What is DECT Baby Monitor?
DECT baby monitors are audio baby monitors and video baby monitors that rely on 1.9 GHz frequency and use Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications(DECT) technology. This technology is principally known for cordless phones and a few major baby monitor brands such as Panasonic and VTech rely on this technology for their long-range baby monitors.
DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Communications and was initially rolled out in Europe following the delay in radio frequency regulations in the US. Unlike other digital baby monitors that use 2.4 GHz frequency, DECT baby monitors use an uncommon frequency making it experiences less interference with other gadgets. This is the principal reason why DECT was chosen for telecommunication.
The biggest challenge faced when using a 2.4 GHz baby monitor and an analog baby monitor is the interference of the signal. DECT baby monitors overcome this challenge by using an uncommon 1.9 GHz frequency band for audio baby monitors.
Along with FHSS baby monitors, DECT baby monitors do not rely on wifi to relay audio and video signals from the baby unit to the parent unit of a baby monitor. FHSS uses 2.4 GHz frequency while DECT uses 1.9 GHz. Most of our top recommendations of non-wifi baby monitors use FHSS, a technology known to be hack-proof compared to wifi-enabled monitors.
DECT Baby Monitor Safety: Can it be hacked?
Wondering whether DECT baby monitors are safe?
DECT baby monitors are not hack-proof but similar to FHSS baby monitors, they are almost impossible to hack as they rely on their own network to transmit the signal from the baby unit to the parent unit.
A DECT baby monitor is very similar to a DECT phone, the cordless phone. In fact, the audio transfer is very similar. DECT baby monitors have a superior sound quality and do not suffer from interference caused by other wireless networks. DECT 6.0 uses a lower frequency band, 1.9 GHz which has low electromagnetic radiations.
DECT 6.0 technology is widespread in Europe and has been in use since 1987. North America licensed the DECT 6.0 in 2005 after sufficient proof that it has a reliable transmission range and less interference. Like other digital baby monitors, the DECT baby monitors are not emission-free.
VTech has developed several products that use DECT technology as the company has emphasized its focus on sound clarity and less interference in their baby monitors. The DECT baby monitors are considered safe as they do not emit radiations as wireless baby monitors that use 2.4 GHz band, essentially all wifi-baby monitors.
DECT Baby Monitors Reviews
1. VTech DM221
VTech DM221 is our overall best DECT baby monitor that uses the 1.9 GHz frequency to transmit the audio signals. This baby monitor is also featured on our list of top audio baby monitors. Unlike other VTech baby monitors using other frequencies, 1.9Gz frequency has less interference and as of this VTech DM221 is the third best-selling baby monitor on Amazon.
- CLEAR AUDIO AND LONG RANGE - DECT 6.0 technology provides clear audio transmission, eliminating annoying background noise while allowing you to move from room to room. Up to 1,000 feet of range lets you stay connected to your baby from another room
- 5-LEVEL SOUND INDICATOR AND 2-WAY TALK-BACK INTERCOM - LEDs on the parent unit indicate the level of sound in your babys room so you can visually monitor the noise level. The built-in intercom on the parent unit lets you talk to your baby from any room
- NIGHT LIGHT ON THE BABY UNIT - A soothing light on the baby unit gently illuminates a dark nursery. Both the parent unit(s) and baby unit allow you to turn on or off the nightlight on the baby unit
- SOUND SENSITIVITY OF THE BABY UNIT - You can choose to hear sounds from the baby unit all the time, or to hear sounds that exceed a certain level. You can use the parent unit to adjust the microphone sensitivity of your baby unit
- SOUND SENSITIVITY OF THE BABY UNIT - You can choose to hear sounds from the baby unit all the time, or to hear sounds that exceed a certain level. You can use the parent unit to adjust the microphone sensitivity of your baby unit
With the Clear Audio and Long Range DECT 6.0 technology, you can stay connected to your baby from any room in the house with ease. The 5-level sound indicator lets you know exactly how much noise your little one is making, while the 2-way talk-back intercom allows you to soothe them without having to leave your comfortable spot on the couch. Plus, for those late-night feedings, the gentle night light on the baby unit will help illuminate their dark nursery.
This VTech DECT baby monitor has the following features:
- Range: 1000 ft.
- Rated 4.2/5 by customers on Amazon
- Tech: DECT 6.0
- Talk-back feature: Yes
- Alert: Vibration
- Sound Levels: 5
You can check the price of VTech DM221 Dect baby monitor on Amazon here.
2. Philips Avent SCD570/10
Philips Avent SCD570/10 is our second-best DECT baby monitor developed by Philips Avent.
Below are the features of this Philips Avent DECT baby monitor:
- Use: Audio only DECT baby monitor
- Range: 900 ft.
- Tech: DECT 6.0
- Talk-back feature: Yes
- Alert: Vibration
- Sound Levels: 3
You can check the price of this Philips Avent DECT SXD570/10 on Amazon here
3. Phillips Avent SCD510 DECT Baby Monitor – Discontinued
The video below shows you the unboxing of Philips Avent DECT baby monitor SCD510. You should note that this DECT baby monitor was discontinued but you can check if it’s still available on Amazon using this link.
4. Philips AVENT DECT Baby Monitor (ACD 501/10) & 502/10
Philip Avent DECT Baby Monitor is among the sound-only baby monitors with exceptional sound clarity and is also super easy to use.
Here are some of its features:
- Nightlight
- low-battery indicator
- Out of range alarm
- Mute option
- sleep mode/eco-mode
- sound level indicator
Pros
- Decent range of up to 1200 feet
- Built in sensitive sound activation
- Safe and not hackable
- Did not broken even after falling several times
- Can also be used as a travel monitor
Cons
- Does not transmit sound if it is just white noise
- Parent unit is too light that it falls off sometimes
- Battery is not rechargeable
- Portable unit does not come with a strap
Philips Avent Audio Baby Monitor DECT, White, SCD502/10
Philips Avent Audio Baby Monitor DECT, White, SCD502/10
11 used from $40.56
Features
- Dect technology guarantees zero interference, clear sound, with indoor range of 150 feet and outdoor range up to 1, 000 feet
- Parent unit is outlet or battery powered (AA batteries not included); with batteries, enjoy cordless use of the parent unit for up to 24 hours
- Five sound activated LED lights show sound Level in baby's room even when the parent unit is muted
- Comes with a nightlight to calm and soothe baby
- Smart Eco mode automatically minimizes transmission power and increases battery Lifetime; the closer the parent unit is to the baby unit, the less power is needed.
5. VTech DM111
VTech DM111 is our third-best DECT audio baby monitor in 2022. This unit is an upgrade of an earlier model and has improved battery life – a common concern with the earlier model. Below are some features we like most about this inexpensive audio baby monitor;
- Range: 1000 ft.
- Tech: DECT 6.0
- Talk-back feature: Yes
- Alert: Vibration
- Sound Levels: 5
- Add-on: Belt clip
- ** Best-in-class Long Range ** The VTech DM111 Audio Baby Monitors dependable long operation range covers up to 1,000 feet, lets you go about your day and stays connected with your baby from another room or even from the yard
- ** Upgraded Rechargeable Battery ** Parent Unit includes a built-in rechargeable battery that supports up to 8 hours of portable operation. With the belt clip, the Parent Unit can be attached to your pocket or shirt
- ** Easy Set-up Plug & Play ** Simply connecting power for both units and allow 1-min for the units to link to each other
- ** Easy to Use ** The speaker volume on the parent unit is easily controlled by pressing the up or down arrow keys. When the parent unit is in mute, the visual sound indicator will still indicate the sound detected from the baby unit
- ** 5-level Sound Indicator ** A set of five LED lights on the parent unit indicates the level of sound in your babys room so you can visually monitor noise level with the receiver muted
- ** Sound Alerts ** The parent unit emits different alert tones for situations needed your attention: Low battery or Out of range,
With DECT 6 transmissions and crystal-clear sound, you can rest assured you’ll hear every peep. The upgraded battery on the parent unit lasts up to 8 hours, and the long-range transmission of up to 1000 ft. is perfect for keeping tabs on your little one from anywhere in the house. Plus, the 5-level sound indicator is ideal for parents who are deaf or hard of hearing. With five LED lights that indicate the level of noise in your baby’s room, you can easily keep track of whether they’re asleep or awake without having to make a sound.
You can check the price of VTech DM111 on Amazon here
6. iNanny N30 Digital Audio Baby Monitor
- Range: 1000 ft.
- Technology: DECT 6.0
- Sound levels: 5
- Sensors: Temperature
7. Panasonic Video Baby Monitor: Best Dect Video Baby Monitor
Panasonic video baby monitor is our best DECT video baby monitor and it emerged as the longest-range baby monitor from our comparison of all local-network wifi. The DECT digital technology makes this monitor attain a long range of up to 1500 ft. It features a 3.5-inch LCD screen and supports a remote pan and tilt.
Panasonic Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio, 3.5” Color Video Baby Monitor, 1500-ft Long Range, Secure Connection, 2-Way Talk, Soothing Sounds, Remote Pan, Tilt, Zoom - 1 Camera - KX-HN4101W (White)
$134.99 in stock
21 used from $65.69
Features
- Long Range Baby Monitor Keeps a Close Eye on Baby: 3.5” LCD display for clear audio and video from up to 1500 ft away; rechargeable battery provides up to 13 hrs standby / 5 hrs use
- Get the Best View and Smart Sense Alerts: Remote Pan, Tilt and Zoom, with clear monochrome night vision to keep a better eye on baby; smart alerts appear if baby wakes, cries or if room temperature changes outside preset range
- When Privacy Matters Most: Video and Audio is transmitted through secure DECT technology, not WiFi, so other devices cannot connect to the KX-HN4101W baby camera monitor system
- Comfort Baby from Another Room: Listen and talk to baby using 2-way sound; calm baby by playing gentle, soothing sounds like white noise or lullabies
- Expandable, Portable Baby Monitor: Compact system packs neatly packs in weekend bag and sets up in minutes, no WiFi required; expandable up to 4 cameras, to grow with your family
Summary of Features:
- Use: Video and audio signals
- Range: 1500 ft.
- Tech: DECT 6.0
- Display size: 3.5′
- Battery life: 5 hrs (13 hrs stand by)
- Sensors: Temperature
Read our full review of Panasonic Video Baby Monitor here.
8. VTech VM342-2 Video Baby Monitor
VTech VM342-2 is a DECT video baby monitor that came 8th on this list. This cordless communication video baby monitor uses 1.9 GHz frequency and DECT 6.0 standard that has encryption keys used for pairing the parent unit and the baby camera. The 6.0 standard also has time-division multiplexing to help prevent attacks and is considered hack-proof technology similar to FHSS technology. It comes with two cameras and has a range of up to 1000 ft.
- Range: 1000 ft.
- Tech: DECT 6.0
- Display size: 4.3′ LCD screen (large enough to be considered among the largest-screen baby monitors
- Sensors: Temperature
- Automatic IR night vision
- 170-degrees wide-angle lens
- Two-way talk back intercom
- Vibrating sound alert on the parent unit makes it easy for deaf or hearing-impaired parents to hear the alert
- It comes with pre-recorded lullabies
- It is not expandable – supports only 2 cameras and has a split-screen feature. You should, however, note that the split-screen mode does not relay audio.
9.Philips AVENT Dect Audio Baby Monitor SCD720/86
Philips AVENT SCD720/86 is another great audio baby monitor that is highly rated. The Philips AVENT Dect Audio Baby Monitor SCD720/86 is one of the most advanced baby monitors on the market.
With its cutting-edge DECT technology, it provides a private connection with zero interference. It features a night light and lullabies to help soothe your little one, and a talk-back feature that lets you communicate remotely with your baby. The monitor also has a range of up to 1000 feet and an LED light to indicate when it’s connected.
And for added peace of mind, it comes with smart ECO mode that automatically minimizes audio transmission when not in use to save battery life.
- DECT technology provides zero interference & a private connection
- Night light and lullabies to calm your little one
- Talk-back feature, talk remotely to your baby
- Monitor the temperature in the room. Range up to 1000 feet, LED light to show connection with alerts and night time friendly mode to dim display and sound
- Smart ECO mode automatically minimizes the audio transmission and increases your battery ti
10. Philips Avent Dect Audio Baby Monitor SCD560/10
Philips Avent Dect Audio Baby Monitor SCD560/10 is our 10th best baby monitor that has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
DECT Audio Baby Monitor SCD730/20 with Starry Night Projector
The Philips AVENT DECT Audio Baby Monitor SCD730/20 with Starry Night Projector is the perfect choice for parents who want to keep a close eye on their little ones. The monitor’s DECT technology ensures zero interference and 100% privacy, while the crystal clear sound quality lets you hear every tiny giggle and coo.
The Smart ECO mode saves energy, so you can rest assured that your baby monitor won’t run out of juice right when you need it most. And with a range of up to 330 meters*, you’ll be able to keep an ear on your baby from just about anywhere in the house.
DECT Baby Monitors Guide
Features of DECT Baby Monitors
1. Continuous Broadcast – The DECT baby monitors continuously transmit signals from the baby unit to the parent unit. As the baby monitor transmits the signal, it emits electromagnetic radiations, and for parents who are concerned with radiations, DECT baby monitors are not the best as they emit a lot of radiation. You can opt for a baby monitor that only transmits the signal when a particular activity is reached (movement or particular sound level). You can opt for Voice-Activated (VOX) Baby Monitors
2. Minimal Interference – DECT baby monitors became popular mainly because it has minimal interference from other devices. The signal is transmitted via several channels and the handover of the signal to the parent unit is done automatically. Channels with less interference are the handover channels and the channel selections feature enables multi-channel DECT monitor to avoid channels with interference.
3. Security & Encryption– When pairing the baby and the parent units, a secret subscription pin is required. The unique code which is entered once minimizes the risk of misuse. In addition, the parent unit needs to be close to the baby monitor unit to establish connections. The location limits the vulnerability of the baby monitor and since the signal is not transmitted over the internet, there is a limited possibility of hacking. DECT technology encrypts data in transit and an authentication process is required. Both the receiving and the transmitting units of the baby monitor have to decipher the information that would unlock the data.
DECT Baby Monitor Radiation
There has been a lot of push to regulate and perhaps phase out DECT baby monitors as experts claim that it emits more EMF radiation compared to its peers, FHSS baby monitors. DECT baby monitor transmits a burst of radiation every time it is powered and a comparison showed that DECT devices including DECT phones can be dangerous as they expose high people with high EMF radiation. You can read more about baby monitor radiation and how to be safe. The article has more details on DECT technology baby monitor dangers.
In our 2022 list of best non-wifi baby monitors, we did not include any DECT baby monitor as I fully agree with arguments against using this DECT technology as it emits high EMF radiation. All the best non-wifi baby monitors are therefore FHSS baby monitors or non-DECT baby monitors.
DECT Baby Monitor FAQs
DECT technology baby monitors are baby monitors that use a 1.9 GHz frequency to facilitate the transfer of signals from the baby unit to the parent unit. DECT baby monitors are preferred as they have less interference compared to other baby monitors that use 2.4GHz frequency bands such as FHSS baby monitors.
DECT baby monitors do not rely on the internet but a spread spectrum technology also called DECT 6.0 in North America. DECT’s signal has a limited range as it does not rely on long-range Wifi technology in the 2.4GHz frequency. DECT baby monitors cannot be hacked as the DECT spread-spectrum infrastructure relies on reliable local-area connectivity and is not prone to hacking.
Philips Avent 630 is a DECT baby monitor that comes with a temperature sensor and you can rely on it to alert you when the temperature in the baby’s room is out of the set, normal range. Philips Avent SCD 630 has a camera with an inbuilt temperature sensor.
Philips Avent has several DECT baby monitors including SCD510, SCD560, SCD580/01, SCD501, SCD 506, SCD505, SCD 570
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Hi there! I am Ashley Davis, a mom of three kids and the editor here at Motherhoodhq.com. I have been a parent since 2011 and have been doing full-time consulting as a baby sleep expert since 2019. When I am not researching or testing the next baby gear hitting the market, you’ll find me teaching my toddlers a trick or two – especially over the last few months with the lockdown. I hope you’ll find my guides and reviews helpful as you make your next purchase decision. If you have any questions, you can reach me at ashley.d@motherhoodhq.com.
