Baby monitors are a great invention that can give you peace of mind that your baby is resting comfortably when you can’t be near them. You can place a transmitter in your baby’s nursery (that may or may not have a camera attached) that can alert you, via a parent unit or receiver, from a distance, when your baby makes any noise. Then you are able to freely move about your home and complete other tasks while your baby rests.

Transmitters with video, and not just an audio function, won’t allow you to see your baby in its room, which could be nice if it’s an abnormally long nap for your baby and you want to make sure they’re still OK. The VTech Video Baby Monitor is a solid choice for a parent who wants to keep ears and eyes on a sleeping baby from elsewhere in the home.

What to know before you buy a VTech baby monitor

Type of baby monitors

There are three different types of baby monitors available on the market currently. The one you choose depends on the level of monitoring you wish to do.

Audio monitors will relay sound from your baby’s nursery to you via a transmitter. These will most likely be your least expensive option. Then there are video baby monitors, which transmit both audio and video to you via a handheld video receiver so you are able to hear and see your baby moving in their nursery.

Lastly, there are wireless network monitors that transmit from a camera in your baby’s nursery to an app on your phone or laptop. All three types are solid options for being able to keep ears (and sometimes eyes) on your baby from afar.

Power source

Some baby monitors are battery-operated while others plug into your electrical outlets. If you choose a wireless network monitor, the image and sound from your baby’s nursery will be transmitted directly to your phone or laptop. When considering baby monitors, it is important to determine which power source you want to use. Batteries can run out frequently and be expensive to replace, but cords on wired cameras and monitors can be hazardous with young kids around, and items that have to be plugged in won’t work during power outages. Consider the pros and cons of each before making your selection.

Two-way communication

It can be nice, when your baby starts to wake up from a nap and fuss, to soothe them with the sound of your voice while you make your way to their nursery. Some baby monitors feature two-way communication, which allows you to transmit your voice through your receiver to your baby and let them know you are on your way.

VTech baby monitor features

Soothing noises and lullabies

Sometimes babies have a hard time falling asleep at night, or simply need to hear some gentle noise if they wake up in the middle of the night. Some VTech baby monitors feature sound machine options that might help calm your baby and aid in falling asleep more easily.

Night light

Baby monitors can sometimes sub in for a night light if they have a light function and illuminate your baby’s room at night. The night light feature can help you more easily navigate your baby’s nursery in the dark for easier diaper changes or nighttime feedings.

Temperature sensor

Some baby monitors come with built-in thermometers that can let you know if the baby’s nursery gets above or below your designated temperature settings so you can keep your baby comfortable.

VTech baby monitor cost

Baby monitors vary in cost depending on how many features and add-ons you choose with your system. A VTech baby monitor will cost you as little as $35 or as much as $150 depending on which model you select.

VTech baby monitor FAQ

Can a VTech baby monitor be hacked?

A. Unfortunately, most baby monitors are able to be hacked. But, baby monitors that are not connected to WiFi are harder to hack than those that are connected to WiFi. If you are worried about your baby monitor being hacked, you may want to consider a closed-circuit baby monitor that does use WiFi.

When should you stop using a baby monitor?

A. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but many suggest that you may want to stop having a camera in your child’s bedroom around the age of four. At this point children might start to want privacy in their bedrooms, and they are likely able to wake themselves at night and tell you if they need something.

Which VTech baby monitor should you get?

Best of the best VTech baby monitor

VTech Video Baby Monitor: available at Amazon

Our take: This simple yet effective baby monitor is ready to be used right out of the box and will be easy on your wallet.

What we like: In addition to monitoring your baby from afar, you can talk to your baby with the two-way audio on this baby monitor. You can also play your baby soothing sounds and lullabies on the transmitter in your baby’s nursery.

What we dislike: Some users complain that the parent receiver dies frequently and the batteries need to consistently be replaced.

Best bang for your buck VTech baby monitor

VTech Safe & Sound Digital Monitor: available at Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond

Our take: Highly affordable, this VTech baby monitor costs less than $40 and comes with two parent units.

What we like: Featuring a night light for your baby’s nursery and adjustable sound sensitivity on the nursery, this baby monitor allows you to talk to your baby with two-way audio and adjust the levels at which the unit detects sound.

What we dislike: This baby monitor does not offer video monitoring.

Honorable mention VTech baby monitor

VTech Smart WiFi Baby Monitor: available at Amazon

Our take: Monitor your baby from anywhere with the included parent receiver as well as smart device capability.

What we like: You can swivel the camera remotely in your baby’s nursery to give you a full view of what’s happening in the room. There are also temperature and motion alerts so you can be made aware of your baby’s movements and comfort in the nursery.

What we dislike: Some users complain that they had a hard time connecting this baby monitor to their Wifi. Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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