Baby Video Monitor Review

Video baby monitors serve as an extra pair of ears and eyes that allow you to keep close tabs on your sleeping baby. While most parenting experts say they aren't usually necessary, many new and seasoned parents find them reassuring and are willing to pay considerably more than conventional baby monitors for the peace of mind brought by the best video baby monitors. Baby safety monitors are also particularly useful if you have a child who has a health or medical issue that requires constant supervision. We found many excellent products but were especially impressed with Summer Infant BestView Handheld Color Video Monitor, Levana Safe n'See Digital Video Baby Monitor and the Summer Infant Day&Night Handheld Color Video Monitor.

Video Baby Monitors: What to Look For

There is a wide array of video baby monitors to choose from, all vastly ranging in cost, design and functional features. To help you choose the right one for your needs, we've identified several key factors to help you compare the best baby video monitors available.

Features
We rated the capabilities and special functions of video baby monitors that enhance usability and overall convenience. While the features can largely vary between monitors, we selected several of the most substantial features you'd find on the highest-performing monitors, including remote pan and scan capabilities, VOX mode and automatic channel scan. Other notable features we included in our side-by-side comparison are the maximum range of each monitor and whether it had audio-only mode and a video standby function.

Design
Design entails the build, aesthetics and physical functions of a particular monitor. For instance, on each monitor we reviewed, we took note of the frequency strength, its LCD screen size and the length of its battery life. We also assessed the general look and design of the monitors – whether they have a contemporary or outdated exterior and whether the camera units could seamlessly blend into a nursery. In terms of design, we found the best monitors are those that offer design that is attractive, convenient and versatile.

Sound Quality
One crucial aspect of video baby monitors is sound quality. We looked for monitors that offer high audio clarity with as little static as possible. A good monitor should also give you the ability to adjust the volume and the microphone sensitivity.

Picture Quality
Equally important as sound quality is picture quality. Infant video monitors are only as good as the picture they deliver; a monitor that yields poor picture quality is essentially useless and offers no more value than a traditional audio monitor.

Help & Support
Lastly, we took into consideration the warranty on each monitor and what kind of post-sale and installation customer service the manufacturer offered. For example, many manufacturers offer toll-free telephone numbers you can call if you have issues setting up your monitor or if you need to invoke the warranty.

Using the above criteria in our side-by-side comparisons and reviews, we've compiled a comprehensive lineup of the best baby video monitors on the market. For additional information (like the difference between analog and digital monitors), be sure to check out our articles on video baby monitors.

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