered recording. The VM991 Safe & Sound monitor was comfortably the easiest baby monitor to set up, although it would occasionally drop its Wi-Fi connection. When connected, the image quality was excellent. Even though other devices can push out 1080p resolution, this is capped to 720p.
Price: $259.99
Our Rating: 8 / 10

5. Babysense Video Baby Monitor

Not all of the best baby monitors of 2018 are expensive, especially because some parents just want a simpler monitor that is affordable and functional. In terms of budget products, the Babysense Video Baby Monitor is our favorite, and a snip at just $74.99.
Certainly, connected devices bring amazing features to a baby monitor, but some customers are worried about privacy. There are no such concerns with the Babysense Video Baby Monitor as it does not use a wireless connection to work. Instead, this is a good old-fashioned radio monitor that just so happens to be sprinkled with modern features.
For example, this affordable monitor comes with a 2.4-inch color screen and two-way audio that works from nearly 1,000 feet away. Other solid features include night vision, temperature monitoring, 2x zoom, and voice activation. Some higher end features, such as mechanical pan and tilt, are missing.
Price: $74.99
Our Rating: 8 / 10

6. Withings Smart Baby Monitor

Withings has made a name for itself through the smart home, connected device market. It’s no surprise, then, that the company expanded to smart baby monitors with an excellent product. Compact and very functional, the Withings Smart Baby Monitor comes with plenty of sensors and good hardware.
It’s clear form the design that Withings is channeling Apple, which of course is no bad thing. Ergonomic and sleek, the Smart Baby Monitor looks fantastic. It is well featured with high-end standards such as temperature alerts and motion sensing. Regarding the latter, there were instances of the monitor missing motion during the night.
We like the quality of the ‘push to talk’ mode, but we were disappointed with the limited number of lullabies available. Only seven are included, without the ability to play songs from a device through the monitor.
Price: $249.95
Our Rating: 7 / 10

Most of the top rated baby monitors in our list come with an enviable array of features, including extra tools like motion sensing, pan and tilt, and night vision in 1080p. From budget to high-end, we wanted to find the best baby monitors of 2018 which will suit all parents. With these products, you can have that extra peace of mind and protection for your baby night and day. Keep in mind that in our modern world of technology you will definitely need a reliable parental control software in the near future.