Best Travel Baby Monitors

Most families have a baby monitor at home in their baby’s nursery to ensure they know when their baby wakes up. Keeping an eye on your baby is essential, but how are you supposed to do that while traveling or staying at a relative’s house? The answer is to get one of these best travel baby monitors.

It’s after bedtime, and your baby is asleep. You’re on the porch of your beach house, enjoying the sounds of the waves and a nice cup of tea.

The image is excellent, but how are you supposed to know if your baby or toddler decides to wake up? They’re in a new environment, increasing the likelihood of waking up and needing reassurance to go back to sleep.

This is where travel baby monitors come in handy. You can keep a virtual eye on your kids, even older kids, while still enjoying your trip. It even comes in handy if you’re staying the weekend at grandma’s house!

Let’s take a look at some great options for best portable baby monitors.

And if you love this guide to the best baby monitor for travel, then check out these guides on best baby monitors with WiFi, best long range baby monitors, and best baby monitors. Or these best non WiFi baby monitors.

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Our Top Pick
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
$229.99 $165.99

This award winning baby monitor has over 45,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone which showcases why parents love this baby monitor.

The DXR-8 offers the perfect balance between size, weight, and performance in its audio and video components. No setup is required, so as soon as you receive this monitor, all you have to do is plug it in and go, so it’s ideal for travel. In addition, the parent unit fits comfortably in your back pocket! 

This has one of the best open ranges of 700 feet and 150 feet inside range making it a fantastic long distance monitor. Plus, it is also perfect for multiple babies as parents may add up to four cameras to be viewed on the one parent unit.

It has a long battery life and the monitor offers many remote options, such as panning, tilting, and zooming in with the parent unit. You can zoom further with this monitor than others on the market, featuring a 4x room that doesn’t compromise the video quality. 

And it comes with bonus features like an alarm function, two-way talk, a remote thermometer, and infrared night vision. 



03/18/2024 01:03 am GMT

List of 5 Best Travel Baby Monitors

Best Portable Baby Monitors

1. Infant Optics DXR-8 Baby Monitor

One of the leading baby monitors on the market is the Infant Optics DXR-8; it was voted the Babylist Best Monitor in 2020. It’s lightweight, portable, and has tons of features that parents need and want.

Infant Optics offers full viewing controls for the parents with interchangeable lenses. It has an optical zoom and a digital 4x zoom function. Parents can also pan and tilt the camera remotely, ensuring you always have the perfect view of your baby while traveling.

Here are some of the other features of the Infant Optics that you will love.

  • Two-way talk lets you chat with your baby when you’re not in the room with them.
  • A remote thermometer lets you know if the temperature is too hot or cold for your baby.
  • The battery life lasts eight hours with a live video and 12 hours audio-only mode.
  • You can add up to four cameras per parent unit.
  • It has a 700 foot range.

Pros:

  • Portable
  • Interchangeable lenses
  • Zooms, pans, and tilts
  • Tracks the temperature
  • Long battery life

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Interchangeable lenses are sold separately
Our Top Pick
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
$229.99 $165.99

This award winning baby monitor has over 45,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone which showcases why parents love this baby monitor.

The DXR-8 offers the perfect balance between size, weight, and performance in its audio and video components. No setup is required, so as soon as you receive this monitor, all you have to do is plug it in and go, so it’s ideal for travel. In addition, the parent unit fits comfortably in your back pocket! 

This has one of the best open ranges of 700 feet and 150 feet inside range making it a fantastic long distance monitor. Plus, it is also perfect for multiple babies as parents may add up to four cameras to be viewed on the one parent unit.

It has a long battery life and the monitor offers many remote options, such as panning, tilting, and zooming in with the parent unit. You can zoom further with this monitor than others on the market, featuring a 4x room that doesn’t compromise the video quality. 

And it comes with bonus features like an alarm function, two-way talk, a remote thermometer, and infrared night vision. 



03/18/2024 01:03 am GMT

2. Babysense HD Baby Monitor

Babysense creates one of the leading travel baby monitors with HD live feed and a clear 720p vision from all angles. You also can hook two or more cameras to the camera, allowing you to see all of your kids while traveling.

The Babysense HD Baby Monitor includes several features that parents love.

  • The camera has infrared night vision, allowing you always to keep a close eye on your baby.
  • Programmed lullabies help your baby fall asleep, especially in a new place while traveling.
  • It comes with an adjustable mount, so you can easily put the camera wherever you want.
  • Parents can pan, tilt, and zoom the camera from the parent unit.
  • Two-way talk allows you to communicate with your baby before you reach them.
  • This monitor has a 960 feet range.

Pros:

  • Great picture quality
  • 5” LCD HD screen
  • Long battery life
  • Two-way talk feature

Cons:

  • Low volume
  • The camera cord is short
  • Many reviews say the video lags

3. Goodbaby Video Baby Monitor

Goodbaby offers an excellent option for the best travel baby monitors. It has all sorts of features that parents need at an affordable price tag. This portable baby monitor has infrared night vision and HD quality images to watch your baby. You also can switch to the audio-only mode to save on battery life.

That’s not all! Goodbaby added other features while still keeping the price low and affordable for families.

  • It keeps track of the temperature in your baby’s room and sends an alarm if the temps change too much.
  • You can use two-way communication to talk to your baby if he wakes up crying.
  • Add up to four cameras on the parent unit.
  • The sound system has up to five indicators to let you know if your baby wakes up crying when it’s in audio-only mode.
  • You can set feeding alarms!
  • It has a 960 feet range.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Great range
  • HD quality image
  • Temperature and feeding alarms

Cons:

  • No zoom or rotation mode for the camera
  • Too sensitive to sound
  • The camera won’t switch on when touched instantly

4. VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor

If you’re looking for a simple audio-only baby monitor while traveling, the VTech DM221 is an excellent, top-rated choice. Not only does it have a fantastic range, but it has crystal clear audio using DECT 6.0 technology that eliminates background noise.

Since this is an audio-only monitor, it’s a budget-friendly choice, but VTech added features parents want and need to have.

  • A five-level sound indicator lets you know your baby is making noises, but it also allows you to know how much noise to decide if you need to get your baby or not.
  • The two-way talk-back intercom lets you talk to your baby from any room.
  • A night light on the baby unit acts as a soothing background light.
  • You can pick to hear sounds from the baby unit all the time or only sounds that exceed a certain level.
  • This range is up to 1,000 feet.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Clear audio
  • Sound indicator level
  • Two-way talk
  • Night light

Cons:

  • You must plug the baby unit in the whole time
  • The parent unit takes a long time to charge

5. VTech VM3252 Audio Monitor

Chances are you don’t want to spend a fortune on a travel baby monitor, and the VTech VM3252 is an excellent and affordable choice. It has a high-quality HD screen that lets you keep a close eye on your baby with great camera angles. In addition, when your baby cries, you can talk to him on the intercom to help him feel more comfortable, especially while traveling.

That’s not the only feature of the VTech VM3252!

  • Track the temperature of your baby’s nursery with his monitor; you’ll always know if your baby is too hot or too cold.
  • The infrared night vision lets you keep a close eye on your baby all the time.
  • It has a six-level sound indicator, so you can turn down the volume but still know if your baby wakes up.
  • Parents can adjust the camera angles to get the best view of their baby.
  • This monitor has a 1,000 feet range.

Pros:

  • Adjustable camera angles
  • Temperature monitor
  • Sound indicators
  • HD screen
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Short battery life
  • Grainy night vision

How to Pick the Best Travel Baby Monitor

Not all travel baby monitors are created equal. There is a vast range of choices, and each one has its unique features and benefits depending on the child, parents’ preferences, and budget.

Let’s look at some of the factors that should influence your selection.

Clear Video Quality

If you’re planning on using your monitor mainly around the house and yard, then you’ll probably be OK with a standard audio-only monitor. However, if you plan to use it outside the house more often or if you want to keep an eye on your baby closely, then you may want to spring for a video monitor.

You want to make sure that the video quality is good and that you have a good view of your baby. A good video quality includes an infrared video, so the view at night is still top-quality!

Monitor Range

A monitor’s range is the maximum distance between the parent unit and baby unit that you can still get a reliable signal. You should consider this crucial factor above all others because it’s what dictates where you’ll be able to use your monitor.

For example, if the range is 500 feet, as long as you’re within 500 feet of your baby (and not through any walls), you will most likely always have a strong enough signal to see and hear everything going on.

However, keep in mind that walls decrease your monitor range.

The good news is that most monitor manufacturers include a signal strength indicator on the parent unit, so it’s easy to monitor how strong your current connection is.

You want to look for a monitor with long-range capability for maximum flexibility. Still, if you’re looking primarily for convenience, then you can opt for a short-range monitor since it will likely work well enough as long as you bring the parent unit with you around the house or outside.

Sound Quality

Another significant factor to consider is how clear the sound quality of both units is. That means being able to hear all the noise your baby makes, including any sudden sounds like coughing, crying, gasping, sneezes, etc.

In general, most baby monitors have pretty good sound quality. Still, there are major differences from one unit to another, so be sure to check customer reviews for this information before making a purchase.

Connectivity

It’s tempting to pick a baby monitor that connects to Wi-Fi and has an app for your cell phone, but this isn’t such a good idea for traveling baby monitors. If you decide to go camping, you won’t have Wi-Fi, and you never know what the connection will be like as you travel.

While most hotels nowadays offer free Wi-Fi, you never know the quality, nor do you want to risk someone gaining access to your baby’s monitor feed because you all share the same Wi-Fi.

Portability

If you plan to take your monitor along when traveling, then portability becomes very important. Unfortunately, many of the best travel monitors are not video units, which means you may be limited.

We recommend that parents consider getting an audio only monitor if they plan to take it with them often because its smaller size makes it easier to carry around in bags. In addition, the parent unit tends to be smaller with audio-only monitors.

However, if you don’t mind carrying around a larger device, then one of the larger video monitors can work well for traveling. You might be able to use the same monitor you use at home for traveling!

Our Top Pick
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
$229.99 $165.99

This award winning baby monitor has over 45,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone which showcases why parents love this baby monitor.

The DXR-8 offers the perfect balance between size, weight, and performance in its audio and video components. No setup is required, so as soon as you receive this monitor, all you have to do is plug it in and go, so it’s ideal for travel. In addition, the parent unit fits comfortably in your back pocket! 

This has one of the best open ranges of 700 feet and 150 feet inside range making it a fantastic long distance monitor. Plus, it is also perfect for multiple babies as parents may add up to four cameras to be viewed on the one parent unit.

It has a long battery life and the monitor offers many remote options, such as panning, tilting, and zooming in with the parent unit. You can zoom further with this monitor than others on the market, featuring a 4x room that doesn’t compromise the video quality. 

And it comes with bonus features like an alarm function, two-way talk, a remote thermometer, and infrared night vision. 



03/18/2024 01:03 am GMT

FAQs about Portable Baby Monitors 

What are Portable Baby Monitors?

A portable baby monitor is a small, affordable, and easy-to-use device that will allow you to hear your child’s sounds and noises even when you’re traveling. For example, this will enable you to keep a virtual eye or ear on your baby while you’re sitting on the porch watching the beach.
 
Your baby needs to sleep, but you’re still relaxing while traveling.
 
Here are just a few reasons why a portable baby monitor might be beneficial:
●     You will know if your baby wakes up in the middle of the night or during naptime while traveling.
●     If the monitor lets you talk back to your baby, you can give them comfort when they aren’t sleeping in the same room as you while on the go.
●     You can check on your toddlers or older kids when traveling; sometimes, you need to keep an eye on them as well!

Why Should You Use a Monitor for Travel?

Some parents decide not to use a baby monitor when they go on vacation or take trips because they believe it is unnecessary. However, it’s sometimes a good idea and gives parents peace of mind while traveling.
Here are some things to consider.
 
●     When you’re away, you want your baby to feel safe and secure sleeping, and you want yourself to feel that way as well. A monitor helps you do this!
●     Video monitors let you keep an eye on both of your kids. For example, you can watch to ensure your toddler doesn’t escape while taking a nap.
●     You can use many travel monitors at home, so you don’t have to buy a specific monitor for traveling. You can use it as your baby’s nursery monitor as well.

Can Baby Monitors Be Hacked?

The short answer is yes, baby monitors can be hacked, but the main reason someone would want to hack into one of these devices is questionable. However, as companies realized this, they have created stronger baby monitors to prevent hacking. If you use a second-hand or older monitor, then a hacker may take advantage of outdated software.

Final Thoughts on the Best Baby Monitor for Travel

While having a traveling baby monitor is not a necessity, it gives you more peace of mind while taking trips with your baby. You’ll be able to relax knowing that all is well with your children, even when you aren’t at home.

And if you’re looking for more great sleeping guides, then check out these sleeping guides on best baby monitors for twins, best nightlight for baby, and when to stop using a baby monitor. Or even our guide on the best baby monitor for camping.

Our Top Pick
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
$229.99 $165.99

This award winning baby monitor has over 45,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone which showcases why parents love this baby monitor.

The DXR-8 offers the perfect balance between size, weight, and performance in its audio and video components. No setup is required, so as soon as you receive this monitor, all you have to do is plug it in and go, so it’s ideal for travel. In addition, the parent unit fits comfortably in your back pocket! 

This has one of the best open ranges of 700 feet and 150 feet inside range making it a fantastic long distance monitor. Plus, it is also perfect for multiple babies as parents may add up to four cameras to be viewed on the one parent unit.

It has a long battery life and the monitor offers many remote options, such as panning, tilting, and zooming in with the parent unit. You can zoom further with this monitor than others on the market, featuring a 4x room that doesn’t compromise the video quality. 

And it comes with bonus features like an alarm function, two-way talk, a remote thermometer, and infrared night vision. 



03/18/2024 01:03 am GMT
best travel baby monitors