Best baby monitors: audio, smart and video options tested

Our Best Buy recommendations will help you to avoid buying a baby monitor that cuts out or lacks basic security to keep strangers from hacking into your child's video feed.

The best baby monitors revealed by our tests include audio and video devices, as well as smart wi-fi models that connect to your phone. There are options to suit every budget and need.

The best baby monitors from our tests

Only logged-in Which? members can view the baby monitor test results below. 

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The baby monitors we tested

 All the baby monitors we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best baby monitors from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Babysense 5.5” 1,080p Full HD Split Screen 

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights

Hubble Nursery Pal Essentials

Most recently tested February 2024

Type Video 

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, two-way talk-back

Hubble Nursery Pal Glow+

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF1911

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, 13 channels, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF2413

Most recently tested December 2022

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF2936FHD

Most recently tested September 2024

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature, sound-sensitive lights, 13 channels, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF815HD

Most recently tested February 2023

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 13 channels, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF915HD

Most recently tested February 2023

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

LeapFrog LF920HD

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

Maxi Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor

Most recently tested March 2024

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, two-way talk-back

See our round-up of the best stair gates to find out which ones are secure, safe and easy to install and use

Nooie Cam 360

Most recently tested June 2020

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know No parent unit, no features

Tommee Tippee Dreamview Audio and HD Video Baby Monitor

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, two channels, two-way talk-back

VTech DM1212

Most recently tested March 2024

Type Audio

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 10 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech RM5754HD

Most recently tested April 2022

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 13 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech RM7766

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 13 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech RM7767HD

Most recently tested February 2024

Type Video

Wi-fi? Yes

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech VM3254

Currently only available for £45 from Argos.

Most recently tested October 2021

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech VM3263

Most recently tested September 2024

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech VM5463

Most recently tested April 2022

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

VTech VM7367HD

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights

VTech VM819

Most recently tested October 2024

Type Video

Wi-fi? No

Need to know Lullabies, temperature display, sound-sensitive lights, 32 channels, two-way talk-back

How we test baby monitors

Our extensive, independent testing reveals the monitors that have the longest battery life and the best signal, and weeded out the models where the sound quality is so poor or the picture so fuzzy that you won't be able to tell if your baby needs you or not. We assessed each model on the following:

• Sound and picture quality  We assess how clear and distinct the sound is, and check for any crackles, fuzziness or interference from other devices. We also scrutinise the video pictures to weed out the video models that are blurred or unclear. 
• Signal range We noted the quality of signal, picture and sound as we moved away from the baby unit through three rooms, recording when the signal, picture and sound started to deteriorate and when it's lost altogether. In the indoors-to-outdoors assessment, we took the parent-unit part of the monitor outside and walked as far as possible until the quality of reception and range declined, or was lost – useful if you have a large garden and plan to be out there while your baby takes a nap.
• Security We check whether the baby monitor has strong security protections to fend off hackers and whether your sensitive data, such as video feeds, is safely encrypted. We also assess if the camera and app securely store your videos or images and how easily you're able to delete your data from the monitor if you want to sell it or pass it on. If we find any issues with privacy or security, we immediately flag these to the manufacturer. 
• Battery life Our tests show that some battery-life claims are different from real-life use. We measure how long the batteries last before they need recharging. We think a decent battery pack should last the whole evening, from baby's bedtime until you go to bed yourself – so the best baby monitors won't need to recharge their batteries until you're recharging yours.
  

We regularly revisit the baby monitors on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do. 

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

3 key baby monitor considerations

• Picture and sound quality Although you won't be watching Netflix on your baby monitor, you'll want to be able to see and hear your baby clearly. The best baby monitors will have smooth, steady video quality on a parent unit and/or app, and well-produced sound will help you tell a snuffle from a full-on cry.
• Battery life and range If the baby monitor has a parent unit, you'll want its battery to last a full evening to maximise convenience. When moving it around the house or garden while your baby sleeps, it must always get a steady signal without dropping out.
• Convenience All baby monitors are fully tested for how easy they are to set up and use. We also look at how convenient they are, in terms of well-designed parent units and useful apps to download to your phone. Good models will have useful features such as room-temperature sensors and sound-sensitive lights.

Could my baby monitor get hacked?

A wi-fi video baby monitor, also known as smart video baby monitor, comes with a camera and a corresponding app. Unlike standard video or audio monitors, you can check in on your baby remotely using your smartphone, tablet or, in some cases, your computer. Smart baby monitors are a useful bit of kit to own, as you can look at your little one wherever you are, as long as you have a good wi-fi connection.

However, if the manufacturer hasn't built proper security features in the baby monitor, it could also get hacked and pose a risk to your privacy and security. 

Any product that is connected to the internet without proper security, including a baby monitor, could in theory be hacked by someone with malicious intent. The likelihood of it happening is thankfully still relatively low, but there are disturbing stories of baby monitors being hacked by strangers who are then able to project their voice through the monitor's speaker. Additionally, footage from hacked baby monitors has ended up on rogue websites, enabling strangers to watch it.

5 tips to keep your baby monitor safe from hackers

Hackers tend to crawl the web to find unsecured cameras and then exploit them. They may do this for criminal gain, or just for kicks; either way, you can protect yourself from this . 

If you've got a baby monitor that can be used over the internet, or one that updates data to the cloud or any third-party site, here's how to keep it as secure as possible:

1. Set strong passwords Set up your camera with a strong password that isn't a repeat of any that you've used elsewhere. Do not use any default passwords supplied with the baby monitor, as they may already be known to hackers. Make sure your home wi-fi router has a strong password, too. 
2. Two-factor authentication Make sure you go the default settings and activate all of the security features available to you, including two-factor authentication if it is available. This is a useful extra layer of security.
3. Run updates Check for any security software updates for the camera and app regularly and make sure to install them. In some cases, you can enable updates to run automatically.
4. Take care with what you share Turn off the remote access to your baby monitor if you don't need it. Don't leave it open as a little eye in the room when it's not being used.
5. Demand better security Don't be afraid to contact the retailer or manufacturer to check about the security of a device you are considering. Find out more about how to pick a smart device that lasts. 

Can I use a second-hand baby monitor?

In our 2024 survey of 3,030 parents, nearly a third told us their old baby monitor was given as a gift to family/friends (16%), donated to charity (8%) or sold on a second-hand marketplace (6%). 

As long as they're in working order, there's nothing wrong with saving money by receiving or buying a second-hand audio or video baby monitor.

With smart baby monitors, you need to be a bit more careful. Make sure the previous owner has fully deleted their information and account access before you take ownership of the product. 

Also, smart monitors are only supported by the manufacturer for a certain period of time. Do your research before buying, including contacting the company to see if the model you're considering is still supported, and for how long. 

Our survey also showed that 8% of parents disposed of their baby monitor by putting it in the bin. If you aren’t able to donate or sell your baby monitor, please be sure to check whether your local recycling centre accepts devices like baby monitors to avoid it going straight into landfill.