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Levana Oma Sense Review

Portable simplicity and vibration rousing make it an interesting option that is often on sale
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Levana Oma Sense Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   Levana
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Research Analyst  ⋅  Feb 6, 2023
73
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 6
  • Expected Reliability - 25% 8.1
  • Set-up - 20% 9.2
  • Ease of Use - 20% 8.3
  • Monitoring Cababilities - 20% 5.8
  • Alerts - 15% 4.1

Our Verdict

The Levana Oma Sense is a clip-style wearable monitor from our best movement monitor review. It has an audible alarm for when the baby's movements go below the preset threshold of normal and a vibration feature to try to rouse a little one from deep sleep to avoid the loud audible alarm. This portable option is easy to use, less bulky than similar competitors and has a simple user interface anyone can use. This type of monitor has a very loud alarm that emits from the clip. Think loud smoke detector type of sound intended to alert parents in another room or through an audio monitor. This sound can be upsetting to a peacefully sleeping baby who is not in need. The Levana scores well overall, and we like this easy clip-on, with just enough features to get the job done without the learning curve or excessive features of some competitors
REASONS TO BUY
Portable
Wearable
Fewer false alarms
Vibration rousing feature
REASONS TO AVOID
Loud nursery-only alarm
Hard to attach to sleeping baby
Only monitors one thing
Editor's Note: The Levana review was updated on February 6, 2023, as part of our reimagined and renewed movement monitor test group.

Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Monitor
Editors' Choice Award
Best Multi-purpose Monitor
Top Pick Award
Impressive App-enabled Wearable
 
Price $100 List
$79.00 at Amazon		$138 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Portable wearable with vibration rousing and in-nursery alarm that is easy to use and often on saleHighly portable, clip-style wearable with vibration stimulates baby without upsetting loud alarmWiFi monitor that offers all kinds of monitoring for an expensive price and possible long-term subscription expenseThis simple wearable is easy to use and connects via WiFi, but it does have some false alarms and only pairs with one smart deviceEasy to use mattress style sensors with 2 sensor pads but no parent unit or adjustability
Rating Categories Levana Oma Sense Snuza Hero SE Nanit Pro Complete... Sense-U Baby v3 Babysense 7
Expected Reliability (25%)
8.1
8.7
8.3
7.3
8.2
Set-up (20%)
9.2
9.3
6.2
7.3
6.4
Ease of Use (20%)
8.3
8.8
6.8
7.8
6.3
Monitoring Cababilities (20%)
5.8
5.8
8.5
6.8
5.5
Alerts (15%)
4.1
6.6
7.8
7.9
3.3
Specs Levana Oma Sense Snuza Hero SE Nanit Pro Complete... Sense-U Baby v3 Babysense 7
Sensor Type Wearable Wearable Wearable Wearable Sensor Pad
Parent Unit No No Smartphone Smartphone No
Monitoring Type Movement Movement Movement, Sound, Video, Activity Movement, Position, Activity Movement
EMF (at baby) .2 (lower than ambient) No increase above ambient n/a 2.5 1.1
Recommended Age 0-6mo Not Listed Breathing Monitor: 0-24 mo
Swaddle: 6mo and under
Breathing Band is size dependant and comes in 2 sizes - S (0 to 3mo) or L (3 - 24mo)		 roll-over alarm is for babies up to 6 months 0-12mo
Adjustable Sensitivity No No No No No
Wireless Mobility Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Baby Alert Yes Yes No No Yes
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 year Limited 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The name Levana comes from the Latin word “levare,” which means “to lift” a newborn child. Levana is also the Roman goddess of childbirth. Two reasons the company chose its name. Levana has been around for almost 20 years designing products to help families.

Performance Comparison



levana oma sense - the levana has a vibration feature to help rouse a deeply sleeping...
The Levana has a vibration feature to help rouse a deeply sleeping baby who is no longer moving before it emits a loud in-nursery alarm design to waken and startle.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Expected Reliability


Wearable movement monitors are arguably more reliable than other kinds of movement monitoring. Because the baby wears the device, they can't roll away from the coverage field like the sensor pad models or camera algorithms.

This device seems similar to others with a like design, with fewer false alarms and restless nights of getting up to check on a perfectly fine infant.

Combine with Sound Monitor
We recommend pairing this type of monitor with a top-ranked sound monitor to help ensure you hear the alarm should it go off.

levana oma sense - to set up the levana you only need to clip it in place and turn it on.
To set up the Levana you only need to clip it in place and turn it on.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Set Up


Set up for the Om is super easy. There is none. There is no pairing as it is standalone, and there is nothing to connect to, like WiFi, a parent unit, or a personal device.

levana oma sense - with one button for on and one for off, there isn't much to this...
With one button for on and one for off, there isn't much to this simple monitor.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Levana couldn't be easier to use. It is as easy as it gets with a simple on/off button and the ability to turn the alarm off. This monitor clips onto your baby's diaper near their tummy, similar to phone holsters or old-fashioned beepers. With no other features or functions, this one is great for anyone afraid of technology or setup.

levana oma sense - the levana is small and comes with its own carrying case making it...
The Levana is small and comes with its own carrying case making it suitable for easy travel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Om is one of the most portable options available, and it comes with a carry case for travel. This device doesn't require a special mattress type or hardboard like sensor pad monitors, making it perfect for nights at Grandma's or on the go. All you need is a baby and a diaper to clip the monitor on, and you are good to go.

levana oma sense - the levana only monitors movement that indicates breathing.
The Levana only monitors movement that indicates breathing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Monitoring Capabilities


The Levana only monitors movement that indicates breathing is happening. It does not offer any other feature or monitoring capability. Given the in-nursery alarm, it could be wise to pair this with a sound or video monitor from our best baby monitors review to ensure you hear it wherever you are.

levana oma sense - the levana has in in-nursery alarm that is loud enough to hear in...
The Levana has in in-nursery alarm that is loud enough to hear in many circumstances depending on your home design, ambient noises, and far away you are.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Alerts


This monitor has a vibration feature when movement isn't detected for 15 seconds. If the baby's movement doesn't resume in a set period, it will issue an audible in-nursery alarm. The hope is the vibration feature prevents unnecessary or false alarms from emitting in the nursery. The problem is when and if there is a false alarm, you now have a very loud alarm going off inside your baby's nursery, which could be upsetting for your little one. While we can all agree a crying baby is better than one having a breathing issue, it is something you should consider as some competitors alert to a parent device only.

levana oma sense - the levana had one of the lowest registering emf levels in the test...
The Levana had one of the lowest registering EMF levels in the test group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Electromagnetic Field (EMF)


This monitor has fewer EMF emissions in our testing than much of the competition. It is less than ambient test results, and we think it is nice that there is a low EMF option for little ones.


We measured the EMF from the device next to the monitor, taking an average of three readings.

Should You Buy the Levana Oma?


There is no reason not to buy the Oma, especially if your goals are simplicity and high portability that does not rely on other technologies. If you want to avoid an app or a crib mattress setup, then the Oma could be the solution you want. If you want other forms of monitoring or you want to combine products like video and movement in one purchase, then the Oma will not meet your needs.

What Other Movement Monitor Should You Consider?


We think some parents will prefer the Snuza Hero SE. Both options are similar, but the Snuza scored higher in our tests. If you want something more with the increased functionality of video and sound monitoring, then our pick would be the Nanit Pro Complete Set Monitoring System. The Nanit has a more complicated setup, but it is easy to use and is a one-and-done option for parents who want more.

Manufacturer Video



— Wendy Schmitz
 
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