We have researched and compiled a list of the best baby monitors for travel based on expert opinions and customer reviews.
Each of the portable baby monitors on our list has been thoroughly tested and evaluated to ensure they are suitable for travel. We have also included information on why it is important to carry a baby monitor with you while traveling.
Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or automobile, having a reliable baby monitor can provide peace of mind and help make your trip more enjoyable. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our list of the best baby monitors for travel.
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Editor's Choice
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Editor's 2nd Choice
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Editor's 3rd Choice
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Title:
Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor
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Title:
HelloBaby Baby Monitor
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Title:
GoodBaby Baby Monitor
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Features:
HD Resolution, Night Vision, No App & Wi-Fi Needed, 1000mW Speaker
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Features:
Remote Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera, Sound Activated Screen & Indicator, Automatic Night Vision, Crystal Clear Two Way Audio,
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Features:
Night Vision, Two Way Audio, HD Resolution, Long Transmission Range
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Best Baby Monitors for Travel
Graco Baby Smart Home Security Camera
The small and convenient Graco Baby monitor is the best choice for parents who do want a more connected baby monitor when traveling. This is a Wi-Fi baby monitor and connects to a mobile app on your phone.
This is a great way to watch your baby while traveling without having to carry around an actual monitor. Everything is right there, ready on your phone!
Graco Baby’s monitor also provides night vision, so you can make sure they are sleeping well at any time. Having a Wi-Fi connection can be convenient, but don’t forget that it can be hacked and is not secure.
The clear picture and audio Graco’s baby camera monitor provide is a highlight for many parents. You can also easily adjust the zoom and angle to make the monitor work in any type of hotel room.
Graco Baby’s app also provides two-way audio, so parents can talk to their babies through the app. This makes it easier to calm down the child without having to go all the way to the room.
Sometimes all babies need is to hear the sound of their parent’s voices to calm them down. Graco is much more than the famous Graco stroller with a car seat, or the well-loved Graco rocker. Its baby monitors deserve just as much attention.
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PROS |
CONS |
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Has an app |
Needs a memory card to work |
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Two-way audio via the app |
Needs wi-fi connection |
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Easy set-up |
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Less to carry |
Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor
Getting sleep as a new parent is almost impossible at first. If your baby is not crying, the white noise from the baby monitor will keep you up too. However, the Infant Optics baby monitor has a great audio system that works well for even the most sensitive sleepers.
The monitor comes with a noise reduction system to reduce white noise, so you can sleep peacefully. Or, sleep until your baby starts to cry, that is. But any small amount of quiet sleep is nice, right?
After conducting extensive testing, we found that this baby monitor has several benefits that make it an excellent choice for traveling. In addition to its white noise filter, we were impressed by its easily adjustable volume and lights.
We tested the monitor in various lighting conditions and found that its lights could be dimmed to suit the user’s preferences, providing a comfortable sleeping environment without disturbing the baby.
These features make it an ideal travel companion for parents who value their sleep quality while on the go.
Infant Optics baby monitor is definitely one of the best baby monitors for sensitive sleepers! Infant Optics’ battery life is also ideal, so you don’t have to worry about losing battery in the middle of the night.
Some parents have had issues, saying that the audio has a few seconds of delay. This margin of error is common in many baby monitors, so it is extra important to respond quickly when you hear a sound from Infant Optics’ monitor.
It is a non-Wi-Fi baby monitor, so you can use this monitor without worrying about anything being hacked.
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PROS |
CONS |
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Great camera |
Slight audio delay |
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High-quality resolution |
Noise-canceling issues when in Scan Mode |
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Doesn’t need Wi-Fi |
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Reduces white noise |
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
VTech’s baby monitor is one of the best audio-only baby monitors on the market. It is a great choice for parents who do not feel the need for a full visual monitor.
This baby monitor is well known for its incredible range, making it ideal for camping trips or a stay at a relative’s house.
Our testing of VTech’s digital audio monitor found that it offers a reliable solution for parents who need to maintain contact with their baby at all times.
The monitor beeps as soon as it goes out of range, providing reassurance that the connection is still active.
We tested the monitor in different environments and found that it consistently maintained its signal, ensuring that parents could always hear their baby’s sounds. This feature makes it a practical and reassuring choice for parents who prioritize safety and peace of mind.
There is a lovely yellow night light for the baby that slowly disappears as they fall asleep. It is a great two-in-one product while being an affordable baby monitor.
If you prefer to have a screen to watch, this may not be the baby monitor for you. However, being screen-less makes this baby monitor much easier to transport for travel purposes.
It does need to be plugged in, but it has such few cables that this issue will not affect your travels too much.
The audio quality of the VTech baby monitor is incredible and filters out white noise as well for a more peaceful sleep. It is one of the best non-Wi-Fi baby monitors on the market.
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PROS |
CONS |
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High-quality audio |
Needs to be plugged in |
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Affordable |
No visual monitor |
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Doesn’t need Wi-Fi |
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Has a nightlight |
Philips Avent Audio Baby Monitor DECT
If you are an avid camper, the Philips Avent baby monitor could be a great option. Not only is it cordless, but the long-range baby monitor has an outdoor range of 1,000 feet. This will allow you to move around relatively freely without too much worry.
As it is a baby monitor that works without Wi-Fi, you will not have to worry if the campsite does not have internet access. It filters out white noise as well, so you can sleep with a bit more silence throughout the night.
The main issue some parents have with the Philips Avent baby monitor is that it is quite a basic baby monitor. It does not include two-way talking. So, if your baby starts crying, you cannot speak to them through the baby monitor.
Our testing of the Philips Avent baby monitor revealed that its battery life is impressive thanks to its smart eco mode.
We tested the monitor in various settings and found that it conserves power by adjusting the transmission strength based on the proximity of the parent unit to the baby unit.
When the parent unit is close to the baby unit, the monitor uses less power to transmit sounds, preserving its battery life.
This feature makes it a practical and energy-efficient option for parents who need to use the monitor for extended periods.
That way the battery life can last for a longer time. Regardless of where you are camping, the baby monitor has a fantastic signal.
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PROS |
CONS |
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Long-range |
No two-way talking |
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White noise filter |
No screen for viewing |
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Long battery life |
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Is a no Wi-Fi baby monitor |
Panasonic Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio
Another great travel baby monitor is made by Panasonic. The Panasonic Baby monitor is ideal for parents who care deeply about privacy. It comes with DECT technology that protects the baby monitor’s connection, preventing any and all hacking.
This program also prevents connection loss when using other electronics – an issue that often happens in hotels. Panasonic’s baby monitor has an excellent battery life, lasting about 5 hours for continuous use.
When you purchase the Panasonic baby monitor, it only comes with one video baby monitor camera.
And if you are traveling, the less you need to pack, the better. Depending on how sensitive of a sleeper you are, you can set the audio to send you an alert when a noise is detected rather than continuous audio.
This could be great for those traveling with other family members, so not everyone has to listen to the baby monitor while trying to sleep. Panasonic’s monitor is likely the best audio baby monitor on this list.
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PROS |
CONS |
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Secure technology |
Only has one baby camera |
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Audio options |
No built-in night light |
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Long battery life |
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Less to pack |
HelloBaby Baby Monitor with Remote Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera
With their great camera features, HelloBaby monitors are likely one of the best portable camera baby monitors on this list. The display screen provides a clear, full view of your child’s room, so you can rest worry-free.
Some parents have said the picture quality is not the best, but it is good enough to see your child. It is likely one of the best video baby monitors out there.
Our observations indicate that the camera has the ability to tilt and zoom, allowing it to capture more active babies or toddlers as they move around. HelloBaby’s baby sound monitor does not have volume buttons, so adjusting the volume takes a bit more work.
You can still change the volume, but you have to go through settings instead. This extra step may be an issue for some.
What makes this baby monitor stand out from others is its wireless capabilities. Since there are no cables, it is easy to take with you on trips without having to worry about forgetting cables. Its battery life is long as well, so you do not have to charge it constantly.
Though HelloBaby’s monitor is mostly for babies, it can be used for toddlers as well. The screen is known to be durable, so if your toddler somehow gets a hold of it, it likely won’t break. Durability is an underrated feature in many baby-centric technologies!
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PROS |
CONS |
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Movable camera |
Lacks volume buttons |
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View of the whole room |
Not the highest video quality |
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Long battery life |
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Durable |
GoodBaby Baby Monitor with Remote Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera
GoodBaby is easy set-up and only requires plugging in a cord. Don’t worry, there is only one cord, so you can still travel easily with this baby monitor.
A small number of people had issues with connections, so make sure to test the GoodBaby monitor when it arrives.
Despite being a cheap baby monitor with video, it does not skip out on functionality. The camera is rotatable, so it can work for any type of hotel room you are staying in.
It is also a baby monitor with one of the longest ranges on this list. GoodBaby has a range of 960 feet, so you can move around the Airbnb or hotel freely without worrying too much.
The video image you get through GoodBaby’s screen is top-notch as well. The picture and audio are clear, and since it doesn’t need wi-fi your connection won’t be hacked.
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PROS |
CONS |
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Doesn’t need Wi-Fi |
The camera needs to be plugged in |
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Can change camera angles easily |
Some connection issues |
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Easy set-up |
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Affordable |
Travel Baby Monitor Buying Guide
1. Sound
One of the most important features you want from a baby monitor is sound. You want to be able to hear if your baby is crying, or if something happens while you are sleeping.
However, you also may want to have adjustable audio, so the white noise times aren’t too loud.
2. Range
The range describes how far the parent’s travel monitor can be from the baby’s monitor. You want a range of at least 800 feet, but it depends on what you’re doing.
If you plan to go camping or have a separate room in the hotel, go for a long-range baby monitor.
3. Portability
Having a baby monitor that is easily portable is essential for travel. You don’t want a baby monitor with lots of cords and cables when you’re in a hotel or camping, right?
The monitor itself should also be relatively small, so it can fit in any suitcase or carry-on. Wireless baby monitors are a big help when traveling.
4. Connectivity
Technology can be great, but it also leads to many security issues. Try to go for a baby monitor that doesn’t need to connect to Wi-Fi or the internet to work. Camping sites likely won’t have internet, and hotels have public Wi-Fi.
Many of the top babies monitors work without Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to worry about losing quality.
How to Use A Baby Monitor
Each baby monitor has a different setup, so it is important to read the instructions carefully. Setting up a baby monitor improperly will make it difficult for the monitor to work correctly.
The first thing to do is make sure the baby monitor is far enough from the crib so that your baby does not start playing with the monitor. It should be at least three feet away from their sleep and play areas.
Young children can grow quite fast, so as they start to grow, do not forget to rearrange the baby monitor. Try and pretend you are at the height of your child to visualize which areas they can and cannot reach.
It may sound silly, but getting a direct point of view can help you place the baby monitor better.
With video monitors, it is a pretty similar practice. But make sure to choose a location where you can see your baby well.
Even though many baby monitors with cameras have wide-angle functionalities, the highest quality image will be when the camera is pointed directly at the baby’s crib or play area.
With video monitors, it is especially important to go through the instructions manual and follow it.
Depending on what kind of baby monitor you decide to go with, it may have cords. Unfortunately, many babies and small children do not fully understand the danger of cords yet. Many small children harm themselves by playing with cords.
It is crucial to set up your baby monitor in a way where the cords are far from the reach of your child’s hands. Many baby monitors are cordless for this reason, but may still need to be plugged in when charging.
Setting up a baby monitor may sound complicated, but if you follow the set-up instructions from the manufacturer, you will be just fine. Baby monitors are important, so take the time to configure them correctly.
See also: Best Travel Gifts for Men who Love to Travel
Baby Monitors FAQ
Do baby monitors work long distances?
The range of a baby monitor depends on factors such as the frequency band, antenna design, and obstructions in the environment, but most models have a range of up to a few hundred feet.
Is there a baby monitor that works with and without Wi-Fi?
Yes, there are baby monitors that can work with and without Wi-Fi. Some models use Bluetooth or other wireless protocols to connect to a parent unit or smartphone app, while others have their own dedicated video and audio transmission technology that does not rely on Wi-Fi.
What is the most reliable baby monitor?
All the baby monitors on this list, however, are the most reliable likely the HelloBaby Baby Monitor. Not only does it give you a full view of your baby’s room, but it is also durable.
Are baby monitor apps safe?
The safety of baby monitor apps depends on various factors such as the security measures implemented by the app developer, the strength of the user’s Wi-Fi network, and the privacy settings configured by the user.
It’s important to use a secure network and configure the app’s privacy settings appropriately to ensure the safety of both the baby’s and the user’s personal information.
Are baby monitor temperatures accurate?
Most baby monitors measure temperature relatively accurately. They may have a margin of error of 2°F, but that usually isn’t too much of an issue. However, there are many baby monitors that are wrong by about 10°F, which can be dangerous.
Related Articles:
Expecting parents always worry about how difficult travel will now be with a new child. However, this does not have to be the case at all! With the advancement of technology, many baby monitors are less bulky and can be used for traveling.
Remember to look for monitors that have good quality audio, a long-range, and are cordless.
From affordable baby monitors to the more high-end options, this list covers some of the best baby monitors for travel. Whichever you decide to purchase, you can rest assured when traveling this year.
Enjoy your vacation with even your tiniest with the help of one of these useful baby monitors.
