One of the first gifts we ask for when we are going to be parents is a baby monitor, it will help us to keep the children under control when they are sleeping and we know that everything is fine. But to choose the best baby cameras it is important to take into account a series of aspects and functions that will make it much more complete and interesting. If you don’t know where to start, we have compiled some of the best baby monitors or baby surveillance cameras .
There really is no difference between a baby monitor in use and a video surveillance camera with WiFi. Baby monitors have long consisted of two devices: a camera and a connected screen from which to see the child at all times, control noise or even speak to him. But there are already many models on the market that we can control with our mobile phone or that add other functions such as control of the lights in the room, temperature, etc.
What to look at?
The classic baby monitors had a microphone on one device and a speaker on another, so you could hear if the child was crying. Also more modern models incorporated a camera and a screen from which to control everything. Issue? We have to have that screen. Advantages of the mobile phone? You can control it from different phones, any of the parents, etc. We review some factors that you should pay attention to when choosing cameras for babies.
- Camera or not. Oddly enough, some baby monitors do not have a camera. In 2020, it is recommended that you bet on baby cameras instead of just microphones to listen if you cry. We can have more control over whether the child has woken up or not or simply has a nightmare, for example.
- Camera quality. This is essential because it will be the foundation of everything else. Make sure that the camera is of quality so that the image is completely clear and also make sure that it has infrared to be able to see at night if there are no lights on in the room.
- Bidirectional communication. You can talk to the baby through the camera to calm him down or you can put music or whatever you want from the other side.
- Wireless. It will be better an option that you do not have to have plugged in although this section will depend on the use of each one or the disposition of the home in question. You can easily place it in another bedroom, for example.
- Sleep mode. Sleep mode is very interesting if they don’t work plugged in. In the event of being disconnected from the current, a “sleep mode” prevents the battery from draining quickly.
- Monitor type . There are options that include your own monitor and others that allow you to control the camera through an application on your mobile phone. It is more practical to control the baby monitor from an application than from your own screen. For example, in case you want to see it from the office while another person is in charge at home. Or simply because it will be easier for you to do so.
- Coverage: If you do not go through applications or WiFi connection, check the coverage or the range of the camera in case the house is too big or if there are several floors and it is lost from one to another.
- Security: If the images work through an application or similar, check the security of the surveillance camera you are going to use.
- Camera remote control: Many of today’s security cameras allow you to move through a mobile phone or other device. This can be very useful to move around the room and have a complete view of everything. In addition, they also allow zooming.
- Other sensors: There are video surveillance cameras that are also capable of detecting the humidity level in the room or controlling the temperature.
- Warnings and alarms: Some of the baby cameras have warnings and alerts in case of detecting movement, for example.
Applications
Not only can you use the device while your child is a baby, it also makes sense to do it much later even if he no longer sleeps in the crib or cries at night, when he is a teenager or even for many more uses in case you bet on security cameras that fulfill the function of surveillance cameras for babies. Some of its advantages are that they have a remote control and you can keep an eye on the house when you are away, but you can also control what the children do while they play and you are cooking, for example.
They can also be useful if you are traveling and want to have everything under control. Or if you are going out to dinner or you are going to be away from home for a couple of hours and you want to make sure that your pets are fine and nothing has happened at home.
Philips Avent
Philips Avent is one of the best known baby brands and you can find plenty of classic baby surveillance cameras or sound baby monitors just if you want something uncomplicated but trustworthy. You can find from the most basic, simply with sound and ambient light for the baby, to a more complete monitor such as the Baby Monitor SD630 / 01 with a 3.5-inch LCD screen, with a range of 300 meters, with sensor and temperature register and of course with night vision. It has a price of around 170 euros and is a specialized product for babies, with easy handling and without complications. What are the drawbacks? You will depend on the scope and you will depend on the monitor itself to control it. The advantage is that it is a specialized and trusted brand in the children’s sector.
Xiaomi Mi Home Security
Xiaomi‘s is not one of the best surveillance cameras for babies as such because it is not a camera for babies but a security and video surveillance camera . But it will make you the function you want and offers you great quality at a good price without complications and with all the details. It has infrared LED lights for night vision mode, it has a quality video resolution at 720p and 360-degree rotation that avoids blind spots so that we can move around the room and check everything. In addition, you can install it on a piece of furniture but also on the ceiling in case you want to fix it in a room at all times.
The Xiaomi camera is one of the best options if you are looking for quality at a good price, it is simple and has all the advantages you may need for less than 40 euros. In addition, it is controlled through the Xiaomi Mi Home application so you can install it on the mobile phone you want or on the tablet to control everything.
Availand
Availand is a company dedicated to surveillance cameras for babies and baby monitors . Like Philips, it is a specialized model that includes the monitor and the camera. Through the monitor you can have a very interesting control since it has options to move horizontally or vertically around the room or includes a function capable of automatically following the baby so that it always appears on the screen. This can be interesting in case you are going to use it with slightly older babies if you are not in the room at the moment. It has night vision, a 3.5-inch screen and has two-way communication so you can communicate with the child.
Some of the extra features included are temperature warning with sensors or lullabies that you can automatically activate to remotely relax the child. The range is about 30 meters so you should not have problems inside the house but the drawback is that you will not be able to see it if you are outside.
Motorola
Beyond being one of the best-known brands of mobile phones, Motorola has an extensive catalog of quality baby monitors. There are many interesting models at a good price, such as the Motorola MBP-36SC that is around 150 euros and that has night vision, a color screen, Eco mode and two-way communication so that you listen clearly to the baby but also so that he listens to you. You can control the camera vertically and horizontally and it also has a remote zoom so you can get closer to see what happens if you have noticed something. It works with and without cables, with a long-lasting rechargeable battery that will make you not bother with plugs or chargers. And it also includes other cool features like temperature control or lullabies for remote playback.
Motorola Baby Comfort
Another recommended option is the Motorola Baby Comfort with a 5.0-inch full-color LCD screen and a remote control for the camera that will allow you to tilt it, activate night vision or control the zoom to find out what’s going on. It allows vertical and horizontal movements to control the entire room in thanks to the Pan-Scan system. Like the previous one, it has a microphone and a two-way speaker so that you can communicate with the child from a distance and reassure him. It also has temperature control in the baby’s room.
Logitech Circle 2
Another of the best video surveillance cameras that will serve you much more than as surveillance cameras for babies is the Logitech Circle 2. It is compatible with the interior to see how your son or daughter sleeps when he is a baby but when he grows up you can use it where and when you want because it has all kinds of functions, motion detection, a wide catalog of accessories and allows you to shoot 1080p videos. In order not to miss a thing, it has a 180-degree wide-angle lens and you can see everything with any mobile or tablet because it is compatible with Android, iOS, Alexa or Google Chromecast devices.
One of the main advantages of the Logitech Circle 2 is that you can bet on the wireless version without cables to place it wherever you want and with a rechargeable battery, although you will also find a version with a cable of up to three meters so you can plug it in wherever you want. It is one of the best cameras for babies if you want to have recording quality from your mobile phone but also when you no longer have babies and want to give it a more complete use.
D-Link DCS 8200LH
The D-LINK camera is one of the best in terms of quality if you have a good budget to spend on baby surveillance cameras . Like the Logitech or the Xiaomi camera, it will not only be useful to control the smallest of the house but it is the perfect complement to monitor security when you are not. It has an angle of 180 degrees in horizontal vision and 120 degrees of vertical vision so you can move freely to know where everything is and have exhaustive control of everything that happens.
It has night vision in case there is no light and it connects with other brand devices so not only can you know if there is a problem but it also has notifications in case of detecting movement, smoke detector or emails that will warn you of problems .
