In a nutshell

A very good video monitor with clear picture on a large screen, great sound and sensitivity alarms that aren't over-sensitive.

What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Sound and/or picture quality
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Signal range
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Pros

  • Clear picture, great sound, lovely lullabies, simple to use

Cons

  • Slightly bulky

Household name BT has created its first video monitor - the BT Digital Video Baby Monitor 1000 – and it doesn’t disappoint. As you’d hope from a major telecommunications company the sound is extremely clear, a major consideration when buying a monitor, and with a large 2.8-inch screen to view your baby you can rest assured you won’t miss a peep or stir.

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BT has a few audio baby monitors to its name, and the BT Digital Video Baby Monitor 1000 is the company’s first offering video. Apart from the excellent sound and picture there’s two-way talkback for ultimate communication, a number of excellent lullabies that actually soothe, and temperature and noise sensitivity alarms that are simple to set up.

You can connect up to four cameras for multiple rooms, and with a 50m range indoors and 300m outdoors you can watch all four from a good distance.

Frequency-hopping technology means the monitor can switch between different channels to avoid interference. And finally, there’s a great wall mount to give you a bird’s eye view of your sleeping baby.

What we love

Whenever I hold a new monitor, my first thoughts are on how easy it will be to get it started. Fortunately I didn’t have to think too long with the BT Digital Video Baby Monitor 1000 because it pretty much sets itself up. Apart from plugging it in, and pressing the ‘on button’ there’s not much more you need to do. And, I love it for that. I did then look at the instructions for what each button could do, but it would be easy to work it without.

The sound quality is excellent. I could hear every peep, and when the monitor was in sleep mode I used the sensitivity alarm to tell me when my daughter Heidi moved around considerably, and I have to say it’s the best I’ve used. Some monitor sensitivity alarms are just that – too sensitive - but this one reacts when it needs to.

The screen is a nice size to see Heidi, and the baby unit has a lens you can move and a mount you can position perfectly. There’s also an option to add more cameras for multiple rooms.

Both parent and baby units are sturdy and can withhold little hands playing with it. It even has wipe-clean keys.

And finally, I have to say the lullabies are amazing. I’ve tried many monitors where the lullabies sound a little warped, and sometimes creepy, but the five lullabies on this monitor sound lovely and do actually soothe. Heidi certainly seemed to like them, and we didn’t mind hearing them either!

While the RRP is £119.99, you might find it available for the promo price of £99.99.

What to watch out for

The range is 50m inside and 300m outside. Some other monitors state they have a bigger indoor range, though I think 50m is probably fine for many people’s houses.

The units are both slightly bulky compared to some of the other slicker models, but again this means it feels like it could withstand some tough love.

Finally, if you do like to use a parent unit with a belt clip, this monitor doesn’t have one.

Who is the BT Digital Video Baby Monitor 1000 best for?

Parents who want a clear image, great sound and wonderful lullabies.

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MadeForMums verdict

From a well-known name comes a monitor that offers reassurance. With a clear image, great sound, alarm alerts that work well and lullabies that do what they’re supposed to, it’s everything you’d expect. The units are both slightly bulky, but this gives the feel it will last, and in a house with little children that can mean everything!

Product Specifications

Product
BrandBT
ModelDigital Video Baby Monitor 1000
Price£119.99
Signal typeDigital
Features
Video screenYes
Movement sensor padNo
Range indoors50m
Range outdoors300m
Number of channelsMulti
Sound level indicator lightsNo
Two-way talkbackYes
Night lightNo
Room temperature displayYes
Soothing lullabiesYes
Power supplyBattery and mains
Power supplyBattery and mains
Features
  • Large 2.8-inch screen
  • Two-way talback communication
  • Five lullabies
  • Can connect up to four cameras
  • 50m range indoors
  • 300m range outdoors
  • Wall mount
  • Temperature and noise sensitivity alarms
Accessories
Optional extrasAdditional cameras
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