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New parents, here’s a tip: You might not need a baby monitor, since a healthy, hungry baby can shriek in tones piercing enough to bend metal. Nevertheless, baby monitors can provide high-quality audio and crystal-clear videostreams from the camera directly to a separate device like a smartphone or tablet. This means you can move freely around the house while keeping a close eye on the baby as they sleep or play contentedly in their crib.
We’ve tested baby monitors ranging from Wi-Fi-powered to radio-based and even audio-only, and consider the design, features, and picture and audio quality to figure out which ones are worth buying. These are the best baby monitors that can keep a watchful eye on your bundle of joy.
Be sure to check out our other baby gear guides, including the Best Strollers, Best Breast Pumps, Best Baby Gear, and Best Baby Carriers.
Updated March 2024: We’ve added the Nanit Pro Monitor as a new pick and the Maxi-Cosi See Pro 360°. We’ve also added new details on how we test baby monitors.
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Adrienne So contributed to this guide.
Emily Peck is a journalist with 20-plus years of experience writing about interiors, food, well-being, gardens, technology, and everything in between. She has held in-house positions at the BBC and Ideal Home magazine, and regularly contributes to WIRED, GQ, The Telegraph, Livingetc, Techradar and GoodtoKnow.