subject: How To Find The Best Baby Monitor [print this page] Today baby monitors do more than transmit and pick up sounds. But today, baby monitors have become far more advanced than to simply pick up and transmit sounds. You'll find some that include video monitoring. Deciding on which monitoring system is right for you and your family can be difficult and confusing, because there are so many choices! With the technology advances we enjoy these days, you don't have to worry about a monitor which will keep you awake all night, with feedback squeals and static sounds. Now while it may seem like an information overload right now, here are some things you should definitely consider when you are choosing your next baby monitoring system.
At one time, knowing what to get for your baby was not such an overwhelming task. There were only a few different types of cribs, high chairs, playpens, baby monitors, etc. It's a very different world today, where you have hundreds of brands, models and styles for these and related items. As a parent you naturally want to give your baby the best of everything, but how do you figure out just which products are best? How do you make the right choice with so many available ones? Let's look at some helpful hints to simplify this process.
Frequencies and channel range, what kind do you need?
Since other people may have devices near by which can pick up on the same frequency and interfere, you will want a device which offers a wide range of frequencies. This is important to consider, because you don't want to be picking up on the frequencies from other people's devices, and even other's baby monitors, which can prevent you from hearing what is actually happening in your own baby's room.
How noisy are your surroundings? If you work from home and constantly have your phone ringing, or have other external sounds interfering a lot, you may want to choose a system which also includes a visual aid. Since you can't stop every little noise from occurring around you, you will find comfort in using this kind of system, because it visually alerts you when your baby is in distress, so that you become aware, even if you can't hear it. This is a good security measure if you also have other children, or if you frequently have visitors over, because this will ensure that you do not miss the signal if there are other sounds in the room, and it's also useful if either of the parents are hearing impaired.
You may have to research this beyond just asking around. Look for ratings in publications like Consumer Reports and find which brands they recommend. These are publications that compare a whole lot of different monitors (or other items) and then explain which ones are better than the others, from an industry standpoint, and why. You can learn which brands are over-marketed, which ones are the best performing, which ones have the best prices for their performance, etc. This is the best way to sort out which brands give you the best value and which have a poor performance record. This is one of the few places where you can find truly objective information about products being sold. Many positive reviews you read online are on the company's site; these may only be giving you one side of the story.
What is going on in your home that could potentially interfere with the effectiveness of your baby monitor? You might not realize it, but many of the electronic devices in your home right now (such as cordless phones or even your radio) could interfere with how well your baby monitor operates. This is why it's important to pick a system which operates on a different frequency than the devices you currently have in your home. In the end, you need to narrow down your choices so that you can choose a baby monitor which will work effectively in your home and one which will also monitor your baby effectively. Your final decision should include things like the shape/size, cost, functions, and other features. Just remember to do your research and take your time before you start shopping, because this is a very important investment for your family, and especially for your baby!
In the end, there are so many options to really consider when purchasing your baby monitor. Find out if you want your system to be extensive, assess how much you are willing to spend, and consider whether or not the system will get in the way of your other daily activities as well. Take your time when researching, that way you can really make an informed decision which can keep your family happy and your baby safe!
