What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Sound and/or picture quality
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Signal range
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.

Pros

  • Infrared night vision camera, movement sensor pad, adjustable sensitivity settings, 3” colour screen, baby’s room temperature display on both units, up to 300m range with out-of-range indicator, two-way talkback, pager to find missing parent unit, nightlight, channel auto-select, sounds alarm after 20 seconds if no movement detected

Cons

  • No lullabies, camera lens could be more adjustable

The Tommee Tipppee Closer to Nature Digital Monitor is a high-end monitor packed with features. It has an infrared nightvision camera, which provides clear pictures to the 3” colour screen on the parent unit. The camera lens on the camera unit is designed to be easily adjusted or repositioned, and there’s an adjustable night light that can be controlled from the parent unit with varying levels of brightness. The parent unit also has a two-way talk back function to allow parents to talk to their babies from another room and has a room temperature display.

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The monitor also comes with a movement sensor pad which between the cot and the mattress and monitors the baby’s movement. If the sensor pad doesn’t detect movement within 20 seconds then an alarm sounds to alert parents to check on the baby. The sensor pad does not have to be used with the monitor.

What’s in the box?

  • 1 x Camera unit
  • 1 x Parent monitor unit
  • 1 x Battery for the parent unit
  • 1 x Movement sensor pad to go in the baby’s cot
  • 1 x Instruction leaflet
  • 2 x Plugs

What you loved

The Tommee Tippee Closer to nature digital monitor is extremely easy to set up – just plug it in and it’s ready to go. The settings are clearly marked and easy to adjust. The monitor works perfectly well without the sensor pad as my daughter Violet is 15-months-old and is too old for this to be useful.

The infrared night vision picture quality is great and there’s even a zoom function – something that came in handy when Violet managed to smuggle a tube of baby ointment into her cot at naptime.

The monitor only broadcasts audio when it can hear something, which means that you don’t get white noise all night.

Both the parent unit and the monitor are well designed and sturdy, the parent unit can withstand being played with vigorously by a 15-month-old. The battery life on the parent unit is good and can last for nearly a whole evening without being recharged.

What to watch out for

While the nightlight is a useful feature, other monitors have music that can be played to sooth a baby to sleep, something that was missing from this monitor. However, the parent unit does have a two-way talkback function that can be used to reassure a baby.

The camera lens could be a little more adjustable, I couldn’t see all of Violet’s cot – there are other monitors in this price range that can be adjusted remotely.

The temperature sensor in my unit seemed slightly off, giving a reading a couple of degrees below other units and the thermostat in the room.

Finally, the price seems a little high as many other monitors offer similar features for less money.

MadeForMums verdict

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This is a sturdy, easy to use monitor that gives great sound and pictures. It’s expensive, but it works well.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandTommee Tippee
ModelCloser to Nature Digital Video Monitor
Price£199.99
Signal typeDigital
Features
Video screenYes
Movement sensor padYes
Range indoors300m
Range outdoors300m
Number of channels120 with best channel auto-select
Sound level indicator lightsYes
Two-way talkbackYes
Night lightYes
Room temperature displayYes
Soothing lullabiesNo
Power supplyBattery and mains
Power supplyBattery and mains
Features
  • Infrared night vision camera
  • Movement sensor pad
  • Adjustable sensitivity settings
  • 3” colour screen
  • Baby’s room temperature display on both units
  • Up to 300m range with out-of-range indicator
  • Two-way talkback
  • Pager to find missing parent unit
  • Nightlight
  • Channel auto-select
  • Sounds alarm after 20 seconds if no movement detected
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