Best baby monitors 2026: reviewed & approved by real UK parents

When it comes to shopping for baby essentials, it pays to do your research. Selecting the best crib in your budget can mean better sleep for everybody, picking the right travel cot for your family can make for a more relaxing trip away, and choosing the best baby monitor can bring invaluable peace of mind. As a mum of three, I found our baby monitor absolutely indispensable. It allowed me to put my children down for naps in their own cots, keep an eye on both my baby and toddler overnight (our small age gap meant we needed two separate monitors before split-screen models were a thing), and gave my husband and me what every new parent craves after those first exhausting weeks - freedom and peace of mind.

Best baby monitor 2026 shortlist: our top 10

• Best baby monitor overall: Babysense 5.5” Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor | £185 £150 (-19%)

• Best budget baby monitor: VTech VM3254 Video Baby Monitor | £45

• Best non-WiFi baby monitor: Momcozy BM01 Baby Monitor | £160 £128 (-20%)

• Best baby monitor for tracking vitals: Owlet Dream Duo Smart Baby Monitor | £361

• Best baby monitor with cry translator: Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor | £220

• Best baby monitor for sleep tracking: Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor | £249 £166 (-34%)

• Best mid-range baby monitor: LeapFrog LF915HD Video Monitor | £100

• Best baby breathing monitor: Snuza HeroMD Mobile Baby Breathing Monitor | £100 £75 (-25%)

• Best baby monitor with touch screen: LeapFrog LF2936FHD Touch Screen Smart Baby Monitor | £230 £111 (-52%)

• Best baby monitor for tracking movement: Angelcare AC25-1 Baby Monitor | £250 £200 (-20%)

The baby monitor was always at the top of our packing list for holidays and trips to grandparents’, and even though our youngest is now six, we still keep our trusty old BT 6000 handy for sleepovers or illness. While the monitors we used are long outdated, having a reliable model made all the difference in those early parenting years. Based on years of hands-on experience, in-depth research and parent-led independent reviews, we’ve narrowed the options to the latest baby monitors that genuinely make life easier for families.

Baby monitors: what are they and do I need one?

"For the first six months your baby should sleep in the same room as you, but many parents still find a baby monitor handy from day one. It can be especially useful for quick showers, answering the door or keeping an eye while settling older children." - Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV, founder of Millpond Sleep Clinic.

A baby monitor is an electronic device which allows parents to listen to, watch and sometimes even track the movement or vital signs of their baby or toddler while they're in a different room. Baby monitors are more complex and packed with more additional features than ever, from HD video to smart apps, movement sensors to breathing trackers to name but a few. When looking for the best baby monitor, there are a host of options, and it helps to work out what’s important to you before you buy. In this guide, we aim to help you answer those all-important questions when it comes to selecting the best baby monitor with your needs in mind, including:

• Do I want or need a video baby monitor? 

• Do I want my baby monitor to use WiFi and, if so, is my WiFi connectivity reliable?

• Would the best baby monitor for me include breathing, sleep tracking or movement sensors?

• What signal range do I need?

• Is the best baby monitor for me one which includes screen and app capability?

• What extra features would I like, such as night light and lullaby playback options?

• … and, crucially, how much do I want to spend?

How we tested the best baby monitors

To help you choose the best baby monitor, we rigorously test both the latest releases and well-established favourites using a panel of real UK parents with children from newborn to toddler age. Our testers – Phil, Laura, Sarah, Iona, Cat, Bethan, Nino, Catherine, Gemma, Tina and Eleri – put each monitor through months of real-life use, scoring them on safety, video quality, ease of set-up, connectivity, value for money and, most importantly, peace of mind. Every reviewer is vetted by Mumsnet to ensure their feedback is authentic and trustworthy, so you can rely on our recommendations.

All Mumsnet reviews, from the best baby monitor to the best breast pump, are shaped by extensive research and expert input as well as hands-on testing. Our experienced parenting journalists and real-life testers analyse data, speak to parents, and consult trusted experts such as Katie Holmes of The Lullaby Trust and Mandy Gurney of the Millpond Sleep Clinic. We also draw on the collective wisdom of the Mumsnet forums, where thousands of parents share their experiences - the good and the bad - to help us create a truly reliable shortlist for the best baby monitor UK 2026.

Read next: The best cot mattresses Mumsnetters swear by

What is a baby monitor?

A baby monitor is a small electronic device that allows you to keep an eye and/or ear on your baby while you're in different rooms, giving you peace of mind and, if you're lucky, even helping you to catch an extra wink or two.

Most baby monitors come in two parts: one part stays with your baby, e.g. in their nursery, and the other part stays with you, e.g. on the kitchen worktop or on your bedside table while you sleep. The baby unit sends sound and images in the case of video monitors to the parent unit so you can hear (and see) what's happening.

When should you use a baby monitor?

We asked Kate Holmes, Head of Support and Information at The Lullaby Trust for her expert advice on navigating the first year of a baby’s life and the best time for introducing a monitor.

“The Lullaby Trust advises that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for day- and night-time naps until they are at least six months old. This doesn’t mean that you can’t leave the room to make a cup of tea, but for the first six months it’s advised that you keep baby close by while they sleep.

"When you do leave the room or decide to move your baby into their own one, a baby monitor is useful for still keeping an eye – or ear – on baby. However, there’s no pressure to move them after six months. It’s up to you to decide when the right time is for you and your baby.”

Sleep expert Mandy Gurney, founder of the Millpond Sleep Clinic and registered nurse, midwife and health visitor added:

"As babies grow more mobile, video monitors can help you watch those new tricks like rolling, sitting or pulling up without disturbing them. By the toddler stage, monitors are often used more for safety, such as spotting early cot-climbing attempts, rather than just listening for crying."

Are baby monitors a good idea?

-Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV

The main reason parents buy a baby monitor is for extra reassurance. Whether you’re worried you won’t hear your baby while you sleep, have hearing difficulties and need a visual indicator to show you when your child is stirring or crying, or want to see what your toddler is up to without having to go to their room, one of the best baby monitors can let you see and hear what's going on.

You may decide that the size and layout of your house don’t warrant a monitor, or perhaps you’re a light sleeper who hears every gurgle. That said, do bear in mind:

1. An extra audio or visual aid can still be useful – you might want to binge on Netflix without pressing mute every few minutes to check that that sound wasn’t your baby.

2. A monitor with a decent signal range means you can spend sunny evenings in the garden while your baby’s tucked up in bed and still be able to hear them if they need you.

3. Even a basic audio-only product means you’ll be able to hear your baby, even if you need to close their bedroom door to keep pets out.

4. If you have thick walls or a sound-proof house, then you’ll likely find a monitor essential – but always err on the side of caution and go for a device that claims a longer signal distance than you need.

-Mumsnet user MyOtherHusbandIsAWash

"I’ve been a nanny for over 15 years, [in my experience] a video monitor is imperative. Seeing if baby is stirring, resettling, playing etc is SO helpful. And being able to check in when they’re bigger and more independent is so useful!" -Advice from Mumsnetter AgeGapBbe

Read next: The best bath toys for babies, toddlers and preschoolers

Are baby monitors safe?

The best baby monitors should be fairly solid pieces of kit, designed to withstand knocks and drops from tired parents and boisterous toddlers. As with any electronic product, make sure you keep cords and spare batteries well out of reach of children.

WiFi monitors are sometimes associated with hacking and privacy concerns and although the jury’s out on how much of an issue this actually is, it’s sensible to follow good online practice such as enabling security software updates and two-step authentication, changing the monitor's default password to a new, strong password (and updating this regularly), and only using WiFi connections that you trust.

Baby monitors are also designed as an addition to checking in on your baby in person, so be sure to also keep an eye on their temperature, movements and breathing yourself and not rely solely on equipment.

How to choose the best baby monitor

To filter through all the best baby monitors, you first need to consider what you're looking for from your baby monitor. There are five different monitor types on the market: audio, baby movement, video, WiFi and wearable.

1. Audio baby monitor

Made up of a parent unit that stays with you and an audio sensor that goes in baby's room, audio-only monitors are generally the best baby monitors for affordability and are simple to set up and use. They let you listen in on your baby so that you can hear them snuffling as they drift off to sleep or crying when they’ve woken up.

Two-way monitors do this too, but they also let you chat to and settle your baby from another room.

Consider a model with sound-sensitive lights so that you can see if your baby is stirring, for example if you’re hard of hearing or just like dancing in the kitchen with the volume turned up loud.

2. Video baby monitor

Video monitors are comprised of a camera with sound to let you see what your baby is getting up to, giving you that extra bit of reassurance without having to open the door to check on them and risk waking them up.

A HD colour screen and night vision (so that you see your baby in the dark) often come as standard, with some models also including remote control camera functions that let you zoom, tilt and pan (useful for spotting where your baby has wriggled to in the cot) and record footage (useful to confirm that your babysitter meant it when they said your toddler had behaved angelically).

Some video monitors allow you to connect additional cameras, meaning you can keep an eye on children in different bedrooms, making them the best baby monitors for larger families. Others have in-built movement sensors that alert you when your child is unsettled or awake.

"Video monitors are popular, and with good reason. They allow you to quietly check on your older baby or child without going into the room, which can be especially helpful once you’re working on settling techniques or encouraging more independent sleep.

"Being able to watch how your baby moves through light and deep sleep can help you feel more in tune with what’s happening, something many parents tell me they find really reassuring." -Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV, Founder of Millpond Sleep Clinic

3. Baby movement and tracking monitor

Ranked by many parents as the best baby monitors for peace of mind, monitors such as the Nanit Pro, the Owlet Sleep Sock, the Snuza and the CuboAI are the next generation of baby monitors capable of tracking sleep, heart rate and oxygen levels. As well as this, some models such as the Cubo can alert parents to when the baby has rolled over or has their face covered.

Although the sensitivity setting can be adjusted to avoid false alarms, some parents can find this type of monitor more anxiety-inducing than reassuring.

"Breathing or movement monitors tend to appeal to parents during the newborn stage, or when there are particular health concerns. Some find them reassuring, while others feel they create more anxiety than comfort. If you’re considering one, I’d always suggest going with a trusted brand and following safety guidance carefully." -Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV, Founder of Millpond Sleep Clinic

4. WiFi baby monitor

WiFi monitors use a wireless internet connection to sync the baby unit to your phone. This means that you can say goodnight to your baby while you’re at work or watch them as well as talk about them on date night (just us?).

Some WiFi monitors let you save clips, hook up to Alexa or Google Assistant and come with Cloud storage too.

Concerns about security can deter some parents from this type of monitor and others find a digital connection more stable day-to-day. However, if you have a decent WiFi connection and take reasonable safety precautions, these can be the best baby monitors if you'd like the option of checking in on your child remotely.

5. Wearable baby monitor

Wearable baby monitors are smart devices that clip onto baby's clothing or can be worn around the feet (in the case of the Owlet Smart Sock Plus), allowing you to track movements, heart rate and even oxygen levels. Data is then delivered in the form of sleep analytics via an app. These can be the best baby monitors for first-time parents in need of extra reassurance or those who want to be able to learn about their child's sleeping patterns to create a sleep routine.

Read next: The best teething toys Mumsnetters swear by

How much does a baby monitor cost?

The cost of a baby monitor will depend on the brand, the extra features and the style of monitor you choose.

For a basic audio monitor, such as the Motorola Nursery AM21/MBP21 Audio Baby Monitor, you needn't pay more than £25, but if you want an all-singing, all-dancing video monitor with super-sharp image quality, expect to pay £200-£300.

How do I choose a good baby monitor?

• Type: Decide whether or not you want an audio monitor, a video monitor, a movement monitor, a wearable monitor or an app-connected device.

• Connection: If you’re thinking of buying a WiFi-connected monitor, check to see if your current internet speed will support it. You'll also need to ensure that your internet connection is secure and password-protected. Any smartphone apps used should be set up with two-step authentication for added security.

• Camera and video quality: Not all monitors are created equal when it comes to video quality, so be sure to compare and contrast models to find the best in your budget. Look at whether the monitor has decent night vision as well as day vision, and whether the lens offers a bird's-eye, 360-degree view of your baby's room.

• Audio quality: You need to be able to hear your baby clearly while they are in a different room, so the sound quality of your chosen monitor must be high enough to meet your needs. Look for a decent volume range and a monitor that promises no signal interference or lagging.

• Ease of use: If other caregivers will be looking after your baby, consider if they will be able to use it easily. Will you require remote access and additional cameras?

• Breathing and movement alerts: Think about whether a breathing and movement monitor, complete with a sensor mat, will reassure you or make you unnecessarily anxious.

• Range: Will the monitor’s range reach your garden in the summer months? Most baby monitors have an indoor range of at least 50 metres. This is how far you can take the parent unit away from the baby unit (i.e. your baby's cot) so that the monitor can still function as it's supposed to. Consider wall thickness and the size of your house as this will affect the range and signal.

• Portability: If you travel often, will the monitor be easy to transport and set up?

• Extra features: While most baby monitors have standard, in-built features such as lullabies, two-way talkback and white noise (meaning you can forgo an additional baby sleep aid), some come with added features such as video clips, sleep analytics, cry alerts, breathing trackers and movement sensors.

• Power supply: All monitors need some kind of power source such as mains-powered or battery-operated/wireless. Think about what will work best for your home set up and also how long the battery lasts when not on charge. Video monitors will usually need to be plugged in constantly, so consider where yours is mounted so as to keep any wires safely away from your baby's cot.

• Battery life: According to Which?, the average battery life for an audio monitor is 13.5 hours, while a video monitor's is just seven. Think about how long you'd need the battery to last as most baby monitors will need recharging daily.

• Wall mount or floor stand: Most monitors come with a wall mount or stand (sometimes both) and which one is best for you will depend on the position of your cot and the space around it.

What age do you stop using a baby monitor?

There isn't really any official guidance from the NHS or Lullaby Trust as to the 'right' age to stop using a monitor and opinions on the Mumsnet forums tend to be divided. Some parents find them a useful feature for homes with thicker walls, if their children suffer from nightmares or if they can't be relied upon to come and find them if something is wrong in the night.

We asked sleep expert Mandy Gurney when she advises parents to stop using a baby monitor. She said:

"There’s no fixed age for stopping, it really comes down to what’s working for your family. Many parents naturally phase out using a monitor around 24 months, often once their toddler is able to call out if they need something, or when parents feel more confident recognising their child’s sleep patterns.

 "That said, some families carry on using a monitor for longer, especially if their child sleeps on a different floor, shares a room with a sibling, or has had periods of illness or unsettled sleep.

 "What matters most is how it’s affecting you. If the monitor is helping you feel calm and in control, there’s no harm in keeping it. But if you find it’s causing more worry than reassurance and you’re waking for every little movement or noise, it might be time to try lowering the volume and then switching it off, even just for naps or part of the night to start with. Like most things in parenting, there’s no one right answer."

-Mumsnet user 10ThousandSpoons

"With my eldest two I kept their monitor on until about 3 as one had night terrors and if you could get in quick enough the other twin didn’t wake. With [my son] he had his even longer as he has only (still at 13) ever slept for five hours at a time at most. So it was important to know if he was moving around the house at daft o’clock.
"[My] younger [daughter] ditched it at around 2 as she slept through reliably and on the rare occasions she didn’t would come to us." -Experience of Mumsnet user YetMoreNewBeginnings

"My 6 and 3-year-olds share a room and I still use one. They sleep on a different floor to us and I keep all doors closed after I go to bed for fire safety. I put the monitor on when I go to bed. I want to make sure that I can get downstairs to the three year old before she wakes her brother up if she wakes in the night." -Experience of Mumsnetter Leakyattic

What is the best baby monitor to buy?

Thanks to its brilliant video and audio quality, ability to connect to multiple cameras and WiFi-free connection, we've picked the Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor as the best overall baby monitor we think would suit most families.

What is the best no-WiFi baby monitor?

Ticking the box for a WiFi-free connection, the Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor is our best baby monitor overall, but we also really rate the features of the Momcozy BM01 Baby Monitor.

Parents also love the Leapfrog LF915HD baby monitor for its WiFi-free design as well as the budget-friendly VTech VM3254 monitor.

There are also several baby monitors on our list with optional WiFi, such as the Maxi-Cosi See Pro and the Owlet.

How we chose the best baby monitors to test

As the baby monitor market is constantly evolving we are continuously researching the latest models and testing them with our carefully selected panel of UK families. We originally commissioned Cat Hufton, a writer and mum of two, to research and review the best baby monitors out there.

Cat took a look at the best baby monitors market as a whole and researched which devices were considered to be the best in terms of value, design and innovation, taking into account consumer feedback and expert guidance from the likes of The Lullaby Trust and Which? to determine which products were worthy of our consideration. She also took a deep dive into the Mumsnet forums to see what other parents had to say in terms of their favourites.

She then drew up a final shortlist of 12 best baby monitors and got to work testing them all over a three-month period when her youngest son was just six months old. We've taken Cat's original list of best baby monitors and updated it as new releases and technology have replaced older models, always taking steps to test each recommendation thoroughly with our pool of real UK parent testers. The baby monitors you see on our list reflect what we feel are the very best you can buy in the UK right now, and adhere first and foremost to Mumsnet's ethos of making parents' lives easier.

We take care to keep up to date on all the latest safe sleeping guidelines and update our guide to the best baby monitor on a weekly basis. We are also constantly keeping an eye out for new or updated models to add to our list.

How we tested the best baby monitors

Our selection of best baby monitors have all been tried and tested thoroughly by real UK parents who all undertook a rigorous reviewing process. This included using the monitors over testing periods of several months for their babies' daytime naps, nighttime sleeps as well as taking them on holiday.

Each parent tester took extensive notes on their monitor, assessing it for safety, convenience, signal strength and quality of video and audio where applicable. They also looked at stability, ease of set-up, range and connectivity, screen-size, battery life and additional features such as lullaby, night light and two-way talk back.

They then provided an overall verdict carefully assessing the baby monitor's best features and worst to provide an overall impression of whether it offers good value for money and whether they would recommend it to other parents.

How we chose our final recommendations

To draw up our carefully selected best baby monitor recommendation list, we scored each baby monitor for the following considerations:

• Set-up

• Safety and stability

• Day-to-day use

• Signal

• Battery

• Cleanliness

• Aesthetics

• Value for money

Each tried-and-tested product was then offered an award based on where we think it performs best for different needs and situations. We especially made sure to include a breadth of baby monitors to suit a variety of families and budgets, leaving no stone unturned.

About the author

Jenny Wonnacott has been working as a Content Editor for Mumsnet since 2022 with a particular focus on pregnancy, child and baby care product guides, articles and reviews. As a mum of three, Jenny has extensive hands-on experience in all of the Mumsnet content she writes about. She is passionate about sourcing, testing and thoroughly researching the products which make every stage of parenting life easier, from the best pregnancy pillow to the best breast pump as well as top kids' toys and vacuum cleaners.

Why you should trust our reviews

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about how we test the products we recommend. We won't always recommend the cheapest products, or the ones with the most extra features. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones we'd recommend to our own friends and family.

There's no incentive for us to be lazy with our research or in our testing process. There's no reason for us to respond to pressure from retailers or brands trying to promote new products. It's actually quite the opposite and we think it's a good system, one that keeps us focused on making parents lives' easier.

All prices on this page correct at time of writing