Buying guide for Best Motorola baby monitors
There’s no way around it. Technology has dramatically changed parenting, and modern parents have access to more childcare accessories than ever before. But of all the baby gear that’s been modernized, there’s one that truly stands out: baby monitors. And Motorola, one of the biggest names in communication devices, has led the charge.
Motorola’s high-tech baby monitors have incredible cameras and high-quality audio, along with some less traditional features to help parents keep watch over their resting little ones. If you’re new to the baby monitor market, buckle up for some impressive new tech like night vision or cameras that can tilt and zoom.
If you can’t decide which Motorola baby monitor is right for you, we at BestReviews have put together this shopping guide to help you. It has our best advice for finding a solid deal on a baby monitor with all the right bells and whistles.
Motorola baby monitor features
All Motorola baby monitors perform the same basic functions: they let you watch a video feed of your child from a small portable screen with a built-in speaker. But with Motorola, that’s just where the fun starts because many of their models include new, innovative capabilities. Here are the features that set our favorites apart from the crowd.
Night vision
Night vision is the single most important feature on a video baby monitor. Without it, it’s unable to capture clear images when it’s dark. Unless you’re only planning on looking in on your baby during daytime naps, make sure the baby monitor you buy features night vision.
Remote access
Some Motorola baby monitors enable you to access the video feed from your smartphone even if you’re not on the local network. That means you can check on your child from wherever you are, whether that’s at work, running errands, or simply in the next room.
Multiple cameras
All Motorola baby monitors come with at least one camera, but depending on how many children you have (or how big your home is), you might want to buy a set with more than one. Having multiple cameras enables you to track more than one location or simply watch your baby from multiple angles.
Camera zoom
Many Motorola baby monitors enable you to zoom the image in or out, so you can take a closer look or see the big picture.
Expert tip
If you have a large house, ensure that the monitor has a large range.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Certain baby monitors may come with wall attachments for additional placement. We vet how easy these products are to install in your home.
Night vision is essential to how well a Motorola baby monitor will work during the quieter moments of the night. We research how well each camera we consider works in darkness.
Certain Motorola baby monitors may utilize two different cameras to provide multiple viewing angles, which is something we consider when compiling our list.
Most modern Motorola baby monitors offer options to view the camera feed from your phone. We check a variety of options to see how well these features work.
Depending on the size of the room, zoom may be a big consideration when choosing a Motorola Baby Monitor. We consider how far each option can zoom and if this feature works reliably.
DECT Motorola baby monitors utilize a more secure form of frequency. We do a deep dive into the security of these options and how well they work over long periods.
Some Motorola baby monitors utilize radio frequency to provide audio from one location to the next. We look into how reliable these products are.
Most modern-day options rely on WiFi to transmit the video and audio feed. We take time to determine how reliable these Motorola Baby Monitors work when connected to WiFi.
Some baby monitors feature a two-way audio feed so that you can talk to your baby when you are in a different room, which we take into consideration.
Motorola baby monitors can range in price from $75-$250. We weigh the pros and cons of each product and the settings that they provide.
RF vs. DECT vs. WiFi baby monitors
Most baby monitors are wireless, but there are actually three different types of wireless connectivity options available, and the one you choose makes a difference when it comes to performance, security, and stability. Here’s what you need to know.
Traditional RF wireless
These baby monitors use radio frequency (RF) to send audio and video from the camera to the viewing screen. Baby monitors using RF frequencies are simple to use but don’t typically encrypt the signal, which can cause privacy problems or interference with other RF devices (like TV remotes or cordless phones).
DECT
Some baby monitors rely on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), a wireless protocol that works on a rarely used frequency. DECT baby monitors are great at reducing or removing interference entirely, resulting in a clear audio and video signal. DECT baby monitors are more secure – that is, less susceptible to hacking – than traditional wireless baby monitors, but they aren’t as secure as WiFi-based baby monitors.
WiFi
These baby monitors transmit everything over your local WiFi network. These baby monitors tend to be more expensive, but by putting your monitors on WiFi, you can connect to them with other devices like your smartphone or tablet. WiFi baby monitors offer the best security, the most stable picture, and the easiest overall experience.
"Like any microphone and speaker set, baby monitors can suffer from occasional interference or feedback noises. If you experience these problems, move the camera and the monitoring unit away from each other. Most audio problems are caused by the two components being too close together."
STAFF
BestReviews
Motorola baby monitor prices
Motorola has a wide variety of baby monitors at a wide variety of price points. You can expect to pay between $75 and $250 for a baby monitor, depending on the features.
Inexpensive
Between $75 and $149, you’ll find Motorola’s entry-level baby monitors, as well as single-camera versions of their most popular models. Baby monitors in this range are likely to have low-end versions of high-end features: for example, you might see a model with sub-par night vision, or a wireless range that doesn’t live up to expectations. If you need only one camera, you can find a decent value in this price range. If you need multiple cameras or you simply want above-average performance, you’ll need to spend a little more.
Mid-range
Between $150 and $199, you’ll find the best overall values. Baby monitors in this price range typically include a full complement of convenient features. For this much money, you should easily be able to find a set of two baby monitors with WiFi support, crystal-clear video, temperature monitoring, and even a song or two.
Expensive
Between $200 and $250, you’ll find luxury Motorola baby monitors. Models in this price range include all of the useful features like remote access and intercom support, along with some less useful ones like picture-in-picture (which is hard to use on smaller screens). If you have an especially wide area to cover or need a set of baby monitors that will last through multiple siblings, consider paying top dollar.
Expert tip
Check the battery life of the model you're considering if you will be using it in a room without an outlet.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Tips
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If you put your baby to sleep with music at night, position your baby monitor far away from the music speaker. Baby monitor microphones are pretty sensitive, and along with your baby’s cutest babbles, they’ll also amplify any ambient noise or music in the room. If your child falls asleep to music, keep the music speaker as far as you can from the baby monitor or you’ll be stuck listening to lullabies as you keep an eye on your child.
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Plug the baby monitor cameras directly to AC power instead of using batteries whenever possible. Many Motorola baby monitors can be powered by batteries, which is great if you need to listen in from an area without an outlet, such as a backyard or front porch. However, all batteries eventually die, and it can be easy to miss when they’re running low. If you have the option to plug in your Motorola baby monitor, do that instead.
- Keep track of when your little one’s room gets too warm or cold by using a Motorola baby monitor with a temperature sensor. Many Motorola baby monitors include a built-in temperature sensor, which is perfect for making sure your baby’s room is as comfortable as possible. It’s also very helpful if you live in a climate that experiences extreme temperatures from time to time.
FAQ
Q. Can I buy additional cameras to use with my Motorola baby monitor?
A. It depends. Many of Motorola’s baby monitors are expandable to four cameras, so you can watch your little ones all over the house. However, if you’re planning on adding more cameras to your setup in addition to buying an expandable model, you’ll also need to research which cameras can be used as expansions.
Expert tip
Many parents prefer options with apps so that they can view baby from their phones.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert
Q. Can I use my Motorola baby monitor with a smart assistant like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home?
A. While a few brands offer “smart” baby monitors, Motorola has not yet introduced any baby monitors that are compatible with a digital assistant.
Q. Some Motorola baby monitors list audio or video encryption. Is that important?
A. Yes. Older baby monitors work with no encryption, so in theory, someone nearby with compatible equipment could spy on your child. With an encrypted signal, the audio or video stream of your baby is only visible to your specific equipment, so outsiders can’t gain access. In practice, the most common problem people encounter with unencrypted baby monitors is that the signal will sometimes get picked up by another wireless device, such as a cordless phone. Using an encrypted signal also prevents that from happening.
