We Tested the Best Baby Monitors of 2026

My kids are seven years apart, and a lot changed between when I first registered for a baby monitor and when I did it again for my second. I’d heard great things about the Nanit but was hesitant about relying solely on a WiFi monitor through my phone. I decided to try it—and I’m so glad I did. Over four years in, the Nanit is one of my favorite baby products and a product I consistently recommend. I’m not alone: almost a quarter of parents in our annual Most Loved Baby Products survey said it was their favorite monitor.

“I use the Nanit every single day and it makes my life so much easier. It gives me peace of mind and that is priceless as a first-time mama,” one parent told us in our survey. “It helped an anxious mom get some sleep. I recommend it to everyone,” another said.

The Nanit Pro tracks sleep, movement, vital stats and growth with a clear 1080p HD camera, all accessible via your phone. It’s easy to set up and intuitive to use. My two favorite features are sleep tracking through the Nanit Insights app—showing daily sleep stats, something I relied on heavily over the first year to help me establish a nap and nighttime schedule—and the Breathing Wear Band, which monitors breathing motion without sensors or a sock. (It's not a medical device, and not something I used regularly, but it did provide me with peace of mind during sick days or anxious nights.)

“I did not realize how much I would love the sleep data/dashboard,” one mom told us. “We love the ‘I fell asleep x number of hours/min ago’ function and cannot imagine not having it."

I love that I’m able to check in on my little one when I’m away from home or on a work trip. (The grandparents have also been known to do their fair share of baby spying.) Other highlights include expert-backed sleep guidance, two-way audio, white noise, temperature and humidity sensors and split-screen viewing for monitoring two kids (with a second camera, sold separately). I also love the app’s background audio and picture-in-picture features; they let me keep tabs on my baby while using other apps and don't drain my phone’s battery.

And brand-new to the Nanit lineup this year: a home display. This eight-inch touchscreen functions like a parent unit on a traditional baby monitor and allows you to skip your phone altogether (great for babysitters, visiting grandparents or if you'd simply rather see baby on a larger screen at home). You can buy the home display à la carte or as part of a bundle.

Worth noting:

• The Nanit is one of the most expensive baby monitors we tested, especially if you add a second camera, accessories or a subscription plan.

• Nanit Insights is included for the first year, but continued access to advanced sleep analytics and other premium features requires a paid subscription.

• While many parents love the sleep data and tracking features, some may find the amount of information more stressful than helpful.

• Unlike a traditional video monitor, the Nanit relies on a WiFi connection for remote viewing through the app.

Additional Specs

• Monitor Type: WiFi video, via smartphone; iOS and Android

• Range: No limit if connected to WiFi

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet; Phone acts as parent unit

• Mount: Wall, floor stand or table stand

In the seemingly endless sea of video baby monitors, this one stands out from the crowd. Simply put, it just works. It’s easy to set up and intuitive to use. The battery life, pan, tilt and zoom features and day + night camera quality are all 💯. And you can add up to four cameras, so you won’t have to invest in yet another monitor if or when you decide to add to your family.

“Momcozy is by far my favorite video monitor,” says Rebekah Kimminau, founder of The Baby Gear Consultant, who has tested nearly every video monitor on the market. “It stands out for its simple parent interface. The volume button is one-touch and in a great spot. The menus are super easy to navigate and the connection with the camera is immediate. The camera quality and night vision are some of the best of any non-WiFi monitors I’ve tried. And it has smooth remote rotation of the camera—there’s no delay between when you press the rotation button on the parent unit and when the camera actually moves, something that can be frustrating when using other video monitors.”

Another pro is the width of the parent unit. It’s thin—about the size of an iPhone—and fits easily in a pocket. As you move around the house toting your baby monitor with you as you go, this is a big deal. “Most other baby monitors at the same price point are kind of chunky,” explains Kimminau. 

Worth noting:

• Some parents wish the volume could go a bit higher, though this wasn't an issue during expert testing.

• Unlike some competitors, there's no split-screen mode, so you'll need to toggle between camera views when monitoring multiple children.

• If you'd like a larger screen and higher resolution, Momcozy's 5.5" Full HD Video Baby Monitor is worth considering as an upgrade.

Additional Specs:

• Monitor Type: Video

• Range: 960 ft

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet; Parent unit: electrical outlet or rechargeable battery

• Mount: Wall or table

Many families struggle with the "to WifFi or not to WiFi" debate when they're shopping for monitors. They love the ability to check in from anywhere, share access with caregivers and receive alerts on their phone, but worry about privacy, security or simply dealing with another app in their lives. The E21 solves that dilemma. It's a hybrid monitor, so you can switch between WiFi and local monitoring as needed.

Beyond its versatility, the E21 is packed with impressive hardware. Eufy monitors are known for their crisp picture quality, and this model takes things a step further with 4K UHD resolution, excellent night vision and a huge range of motion thanks to its 330-degree pan, 60-degree tilt and 8x zoom capabilities.

The unique portability is what really sets it apart, though. The monitor includes a charging base for the parent unit, and the camera itself can operate either plugged in or on battery power—a surprisingly rare feature in the baby monitor world. Whether you're moving it between rooms, taking it to a grandparent's house or bringing it along on vacation, it offers a level of flexibility you won't find in other baby monitors.

Worth noting:

• The app works well enough for occasional remote check-ins, but it isn't as polished or feature-rich as dedicated WiFi monitors like the Nanit. If you plan to rely heavily on app-based monitoring every day, a monitor designed primarily around the smartphone experience may be a better fit.

• The hybrid functionality and premium hardware come at a higher price point than many traditional video monitors.

Additional Specs:

• Monitor Type: WiFi + video hybrid

• Range: 1,000 ft

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet or battery; Parent unit: electrical outlet or charging station

• Mount: Wall, table, crib clamp

Leave it to enterprising parents to find a hack for everything. The Wyze, originally designed as a home surveillance camera, is used by tons of parents as a baby monitor. And with its easy setup, live HD streaming and incredibly affordable price tag, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a WiFi option at a fraction of the cost of the Nanit. “Why buy an expensive camera when a cheap Wyze camera does it all?” asked one Babylist parent.

The Wyze is controlled remotely via an app and can be shared by multiple family members. When used as a baby monitor, you can view the live stream in real-time or set up push notifications to alert you to motion and sound. (You can also adjust the sensitivities on these so you’re not being bombarded with a message every time your little one makes a move.) The camera has color night vision, simultaneous two-way audio and can pan, tilt and zoom. “I am able to peek at my boy from out of the house with both a visual and sound,” another parent told us. “It has excellent night vision since it is technically a security camera.”

You'll get free live streaming, motion detection and short cloud-stored video clips right out of the box with the Wyze; however, to access advanced features like continuous cloud recording and storage, a subscription to Wyze Cam Plus is required for $2.99/month or $29.99 per year.

Worth noting:

• Unlike many baby-specific monitors, the Wyze doesn't offer background audio, so live audio and video feeds only work when your phone is unlocked and the app is open.

• Features like continuous cloud recording and extended video storage require a Wyze Cam Plus subscription ($29.99/year or $2.99/month).

• If multiple caregivers need access, they'll need to download the app and be granted permission to view the camera.

• Some parents may have concerns about cloud-based video storage and connected-device security. Local storage via a microSD card is available as an alternative.

• In 2023, Wyze reported an incident in which a small number of users viewing cameras through a web browser briefly saw feeds belonging to other users. The company addressed the issue, but we recommend contacting Wyze directly if you have any concerns about your monitor’s security.

Additional Specs

• Monitor Type: WiFi video, via smart phone; iOS and Android

• Range: No limit if connected to WiFi

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet; Phone acts as parent unit

• Mount: Wall or table

Finding a reliable video monitor at a reasonable price can be challenging. This easy-to-use video-only monitor from Hello Baby is an affordable pick loved by thousands of parents for its price, features and functionality.

The two standout features of this baby monitor are ease of use and camera quality, both extra impressive considering the monitor’s price point. The user interface is straightforward and intuitive. (Many parents specifically call out that it’s especially grandparent-friendly.) The five-inch display offers a clear view of baby both during the day and at night, and the camera features a wide pan and tilt range and 2x zoom.

“I ended up liking this simple Hello Baby monitor more than the Eufy or other fancy WiFi monitors,” one parent said in our survey. “It’s easy to set up, use and even pack for travel,” added another. 

Other perks include two-way audio, room temperature monitoring, built-in lullabies and an audio-only power-saving mode, all adding great value at this price.

Worth noting:

• While battery life is generally solid, some parents report that the rechargeable parent unit's battery performance declines over time—a common issue with lower-priced video monitors.

• Some users wish the volume could go higher, particularly in larger homes or noisier environments.

• Video quality is impressive for the price, but it isn't as sharp or feature-packed as premium options.

• This monitor focuses on simplicity rather than advanced features, so you won't find app connectivity, remote viewing or smart sleep-tracking tools here.

Additional Specs:

• Monitor Type: Video

• Range: 1,000 ft

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet; Parent unit: electrical outlet or rechargeable battery

• Mount: Wall or table

Owlet helped pioneer the wearable baby monitor category, and it's still one of the most recognizable (and most popular) brands in the space. The system pairs a WiFi camera with the FDA-cleared Dream Sock, a wearable sensor that slips onto your baby's foot and monitors pulse rate and oxygen levels while they sleep. (If you’re curious what “FDA-cleared” actually means, this FDA-approved vs. FDA-cleared explainer breaks it down.) The sock also tracks sleep metrics like total sleep time, wakings and sleep quality, all through the Owlet Dream app.

While the user experience has steadily improved over the years (this current iteration is Gen 3), reviews on the Owlet are still mixed. That's because there's a bit of a gap between the value of what the monitor offers and how it often delivers.

"The best part of using the Owlet is the heart rate and oxygen level monitoring," shared one of our testers. "I truly can’t imagine not having that feature, and I plan to use the Dream Sock until it no longer fits my baby," she said. "The peace of mind the Owlet gave me while sleeping was incomparable," noted another new parent.

But on the flip side, there's often a lot of glitching to deal with. "I experience daily issues with the Dream Sock connection," the same tester shared. "The sock loses connection a few times a week, even when our Wi-Fi shows as “good” or “fair.” When the Dream Sock is attached and we take our baby to the next room, the alarm goes off. We’ve tried moving the Dream Sock base to a different location in our room, but it hasn’t made a difference," she said. "It malfunctioned a lot and caused unnecessary stress,” added another. So who should you believe?

If you’re the type of parent who is comforted by more information rather than less, we think the Owlet is a great choice. It does have connectivity glitches, though they've improved greatly over time and don't seem to show up for every user. Many parents value the peace of mind the Owlet provides and especially lean on the vitals data when their little one is a newborn or when they’re sick, or if they're dealing with postpartum anxiety. For other parents, though, the Owlet can actually cause added anxiety rather than relieve it. It often depends on your disposition and personal preferences.

This bundle includes the Dream Sock sensor, 2K HD camera, four fabric socks (fitting babies one to 18 months and six to 30 pounds), a base, a wall mounting kit, and cable guards. You'll also get free access to the Owlet Dream App, which includes basic monitoring functions; you'll need a paid subscription to unlock more detailed data like insights and trends.

Worth noting:

• One thing to remember when using the Owlet is that if you ever have any concerns about your baby’s health, your pediatrician should always be your first source of information.

• You should also never use it to monitor your baby if they fall asleep in an unsafe sleep situation like a lounger or with loose blankets nearby; instead, move them to a firm, flat surface free of soft objects and loose bedding.

• Many parents note that the night vision on the camera could be clearer.

Additional Specs

• Monitor Type: WiFi video, via smartphone

• Range: Sock: about 100 feet; Monitor: no limit if connected to WiFi

• Power Source: Camera: electrical outlet; Sock: rechargeable base; phone acts as parent unit

• Mount: Wall or table

There are plenty of video monitors that let you view two rooms simultaneously, but the Babysense Full HD makes it even easier with its split-screen technology. Instead of toggling between two separate screens, this monitor splits the screen in half, giving you a view of both spaces at once. It’s a great feature to have if you have twins or multiple kids close in age, but is just as useful if you want to keep an eye on two separate spaces (a nursery and a playroom, for example).

“When we had our third baby and our kids were in separate rooms, we got the Babysense dual monitor and I loved the big screen display,” Rachael Shephard-Ohta, a sleep consultant, Certified Lactation Counselor and founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, told us.

The camera quality on the Babysense is another feature parents consistently rave about. The picture is crisp and clear, even in night mode, and the 5.5” LCD display makes it easy to take it all in. There’s a 360-degree pan along with a tilt and zoom feature. And unlike some monitors, where you’ll experience scrolling lag, you won’t find that here—the buttons are really responsive, and it’s easy to pan a room quickly. There’s also a night light, two-way audio, built-in lullabies and white noise and a 12-hour battery life.

This version includes two cameras, but if you only need one (or plan to add a second camera later on), there’s a single-camera version, too. You can also add two more cameras to this unit if you need to keep an eye on more children. (The screen will toggle between each pair of cameras.)

Editor's note:

Worth noting:

• In February 2026, Babysense recalled a previous version of their baby monitor models, the Max View, due to a fire hazard. This model is not affected or included.

• While the monitor can support up to four cameras, split-screen mode displays only two camera feeds at a time; adding more cameras causes the screen to rotate between views.

• The parent unit is larger than some competing monitors, which is great for viewing but less pocket-friendly.

Additional Specs

• Monitor Type: Video

• Range: 1,000 feet

• Power Source: Audio base: electrical outlet; Parent unit: electrical outlet or battery

• Mount: Wall or table

Don’t discount the value and usefulness of an audio-only monitor. Audio monitors are affordable, functional and portable. They can also be a lifesaver for anxious parents who are overwhelmed by the thought of being glued to a video monitor screen trying to keep an eye on their baby 24/7.

This VTech monitor has all the features you need in an audio-only monitor. It picks up the quietest of sounds very well, but won’t emit the constant (and annoying) white noise you often hear from other audio monitors. It features a two-way intercom, especially useful during the toddler years, and a visual five-level sound indicator on the parent unit so you can visually monitor the noise level even when the unit is muted. (The baby unit also features a dimmable light.) It’s small and portable, and the price tag is really easy on your wallet. Many parents use it for travel, but if you do prefer an audio-only monitor, it’s a great option for everyday use at home, too.

Worth noting:

• This is an audio-only monitor, so there's no video feed or app connectivity.

Additional Specs:

• Monitor Type: Audio

• Range: 1,000 ft

• Power Source: Audio base: electrical outlet or battery; Parent unit: electrical outlet or battery

• Mount: Table or hook