by judy on January 22, 2010
There are a lot of baby monitors out there on the market. When I first started looking for one, I literally was spoilt for choice. How do you choose? And what was the difference between digital, analog and DECT?
Radio Frequency
As with all cordless devices, baby monitors operate on a radio frequency. The most popular of which, is 2.4 GHz. Its extreme popularity is unfortunately also the cause of its downfall. Because it is so popular, and so many cordless devices use this frequency, it is prone to interference.
For example, if your neighbor uses the same baby monitor as you, you might end up picking up her signal and vice versa, causing undue false alarms and occasionally, embarrassing moments of privacy intrusion.
DECT is another radio frequency. While relatively new in the market, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication will probably become the most used frequency in due time, because it is very reliable, provides a longer range and promises virtually no interference. The only downside to this is that DECT baby monitors are quite expensive, e.g. the Philips SCD 589 DECT Digital Baby Monitor.
Digital vs. Analog
Digital and analog formats on the other hand, determine how sound is transmitted from the monitor to the receiver. While a digital baby monitor scrambles the signal in binary code to ensure privacy, an analog baby monitor only transmits the sound directly to the receiver via electrical pulses.
Needless to say, analog baby monitors are cheaper yet can still provide relatively okay sound quality but digital baby monitors (which are not that expensive anymore) provide good sound, less interference and static, as well as sound clarity.
I have written several baby monitor reviews on different types of baby monitors which you might find useful should you have decided which kind of baby monitor you are looking for. 
Happy hunting!
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by judy on January 18, 2010
Fisher-Price Long Distance 900MHz Baby Monitor Product Description:
Fisher-Price Long Distance 900MHz Baby Monitor
- The 900 MHz Long Distance Monitor is a great scaled down version of our Private Connection Monitor.
- It has a small, edgy design, which makes the receiver very portable.
- The transmitter features a night light which is perfect for babies nursery.
The Bad:
“I had high hopes for this monitor. We’ve been through 3 or 4 of them in the past 5 years. I like the range on this one. However, all I hear is static! We’ve tried everything but all we hear is alot of static and the sound the child makes is very hard to hear. When it’s cranked up as loud as it gets, it’s just loud static and baby crying sounds like a whisper. We’ve tried moving it around to avoid reception problems but no luck… doens’t matter where it is inside or outside the house. I really want to get a second First Years 900 Mhz one but they no longer make the model we have – it was the best” – D. Thomas
The Good:
“I’ve owned 3 baby monitors and hadn’t found one that even came close to the range it advertized. This one DOES! It’s clarity is excellent. It even picks up my office wall clock ticking sound. I haven’t had to replace batteries yet, and I’ve had it for two weeks, and use it 8 hours a day (minus weekends). And the nightlight feature is surprisingly useful. It has four channels but I have yet needed to switch from it’s default channel. I’m able to go 3 houses down the street, and still get great clarity.
I’m a sucker for good design (being an engineer myself), and I only have three minor criticisms. One is that battery installation requires a tool (small screw driver). The second is that the belt clip could be more secure…It’s a tad floppy wearing jeans. This third criticism isn’t a real criticism, but more of a ‘wish’…and that is, “I wish it had headset capability, so I could mow/weedwack/etc and still hear the monitor”. – Brian Batts
Further Information:
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by judy on January 18, 2010
Sound baby monitors
If you only need your baby monitor to hear whether your baby is crying or awake, this is the cheapest kind of baby monitor to get. Really good sound monitors are very sensitive, and you can even hear your precious one breathing at night! There are three technologies for sound baby monitors:
Analog baby monitors are the oldest and most basic sound monitors. Cheapest but has more interference and static and less sound quality. (Best Analog Baby Monitor)
Digital baby monitors ensure more privacy, have less interference and static, and better sound quality. (Best Digital Baby Monitor)
DECT baby monitors are the best and most expensive sound monitors. You don’t have to worry about picking up neighbors’ signals, and there is no static. Best sound quality of all. (Best DECT Baby Monitor)
To understand how these technologies work, go to my post on the Difference between Digital, Analog and DECT Baby Monitors.
Motion sensing baby monitors
This kind of baby monitor monitors motion and sound. Very useful if you have a premature baby or special health concerns. By placing the motion-sensing pad under the baby, any motion including breathing motions will be picked up and if movement stops, you’ll be immediately alerted.
This gives peace of mind to new parents who are really worried about Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS). (Best Motion Sensing Baby Monitor)
Video baby monitors
This is the latest kind of baby monitor. You can use it to hear and see your baby through a screen on the receiver or parent unit. Some of these have color, and some are black and white, and better ones have night vision to let you see your baby even when the baby’s room is in total darkness.
I think the technology for video baby monitors isn’t very developed though, because even the best models are susceptible to interference and picks up signals from your neighbors’ houses if they use the same model. (Best Video Baby Monitor)
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by judy on January 18, 2010
Best Motion Sensing Baby Monitor – Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor
This baby monitor looks a bit like a spaceship, doesn’t it? But it’s a really great baby monitor, because it senses MOTION as well as sound. 
The blue mat in the picture must be placed under the baby’s mattress, and above a hard surface to sense baby’s motions, even when asleep. Another friend from pre-natal class, who had her baby a month early, told me this when I went over to visit and bring gifts for her son.
Graco Angelcare Movement Sensor with Nursery Monitor
Being a new mother, and extra paranoid because her son was a preemie (premature, because he decided to come out before he was due) and an avid reader, she had heard all about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) where a baby just dies in its sleep. Apparently, preemies are more susceptible to this. So, she took extra precautions and decided to invest in this Angelcare baby monitor, and she tells me that it really was a worthy investment.
Motion sensing Pads
When she told me that the pad could sense motion, I was quite skeptical. What if it malfunctions and baby Josh were actually fine? Wouldn’t that cause her undue worry and stress? As if caring for a premature infant isn’t enough. Surprisingly, she told me that since using it four months ago, she hasn’t had a problem with it. If Josh were to stop moving for 20 seconds, an alarm would sound so she can rush to check on him. And the pad is sensitive enough to sense the motion of a baby breathing, which I think is really cool.
I’m recommending this baby monitor to anybody who has special needs when it comes to selecting a baby monitor. The peace of mind you get from knowing your little darling is completely safe totally makes up for the little bit extra you pay for buying a motion sensor and baby monitor rolled into one.
Further Information:
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by judy on January 18, 2010
If you think a baby monitor that lets you listen to sounds coming from baby isn’t good enough, then you might want to invest in a video baby monitor. Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor is the best video baby monitor with the most positive reviews.
Watch Baby Sleep from Anywhere in the House
If you’re worried about the lack of sound as well as crying, then this video monitor can ease your mind because you can keep an eye on baby while doing other chores at home.
It has night vision too so even when baby’s room is in total darkness you can see a clear black and white image of baby.
My sister had this monitor and she told me there wasn’t a lot of static with this monitor. The sound reception is good and clear.
“Sound quality is astounding, my husband could hear me talking on the phone in another room and could hear my breathing sounds between my verbal responses on the phone.” – elviswoman, reviewer at Amazon.com.
Peeking Issue
What becomes the main issue with the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor is not its video or sound quality. Many parents claim that they can see and hear their neighbors who use the same monitor.
My sister didn’t have this problem probably because her neighbors’ houses were not really close by or maybe none of her neighbors used this monitor.
This could be a security problem for some people but if you’re not worried about any neighbors eavesdropping or peeking in on you, this video monitor is a good buy.
Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor comes in two models:
1) Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor 1.8” Screen
2) Summer Infant Deluxe Day & Night Handheld Video Monitor 2.5” Screen
The one with 2.5” screen costs a bit more, obviously, but the one with 1.8” screen currently has a 41% discount (because stock count is running low) which makes it even cheaper, so catch the deal while it lasts.
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by judy on January 18, 2010
If you hated all the static buzzes analog baby monitors make but don’t want to spend over $100 to get a DECT monitor, then this Safety First High Def Digital Monitor is your best bet.
Safety First High Def Digital Monitor – Best Budget Baby Monitor
Totally No Annoying Static
My sister gave me this baby monitor as a gift earlier when I was still using an analog monitor and I immediately saw the huge difference. I tell you, this monitor is CRYSTAL CLEAR.
I can hear my dearie rustling her blankets when she wakes up and that gives me time to go into her room before she realizes mummy is not there and cries.
And I thought my analog Sony 900mhz was doing well enough in this area because it only emits buzzes when I’m next to wireless signals. This Safety First High Def doesn’t have buzzes at all!
Because this monitor is so clear, it means I hear all the white noises in baby’s room when I’m sleeping at night. If you’re the kind who can’t sleep with white noise, try to keep baby’s room clear of ticking clocks, clicking toys and other things that make noises.
What I Didn’t Quite Like
The only major flaw is that you have to manually turn on the power of this monitor after a power outage. So if you live in an area of frequent storm, a power outage in the middle of the night will mean you have to get up and switch it back on!
I’m in a love-hate relationship with the design. It looks great, really, and I especially like the red bars that show the level of noise coming from baby’s room, but the flashing green light on the transmitter makes me wonder. I’ve taped up the light but that’s weird too.
Well, nothing’s perfect, I guess. For a budget DECT monitor, this Safety First High Def is good enough. You can check out more reviews here at amazon:
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by judy on January 11, 2010
I’ve never thought that analog baby monitors can work as well as digital ones, until I tried this Sony 900 Mhz BabyCall for myself. This is the best basic baby monitor around, if you’re just looking for something that can notify you when baby is making noises.
Sony 900Mhz BabyCall
Analog Monitor with Least Interference
The greatest thing about this baby monitor is that it works on 900mhz frequency, a rare feature for analog monitors, and because I don’t have any other 900mhz devices in my house, it means no interference for me.
Do check your home devices before you buy, because other users have claimed that even one device with the same frequency will cause static.
Sony 900 Mhz BabyCall also has 27 channels so that if I’m too near (right next) to any wireless signals like our phones or video game controllers, I can always switch channels and find one without interference.
Cheap and Basic but Works Great!
I go around my house wearing this device on my belt and complete my daily chores while baby is sleeping, and I can baby breathing as clearly as if he was next to me.
Sometimes when I want to watch tv, I just put it on voice activation setting and the receiver will not give me the white noise but only turn on when baby is crying. I often forgot that it was on and got quite a few jumps when baby suddenly cried.
The range is quite good and if I ever wander out of range, the receiver will make beeps to inform me, but this gets annoying sometimes because I can’t turn the beeps off.
Oh, and did I mention it’s water resistant? Once I accidentally dropped it into a pail of water, and I’m surprised that when I hurriedly fish it out, it’s still working!
Overall the Sony 900 Mhz BabyCall is the best for its price. Great for very basic use, so mums who prefer a cheap baby monitor without all the high tech stuff, get this one!
I recommend that you buy this at amazon because they have a very good return policy and there’s a 20% discount while I’m writing this.
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by judy on January 11, 2010
What are the best baby monitor available in the market? Currently, here are my top picks:
- Philips Avent DECT baby monitor SCD510 – Best Baby Monitor
An update from the previous best baby monitor SCD589, this new model is the best DECT baby monitor around, and my latest prized possession. It has zero interference, gives total privacy and no static! The sensitivity control is absolutely awesome.
- Sony 900Mhz BabyCall Nursery Monitor NTM-910 – Best Basic Baby Monitor
If you want a cheap basic baby monitor just to pick up your baby’s crying, this is the baby monitor to get. It’s analog, but it’s good enough to function as the most basic baby monitor with a reasonable range and little interference.
- Safety First High Def Digital Monitor – Best Budget Baby Monitor
If you hated all the static buzzes analog baby monitors make but don’t want to spend over $100 to get a DECT monitor, then this Safety First High Def Digital Monitor is your best bet. The sound quality is clear and good for a budget digital baby monitor.
- Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Baby Monitor – Best Video Baby Monitor
Although video baby monitors aren’t very good in all features yet, this model is the best video baby monitor that received many praises from parents who used it. My sister had one for her newborn, and she loved the night vision that lets her see her baby at night.
- Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor – Best Motion Sensing Baby Monitor
I chose this baby monitor as the best motion sensing baby monitor because of my friend’s rave review of her own. Seeing it used in her own home and looking at the calm assured expression on her face convinced me that the motion sensing technology in this baby monitor will give many a first time parent the assurance they need to leave their child in the nursery when they need to.
Well, hope this helps you find your best baby monitor
by judy on January 11, 2010
When I wanted to buy the SCD589 lately, I was surprised to find that it has been replaced by Philips Avent SCD510 and SCD520! Aw, I really liked the cute design, but from the reviews it seems that the new updates were an improvement, so I bought the SCD510.
Philips Avent Basic Baby Monitor w/ DECT Technology
Both of them are basically the same except for an additional digital screen with the SCD520, which shows the temperature and other functions, and an extra on the price tag, of course.
I figured out that I didn’t need it to tell me the temperature in our toddler’s room, because this baby monitor also works like a walkie-talkie and our kid is old enough to tell me if he’s hot or needs anything.
No White Noise and No Static
What’s so cool about the Philips Avent DECT monitor is that it doesn’t pick up the white noise! I had read the reviews about this and didn’t really believe it until I used it myself.
You can control the sensitivity of the monitor so that you pick up only the noises you want to hear. I set it so that I couldn’t hear the clock or fan in my kid’s room but if he makes his baby noises or talks to me, I can hear him ever so clearly.
And there’s totally no static at all, just like what Philips guaranteed. I’ve used it beside our modem, hand phones and microwave, no problem at all.
What You Might Not Like
The volume on the parent unit is indeed a bit low, like other users have said, but I got around this problem by training my kid to speak towards his unit. He thinks it’s a phone! But if you have a younger baby, you might want to place the unit closer to baby when he/she sleeps.
I’m very happy to say this is the best baby monitor I’ve used. I bought it at Amazon at a promotional price and had it shipped to me free of charge. Check it out here:
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by judy on January 11, 2010
Here are the things to look out for when shopping for a baby monitor:
1) Battery
Check what kind of battery the baby monitor uses. Is it rechargeable? Maybe you want to read some reviews to see whether the battery lasts long. You don’t want the battery to run out of juice when you’re in the basement doing laundry.
2) How many receivers?
Some people are ok with just one receiver, but others like one each for daddy and mummy, so that the nearest one can go to baby when he/she wakes up.
3) Volume
Unless you’re getting a video baby monitor, sound is the main function and so you’d want to hear your baby clear and loud. If your house has a lot of background noise like air-conditioning or the tv is always on, make sure the volume in your monitor’s parent unit is loud enough.
4) Light indicators
Ok, so you want to put on headphones and listen to some nice music, or you need a shower but monitors can’t get wet. Get a baby monitor with light indicators that tell you baby is crying even when you can’t hear.
Personally, I find any and all indicators to be really good when using a baby monitor, because I need all the alerting I can get. If you get caught up in something, the best baby monitors have light and sound to alert you so that you’ll drop your task and run to your baby.
5) Interference, Static and Channels
Maybe you’re ok with a little static, or maybe you want to throw your receiver against the wall the minute it begins to make scratchy background noise.
If you don’t mind at all, even a cheaper analog monitor will do for you. If you like clarity and sound quality, go for digital monitors. And if you really want no interference at all, including not receiving signals from neighbors’ houses, it’s time to throw in some cash and get a DECT monitor.
After all, you wouldn’t want to respond to a cry only to find out that it was your neighbor’s baby in the end. Or worse, overhear their private conversations if you’re both using the same channel or the same baby monitor.
More channels will mean less interference. Nowadays models come with a range from a few channels to over hundred channels to ensure the least interference.
6) Sensitivity
This is also a matter of preference. Some people like to hear the white noise in baby’s room as an assurance that the monitor is working well at all times, but some would prefer just to hear baby’s sound.
Some models allow you to control the sensitivity of the microphone so that you can set it to pick up only the noises you want to hear.
7) Walkie-talkie feature
If your baby is already talking little phrases like mine, this could be a nice feature to have! Some toddlers don’t cry when they need mummy, but they like to know that mummy is around the house somewhere.
With this feature you can safely leave your kid in the room keeping an ongoing conversation with him/her while you do your chores around the house!
I hope you find this helpful:)
Happy shopping for a baby monitor!
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