Baby monitors provide a sense of security and peace of mind for parents and caregivers. It’s hard to imagine a time when they didn’t exist! Many of us feel our stress and anxiety rise at the thought of not having a monitor nearby.
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide what monitor will be the best fit for your family. Below we’ll walk you through our most recommended baby monitors—both with and without WiFi—so you can confidently choose a “sleep-training-friendly,” “peace-of-mind,” budget option.
Why Use a Baby Monitor?
Baby monitors do more than let you see your baby. They provide real-time audio and video so that parents/caregivers can respond quickly to distress or unusual events. They give you the powerful ability to check on your child without entering the room and disrupting their sleep.
For families focused on sleep training, a reliable monitor means fewer mid-night trips into the nursery, fewer disruptions to baby’s sleep cycles, and a calmer caregiver — all essential for good sleep hygiene and successful independent sleep.
When considering monitors, you’ll also want to choose between WiFi vs. non-WiFi. Each has distinct advantages depending on your home environment, tech comfort level, and monitoring goals.
Best Non WiFi Monitors
Non-WiFi monitors provide a simple, budget-friendly solution for parents who want in-home coverage without internet connectivity. Lower hacking risk, fewer apps, and straightforward setup make them a good choice for many.
Comfyer Split Screen Monitor: Best for Parents who want Multi-Camera Options
The Comfyer Split-Screen Baby Monitor features a 7″ parent monitor with split-screen capability for up to four cameras. This feature is perfect for parents of twins, siblings, or anyone who wants to keep an eye on multiple rooms at once (like a nursery and a playroom).
It includes pan, tilt, and zoom functions, two-way talk, night vision, and VOX mode, which conserves battery life by turning on the screen only when your baby makes noise. The battery life is impressive for an in-home monitor, and the connection range works well throughout most homes.
Because it’s not WiFi connected, the Comfyer offers excellent privacy and reliability, though you won’t be able to view footage remotely from your phone.
HelloBaby Baby Monitor: Best Budget-Friendly Parent Unit with Easy Setup
The HelloBaby Baby Monitor (HB Series) is one of the most popular and affordable non-WiFi monitors available. It includes a 5″ color display, pan/tilt/zoom camera, two-way talk, and temperature sensor. It also has infrared night vision and a VOX mode to save battery.
This monitor is simple to set up and works straight out of the box—just plug it in and start viewing. The image quality is solid for a non-WiFi system, and it’s known for clear sound and reliable signal throughout the home.
Its functionality is limited to home range (no remote access), and the screen resolution is slightly lower than higher-end WiFi cameras, but for the price, it’s an excellent pick.
Best WiFi Monitors
WiFi monitors connect to your home network, allowing you to check in remotely through a smartphone app. These monitors typically offer higher resolution video, motion and sound alerts, cloud storage, and multi-user viewing—perfect for working parents or caregivers.
However, with these added features comes the responsibility to manage WiFi security, including strong passwords, app permissions, and firmware updates:
Arenti Baby Monitor: Best for Parents Who Want Remote Access
The Arenti Baby Monitor connects to your smartphone via the Arenti app, providing remote live viewing from anywhere. It offers auto-tracking, two-way talk, lullabies, and a temperature sensor. The high-definition video (1080p or 2K, depending on the model) provides a clear view both day and night.
Parents love the convenience of checking in while at work or away from home. Just make sure your WiFi connection is strong and secure—like all WiFi cameras, this monitor requires solid internet performance for smooth streaming.
IFamily Baby Monitor: Best for Parents Who Want Reliable WiFi Monitoring
The iFamily Baby Monitor combines the convenience of WiFi with the comfort of a traditional monitor. It connects to your home network, allowing you to stream HD video directly to your smartphone. It features two-way audio, night vision, motion alerts, and multi-user access so grandparents or caregivers can easily check in, too.
While many iFamily models also include a parent screen, the WiFi connection expands your monitoring options and makes it perfect for families who travel or share care duties. Battery life and app performance are solid for the price range.
Baby Monitor Tips
Tip #1: Central Location
For non WiFi monitors, place the parent monitor centrally so the signal remains strong.
Tip #2: Secure the Network
For WiFi monitors, change the default camera password immediately. Use unique passwords and two-factor authentication, if possible. Keep camera firmware and your router firmware updated.
Tip #3: Camera Placement
Follow safe sleep guidelines. Your camera should be mounted out of the crib and cords should be kept well out of reach.
Tip #4: Feature Tradeoffs
Consider what you value most. If you value instantaneous, zero-lag local viewing, pick a good non WiFi model. But if you value remote alerts and cloud options, pick a good WiFi camera but plan for security and a learning curve with the app.
If you’re on a budget and concerned about privacy or hacking, choose a non-WiFi monitor such as HelloBaby or Comfyer for simplicity and secure in-home monitoring.
BUT if you prefer the flexibility of remote check-ins and advanced features, the Arenti or iFamily WiFi monitors are excellent, affordable choices—just ensure your WiFi is secure and your app settings are configured properly.
Either way, you’re setting yourself up for peace of mind and a little extra sleep knowing your baby is safe and sound.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty self-soothing for naps and nights? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts, Central Michigan (Midland, Clare, Mt. Pleasant) and Traverse City, Michigan. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Working with Molly at Sleepshore has been life-changing for our family. We purchased the 2 week 1:1 package and in just a few weeks, she has helped our 4-month-old sleep through the night. Molly’s approach was gentle yet effective, tailored specifically to our baby’s needs and our parenting style. After our 2 weeks were over we immediately purchased a monthly membership to keep Molly on “ speed dial” as our son will naturally have sleep regressions, get sick etc which will all effect his sleep. We HIGHLY recommend Sleepshore & Molly to any parent seeking guidance and support for their baby’s sleep journey!”
Mom of 4 Month Old