LeapFrog LF920HD 7" High-Definition Pan and Tilt Video Baby Monitor review

Tested by:

First-time mum, Rachel is an editor of a national women’s magazine, and a journalist of 15 years with experience of testing and reviewing new lifestyle products. She tested the monitor with her 8-month-old son for 2 weeks during all naps and at night.

What were your first impressions?

That the screen was huge! It has a high-end feel to it, and a lot of thought has gone into the design of the camera. The camera is small and smart and blends into the nursery; it looks expensive. But really the parent unit is the best bit – I was excited to be able to see my sleeping baby up close.

How easy is the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor to set up?

Turning it on and getting it up and running took just seconds, however the instruction manual is one sheet of paper and does not explain how to actually use it the different functions. I thought the QR code would take me to more detailed manual online, but it did not. So I had to spend a few days winging it, through trial and error. Admittedly it wasn’t that hard to pick it up but was a bit of an unnecessary faff having to work out every single different function myself.

The camera is freestanding but also comes with a wall attachment. Because of the furniture arrangement in our nursery, I have been unable to attach to the wall or place the camera on a surface. I have used a separate, generic camera holder, which I used with my previous baby monitor, and it has still been fine.

The monitor screen is also freestanding, but with one very frustrating element – the leg on the back is not in the middle, so it will only stay upright on a flat surface. If, like me, you like to have the monitor next to you on the sofa in an evening, think again! It topples over constantly.

Does the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor have an adjustable camera?

Yes. It’s one of the best things about it. The camera can rotate 360 degrees horizontally, plus tilt up and down 80 degrees. That can basically show you the entire room. It’s very easy to move the camera about – just press the arrow buttons – and very quiet too.

How does the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor compare to other baby monitors you have used?

I’ve previously used the BT Smart Video Baby Monitor with 5in colour screen and had been fairly happy with it, however the LeapFrog LF920HD is generally a superior product. I found the room thermometer to be more accurate, picture quality sharper and overall signal quality better.

One disappointing feature is that you can only watch the camera on the monitor and not via an app on the phone, like you can with the BT. Another negative is that the lowest volume setting on the parent unit is still rather loud during the night – I have been woken up to the noise of rustling as baby rolls over.

What age is the monitor suitable for?

The zoom is excellent, so you can see your little one close up even when they are small. Nervous parents will find this helpful when their baby moves into their own room for the first time. With older children who perhaps move around more at night, I imagine the pan and tilt functions will be more helpful, as well as the built-in night light and talk-back function.

Can the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor connect to your smartphone/tablet through an app?

No, it doesn’t, making it a good option for parents who prefer not to connect their baby monitor to their home Wi-Fi. LeapFrog does have a smart baby monitor available – the LF815HD, £130.

What is the sound quality like on the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

You can hear everything very clearly, but a slight grumble is that the quietest volume setting is still pretty loud. There is a mute function, and you can put on a noise detection alert beep instead, but I prefer to have the real noise on quietly so I can gauge what sort of cry it is. However, because it is quite sensitive, I have been woken to the noise of the sheets rustling as my baby rolls over in the night.

Did you have any problems with background noise or interference?

The monitor is also quite sensitive to background noise. Cars passing by and a plane overhead did set off the noise detection beep when I was testing out that function. However, because there is no interference, and the sound quality is so good, I feel like I can forgive this.

What is the picture quality like on the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

Honestly, it is brilliant. During naps in the daytime you can see the baby in real colour which is great. And at night, the vision is also super clear. It’s the best thing about it.

What are the different functions of the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

There’s motion and sound detection, temperature alerts (you can be alerted if the room reaches temperatures you deem too hot/cold), humidity level monitoring, a nightlight, a zoom which can magnify 8 times the original size, and excellent tilting and spanning. It also plays lullabies and offers a talk-back function.

What do you think of the different lullabies and sounds that come from the monitor?

They sounded nice and were easy to play, but this isn’t something we really use in our everyday routine, so it was wasted on us.

Is there a talk-back function on the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

Yes, and this was really easy to use. Simply press a button and hold while you speak to your baby.

Does the monitor have a temperature indicator?

Yes; this was great actually. As a first-time mum who is paranoid about my baby’s room being too hot/cold, this was much more accurate than the temperature on my previous monitor. I can’t fault it. The temperature is shown on the screen all the time, plus an alert sounds you if the room gets too hot/too cold.

Does the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor have a movement sensor feature?

It does, but I actually turned this off after one use as I didn’t find it important to know whether my baby was moving around or not. I found it quite sensitive (even on the lowest setting), so I was getting alerts when baby was just having a little wiggle. It stressed me out! But for parents who want to keep a close eye on movement I can see it being a real plus.

Does the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor operate on mains or battery, or both?

The monitor runs on both mains and a built-in rechargeable battery, and in my experience it was great. I would have it plugged in during the night, and there was still plenty of battery for the unit to be downstairs with me during his day naps and in the evening after he went to bed. I didn’t need any extra top up charges at all during the day.

How portable is the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

The Leapfrog LF920HD monitor is very easy to move around, just make sure you put it on flat surfaces otherwise it won’t stay upright. The whole kit is easy to set up in new locations. I took it on holiday with me without any problems and to my parents’ house. Simply plug in at the new destination.

How durable does the baby monitor feel?

It feels pretty sturdy – no complaints.

What did you like the most about the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

The picture quality and screen size really is exceptional, especially in the early months after baby has moved into their own room – it’s great for having a sneak peek when you miss them.

What would you have wanted to know before buying the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

That it doesn’t connect to an app on your phone. I wrongly assumed all new monitors did.

What’s in the box?

• Camera
• Monitor
• Cables
• Wall fittings
• Instructions

Who would find the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor most useful?

Either a new parent who loves to gaze at their sleeping babe in high definition (the zoom will be your best friend here), or perhaps the parent of a toddler/child who likes to get out of bed at night (you’ll love the pan and tilt settings).

Is the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor good value for money?

It totally depends on what you want from a monitor. If you want a large, crisp quality picture then yes. If that is less important to you then go for a cheaper model. It’d certainly competitively priced and similar to other monitors which offer the same features.

How does it compare to similar baby monitors?

Where can I buy the LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor?

Available at Currys and John Lewis

MadeForMums verdict:

This is a reliable and smart piece of kit with lots of great functions – temperature, sound sensors, motion sensors, talk back, lullabies etc – but it’s the 7in screen and HD picture that makes it stand out. The LeapFrog LD920HD Video Baby Monitor has a good battery life and an excellent connection between the camera and parent unit. The fact it doesn't rely on a Wi-Fi connection or app to work will either be a benefit or a downside depending on your preference – for parents who're concerned about security, this one offers peace of mind, but the parent unit is big, and does need to connected to the mains at night.