In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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We have tested over 110 baby monitors, including more than 25 of the best movement monitors, in side-by-side tests to evaluate expected reliability, monitoring capabilities, alerts, and more. We use lab-style assessments, user reviews, and real-life experiences to determine how well each monitor functions and what special features they have.
The Owlet Dream Duo 2 Smart is a great choice for families looking for a one-and-done solution that combines video, sound, and vitals tracking. This option includes a wearable sock that tracks heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep tracking, and more. It is easy to use and pairs with a smartphone.
The Snuz Hero SE is a movement-only option that is straightforward, cost-effective, and can easily be paired with a video monitor of your choice or used as a standalone on travel or in-room sleeping. This is a clip-style wearable with an in-nursery alarm and vibration feature designed to rouse a baby before the alarm goes off.
Be sure to read our best baby monitor review for details on all kinds of baby monitors, including more details on video monitors and sound monitors. Our testing is designed to give you the information you need to make the best choice for your family and monitoring goals.
Editor's Note: We updated this monitor review on November 26, 2024, with the addition of two additional monitors.
The Owlet Dream Duo 2 Smart is a vital-tracking video monitor with a wearable sock that tracks heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, among other sleep-related metrics. This monitor has a medical-grade sensor to track vitals that can send alerts to a base station and smartphone when the baby's level falls outside the set thresholds. We love the parent room alerts and the WiFi connectivity of the monitor, but it also uses Bluetooth to connect the sock to the base. In our tests, this monitor was easy to set up, easy to use, and had a user-friendly interface that was fun to play with. Our tester reports, “If you love gadgets and knowing everything, this is a cool monitor.” We think parents who gain peace of by having as much information as possible will like this monitor and that it can increase better sleep for caregivers.
This monitor is expensive with one of the highest monitor prices we've ever seen. However, it does do video and sound as well as vital tracking, so you get a lot for your money. If the price is too steep, the Eufy S340 is a similar option with comparable socks and features, but the Eufy is less expensive and includes more functionality, like a remote-controlled camera with high-resolution video. It isn't the best choice for travel as the WiFi connection will not work on public WiFi like that found at hotels. This is where a dedicated monitor without a connection like the Snuza Hero SE could come in handy as a straightforward diaper clip. Also, this monitor is not a medical device and should not be used with babies for medical purposes. We worry parents could get confused and not use the monitor correctly, or it could cause undue anxiety, having too much information that might not be 100% correct. Our main concern, however, is about the volume of the alerts. In our tests, the alerts were only 55 dBa and we worry this is not loud enough for deep sleeping or overly tired parents. Overall, we like the Owelt and think parents who find comfort in knowing more will like its design and functionality.
The Eufy Smart Sock S340 is a do-it-all monitor that offers video monitoring, clear sound, and tracks some vitals using a wearable sock. This option has a sock, base station, camera, and app to control it all from your smart device. In our tests, we discovered it also utilizes Bluetooth, so while the range for the camera is anywhere you have an internet connection, it still has a limitation of about 300 ft for the sock to speak to the base station. Our tester says, “It is important parents don't think this will work anywhere, the sock component does have limitations for range. ” This monitor has more adjustability than some competitors, with thresholds you can alter for your needs. We like the simple app, the long-term capability, and the ability to track multiple things from one device.
In our testing, we struggled to get the volume loud enough to rouse heavy sleepers. Despite having more adjustability in that department than the Owlet Dream Duo 2, it still isn't that loud, with a decibel reading of 66 dBa in our tests. We worry this won't be loud enough for some parents. The alert also has a 10-minute snooze. While we understand the monitor snooze is to buy time to head to the nursery and fix any issues, we worry parents will use it like a wake-up alarm snooze and skip going to the nursery in their sleepy stupor. A loud, in-nursery option like the Snuza Hero SE or the Levana Oma could be better choices as they are loud, persistent, could potentially alert the baby, and, when paired with a sound or video monitor, would be louder in the parent's bedroom than the Eufy. We also have concerns about connectivity issues and vitals that potentially don't align with medical-grade sensors. Many users report mystery vitals on the app when the sock isn't on a child and others report disparity between the sock and other sources. We experienced mystery vitals ourselves during testing. These hiccups aside, we think the Eufy is a cool choice with long-term potential, excellent video, and enough sleep-related information to provide peace of mind.
The Eufy performed well in our tests for ease of use, monitoring capabilities and more.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Not Medical Devices
Despite tracking certain vital information, none of the monitors in this review are medical devices, and none should be used as such. All of the options have the potential to fail or provide erroneous information as a result of user error or technology failings. If your little one has a known condition that requires monitoring, you should discuss your options with your child's doctor and not rely on any of the monitors in this review to track or monitor medical conditions.
The Snuza Hero SE is a straightforward wearable that monitors movement that indicates breathing by clipping to a diaper edge. This monitor has an in-nursery alarm that goes off after a vibration stimulation is used to rouse little ones from a deep sleep where movement might stop. In our tests, the volume of this alert was 56 dBa when the alarm started. First, it would vibrate, and if no movement occurred after 15 seconds, the alarm would go off. We like the simple design, the easy-to-use interface, and the quick setup. Our tester said, “This monitor is so easy to use and clip onto the diaper, even a grandparent could use it with confidence.”
This wearable is relatively bulky and could be uncomfortable or difficult to place if wearing certain types of clothing. The similar style Levana Oma is somewhat smaller and could be less bulky or easier to place thanks to a somewhat later design. The Snuza also only alerts inside the nursery. While this is the fastest way to stimulate your baby, it could go unheard by parents. However, this can be mitigated with the addition of a sound monitor or video monitor or if you have your little one sleep in a bedside bassinet in your room. Monitors like the Owlet Dream Duo 2 and the Eufy Smart Sock S340 alert in the parent's room via a base station with sound and light and a push notification to a connected smart device like a smartphone. We love the Snuza and think it is a great choice for those who want to monitor movement without all the confusing bells and whistles or for those who travel frequently and need an on-the-go option.
The Levana Oma is another clip monitor with a smaller profile than the Snuza Hero SE. It is a single-goal monitor offering an in-nursery alarm after a vibration designed to startle little ones into movement before the audible alarm goes off. In our tests, the monitor had an audible alert of 46 dBa after 15 seconds of vibration. This is quieter than the Snuza, but it is right on the baby, so loud enough for the baby to hear. This monitor is easy to use, travel-friendly, and cheaper than competitors. Our tester states, “This option is so easy to take on travel and works well when vacationing or staying in the same room with baby away from home.”
The Levana Oma has a quieter in-nursery alarm that parents are unlikely to hear in other parts of the house away from the baby. Pairing with a sound monitor can help resolve this issue, or using a monitor with communication to a parent device like the Owlet Dream Duo 2 or the Eufy S340 is also an option. This clip also has a shorter lifespan than the all-in-one monitors with video and sound (including the Nanit Pro Complete), and it only does one thing, which means you might need another monitor if you want sound or video. Overall, the Levana is a no-muss, no-fuss movement monitor that does all you need it to do if your goal is monitoring movement indicative of breathing.
The Levana Oma is a straightforward wearable movement monitor that is easy to travel with and budget-friendly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Compare Products
We test each movement monitor in our lab in real life to determine performance and functionality and how they compare to one another in how and what they alert to and the expected potential reliability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Test Movement Monitors
We purchase all of the movement style monitors in this review (as well as all baby gear we test). The products are tested side-by-side for ease of use, EMF, false alarms, and features. We used two different brand EMF meters during testing to ensure accurate readings for each product and across models.
Our testing of movement monitors for babies covers 5 rating metrics:
Expected Reliability (25% of overall score weighting)
Set up (20% weighting)
Ease of Use (20% weighting)
Monitoring Capabilities (20% weighting)
Alerts (15% weighting)
EMF (informational purposes only)
Since 2012, we've purchased and tested more than 25 movement monitors and over 100 monitors across multiple monitoring types. Our tests include multiple tests per metric to rate reliability and other functions.
We test each monitor for EMF, so if this is important to you, you have the information you need to compare models.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Movement products are subjected to more than 27 individual tests to rank performance. The critical metric for movement monitors is the reliability score, which corresponds to 25% of the overall movement score. Our Reliability results combine real-life experience during testing and extensive research online to capture the experience of a vast swath of users. We record and rank reports related to reliability, false positives, and potential failures. We test and compare everything about the monitors, from the user interface and setup to the daily functioning and alerts or alarms offered by the monitors. This new round of monitors offers more than any other group we've tested in this category. With advances in technologies and changes in monitoring goals, it was a wild ride making comparisons and running tests with tiny testers.
We go deep into the testing to parse out the differences between models and why one is better than another.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
Why Trust GearLab
Consideration for inclusion in our movement monitor review begins with our founder, , board-certified pediatrician Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Dr. Spurrier chooses products with safety and efficacy in mind. The in-house test team is led by Bob Wofford, father of 7, and our Senior Review Analyst. Wendy Schmitz, a Senior Review Editor, helps with the test analysis and ranking of products to determine award winners. Over time, we have tested 14 different monitors designed for movement monitoring. Our vast experience over the last seven years helps us provide the details you need to find the right monitor for your baby.
We test each monitor for alerts and more.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Analysis and Test Results
We purchased and tested each movement monitor in this review for expected reliability, setup, ease of use, alerts, and more. Products were used in real homes and compared side-by-side in our in-house lab to determine how they compare and which are the best choices for different situations.
SIDS Prevention
For important tips on SIDS prevention and the safest sleep practices for your baby, read more information about how to protect your baby in an article written by our founder and board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Best sleep practices are the best way to help prevent sleep-related injuries or death and are far more important than choosing the best monitor.
What's the Best Value?
This category has several value products, including some impressive and versatile award winners. Depending on your goals and needs, you can find a great movement monitor without breaking the bank. The best budget item in our review is the Levana Oma. This straightforward clip monitor is easy to use and has better than most expected reliability based on our research. It has a reasonable price tag and feels durable enough to be used with subsequent children. It is easy to use and good for travel because there is no setup or WiFi required. If you want a monitor that can also be used for video and sound, the Eufy Smart Sock S340 would be our choice. While not an inexpensive choice, it can be used for years and does all of the monitoring you might need for the lifetime of most monitoring needs. This option has a remote-controlled camera for great field-of-view potential. The upside to this monitor is you won't need to buy a different option, as it includes video and sound that are useful for years of monitoring your child.
The Nanit has an expected better reliability than most, because the wearable is more secure and when set up properly it should have few opportunities for failure.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Expected Reliability
Parents purchase monitors to gain peace of mind that they can sleep and still monitor their new baby should the little one need help in the middle of the night. Movement monitors should function to keep tabs on movement that indicates breathing is happening as expected, thereby helping ease fears and concerns about potential SIDS.
Expected Reliability Performance Ratings
Product
User Experience
In-house
Connectivity
Snuza Hero v2
8.0
9.0
9.0
Babysense 7
8.0
8.0
9.0
Nanit Pro
9.0
8.0
8.0
Owlet Dream Duo
7.0
9.0
9.0
Levana Oma
6.0
9.0
9.0
Eufy S340
8.0
6.0
10.0
Sense-U Baby v3
7.0
8.0
6.0
If a monitor doesn't function as expected, then it is unlikely to help ease anxiety and won't increase your odds of getting a better night's sleep. While you might be worried the alarm won't go off when it should, false alarms are also a concern.
The Owlet has a base station that has light and sound alerts, as well as push notifications to your smartphone.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
User Experience
False alarms can be a frightening experience (for parents and babies), and they often result in more questions than answers. Their occurrence makes reliability a critical consideration and the number one complaint of most parents when it goes wrong. Historically, in our experience, the sensor pads were the most reliable because there is no risk that the sensor will move or become dislodged. Products like the Babysense 7 had fewer false alarms reported than the wearable products when properly set up and for infants who have not begun to roll or move significantly during sleep.
Traditionally, analysis indicated that the primary cause of false alarms was related to wearable monitors losing contact with the baby's body and no longer sensing movement or tracking vitals. As your baby becomes mobile, there is a chance of a wearable product losing contact with the baby, especially for diaper clip wearables like the Snuza Hero SE, and socks like the Owlet and the Eufy. For this reason, the sensor pads were thought to result in fewer false alarms as they encompass a wide area of the mattress and are not dependent on a calm and stationary baby. The BabySense 7 comes with two pads, potentially translating to even fewer false alarms as it covers more of the area than the single pad with some competitors. However, it seems that outside factors can influence how well these sensor pads work, and things like an overhead fan or a vibrating air filter can result in a monitor that is poorly operating.
The wearable style clip monitors can offer fewer false alarms if they remain in good contact with the baby's body.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
In-House Testing and Analysis
Recently, in our research and analysis, we've seen an increase in reports indicating that wearable monitors are proving to be more reliable when it comes to a lack of false alarms. Users, by and large, report fewer false alarms or problems with the wearable options than they have in the past, and analysis seems to indicate they might actually be more reliable than the sensor pads when used correctly. While any device can fail if it becomes detached from the baby or isn't used according to directions, most wearables performed well and offered peace of mind for parents by not alerting them when everything is fine. The button-style monitor, like the Sense-U, attaches to the clothing and seems less likely to dislodge or stop transmitting. The Nanit Pro Complete has a wrap that is also unlikely to be dislodged and is then “read” by the Nanit camera to monitor breathing. As long as the wearables stay connected, they seem to be the more reliable option. Wearable like the Owlet Dream Duo 2 and the Eufy S340 also have the advantage of offering more nuanced details of your baby's sleep experience, which could lead to better results with a higher degree of accuracy.
The smart socks in the review, like the Eufy shown here, need connectivity between the sock and the base station to work.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Connectivity
Connectivity is the monitor's ability to communicate with the components it needs to alert parents when a problem arises. Some monitors, like the Owlet and the Eufy, include a sock and base station that must be close enough to stay connected via Bluetooth for the “prompt” alert to work. If the sock can't connect to the base station, then a prompt will not occur. Other options like the wearable Sense-U need to keep connectivity to your smart device, and failure can happen if connectivity is spotty or lacking. If you have concerns about connectivity via Bluetooth or WiFi, a simple clip wearable like the Levana Oma or the Snuza does not require electronic connectivity and only needs a connection with your baby's body.
Mattress style movement monitors like the BabySense 7 can be more reliable as they rely on established technology and do not need a connection to the baby or WiFi.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Overall Expected Reliability
Finding a reliable monitor is more challenging than you think. Ultimately, we think a product's reliability is heavily impacted by using the products according to the manufacturer's directions every single time. We encourage all parents to read and reread their instructions or contact customer service if reliability is problematic.
The highest-ranking option for expected reliability is the Snuza Hero SE. There is less The Owlet Dream Duo 2, Babysense 7, and Nanit Pro Complete come in close behind. The Eufy Smart Sock S340 will continue to track and alert via Bluetooth, so even if your WiFi is out, the base station and sock can still communicate.
Some of the monitors require camera to do the movement monitoring, which increase set up complexity.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Setup
Some of the competition offers a super simple setup that includes putting in a battery, turning it on, and attaching it to your baby. Other monitors require a ladder, stud finder, camera placement, app download, account setup, and even a subscription. While any first-time setup is typically a one-time deal, it could be something you struggle with if you aren't comfortable with tools or if you hope to use your monitor away from home.
Setup Performance Ratings
Product
Install
Power up
Re-install
Levana Oma
9.0
9.0
10.0
Snuza Hero v2
10.0
8.0
10.0
Owlet Dream Duo
9.0
8.0
8.0
Eufy S340
9.0
8.0
8.0
Sense-U Baby v3
8.0
6.0
8.0
Babysense 7
5.0
8.0
7.0
Nanit Pro
6.0
7.0
5.0
Nursery Safety
Always route cords out of your baby's reach to avoid potential injury or death from accidental strangulation. Even if your baby cannot roll/move or contact the nearby cords, it is vital that you install your monitor safely the first time to avoid potential future problems. Do NOT save this for a later time!
Each unit has different set up for installation and come with different accessories to help this along. The Eufy comes with mounting and cable guards.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Install/Re-install
Each monitor is different and requires a different level of installation. The Nanit Pro requires a camera and breathing band to work, and it needs to be at a certain location looking down to work properly. It is probably the most intensive installation process in the group. The Nanit Pro requires a camera to be mounted above the crib or on a stand (sold separately). They have wires to route, studs to find, and apps to download. You need to set up an account, and you may or may not need a subscription down the road. While they might come with almost everything you need for installation, it is much more work than plugging in and using a monitor. You must prep these before your little one is ready for bed.
The easiest to set up/install are the two diaper clips (Levana and Snuza) that require nothing more than ensuring the battery is in place, turning them on, and clipping them to the diaper or clothing (read your manual). Sock wearables like the Owlet and Eufy somewhat split the difference as you don't need to set up the camera to monitor vitals; you do need to download an app, open an account, and then pair the base station to the sock and smart device.
The Snuza Hero SE has an intuitive user interface and easy to power up and use swiftyly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Powering Up
Powering up includes whether the unit needs an app or a smart device and which kind of power source it uses: battery or wall plug. All of the WiFi monitors include the need for a smart device and downloading an app. The clip style options like the Snuza and the Levana do not require a parent unit or an app. This makes them super easy to set up and use quickly, assuming the battery is good. We'd recommend keeping a spare battery on hand for those inevitable dead batteries since neither can be recharged. The lowest-scoring product for powering up is the Sense-U, as it requires an app, a disposable battery for the sensor, and a wall plug for the base unit.
The Owlet can be set up using only the sock, base station and app, but it isn't as straightforward as the Snuza or the Levana.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Overall Setup
Overall setup could be a critical metric or a one-off no-brainer depending on the monitor, its needs, and your comfortability with technology and app-paired devices. The Snuza Hero and the Levana Oma Sense are the easiest to set up and use as there is nothing to do but put the battery in, clip it to a diaper, and turn it on. It can easily be done over and over with no issues or concerns about power, internet, smart devices, or charging batteries. As previously mentioned, keep some spare batteries on hand to avoid a night time headache, but otherwise, you are good to go. The lowest score for setup was earned by the Nanit. The Nanit has a lot of parts and pieces and works best with a dialed-in setup of the camera at certain angles, and once it is up, we suspect parents won't want to repeat the process. It also requires a wearable band, a portable stand, a wall outlet for the camera, WiFi, and a smart device with a paired app. If you only plan to do it once, it isn't terrible, but if you travel frequently, it could be a deal-breaker.
The Snuza Hero is one of the easiest movement monitors to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Parents should consider how challenging a monitor is to use. Factors such as functionality, buttons, settings, smartphone interface, and battery changes all come into play for this metric.
Ease of Use Performance Ratings
Product
Interface
Portability
Connectivity
Snuza Hero v2
7.6
9.5
9.0
Levana Oma
6.7
9.5
9.0
Eufy S340
8.6
7.6
9.0
Owlet Dream Duo
8.6
7.6
8.0
Sense-U Baby v3
8.6
7.6
5.0
Babysense 7
5.7
5.7
7.0
Nanit Pro
7.6
4.8
6.0
Some apps, like the Owlet are relatively intutiva and easy to learn.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Our testing included reviewing the user interface compared to the competition, How portable the unit is, how it connects, and the reliability of the connection to a parent unit if one is available (including smartphones).
It is easy to see why the Levena is an easy to use choice.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Interface
A straightforward or intuitive user interface can make more complicated gadgets easier to use. However, nothing trumps a simple monitor with only a few buttons that only does one thing. If easy-to-use is your main goal, then the Snuza Hero SE and the Levana Oma are the best choices. Most of the competition here requires downloading an app and connecting a smart device to a monitor, camera, or wearable of some type.
Some apps can be intuitive with familiar icons and obvious menus, while others have mystery icons that don't mean what you think and confusing menus that require too many clicks to get where you want to go. We prefer interfaces where the most popularly used features and functions are on a central dashboard, and details and settings are no more than 1-2 clicks from the central dashboard. Finding the details you need when sleep-deprived in the middle of the night should not be an involved process. Simplicity is key.
The Nanit Pro has a user-friendly app interface.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Snuza Hero SE and the Levana Oma are extremely portable, do not require extra parts or a smartphone, and have only a few buttons. They are easy to attach to little ones and easy to operate with only a few minutes of manual review. If you want the quickest, easiest, most portable options, you can't go wrong with the clip-on monitor. For app-driven options, the Eufy, Owlet Dream Duo 2, and Sense-U have the easiest layouts to navigate and menus to understand.
The Sense-U is a highly portable choice, but requires WiFi or Bluetooth to work, unlike the daiper clips in the review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
Portability includes evaluating which options are the easiest to take on the road with you when you travel or for trips to grandma's house. In short, the wearable options are far easier to take when traveling due to their smaller size and the way they function. Next up would be the sock-style monitors set up with the base station and smartphone but without their cameras. These can work with Bluetooth communication, with the Eufy S340 still tracking vitals in real time. The sensor pad-style monitors require a specific kind of mattress and a hard surface underneath. They also involve a fairly intensive setup. This all means when you reach your destination, there is a potential that you'll need to modify the crib offered to you, and it may not be suitable to work with your monitor at all. The diaper clips are the best travel choice as they do not require WiFi, mounting, or a special mattress.
Caution!
Wearable units do not work in a moving car or stroller as they can't differentiate between a baby's movement or the movement of a vehicle or stroller. This incompatibility is not a fault of any monitor but a result of the design and how it determines a baby's movements. This includes the clips, buttons, and socks (even though they track vitals). Owlet even indicates in their manual that it is not suitable for use in things like strollers and swings.
The Owlet needs connectivity between the sock and the base station to send prompts.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
Connectivity
Connectivity in this metric is a connection between the nursery unit and the parent device. The clip-on options do not require connectivity, making them very travel and set-up-friendly. The Sense-U v3 needs to connect with your smartphone, and depending on where you are, this could be a tenuous connection. The Nanit Pro requires WiFi and should work wherever you have internet connectivity. We believe, though your experience could vary, that the Owlet and the Eufy cannot be used with public WiFi like that in a hotel for security purposes. You might be able to use the sock to the base station with Bluetooth only. They also require a split WiFi router because you need 2.4 GHz to make the initial connection. It could be the best option for travel both for portability and for connectivity that the Snuza Hero and the Levana Oma are the easiest to use and could be paired with an easy to use sound monitor.
It is hard to get easier to use than the Snuza Hero.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Overall Ease of Use
Ease of use is somewhat subjective and dependant on your monitoring goals and your comfortability with technology. If you want the easiest option with the least amount of prior experience or manual reading, the Snuza Hero SE or Levana Oma take the cake. If you want more functionality but still like an intuitive option, the Eufy S340 and the Owlet Dream Duo 2 are great choices with less setup and confusion than something like the Nanit Pro or BabySense 7, which requires a special mattress type and crib surface. The Nanit is the hardest to use thanks to a complicated setup, involved app (though intuitive), and how prohibitively difficult it would be to travel with.
Many of the monitors in this review can monitor things besides movement. The Nanit has alerts for no breathing, movement in the room, humidity, temperature, video, sound, and more.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Monitoring Capabilities
In the days of yore, okay, maybe not that long ago, movement monitors typically didn't do much else. Now, there are more monitors that do a significant amount more.
Monitoring Performance Ratings
Product
Features
Requirements
Adjustabilitiy
Eufy S340
9.0
9.0
8.0
Nanit Pro
9.0
7.0
9.0
Owlet Dream Duo
9.0
8.0
8.0
Sense-U Baby v3
8.0
4.0
7.0
Levana Oma
5.0
9.0
4.0
Snuza Hero v2
5.0
9.0
4.0
Babysense 7
5.0
8.0
4.0
Some of the monitors, like the Eufy S340 can monitor other things outside of vitals tracking.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Features
While each monitor is different, and basic options are still available, some now offer sound, video, temperature sensors, vital trackers, sleep trackers, and more.
Monitoring Capabilities
Movement
O2 Saturation
Heart Rate
Sleep Tracking
Owlet Dream Duo 2
✖
Eufy S340
✖
Snuza Hero v2
✖
✖
✖
Nanit Pro
✖
✖
Levana Oma
✖
✖
✖
The Snuza Hero and the Levana Oma are wearable monitors that do nothing else except monitor a bay for movement indicative of breathing. To be clear, they do not track breathing; rather, they attempt to monitor movement that is indicative of breathing. These options alert inside the nursery, right at the clip, and they do not relay any information outside the nursery or to a parent device or smartphone. The Sense-U steps it up a bit and is a button that transmits movement indicative of breathing and other information to an app on your smart device. The Sense-U can report sleep position and some sleep tracking data.
The Eufy can track vitals, detect motion and sound, and be used for video and sound. A virtual one stop shop for monitoring.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Alternatively, the Owlet, Eufy, and Nanit Pro all include a camera for video and sound capabilities. The Eufy has the best video resolution in the group, with 2K technology and full remote control of the camera for scanning the room. The Owlet has the best noise cancelation and sound activation, creating a silent monitor when your baby is quiet, but the camera is a single field of view and requires manually moving it to see anything else. Both of these options score better than the Nanit, as the video for the Nanit isn't as impressive, and the setup is intensive. All three can also report on room temperature and humidity.
Requirements
Requirements are an assessment of what is required to make the monitor work. Does it require a special wearable? WiFi? Smart device? Camera? The Snuza and the Levana do not require anything but a diaper to clip to, making them the lowest level of requirements to work, but they monitor the least amount of things.
Adjustability
Most of the options do not offer sensitivity to what is being monitored, thresholds for vitals, or volumes for alerts. The Nanit is the most adjustable, with sensitivity adjustments for sound, motion, temperature, and humidity. The Eufy and Owlet come in close seconds for this sub-metric with vital threshold adjustability before prompts are sent.
If you want to see what is happening in your baby's nursery, finding a movement monitor with video capability could be a good choice.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Overall Monitoring Capability
If you want something that can be turned on, clipped in place, and ready to go, it is hard to top the Snuza or Levana. Nothing gets easier than this. However, you will be forgoing other desirable monitoring experiences that can help bring peace of mind for better sleeping. Top performers for monitoring capabilities are the Eufy Smart Sock S340, Owlet Dream Duo 2, and the Nanit Pro.
The Sense-U Baby comes with an alarm base station that can be placed anywhere with connectivity to the button, so you have 2 options for receiving alarms related to a baby who might be no longer moving in a way that indicates breathing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Alerts
A movement monitor is only as good as its ability to alert you or your baby that there is a problem. If the alert or alarm associated with no movement is insufficient to rouse your baby or you, then it isn't useful in the way we think parents want.
Alerts Performance Ratings
Product
Persistence
Adjustabilitiy
Sense-U Baby v3
8.0
8.0
Owlet Dream Duo
9.0
7.0
Snuza Hero v2
9.0
6.0
Eufy S340
6.0
8.5
Nanit Pro
5.0
9.0
Levana Oma
9.0
2.0
Babysense 7
6.0
2.0
In the past, most of the monitors had an in-nursery alarm with the idea that it would rouse the baby and they would begin to breathe, with the idea of the parent being alerted as secondary. The problem is false alarms can result in unnecessary and potentially traumatizing and startling awakenings for no reason. This could affect sleep hygiene for babies and caregivers over time with no real benefit. In our current round of monitors, many of them only alert on the parent device/smartphone, which might be better for false alarms but could go unnoticed by a sleep-exhausted parent who sleeps through the alarm or alert.
To complicate matters, it is difficult to get all of the monitors to alert if you have a breathing baby, and some refused to be tricked by our lifelike doll stand-in. As a result, our alert testing and scoring are based on the kind of alerts the monitor offers, how that alert or alarm is relayed, and what, if any, adjustability it has in the monitor or the volume and occurrence of the alarm. These scores should not be confused with alarm volume and whether or not the alert or alarm will rouse you from a deep sleep. Whether or not an alarm will wake you is both a product of the alarm volume and your ability to sleep through it. If you know you are a deep sleeper who could sleep through an alarm clock with ease, this is important to consider when making a buying decision.
Smartphone Settings
The app-reliant monitors use the phone settings for things like alert and alarm volume notifications or sounds being relayed from the nursery (for sound monitors). Therefore, you must ensure your phone settings are properly set for your monitoring goals. This said, the volume of alerts might be limited and still too low for some sleepers.
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
Adjustability and Alarm Volume
Depending on your house size, where the nursery is, and if the monitor is covered, an in-nursery alarm (like those on the Snuza Hero and the Levana Oma Sense) could be hard to hear. Because of this, we highly recommend that monitors without parent units be combined with a sound or video monitor if you hope to hear what is happening in the nursery. This solution could be a good choice for lighter sleepers as many video and sound monitors have maximum volumes near 100 dBa.
Alternatively, monitors that do not alert inside the nursery and rely on rousing a snoozing parent in the primary bedroom must be loud enough to wake them. In our tests, the Owlet Drem Duo 2 and the Eufy S340 were both fairly quiet at 55 and 68 dBa, respectively, but we worry that neither volume level is loud enough to wake deep sleepers. These “prompts” (as both companies call them) are supposed to alert when the baby's vitals go outside preset thresholds and require caregiver attention. In our opinion, it is a misstep that neither can be adjusted louder for deep sleepers.
The new Owlet Smart Sock 3 has much lower EMF readings in our tests (1.1 V/m) than the Owlet Smart Sock 2 (8 V/m).
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
The jury is still out on the effects of EMF on the human body and the sensitive developing systems of babies. Nevertheless, we believe there is enough evidence to indicate potential harm, so we think parents should consider the EMF (Volts/meter) emitted by all products in use near their little ones. We believe that a “better safe than sorry” approach is smart and that parents should make thoughtful and informed choices when selecting products that emit EMF. Every home has an ambient EMF level, and each new product brought into the home can increase the EMF emissions. However, putting an EMF-emitting device directly on your baby is entirely different in our minds. It is a nonessential practice, and we think parents should weigh the pros and cons before doing so. This concern is why we test each product to determine how much EMF it generates.
The highest level of EMF on average is the Sense-u Baby with readings of 2.5 V/m. The remainder didn't register an EMF level above the average ambient room reading during testing. The lowest EMF average was from the Levana Oma Sense at 0.20 V/m, with the Eufy Smart Sock S340 coming in close behind at 0.253 V/m.
We tested the EMF of each monitor. For wearables we tested it right on the unit as this is where th ebaby's also touches it.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
For some perspective, we also tested the EMF on a smartphone in various configurations of Bluetooth and WiFi, with active and non-active calling and some wearable fitness monitors. This testing provides comparable information on how the wearable monitors' EMF compares to items we use or wear daily. We believe parents can better relate to this data, given the rising concerns about radiation from cell phones and cancer. A smartphone with WiFi on and making a call measured 17 V/m at a one-inch distance. At 1 inch away from the meter, the Fitbit has an average reading of 3 V/m.
Even though conclusive data about how much EMF is dangerous is lacking (and will likely remain so for ethical reasons), we don't recommend high EMF emitting products for the first six months (when movement monitors are useful), especially as there are excellent alternatives that do not have this issue. Babies are more susceptible to EMF than adults because they are still developing and have thinner skulls. Given this information, we are concerned that some baby monitoring products have significantly higher EMF than the adult products we hear about.
The takeaway?
Because of the concerns and supporting data regarding the long-term use of smartphones next to your head and the potential risk of radiation and cancer related to EMF, we don't feel comfortable (in our opinion) using a high-EMF emitting product directly on a baby.
We recommend that any EMF emitting monitor you feel is necessary should be placed as far away from your baby as possible without disrupting its performance. And if you choose a wearable, we recommend choosing the lowest EMF option that can meet your needs.
Credit: GearLab Testing Team
How to Pick the Best Movement Monitor
Finding the right monitor for your needs might include a movement monitor that helps track movement and indicates regular breathing. This should not be confused with motion monitors for security that track the gross motor movements of objects entering the frame. While you might not need this kind of monitor, if you think you do, you have a few things to consider.
Wearable?
The first consideration is probably determining if you want a straightforward wearable or a more involved system that has more setup. The wearables in this group are largely portable and simple, with alarms that happen in the nursery. These can be great for travel or pairing with a video or sound monitor. These monitors are often easy to use, easy to setup, and work well with few false alarms. Alternatively, non-wearable options have a longer first-time setup but have minimal things to do over time, do not require bay to wear anything, and often combine other features like a parent unit, video, or sound features.
Video or Sound?
If you are looking for a one-and-done solution, several modern-day competitors offer that. With some options offering sound and alerts to a parent unit and one of our favorites offering the full meal deal with video, there is something for everyone and every monitoring goal.
The Sense-U is a clip-on style movement monitor that works well and had no false alarms during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Some parents find that this type of monitor provides peace of mind they would not otherwise have. However, movement monitors are not medical devices; you shouldn't rely on them to prevent SIDS or monitor any medical condition or issue. If using a movement monitor can help increase your odds of a good night's sleep, you might consider making it a part of your nursery and monitoring routine. There is likely something for everyone in our broad lineup. Whether you want a video combination or just a simple wearable, we've tested them all. Sweet dreams!
No matter what kind of monitoring decisions you make, nothing replaces safe and smart sleeping practices to reduce the risk of SIDs. Babies must always sleep on their back, in their own space, on a firm surface, using only a tight-fitting sheet for bedding (no blankets, lovies, stuffed animals, pillows, bumpers, etc.). Providing a safe and comfortable sleep space for your little one is more crucial than choosing any monitoring device. This safe space should have good airflow with a fan or air filter nearby to increase circulation. There should be no smoking, and the room should be a comfortable temperature for an adult in lightweight clothing (no overheating the space or keeping it too cool).
