Best Long Range Baby Monitor

There are several benefits of purchasing a long range baby monitor. One of the biggest advantages is that you can have peace of mind knowing that your baby is safe, while at the same time getting things done that you need to. Whether you need to start dinner at the other end of the house, or you want to do some gardening outside, the best long range baby monitor will keep you worry-free.

Image used under Creative Commons from Kona Gallagher

Best Long Range Baby Monitors

There are several makes and models to choose from, each with varying features. Below are some of the most highly rated long range baby monitors we recommend:

Philips Avent DECT Baby Monitor with Temperature Sensor

This model offers DECT technology for complete privacy and zero interference. It comes with a great selection of feature for its price, including talk back, customizable temperature feature, lullabies, and nightlights. It also boasts of a 330 meters range.Many reviewers love the temperature sensor feature; since a baby can’t regulate its body temperature, even a slight change in the room can make a baby restless. Parents can be alerted right away to changes, and can adjust room temperature accordingly. The talk-back feature is also a huge plus for most parents, for two-way communication.

One of the negatives that parents have commented on is that it is almost too sensitive to baby’s sounds. Some parents want to be alerted to when baby is crying, but not simple sounds like baby moving around in his crib, etc. Another negative was the life of the batteries – some say they do not last very long, and the parent unit takes different batteries from the main unit. Although affordable, this baby monitor comes with great features that any parent can maximize. One Amazon reviewer is clearly impressed with the Avent’s durable build and user-friendliness:

This Philips baby monitor is probably as sophisticated as you’ll ever get from a sound-only baby monitor. It is well designed, sturdily built (a very important consideration for a baby monitor), and easy to set up and use.

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Samsung SEP-1001R Baby Monitoring Camera

Samsung’s SEP-1001R baby monitor offers excellent nighttime, wireless monitoring. It boasts of a hi-resolution camera, a sleek, contemporary design and built in speaker and mic for two way communication. This model also comes with a remote controlled night light and an impressive 900 feet signal range.Many reviewers love the ease of use, and the fact that it can be used for all ages. Others love the built-in nightlight to help soothe baby back to sleep.A few reviewers have commented about the fragility of the unit, the mic in particular.

A few reviewers have commented about the fragility of the unit, the mic in particular.

All of the above long range baby monitors offer some great features and can give you peace of mind, especially if you’re a first-time parent. In the end, though, you will have to decide which one is best for you and your family, based on your needs and budget. But for one Amazon user who gave this product a five star rating, his search for the perfect baby monitor has ended:

As someone who has tried several different video baby monitors I do not hesitate to say that this is hands down the best one I’ve ever come across!

Graco Secure Coverage Digital Baby Monitor with 1 Parent Unit

This model offers several features, with advanced digital technology and is interference-free from microwaves and telephones. It comes with 2,000-foot range, offering plenty of room to roam.

In addition, this model comes with sound lights even if the volume is turned off. The light also intensifies according to your baby’s sounds. It runs on batteries and generates an alarm when it’s time to change them.

This is baby monitor also offers hands-free operation. It comes with a belt clip so it’s perfectly portable. You can also opt for another parent unit. Most reviewers (many of them first-time parents) love the sound quality, even when taken outside. Many reviews state that there is no static noise, thanks to the digital technology. The long range is also a big plus, with a few parents saying they’ve even taken it out to their barn, and sound quality is still exceptional.

Some reviewers have commented that the battery life is too short on the parent unit, and they’ve needed to plug it in. This should be fixed, though, with good quality batteries, and perhaps purchasing the 2nd parent unit. The portable design and smart features of the Graco digital monitor have won over this satisfied user:

Well I recommend this product for anyone! It has a 2000 square feet range, a rechargeable battery and also a/c cords to plug into the wall. I also like it because there is no antenna and is small enough to fit into a pocket. Also, it has a vibrate feature so when the baby cries it vibrates, so if you are a sound sleeper the vibes will wake you. Great product!

Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor

The Infant Optics DXR-8 is a set of baby monitor with a full-color LCD display. The design of the DXR-8 is nice and compact. It’s not heavy although it has a nice heft to it, which gives the product a more high end feel. The set comes with a main monitoring unit and a remote camera. The camera can be panned, tilted and zoomed remotely using the main monitoring unit. The camera also comes with interchangeable optical lens. The interchangeable lens allows you to customize the viewing angle. However, a set only comes with 1 optical zoom lens, others are sold separately.

The DXR-8 is quite user-friendly. As long as the monitoring components are installed, you are good to go. The LCD display presents a clear view of the nursery in real time. Even when it’s dark, the live stream is clear as daylight! The antenna of the unit is also retractable in case the signal gets spotty.

Speaking of the signal, the range of the DXR-8 is good. It is stable enough that the streaming isn’t interrupted when you move from one room to the other. Setting up the DXR-8 is a breeze and the same thing can be said when it comes to operating the monitoring unit. The controls are large and simple enough to use that you can operate the unit in the dark. The battery life is decent too! The monitoring unit comes with a power saving mode so you can extend the battery life even more.

As for the downsides, some users say the DXR-8 is prone to connection issues. The range could turn unstable when installed in a large home. Some customers also noted that the audio quality of the speaker is not as great as others. We feel that this is more of a design flaw because the speakers are set at the back of the monitor.

We have been using the Infant Optics DXR-8 video monitor for 1 year now and felt we could now give an accurate review. You can’t go wrong with this camera and monitor. It works great and it is backed up by outstanding customer service that provides peace of mind all new parents should be afforded.

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Babysense Video Baby Monitor

Babysense Video Baby Monitor is a compact baby monitoring set that comes with a motion-sensing remote camera and a LCD monitoring unit. The design of the baby-monitoring unit is a little wide but lightweight so it’s still portable. The 2.4-inch LCD display presents a full-color and stable streaming. The baby monitor comes with a host of great features. These features include 2-way talk back communication, auto infrared night vision mode, temperature monitor, eco-features, auto scan views, and sound activated LEDs.

The Babysense Video Baby Monitor also promises an interference-free connection and though the streaming is stable, the connection isn’t guaranteed to be 100% interference free. This goes especially if you have a lot of home appliances that could disrupt the connection. We do love the long range although the monitor is best used in free spaces. Still, the baby monitor picks up the camera even when it’s three to four rooms away! On top of that, the Babysense Video Baby Monitor comes with a range warning to alert you when the signal is getting weaker.

Visually, the LCD display presents the streaming in great detail. The baby monitor is easy to use and the controls are quite user-friendly. The audio of the Babysense Video Baby Monitor is clear and crisp. Our only gripe is the short power cord. The camera has to be close to an electric outlet when setting the Babysense Video Baby Monitor up. If it’s too short, you need an extension cord to make the set up work. Also, the battery life is fair although it’s not as long-lasting as other baby monitors.

Excellent product! Overall, I really love this monitor and it’s a great value! This one is easy to use and works and surprisingly affordable! The sound and video quality is great, and I love the ECO mode setting.

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Who Should Get a Long Range Baby Monitor?

If you’re not quite sure if you need a long range baby monitor, you’d probably want to know who needs such a device. First of all, range is very important for those with large homes. If you’re living in a small house, range of the device doesn’t really matter because you won’t be able to get out of range when being at home anyway. If you live in a larger place, range might become an issue and it’s better to buy a baby monitor that works fine in large houses. Also, if you often do yard work and would like to be able to do it while the child is asleep, choosing a long range baby monitor is definitely a smart choice.

One thing to remember is that manufacturers always state the range of the unit, but most of them inform only about the range of the device in open areas, which isn’t helpful (how many of us have an open area of 600+ feet at home?). The “real range”(inside the house, with walls, doors, etc.) is much shorter. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to calculate or test the “real range” of a device. Every house has different arrangement of rooms, wall thickness, etc., so it all

The “real range”(inside the house, with walls, doors, etc.) is much shorter. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to calculate or test the “real range” of a device. Every house has a different arrangement of rooms, wall thickness, etc.. The only way to make sure it’s a device with a really long range is to read customer reviews written by people who used the device in large houses.

Image used under Creative Commons from Tamaki Sono

How to Choose a Baby Monitor?

Thankfully, virtually all modern baby monitors are wireless so they are portable and easy to use. That said, portability and user-friendliness are just a couple of factors you have to consider when shopping for a baby monitor. To help you find the right set of monitoring system that works for you, keep these tips in mind:

Range
Baby monitors come in two types, standard and long range. Standard baby monitors are only designed for, well, standard-sized homes. They don’t work if say, you take the unit to the garage or yard.

A long-range baby monitor is a must-have especially for larger or multi-level homes. You need the extra coverage if your home has lots of space to move around. That said, even long range baby monitors vary in coverage so go for the most highly rated products on the market to get most out of your money.

Security
There were known cases of strangers hacking into baby monitors and pranking unsuspecting parents so security is always a primary concern when it comes to buying baby monitors. The good news is, contemporary baby monitors come with technologies that provide better security, particularly models with video monitors.

Some of the most secured models are those with DECT technology. This feature automatically encrypts the signal generated from the transmitter, ensuring that only a programmed receiver can unlock the signal. DECT tech makes it virtually impossible for a third party to view the signal. Some models also come with a video lock feature, which protects your data from being accessed by unscrupulous individuals.

Frequency
The range of a baby monitor depends on the signal frequency. Basic baby monitors utilize 49 Megahertz frequency. Unfortunately, many home appliances utilize low frequency so you’re bound to come across interference at 49 Megahertz. Models that utilize higher frequencies typically offer longer range. But this does not guarantee zero interference. Our advice is to choose a long range baby monitor with much higher frequency than the 900 Megahertz range!

Useful Extras
Extra features can’t hurt especially if the safety of your baby is concerned! You don’t have to get the priciest baby monitors on the market because even the most basic models come with at least two or three extra features. Some of the most useful features you should consider are talk-back (allows you to respond to your child, similar to a walkie-talkie), sound activated lights, motion sensors, and thermometer.

Set Up
A monitoring system that’s easy to set up will save you more time and energy especially if you’re not at all familiar with the installation process.