Choosing a baby monitor is about finding the right tool to give you peace of mind when you can’t be in the same room as your little one. For parents who are heavier sleepers, it can alert them when their child wakes up at night. There are also discreet models that let parents observe their little ones and caretakers in the home. Below, you’ll find our favorite cheap baby monitors.
Best Cheap Audio Baby Monitor
When looking at baby monitors, the cheapest monitors have the simplest features. You can spend less than $20 on a monitor to sit bedside if you only plan on using it to hear if your little one wakes up at night.
Some good features to look for in simple baby monitor models include:
- Battery light indicator to alert you when the battery is low
- Sound-activated light that alerts you to loud sounds visually when you are talking on the phone or vacuuming
- Wireless models have the advantage of letting you move anywhere and still keep an eye on your little one
- Frequencies over 900Hz are less likely to be intercepted, which makes the baby monitor more reliable
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor currently costs just over $20 but the added features make it worth the few extra bucks.
In addition to a noise level indicator, the unit vibrates to alert you to sound. It comes with a belt clip so the vibrations can be really useful when you are using the hands-free mode.
When fully charged, this cheap audio baby monitor has an 18-hour battery life and the option of using AAA batteries as an alternative. The parent device has a low-battery indicator and an intercom that can be used to talk to your little ones and soothe them. The infant side has volume control and a nightlight function. With 1,000 feet of range and clear transmission, you can also keep an ear on your little one from anywhere in your house.
If the signal is lost, the monitor beeps loudly. However, this sometimes happens without a reason and the monitor may lose signal at weird times (like the middle of the night).
There is also occasionally interference if there are a lot of electronic devices nearby.
Pros
- Parent-talk feature to soothe baby
- Volume indicator
- Low-battery indicator
- Vibrates with noise
- Works all over the house
Cons
- Monitor may lose signal for no reason
- Occasional interference around other electronics
Best Cheap Video Baby Monitor
For some parents, having a baby video monitor is essential for peace of mind.
Some monitors are designed to work while you’re in the house, while others might work with your phone or tablet using your home’s WiFi network. For parents that work a lot or who want to keep an eye on their baby (and whoever is watching them), these models are ideal.
Video monitors are useless if you cannot make out the images on the screen. It’s important to choose a model with clear image resolution. Night vision may also be important, especially for parents who want to keep a close and watchful eye on their children while they are sleeping.
Video monitors can range from an average of $40-150, though there are some that may cost $200 or more.
Nooie Wireless Baby Monitor
The Nooie Wireless Baby Monitor currently costs less than $50 and has high-quality video (1080p) and works on a 2.4G WiFi network with an app downloaded to your phone or tablet. It works as a baby monitor, but its motion detection and recording features also allow it to be used for pet sitting and even for monitoring your home when you are away.
This works better than a regular camera, as it rotates 360-degrees around and has a 100-degree tilt that lets you see any room. Infrared technology also lets you watch your little one at night. Motion sensors take pictures and record video, however, the video recording does shut off quickly. Images and videos are uploaded to the cloud for later viewing.
You can also share in moments with your little one. With two-way talk, you can soothe them with your voice which might help build bonds with parents who work outside of the home.
Additionally, the login info for the app can be shared so relatives can also talk to your little one.
The one downside is that there are occasional bugs with the app and you may not get sound alerts when your baby is making noise or moving around.
Pros
- Clear video feed, day or night
- Images and videos are uploaded to the Cloud
- Option to share with multiple people
- Very cheap baby monitor for the features included
Cons
- App does not always work perfectly
- Video recording does not record for long
Best Mid-Range Baby Monitor
As parents choose a baby monitor, there are some that have extra features, like playing lullabies, alarms for temperature changes, and the ability to add in extra cameras.
As you decide on which model will work best, compatibility is something to consider. Some cheap baby monitors don’t have the technology to block out interference from other devices, which can render the monitor useless in certain areas of the house.
For a mid-range model, you can expect to spend anywhere from $70-150.
Babysense Video Baby Monitor
The Babysense Video Baby Monitor is packed with features that help ensure your little one’s safety, even when you can’t be in the same room.
It comes with one camera and one monitor, though you can purchase extra cameras if you would like. If you buy more than one camera, you can easily switch between the two and each camera can pan across the room. This model by Babysense also has automatic infrared for nighttime viewing.
In addition to monitoring your little one with a live video feed, temperature monitoring helps you be sure they are not too cold or hot. This is important since babies cannot regulate temperature as well as adults.
Other features include two-way talk or lullabies, which can help you put your baby to sleep. Eco-mode preserves battery life and activates the units once the sound is detected in your baby’s room.
For parents that sleep heavily, there is also an alarm function that lets you time diaper changes or nighttime feedings. Low-battery and lost connection alarms also give you peace of mind that you are watching a live feed of your little one.
The range is 900-feet, so this is designed for use by parents in the home.
The one downside is that even though there is long battery life in Eco-mode, you cannot enable this function with more than one camera. You can leave the camera plugged in, but the cord is very short.
Pros
- Lullaby function and two-way talk
- Alarms let you time feedings and diaper changes in the middle of the night
- Works with more than one camera
- Eco-mode preserves battery life
- Constant live-streaming of your baby
Cons
- Eco-mode doesn’t work with more than one camera
- Power cord is short
Best Baby Monitor with Breathing Tracker
Some parents looking at all the extra features included with baby monitors might think they are excessive. For parents raising a child with an illness or parents who need that extra peace of mind, there are plenty of features that offer that peace of mind.
Features like breathing monitors, oxygen level trackers, and movement monitors can save a baby’s life. The biggest challenge is that these solutions usually involve expensive equipment.
Many monitors are also sold without an audio or video option, so they offer a better solution when combined with another affordable unit.
Owlet Dream Duo
The Owlet Dream Duo works by wrapping a sock around your little one’s foot.
The Owlet Dream Duo is a cutting-edge baby monitoring device that allows you to see and hear your baby from anywhere while also providing insight into their sleeping patterns.
The Dream Duo combines a wearable Dream Sock with a WiFi-connected Cam to stream HD 1080p video while also tracking your baby’s vital Sleep Quality Indicators including heart rate, oxygen level, wakings, humidity, ambient temperature, and noise level. These recorded indicators can assist you in understanding your baby’s sleep quality and state so that you can assist him or her in getting the best possible sleep.
The Owlet Dream App brings our cutting-edge baby monitoring technology to life, allowing you to monitor Baby and their environment in real-time, track select Baby’s Sleep Quality Indicators in real-time, and receive professional advice and counseling customized to your baby’s developmental stage.
It’s possible for the entire family to obtain a better night’s sleep. Owlet understands the importance of getting enough sleep, which is why Dream Sock was designed with advanced technology to help Baby sleep comfortably so you can as well. Please note that this model does not include the oxygen level, which is not visible in the app.
Pros
- Socks come in different sizes
- Closely tracks breath rate
- Color-coded alerts make this easy to use at night
- Securely wraps around your little one’s foot
- Includes a baby monitor
Cons
- Expensive (may be worth it for peace of mind)
- Customer service is still learning the newer product.
Comparing the Best Inexpensive Baby Monitors
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Owlet Dream Duo | 9.9 | - | 289.99 |
| Nooie Wireless Baby Monitor | 8.2 | 8.4 | 49.99 |
| Babysense Video Baby Monitor | 3.9 | 8.6 | 49.99 |
| VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor | 9.9 | 9.4 | 38.95 |
Finding the Best Sales on Baby Monitors
Even though there are plenty of cheap baby monitors, some parents need the extra features to put their minds at ease when their baby is in another room.
Here are some suggestions for finding a great deal on a baby monitor:
- Groupon lets you search for deals on baby monitors and choose the best.
- Black Friday and Clearance sales are also good choices.
- Many companies, like Owlet, will run seasonal deals during the summer. Check the individual manufacturer’s site for more details.
- Don’t be afraid of Amazon options! If you are okay with a non-name brand baby monitor, you can find cheaply imported electronics on Amazon that will get the job done.
However, always check out the reviews on a product before selecting one and be sure the monitor is compatible with the way your home is set up.
