Baby monitors offer parents peace of mind when their little one is out of sight, hopefully sleeping peacefully. These devices let us parents see and hear our babies even when the door is closed. There are a number of terrific models on the market—and overall, after vigorous testing, we believe the Eufy SpaceView Pro is simply the best baby monitor, as well as the best non-Wi-Fi baby monitor.
For those families seeking out non-Wi-Fi baby monitors in order to avoid any security complications, such as an unwanted hack into their private baby video feed, we found a number of options in addition to the Eufy SpaceView, including those just with audio for a truly low-tech experience like the VTech DM221. Besides the additional nursery security, these non-Wi-Fi models are often easier to set up right out of the box.
“Non-Wi-Fi baby monitors work by employing a closed circuit system without internet connections,” says Reena B. Patel, a parenting expert, psychologist and behavioral analyst. “Non-Wi-Fi baby monitors offer many advantages over their Wi-Fi-enabled counterparts. Chief among these benefits is security: Non-Wi-Fi monitors don’t rely on internet connections, so hacking risks are greatly diminished, protecting both you, your baby and family privacy.”
Another benefit to non-Wi-Fi baby monitors is that it might just take a bit of pressure off of parents. When my first child was born, I certainly wanted the fanciest baby monitor money could buy. I wanted to see—and hear—his every move. Then, I had a second child, and I realized how nice it was to not constantly check in on my kids. For round two, we purchased a non-Wi-Fi, audio baby monitor.
Here, I’ve rounded up more of the best non-Wi-Fi baby monitors, according to parents, experts, online reviews and my own experience. You might also peruse our tested review of baby monitors, which includes Wi-Fi enabled models.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has deep experience in testing and reviewing baby and kids gear—and includes a number of parents with years of experience in the category. We’re focused on sharing safe and useful products that make this parenting journey a bit easier and enjoyable.
For this story, writer Jenni Gritters tapped into the expertise of psychologists, tech experts and other parents. She spoke with Reena B. Patel, a parenting expert and positive psychologist, as well as Eric Magidson, a professor of computer information systems at Central Oregon Community College.
In the past, the author has also written about—and extensively researched—the hackability of baby monitors, and the benefits (and risks) of using infant vitals monitors. Both of her children—ages 1 and 3 at the time of research for this story—have had a baby monitor in their rooms, providing nearly four years of experience using and testing more than 10 baby monitors (several with infant vitals components) for various publications. She tested baby carriers, diapers and period underwear for Forbes Vetted. You can also find her bylines in the New York Times, Slate and elsewhere.
How We Chose The Best Non-Wi-Fi Baby Monitors
I spent a lot of time researching the best non-Wi-Fi baby monitors. I read online reviews and consulted the parents in my community, and I also interviewed several experts, including those quoted in this story. Ultimately, I narrowed my list down to the options in this guide based on their features, clear video and audio feeds, security systems, customer reviews, ease of use, transmission distance and adaptability as children grow older. No baby monitor was included if it had a customer review rating of less than 4 out of 5 and most carried a 4.5 or higher.
Is There A Baby Monitor That Works Without Wi-Fi?
Yes! Non-Wi-Fi baby monitors use a closed-circuit system that doesn’t require an internet connection. Instead of using your Wi-Fi router, these monitors send radio waves directly between the child and parent unit of the monitor system, just like a walkie-talkie. Typically, the parent unit is the only device authorized to use that specific signal, which keeps these types of monitors more secure.
Why Would You Want A Non-Wi-Fi Baby Monitor?
Non-Wi-Fi monitors have a security benefit: They don’t rely on an internet connection, which means the risks of a hack are lowered significantly. Non-Wi-Fi monitors also emit less electromagnetic field (EMF) which could be a benefit for parents concerned about potential exposures, Patel says. And, often, non-Wi-Fi monitors have longer battery lives with more extended monitoring; in other words, they’re better for keeping track of your kid while running to the corner store.
Can Non-Wi-Fi Baby Monitors Be Hacked?
“Non-Wi-Fi baby monitors offer considerable reduction in risk from hacking compared to Wi-Fi-enabled ones,” says Patel. However, you’ll still want to put security measures in place. Most hacking occurs when someone gets access to your username and password, or gains access to your Wi-Fi network.
Non-Wi-Fi monitors avoid the worries of Wi-Fi network hacking, but you should take care to use a strong password. Magidson recommends choosing something other than a “cheesy” username and password; instead, use a password manager to generate and keep track of a more complicated password. Patel also notes that you should update this password often.
“Keep your monitor’s firmware current as well,” Patel says. “Manufacturers frequently issue firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities.” In other words, stay current on the updates when they’re offered.
Why Not Use A Baby Monitor?
For many parents—myself included—baby monitors can cause anxiety instead of diffusing it. “On one hand, monitors can offer parents peace of mind by giving them the ability to monitor their little ones during sleep or naptimes,” Patel says. She notes that especially for parents who are concerned about their children’s well-being or health, this can reduce worries.
But, research has also found that monitors—especially infant vitals monitors for breathing and heart rates—can cause added anxiety for parents by hindering caregiver sleep and causing hyper-vigilance. If you find yourself in this boat (I did, after my son came home from the NICU), slowly wean yourself off of checking the monitor. Eventually, you might even want to use a non-video option.
“It’s crucial to remember that occasional noises or movements during sleep are normal and part of baby development,” says Patel. “Parents (should attempt) to strike a balance and avoid becoming overly dependent on the monitor… which will create an atmosphere free of anxiety for everyone involved in raising children.”
What Else Should I Look For In A Baby Monitor?
“Most importantly, look for reliable audio and video quality ensuring clear sight and hearing of baby,” says Patel. “A high-resolution screen and real-time transmission and audio transmission will give the best monitoring capabilities. In addition, opt for one with enough range to stay in communication even as you move about your home without losing connection.”
She also mentions that night vision is helpful, as it can enable you to see your infant in low-light settings (cue an image of your child with creepy, demon-like eyes). And it’s a bonus if your monitor has temperature-monitoring as well, to keep your child’s room at the right temperature and ensure comfort. Some monitors also have two-way communication, which comes in handy if you want to speak to your child without going into their room.
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