Why Choose a Video Baby Monitor?

When choosing the right baby monitor for your baby or toddler, the wide range of products and features available can feel overwhelming. One of the biggest differences between baby monitors is whether they include a camera. A video baby monitor lets you not only hear your child but also see what they are doing, which many new parents find especially reassuring. Below, we take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of video baby monitors.

Advantages of a Video Baby Monitor

We have gathered some of the most common reasons parents give for choosing a baby monitor with a camera.

• The freedom to be in another room while your baby sleeps and still feel confident that everything is okay. A live video feed provides extra peace of mind and can make you feel as though you are right beside your baby. You can check their movements whenever you wish instead of having to rely on sound alone.
• When you hear a sound through the monitor, you can quickly check the screen to see whether your baby needs you or is simply making noises in their sleep. Without video, you may end up going into the room unnecessarily and disturbing your little one’s sleep. We all know how important good sleep is for both your child and for giving parents time to rest or get other things done.
• A baby who is at risk of choking or suffocation may not always make a sound. With a camera, you can visually check whether your baby appears to be in difficulty and needs immediate attention. Babies and toddlers can also be surprisingly quiet while moving around, so a video feed allows you to check on them easily whenever needed.
• Sound alone does not always tell you whether your child is safe or needs attention. With an audio-only baby monitor, you may hear some rustling followed by silence without knowing exactly what happened. Your baby may simply have rolled over in their sleep, or they may have become positioned awkwardly against bedding or another item in the cot and need a parent to check on them.
• Sometimes children sleep in their parents’ bed, where there may be a risk of falling. With a video baby monitor, you can see when your child wakes up even if they do not make a sound.
• Pets in the home – a camera lets parents see whether a pet has entered the baby’s sleeping area, helping them keep a closer eye on the sleeping environment.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Video Baby Monitor?

Being able to see your child can provide valuable peace of mind, but there are also a few disadvantages worth considering before making a purchase.

• Video baby monitors are generally more expensive than basic audio-only models. This is because the camera and display components add to the cost. If your budget is very limited, a simple audio baby monitor may be the more practical choice. An audio monitor can still be a useful option if a video model is outside your budget.
• With audio-only monitors, both the baby unit and parent unit can often run on batteries, whereas video baby monitor cameras generally need to remain connected to a power source. A power bank can be a useful alternative when you want to place the camera farther away from a wall socket. The parent monitor itself is usually battery-powered and does not need to remain plugged in continuously.
• The parent monitor’s battery usually lasts for less time than that of a basic audio-only monitor. Displaying live video uses more power, so the battery naturally drains faster. Many video baby monitors, however, include a power-saving or VOX mode where the screen activates only when sound is detected by the camera. This can significantly extend battery life.
• Some cameras offer poor video quality, making it difficult to see what your child is doing. We recommend choosing a monitor that provides a high-resolution, clear image so you can see important details more easily.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Our recommendation is to choose a video baby monitor whenever possible, as the live video feed provides much more information about your child than an audio-only monitor. It can also give parents extra peace of mind and make it easier to enjoy some well-deserved time to themselves while their little one is resting.