The Best Baby Monitors

HOW TO CHOOSE = It used to be that even the best baby monitors used bandwidths that were also used by other electronics in the home, creating interference and signal interruption. A few years ago, the FCC approved a new frequency called DECT (digitally enhanced cordless telecommunications). Therefore, consider the DECT baby monitors first.

Get a second receiver. An extra parent unit is useful, especially for two story houses. One should stay downstairs and the other upstairs. Sound activated lights are nice, since televisions and vacuums can sometimes drown out the sound of the baby.

Personally, I think batteries are annoying, so I recommend getting and electric unit and plug it in. In case of a power outage, you will have the baby with you anyway. Lastly, keep the receipt. Even the best baby monitors don’t work for everybody. It’s common to talk to parents who tried a few models before finding the one that worked for them.

THE REVIEW = The Best Analog Baby Monitor is the Graco iMonitor, which sells for about $80 with 2 receivers. Because it scrambles the signal, it eliminates accidental eavesdropping and minimizes interference from other electronics. But if you have a 900 MHz cordless phone, you could still get some static when the phone is in use.

Other top performers include:

Best With the Least Interference = Philips SCD589 Digital @ $160.

Best Budget Baby Monitor = Graco Ultra Clear II @ $30.

Best Motion Sensing Monitor = Angelcare Movement Sensor With Sound Monitor, which sells for $80 with 2 receivers.

Best price found in Dec., ’09 = Once again, Amazon.com had the best prices for all of the above. Once you get to Amazon, use the search bar at the top of the page to type in the item you want. The correct page will appear.

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