11 of the best baby monitors 2025 – tried and tested

Through a mix of hands-on testing by real parent's and expert insight and advice, we’ve rounded up the best baby monitors available right now – covering a range of budgets, features and family needs to help you find the one that fits your home and lifestyle.

Best baby monitors at a glance

• Best Wi-Fi free baby monitor: LeapFrog LF920HD 7 inch HD video baby monitor, £179.99 at Boots
• Best baby monitor for picture quality: Momcozy 5” Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor, £199.99 179.99 at Amazon
• Best budget video monitor: Motorola VM483 Video Baby Monitor, £39.99 at Amazon
• Best baby monitor for younger children: Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor, £219.99 at Maxi-Cosi
• Best baby monitor for multiple kids: Babysense HD Split-Screen Monitor, £134.99 £109.99 at Amazon (Save 19%)
• Best baby monitor for moving between locations: Babymoov YOO Go Plus HD Video Monitor, £149.99
• Best baby monitor for sleep tracking: Nanit Pro Camera – Complete Monitoring System + Sound and Light Machine, £379.99 at Amazon
• Best movement baby monitor: Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Movement Monitor with Video & Sound, £249.99 £199.99 at Kiddies Kingdom (Save £50 or 20%)
• Best baby monitor for growing with your baby: CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor 3, £279 at Amazon
• Best baby monitor for heart rate tracking: Owlet Smart Sock, £299 at Owlet
• Best baby monitor for audio only: VTtech BM1000, £25

Use these links to learn more about how we picked the baby monitors in our list as well as how we tested them and what to look out for when buying yours.

• How we chose the best baby monitors
• What are audio baby monitors?
• What are video baby monitors?
• What are movement sensor baby monitors?
• What are wearable baby monitors?
• When do you stop using a baby monitor?
• Are baby monitors safe?

Here's our pick of the best baby monitors to buy in 2025

Best video baby monitors

1. LeapFrog LF920HD 7” High Definition Pan & Tilt Video Monitor, £179.99

Best Wi-Fi-free monitor

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: up to 300m | Screen size: 7 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: No

Pros:

• Pan and tilt camera remotely
• Large display
• Colour night vision
• Wi-Fi and app-free

Cons:

• Sometimes loses connection
• Needs frequent charging

If you're looking for a video monitor that does it all without needing to connect to your home Wi-Fi, this is a safe option. It boasts a wide angle pan and tilt camera, a giant 7 inch high definition screen, a good built-in range, plus the added bonus of a built-in nightlight.

LeapFrog monitors are made by VTech, which has a strong reputation in the baby monitor world. We have found their models can disconnect occasionally (you will need to turn the camera on and off to fix this) but that is pretty standard across the market. Overall this is a great value monitor for those who don't want to go down the Smart route and use Wi-Fi. Parent tester Rachel said, "It is a fantastic baby monitor. Great battery life, signal, picture quality. The zoom and rotation is the best I've seen."

It is so intuitive I didn't even have to read the instructions to set it up! It is ready to use out of the box – there is no app to download or register for, or wifi network to connect to which is great as it means it can be taken on holiday, to grandparents houses etc and be set up quickly and simply.

Read the full Leapfrog LF920HD 7" High Definition Pan and Tilt Monitor review

Available from: Boots, Argos and Mamas&Papas

2. Momcozy 5” Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor, £179.99

Best baby monitor for picture quality

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: not supplied | Screen size: 5 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound | Control with app: Yes | Award: Silver – Best Baby Movement Monitor, MadeForMums Tech Awards 2025

Pros:

• Great screen quality
• Easy to use
• Long battery life
• Both in-app and monitor use
• Room temperature monitoring
• WiFi and non-WiFi mode

Cons:

• In app feed can be delayed
• Need an SD card to record or take pics.

Momcozy is best known for producing breast pumps, but the brand's foray into baby monitors has been a huge hit – so much so the only issue you may have is finding it in stock.

"Setup was quick, easy and pleasant. It took me under 10 minutes from the unboxing to pairing with the app," said MFM reviewer Harriet, who tested the monitor with her 10-month-old son. "The 2K resolution gives such a clear view that it makes you feel like you are in the room with them, especially in day mode and the night vision is definitely the best that I have seen from any baby monitor."

Awards tester Rachel, mum to a 5-month-old agrees: "I was blown away by the picture quality and zoom ability of this camera. Having the ability to zoom in and check my baby’s breathing was a huge plus for me as a new, slightly anxious, mum.”

The aim of the monitor is to offer best-in-class wifi-free performance meaning it's brilliant for both a home and when travelling, plus there are welcome extra features like Smart Motion Detection, Shared Video Access and Auto Video Recording. With both monitor and in-app options you'll never miss it when motion is detected giving you complete peace of mind too.

The image quality is further enhanced with the ability to fully pan and tilt the camera and a zoom feature to see more clearly what baby is up to. And any super cute moments can be saved in the app and shared securely with up to 20 family members.

Other brilliant additions include the ability to add up to four cameras as your family grows, a temperature sensor, 2-way talk and lullabies, and a handy VOX (voice-activated) mode to save battery and reduce the light in your room while you sleep. Using this can mean the parent unit works all night without needing to be plugged in.

The battery life is much better than other competitors I’ve tried. I went at least 9 hours without charging it at all. Meaning, you can put the baby to sleep and it will last the whole night.

Available from: Momcozy and Amazon

3. Motorola VM483 Video Baby Monitor, £48.62

Best budget video monitor

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 1,000ft (around 300m) | Screen size: 2.3 inches | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: No | Control with app: No

Pros:

• Great value
• Compact design
• Secure network
• Night vision
• 2-way talk feature

Cons:

• Small screen
• Poor battery life

If you're looking for a video monitor on a tighter budget, this Motorola model offers all the basic features you need and is staggering value, often on sale for around £60. Although still an investment compared to a very basic audio monitor, it's significantly cheaper than the smart monitors and tracking monitors that now dominate the market, and it comes from a brand that offers a good sturdy build.

It has a range of up to 1,000 ft (about 300m) which should be fine for most houses, and though it doesn't pan remotely, the camera itself has a well-designed stand that can be angled to get a good view of the cot, and there's a built-in digital zoom too.

Kate, a member of our Top Testers Club praised Motorola monitors for "amazing video quality and great range in our very long house."

My Motorola monitor is still going after over 3.5yrs of being used everyday.

Available from: Amazon

4. Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor, £219.99

Best baby monitor for younger babies

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 50m indoors, up to 200m outdoors | Screen size: 5 inch | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: Yes

Pros:

• Quick to set up
• Long battery life
• Customisable settings
• Clear picture
• Choice of lullabies and sounds
• Automatic motion detection and tracking capabilities

Cons:

• Alert sensitivity varies
• No backlit buttons for night use
• Notification tone loud
• Expensive

The monitor comes with a 5'' 720p parent unit but also connects to the Maxi-Cosi App which allows you see your baby in Ultra HD, even in the dark or at night thanks to the night vision camera. You can also use the app or parent unit to remote pan, tilt and zoom the camera and it has a range of up to 200m.

However, the standout feature of the See Pro monitor is the CryAssist service, which you get a free 6-month subscription to when you buy the monitor. CryAssist is a clever technology that notifies you when your baby is crying, and 'translates' the crying to help you work out what is wrong. Our reviewer found that initially it analysed their baby's cries incorrectly, but after providing feedback, it gradually improved its analysis and started to analyse the cries correctly more often. As reviewer Louise said, "this tool seems most useful if you have a baby that is struggling to settle for long periods of time (like a sleep regression)."

The monitor does have some alert reliability issues, reviewer Louise told us, "with the sound alert settings on low, my son might cry out and the monitor wouldn’t always alert us to it. However, if he starts to properly cry for an extended period of time then it will alert us. If we switch the setting to high, then it will alert us to him chatting or crying out, but it also alerts us to a door closing downstairs or a dog barking outside."

If you're looking for that extra reassurance and peace of mind while your baby rests, the CryAssist could be a really helpful feature for you. Plus, it accompanies a really durable and feature-packed monitor which stands out fot its battery life, screen size and ease of use.

This monitor has quickly become an essential part of our daily routine. New parents looking for a reliable way to check in on their little one without disturbing them can rely on this monitor to provide a crystal-clear live feed with high-quality audio. The monitor and tablet boast a strong signal that audibly alerts you if it drops, and its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup make it accessible for parents of all experience levels.

Read the full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi See Pro baby monitor review

Available from: Boots, Amazon, Mamas & Papas and Maxi-Cosi

5. Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor, £134.99

Best baby monitor for multiple kids

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 300m | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: No | Control with app: No

Pros:

• Add up to 4 cameras, see 2 at a time
• Good night vision
• Quality screen

Cons:

• No movement alerts or smart features
• Can't buy it with just 1 camera

If you have more than one young child, you'll need a baby monitor that can be expanded with multiple cameras. While a number of the models listed here have the option to add an extra camera, this model goes one better by also offering a split-screen display on a single parent unit.

Parent tester Alexandra added, "I love the split-screen, and the dual camera functions work really well. The night vision is excellent, the audio is clear and unbroken. The screen is a really good size and the battery life is amazing. I also love the two-way talk-back functionality."

The camera has pan and tilt options plus 2x and 4x zoom and clear night vision. There are also built-in white noise and lullabies. However, although Babysense does make a breathing monitor, this model doesn't have any of the more "smart" features like movement alerts or a Wi-Fi connection and app. The upside of that? Babysense has managed to create a monitor that should last up to 20 hours in ECO Mode and 12 hours in Standard Mode – significantly more than some rivals. However, it does mean you're restricted to the built-in range of 300m.

The split screen function is invaluable when you have more than one infant. Being able to keep an eye on both my little ones, without having to switch the camera from one to the other has been immeasurably helpful. You can even adjust the camera when in split-screen mode.

Read the full MFM Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor review

Available from: Amazon and Babysense

6. Babymoov YOO Go Plus HD Video Monitor

Best monitor for moving between locations

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 300m | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Yes | Control with app: No | Awards: Gold – Best baby monitor, MadeForMums Tech Awards 2025

Pros:

• Add up to 4 cameras
• 4 attachment accessories for portable use
• VOX mode
• Large 5" HD screen with good night vision
• Battery powered (no need to plug in)

Cons:

• Battery life not the longest
• No phone app

Babymoov was founded in 1997 with a promise of bringing innovation and good design to everyday products for parents and kids. The brand now offers a wide range of products, for sleep, mealtime, bathing and beyond, winning a variety of parenting awards along the way. The brand is known for its strong eco credentials and as the name suggests their mission is to create products that can be taken on the 'moov' with your family on new adventures.

The YOO Go Plus HD Video Monior is no exception and is brilliant for use both at home and when you're on holiday or moving between houses thanks to the rechargeable battery that means you don't need to find a plug socket and the four attachment accessories it comes with that mean you can place it on/ hang it/ clip it to any surface you come across when travelling. These attachments even include an inspired suction cup for attaching to windows or glass.

The camera is perfect for taking away with you on holiday as it is compact and the camera can be attached to any surface. It’s also a fantastic at-home monitor – the picture quality both day and night is amazing.

Another standout feature of this monitor is the low or zero emission sleep technology mode, which means the screen is only activated when a sound is detected, which helps save energy, stops baby being exposed to any waves during their sleep and avoids unnecessary light in your room when sleeping. Finally, our testers were really impressed with the monitor's sustainability credentials including the brand's commitment to using less plastic and that the monitor is guaranteed for life.

Available from: Amazon UK (£127.46), Kiddies Kingdom (£139.99), Natural Baby Shower Ltd (£149.95) and Boots (£149.99)

Best tracking / movement / wearable baby monitors

7. Nanit Pro Camera – Complete Monitoring System + Sound and Light Machine, from £379.99

Best baby monitor for sleep tracking

Type: Video | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Sound and motion | Control with app: Yes | Awards: Silver, Best Baby Tech – MadeForMums Tech Awards 2025

Pros:

• Sleep tracking
• Robust safety features
• Great quality camera
• Very clear audio

Cons:

• High price point
• Insights costs extra after first six months
• No screen (phone only)

The Nanit Pro Camera – Complete Monitoring System + Sound and Light Machine is a premium smart monitoring system combining an HD video monitor, sleep tracker, nightlight, and white noise machine. The camera has in-depth movement tracking options of its own, but by adding the wearable breathing band element (included in size 0-3 months) you'll be able to find out even more about your baby's sleep habits by tracking their breathing too. The app will then give you expert guidance and tips to help your baby to sleep better. Unlike some smart monitors, the wearable is not a sensor in itself, it's printed with a pattern that the camera tracks to "see" your child breathing, so there are no electronic parts on or near your baby.

The sleep tracking offered by the Nanit was a particular hit with our testers, though they did point out that the feature will come with extra costs. You'll need to buy more wearables in larger sizes and the app has various (optional) subscription packages.

The subscription element is something to consider if you plan to monitor your child long-term. You'll get 6 months of Insights Basic included with your purchase (and Basic is all you really need). After that you will need to pay a subscription to unlock sleep insights and some features – this can cost anything from £40 to £240 per year depending on the level of insight you require and the offer at the time.

MFM tester Sarah who tested the monitor with her 9-month-old baby was very impressed by the sleep insights: "The insights helped us to track how much sleep she was actually getting overnight and allowed us to spot when ‘danger naps’ in the afternoon were potentially interfering with her nighttime sleep. It also made us realise just how often we helped her to sleep and that we needed to work more on self-settling."

It has multiple mounting options and both the wall mount and stand have built-in cable tidies which are a huge bonus where safety is concerned. The wide-angle lens offers a clear picture, although like anything that connects to your home Wi-Fi, our testers did report that it would occasionally disconnect and it does lag slightly on slower home Wi-Fi speeds. You also need to consider if you're happy to view the feed on your phone or tablet, as there is no separate parent unit/screen. In our tests, having it open ran down the battery of an iPhone 13 in about 5 hours, but this is very much designed to be used with alerts, rather than an "always on" view.

Other features include two-way sound, sleep aids like white noise and lullabies built in, temperature and humidity sensors, and a split screen option if you have multiple cameras.

It’s sophisticated, reliable and high-tech. The app is amazing and the sleep insights are fascinating. I honestly think it’s the best camera on the market. My boyfriend and I are total health and tech geeks and love analysing our daughter’s sleep.

Available from: Amazon, Natural Baby Shower

8. Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Movement Monitor with Video & Sound, £249.99

Best movement baby monitor

Type: Video and movement | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 150m | Screen size: 4.3 inch | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes – infrared | Alerts: Sound and visual | Control with app: No

Pros:

• Motion tracking
• Good quality screen
• Lots of features including a nightlight and 2-way talkback
• Easy to setup and use
• Great battery life

Cons:

• High price point
• Short range compared to others on list

This sleek and stylish baby monitor from Angelcare comes with a wireless Movement Sensor Pad that is placed under your baby's mattress. The clever technology has 4 sensitivity levels and monitors every movement from each corner of the mattress, it will then alert you if no movement has been detected for 20 seconds.

Don't worry about the pad disturbing baby either, parent tester Constance found that the "pad is slim and discreet once placed under the mattress and it doesn't affect baby's sleep at all."

"We really couldn’t be happier with the AC25-1 monitor," said parent tester Sophie in her review of the Angelcare AC25-1. "The quality of the product, and the excellent range of functions combined with the reliability of each feature, has really given us peace of mind to help us leave our 4-month-old in her crib whilst she naps."

The AC25-1 monitor is also the first product of its kind to be endorsed by The Lullaby Trust, a charity which works to reduce the risk of SIDS and support families affected by baby loss. The partnership, according to The Lullaby Trust, "promotes safer sleep practices for infants." The charity recognise how important baby monitors can be for providing reassurance to parents, and this is the first time they have partnered with a monitor brand, choosing one that reflects their ethos: medically certified, contact-free and totally transparent.

"A medically certified, does-it-all baby, quality baby monitor that has the ability to monitor movement, sound and video of baby to give you peace of mind whilst they sleep. This monitor comes as a complete package," added reviewer Sophie.

Read our full MFM Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Movement Monitor with Video & Sound review

Available from: Very, Amazon, Kiddies Kingdom

9. CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor 3, from £279

Best baby monitor for growing with your child

Type: Video and movement | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi | Talkback function: Yes | Night vision: Yes | Alerts: Numerous sound and motion | Control with app: Yes | Awards: Gold - MadeFooMums Awards 2023

Pros:

• Customisable alerts
• Quality camera with very clear night vision
• Motion and sleep tracking
• Easy to set up
• Can play white noise

Cons:

• Can only be used with phone
• No VOX setting
• Expensive
• AI functions aren't always useful with older babies

This little bird-shaped baby monitor does a lot more than just look cute. It packs in all kinds of smart motion features, including AI-powered alerts, sleep tracking, temperature and humidity monitoring and 2-way talk. It also interprets babies’ movements (including rolling over and face covering) and sleep patterns using artificial intelligence and notifies parents when there's a problem. It's controlled by an app so you don't get a parent screen but instead set up numerous custom alerts to your phone.

To take advantage of all the monitor's sleep tracking features you need to pay for their 'Ultimate CuboAi Care' subscription, which cost £5.83 a month.

One of the main differences between the Cubo Ai Plus 3 and the previous Cubo Ai Plus is the quality of the night vision, something our parent tester Nicola, who tested it with her twin boys really loved: "I think one of the strongest features of the Cubo Ai 3 is the night vision," she says. "The picture is in HD, and even with 2 babies in shot you can clearly see features. Compared to other monitors, this clarity put my mind at ease, with the ability to zoom in to clearly see their face and where the elusive dummy had disappeared to."

Another feature that really stood out to our testers was the ability to map out custom "danger zones" in your home – you then get a special alert if your child moves into these areas. While a lot of baby monitors have standard in-cot motion alerts, this special features gives this monitor more longevity once your child has moved to a bed: you could set up a zone around their bedroom door to alert you when they leave their room, for example.

"I loved how the Cubo was able to capture and record moments, allowing you to see the development of your child," said parent tester Janet. These can be downloaded and kept, although Janet did point out this may come at an extra cost later down the line. Similar to the Nanit, the Cubo AI Plus comes with a 12-month premium subscription, after which you'll need to pay to keep certain enhanced features. At £49.99 and £69.99 per year, they're cheaper than the Nanit options, but still a significant extra cost.

I cannot recommend this monitor enough. It is so much more than just a simple baby monitor. The quality of the camera is outstanding. It is not difficult to see detail on the screen and the sound is also very good. I can’t fault it at all.

Read the full MFM CuboAi Plus Smart Baby Monitor 3 review

Available from: Amazon and Cubo AI

10. Owlet Smart Sock, from £299

Best baby monitor for heart rate tracking

Type: Heart rate | Frequency type: Digital | Range: Wi-Fi | Talkback function: No | Night vision: No | Alerts: Pulse | Control with app: Yes

Pros:

• Comfortable to wear
• Easy to set up and use app
• Offers reassurance in the early months

Cons:

• Connectivity issues
• Doesn’t have longevity of other monitors
• High price point

The Owlet features a wearable "sock", designed to provide more precise information than traditional video monitors. It uses an infrared light to measure the child's pulse. This is then connected to a base which sends information over Wi-Fi to a connected smartphone, meaning you can check your baby's pulse wherever you are.

While it may be useful to have these statistics at hand, you should remember it will not be 100% accurate at detecting low oxygen levels in the blood. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found it to have an 88% sensitivity rating in detecting oxygen levels in the blood, so it’s best viewed as a device to provide some extra reassurance, and not a medical device.

The standard Owlet set-up doesn't feature a camera, instead letting the app alert you to your baby's movement. However, if you do prefer to have a visual too, you can purchase a bundle featuring an impressive HD camera, but at £389 this makes it the most expensive offering in our list.

The sock is comfortable for my daughter. She didn't even notice she was wearing something on her feet.

Available from: Natural Baby Shower and Owlet

Best audio baby monitors

11. VTech BM1000, £25

Best baby monitor for audio monitoring

Type: Audio | Frequency type: Digital | Range: 50m | Talkback function: No | Night vision: No | Alerts: Sound and lights | Control with app: No

Pros:

• Affordable
• Sound sensitive lights
• Belt clip
• Out of range alert

Cons:

• Very basic functionality
• No video or motion alerts

This is a simple audio-only baby monitor that works well across the home without breaking the bank. Despite being a budget buy, the sound quality is clear and consistent even when moving between rooms. The sound sensitive lights are also a useful alert system for when you have the audio alerts kept low.

Battery life tops out at about 7 hours, so good enough for a night or two (given that it will be on standby for much of this time if your baby is sleeping). The top of the monitor itself is a little top heavy though, so it's worth making sure you have it set up in a solid spot to avoid it falling and potentially waking baby.

The out of range alert is a nice addition which lets you feel peace of mind knowing that you're connected, even if your baby is quiet and there are no noise alerts. The addition of a belt clip is also nice touch that lets you keep this on you as you move about without thinking about it.

Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom

How we chose the best baby monitors

We recruited families across the UK to test all the different types of baby monitor to see which ones really perform. They reported back to us with their thoughts on everything from signal range and battery life to video quality, and we ensured they really put the monitors through their paces.

We also spoke to members of our Top Testers Club who have purchased baby monitors over the last few years, to see which models and brands are most popular with parents, and to get a better idea for the types of baby monitor that are most in demand. This also flagged some important concerns many parents have regarding certain models and features.

Once we had feedback, we cast our editorial eye across the market as a whole and examined all the baby monitors as a group, looking at how they compared with each other and how they catered to different requirements. Our aim is to bring you the very best across each category and budget, recognising that different situations have very different needs whether that's mounting options, connectivity or privacy and security.

What are the different types of baby monitors?

Audio baby monitors

Usually the most affordable option, these only allow you to hear your baby, but not see them. They generally come in 2 parts: a unit with an audio sensor that goes in the baby's room, and a parent unit that you keep with you to listen out for cries. Many of these operate wirelessly: some require batteries, others can be charged when not in use.

Video baby monitors

These consist of a camera with sound to capture both video and audio of your baby, and some way of viewing that video feed (either a parent unit with a screen, an app for your phone, or both). You'll need to mount the camera in the child's room so you can see the whole cot (some may come with a stand or mount for this). Most cameras are wired, so you'll also need a plug socket within easy reach. In terms of providing the video and audio feed, some connect to your home Wi-Fi, and others run off their own built-in signal. Many give you the option to do both.

Movement sensor baby monitors

These baby monitors come with an additional unit (usually a thin mat that goes under the cot mattress) which tracks the tiny movements your child makes as they sleep. The idea is to give extra reassurance that your child is safe and well: if no movement is detected after a short period, you get an alert. You may find that a high-end video monitor has its own built-in movement sensor, too. These tend to work in the opposite way: they alert you when your child makes a large movement (such as rolling over, sitting, or standing up) to let you know they are awake/unsettled.

Wearable baby monitors

These use similar technology to fitness trackers or heart rate monitors to take an even closer look at what your baby is doing while they sleep. You put your baby to sleep wearing the smart item (either a piece of clothing or a clip-on monitor) and it tracks their movement and breathing to deliver data to an app. They often work in conjunction with a video monitor, so you get sound and pictures too. Tracking this data can help reassure anxious parents during overnight sleep, and also help to learn more about the baby's sleep habits and patterns to create a better routine. The UK government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has determined that some of these products are borderline with medical devices, so it's likely we'll see more regulations in this area in the future.

What to look for when buying a baby monitor

Power supply – Some monitors (particularly video ones) will need to be plugged in at all times, so you'll need to ensure you can mount the baby unit safely with all wires out of the way of tiny hands. Audio or "wireless" monitors may take batteries, or come with a mains charger. For those that need charging, check the battery life: most last 8-12 hours max, so will need recharging every day.

Parent unit –If your video monitor comes with a parent unit (a screen to view and control the camera) then you'll need to be able to charge this too. Most have a reasonable battery life but larger screens or those with more features use more power, and if you want to keep the screen on with the brightness up at night, you'll usually need to plug it in. Look for parent units with standby or voice-activated modes to conserve power and give you more flexibility.

Range – Many baby monitors have their own analogue or digital signal built into the units: digital is now the norm but do check before you buy. The product specs will list the maximum range of this signal: this is how far you can take the parent unit from the cot or crib. However, the stated range doesn't take into account walls, floors, furniture, or anything else that could interfere with the signal. If you have a large house or thick walls, you may find that you can't go too far from the baby's room, and may find a Wi-Fi monitor is more reliable.

Wi-Fi connection – Although most monitors will have their own signal built in, some will also connect to your home Wi-Fi, and have an app you can add to your phone. This opens up lots of new options, including increased range, the ability to record and save videos, and perhaps the ability to view the live feed from multiple devices (such as a parent unit and a smartphone or tablet). It may also mean you can view the feed using your phone's data if you're away from the house (although we don't condone spying on the babysitter!). If you're adding your baby monitor to your home Wi-Fi it's important to ensure your home WiFi is secure and your devices are password protected. You should also make sure to update the app and/or firmware each and every time a new version is released.

Camera and video quality – Most decent video monitors now have HD video, and you'll want something with good night vision as you're likely to be watching a dark room. Some models even have colour night vision now. Also consider the lens in the camera: more expensive models may have a wide-angle lens to view the entire cot, a zoom function, or be able to track movement and automatically pan and tilt. Others may need to be mounted higher up for the same visibility.

Crying and movement alerts – Movement monitors and wearables offer the most in terms of movement alerts and tracking, keeping an eye on your child's breathing throughout the night. But many of the more high-end video monitors can also be set to wake – and even record video – if your baby stirs or makes a sound. This feature comes in particularly handy as your child gets older and is able to climb out of their cot: at least you'll be able to watch back and see how they did it!

Features to soothe your baby – A lot of monitors have 2-way audio so you can talk to your child. Some will even play light shows, lullabies, soothing sounds, or white noise. Do look into these options as they're often overlooked, but this could mean you don't need to buy a separate sleep aid. On the flip side, they can push up the price of the overall unit considerably, and many families end up not using many (if any) of these extras.

Ease of expansion – Do you have more than one child, or are you considering extending your family in the future? If so, you may wish to look for a unit that has the option to add more cameras. Some people use monitors until their children are preschool age, and being able to see all your children on one screen is far easier than plugging in, charging, and keeping an eye on two or more separate systems.

Mount or stand – Video monitors will need to be placed on a shelf, fastened to a wall or placed on a stand to give you a good view of your baby. Some come with stands, others have mounts that need to be screwed into the wall, and a few have clips or mounts. Do look into this when you purchase, especially if you live in rented accommodation and can't put holes in the walls. You can buy universal stands (such as the Flexi Air 360, £46.99) or flexible camera holders that fasten onto the cot. Or you could consider damage-free options like Command hooks or strips.

Price – Baby monitors range from around £20 for a simple audio monitor to over £300 for a wearable and camera unit combined. Somewhere in the middle, you'll find an ever-increasing range of video monitors, which can vary from about £60 to £200. More expensive models will generally have more features, larger and better quality screens, and better cameras.

When do you stop using a baby monitor?

When you stop using a baby monitor while your child is sleeping will depend on your child's age and development. "Most experts recommend stopping baby monitor use between ages 2 and 4," is the advice from security brand Reolink. "By this time, children have developed more regular sleep patterns. They can also get in and out of bed without assistance. These milestones mean less need for constant overnight supervision."

Your child may have different monitoring needs, though, so it's always worth considering their specific sleeping pattern and development before you stop using a monitor. "Look for signs your toddler or preschooler is outgrowing the need for nighttime monitoring," writer Alicia noted in the same article from Reolink. "Watching for critical physical and behavioural changes can help determine the right time. This is how you can decide when to stop using a baby monitor."

That being said, when we chatted about all things baby monitors with our Top Testers Club, several parents said that they have continued to use their baby monitors as their children have gotten older. "Started using at 7 months when she went into her own room," said parent tester Kelly. "Still using at 4! Not sure when I'll stop. It's so handy for checking she's in bed etc without going in her room and waking her up!" MadeForMums Community Manager Dani also pointed out that her daughter was at least 6 before she realised they could switch it off, so it's perfectly fine if you want to keep using your baby monitor past the age of 4.

Are baby monitors safe?

A baby monitor is an essential piece of kit for any parent. As you'll see from the above guidance, there are a range of options on the market all with a variety of features. Ultimately, you should always purchase a sturdy monitor that can hold up to the rigours of family life like those we've tested and suggested in our list. Of course, baby monitors are just a tool designed to be used in conjunction with checking on your baby regularly in person so always ensure you monitor their temperature, movements and breathing.

It's also worth spotlighting the fact that many parents have questions about security and WiFi baby monitors, with some concerns about potential hacking. Like any other internet-connected device, WiFi baby monitors can be vulnerable, so it's always worth taking a few precautions and following good online security practices in the same way you would when securing other devices at home.

For example, enable security software updates and two-step authentication on your monitor as well as changing the default password to a strong password. This should be updated regularly to ensure its efficacy. Lastly, you should only use WiFi networks you trust, again ensuring that you follow password best practices with your home WiFi network. You could also opt to unplug the monitor when it isn't in use to be doubly sure it won't get hacked.

If this is a concern for you, our list includes multiple fantastic WiFi-free options. For more information, be sure to check our guide on how to keep your baby monitor secure from hackers.

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