The Best Baby Monitor In Australia 2024: Top Safety Features, Security, And Value [Updated Monthly]
Finding the best baby monitor in Australia is no easy task. Baby monitors are one of the hottest trending products in 2024, and for good reason. The recent forced seclusion has led experts to predict a baby boom. And thanks to leaps forward in baby monitoring tech, the time is right to buy.
But as we covered in a recent article about baby monitor security, not all products are created equal.
If you are thinking of purchasing a new baby monitor for yourself or a loved one, our list (updated monthly) will help you make the best choice with a focus on security, features, and overall value for your money.
Walkabout 360 View HD: Editor’s pick for best baby monitor Australia – $229.99 at Mifo.com.au→
Where to buy the Walkabout 360 View HD wireless smart baby monitor in Australia
The best baby monitor including health monitoring, security, ease of setup, and all around home use come from a brand that is new to Australia. But don’t let that scare you off, as this baby monitor is easily one of the best we have ever tested.
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$229.99 tax inclusive at Mifo.com.au – free 2-4 day delivery ►
So what makes the Walkabout 360 View HD the best all around baby monitor?
- The best baby monitor for the modern parent, period. The Walkabout 360 View HD comes with a bevy of features that improve the ease of monitoring newborns, infants, and toddlers immensely, beginning with its powerful monitoring tools. Using the sharp, high definition remote control screen, parents are able to stay alert to any change in temperature, unusual noises, and movement day or night. In addition, the screen has intuitive controls that allow you to move the camera remotely 360 degrees for the perfect viewing angle.
- Advanced private encrypted signal. One of our biggest complaints about modern baby monitors is their reliance on home wifi networks and apps. The 360 View HD fixes this problem by creating an entirely closed network using its own encrypted signal. That means you have direct access to monitor your baby, even if there is no wifi. It also acts as a safeguard against network hacking and intrusions, which brings peace of mind.
- Beautiful HD remote control screen. The 360 View HD has the best remote viewing handset of any baby monitor we have seen. The large, 12.7cm screen is sharp, and video signal never lags or stutters. In addition, parents may pair multiple screens with a single unit, offering multi parent monitoring during key times.
- Super simple setup. We were able to get the 360 View HD up and running in under 5 minutes with no prior instruction. That matters when hectic schedules and a new addition to the family collide. Any little solace from the madness is appreciated.
- Australia-based customer support. We have been continuously disappointed with baby monitor products in the past, even from tech giants like Samsung. Part of that disappointment comes with poor or absent customer service. We tested Walkabout on several occasions with questions and every time received proper replies within an hour. That demonstrates commitment to Australian market and contributes greatly to our award of Editor’s Pick.
Motorola Halo+ Video Baby Monitor: Solid but pricey baby monitor – $484.26 at Amazon.com.au→
Where to buy the Motorola Halo+ baby monitor in Australia
If you aren’t price sensitive, Motorola may be the brand for you. This stem mounted baby monitor comes with less flexibility than the Walkabout 360 View HD, but offer an app and wifi access if you prefer using a smartphone.
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Why Motorola makes the list of best baby monitor Australia products for your home
- Unique features for the baby monitor category. While most modern baby monitors have a light and night vision, the Halo+ takes it a step further by offering 7 LED colour options to light a crib and soothe infants. In addition, the rear of the camera unit offers a ceiling projector capable of projecting simple images onto the ceiling. A novel take on placing multiple devices in one unit.
- Excellent camera quality with plenty of inbuilt features. Images come through crisp and clear, and included microphone and sensors enable parents to view a wide variety of information. Standard is 2-way voice communication and night vision.
- Remote control with screen is helpful, but could use improvement. The included remote control screen offers standard controls that allow for a number of key features to be activated remotely. However, the controls are somewhat difficult to use thanks to a clunky operating system. In addition, it is not possible to adjust the focus and direction of the camera remotely, meaning you will likely need to test over a period of weeks to find the optimal placement.
- Limited security and safety features. While Motorola does an excellent job with overall features, the Halo+ relies on a third party app and signal is transmitted over wifi networks. This leaves homes vulnerable to connected intrusion attempts, and using the app means you are allowing your data to be shared with a third party, which justifiably makes many new parents uncomfortable.
Owlet Camera: A smart baby monitor that offers unique health integration – $249.99 at Amazon.com.au→
Where to buy the Owlet Camera baby viewer in Australia
Owlet have made a name for themselves in the connected baby home. Launching first in the United States, their collection of monitoring hardware has received praise from critics. Now coming to Australia, we get a chance to see if the hype is real.
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Why Owlet gets our approval for their smart baby camera
- A hit or miss experience that mostly hits. Owlet have engineered a product that is designed to integrate with a future collection of health and wellness monitoring devices. While intriguing, that won’t help if you need to purchase a camera today, as we have no timetable when future devices such ad the Smart Sock will be released for the Aussie market. That said, the camera itself works well, and the included app offers intuitive and easy to use controls.
- Software that works the way you expect. Owlet have done a marvelous job of creating an app-based interface that works just as you would expect. Including zooming, two way audio, night vision, and ambient temperature readout controlled by standard taps and gestures such and pinching and zooming. Note that the camera must be well placed, as the angle and direction of focus cannot be adjusted remotely.
- Security and safety in mind. While the Owlet Camera requires a wifi connection and app to function, it does offer AES 128-bit encryption and TLS connection to wifi networks, and comes with safe wall mounting kit that keeps cables away from little hands. To boot, Owlet owns and manages the included app, so there won’t be third party data risk.
- Built for baby, but may not work for you. While the camera is worth reviewing, the price point and offering of future interconnectivity with no timeline is a weak point. There are far better options for the money unless you are dead set on bringing Owlet into your home.
Infant Optics DXR-8: Time tested design but with features in need of update – $273.48 at Amazon.com.au→
Where to buy the Infant Optics DXR-8 baby monitor in Australia
Infant Optics have created a product that was industry leading in 2019, but has now fallen behind in terms of features. That said, it is still a viable product and may have a place in your home given its unique interchangeable optical lens.
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Why Infant Optics may yet be worth exploring
- Unique, interchangeable optical lens. The DXR-8 includes three interchangeable lenses that allow a more precise control over what the monitor sees. By carefully adjusting to match your room environment, it is possible to achieve a more consistent, clearer image. While not applicable for many parents, in the right environment this feature can be precisely what is needed.
- Secure network and receiver. As the DXR-8 is a bit older, it does not rely on wifi or apps to communicate. This has the distinct advantage of creating a secure network within your home, which can offer peace of mind for parents concerned with cyber intrusion.
- Everything else is in dire need of an update. Unfortunately, the remaining features including range, battery life, signal quality, and remote operation are sorely lacking by modern standards. The DXR-8 could do with a refresh to bring specs up to speed with competitors. For the price, you can find more robust features that are equally reliable.
Runners-up: Best Baby Monitors
There are many, many baby monitor options in the Australian market. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our readers, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at best baby monitors in Australia that didn’t make the list.
iBaby Monitor M6 – $299.00 at Amazon.com.au→
iBaby have created a unique looking piece of kit, and we wish it were as functional as it looks. The orb on a platter shape is awkward to install, and actually hampers available viewing angles. The camera, while clear and easy to set up, operates from a smartphone app and does not include a remote viewing screen, nor does it offer closed secure network access.
Lollipop Smart Baby Monitor – $235.23 at Amazon.com.au→
The odd looking, bendable Lollipop is a unique take on a baby monitor. The bendable design is meant to be usable nearly anywhere it can find a perch. Unfortunately, we would not recommend this approach as a permanent solution, as the Lollipop offers few features beyond portability. The product should be considered for travel, but not as a daily use baby monitor.
VTech VM5463-2 Video Baby Monitor – $219.00 at Amazon.com.au→
VTech have created a basic multi-room product that leaves us wanting more. The cameras and included screen are easy enough to set up, but mounting for a proper angle is complex given the pedestal camera design, and battery life, signal strength, and user interface are sorely lacking.