Audio vs Video Baby Monitor
An audio monitor tells you when your baby is awake. A video monitor shows you whether you need to go in.
| Audio monitor | Video monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Sound only | Picture and sound |
| Cost | Low | Moderate to high |
| Parent unit battery | Long | Shorter |
| Unnecessary trips | More | Fewer, you can check first |
| Privacy | Local signal | Choose secure models, Wi-Fi models need strong passwords |
| Travel | Very simple | Bulkier |
Choose Audio monitor if
- You live in a small home
- You want a simple, cheap setup
- You travel often
Choose Video monitor if
- The nursery is far from your bedroom
- You want to check without opening the door
- You have more than one child's room to watch
The bottom line
A video monitor saves many unnecessary trips into the nursery. An audio monitor is enough in small homes where you would hear the baby anyway. Keep all cords well out of reach.