If you have a large house or thick walls in your home, you need to get the best long-range baby monitor on the market. We put together this list and reviews for parents looking for a baby monitor that can transmit clear sound or video signals without losing connection for a long distance.
If you are in a rush, Panasonic Long-Range Baby Monitor has the best range of 1,500 feet thanks to its DECT communication technology that has powered most long-distance audio transmissions over the years.
Our comprehensive reviews below will enable you to save time and effort as we have put together a detailed buying guide for baby monitors that are ideal for:
- Large houses
- Thick Walls (strong indoor range)
- A barn
Our reviews touch on some of the acclaimed long-range baby monitor brands and specifically; Panasonic long-range baby monitors; Philips long-range baby monitors and VTech long-range audio and video baby monitors. The Panasonic long-range baby monitor is regarded as having the best long-distance transmission but on thorough analysis, we found that it is very buggy. Read the summary reviews below. All the listed longest range baby monitors below are above the average baby monitor range of 750 ft. outdoors and 60 ft. indoors.
Our Top Picks – Ranked by Range
Comparison Table of our Extra Long Range Baby Monitors
| Name | Maximum Range | Screen Size | Battery Life | Rating on Amazon | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1. Panasonic Video Baby Monitor | 1500 ft. – The longest range | 3.5 inch | 13 hrs standby 5 hrs use | 4.3/5 stars in 500+ reviews | Check here |
| #2. DBPower video baby monitor | 1000 ft. | 4.3 inch | 5 hrs video 8 hrs audio only | 4.2/5 stars in 200+ reviews | Check Price |
| #3. VTech Long Range VM321 | 1000 ft. | 2.8 inch | 3.5 hrs | 4.5/5 stars in 1,000+ reviews | Check Price |
| #4. MoonyBaby Split Screen | 1000 ft. | 5 inch | 6 – 8 hrs | 4.3/5 stars in 1,800+ reviews | Check Price |
| #5. EUFY Baby Monitor | 1000 ft. | 5 inch | 12 hrs display on 30 hrs sleep mode | 4.4/5 stars in 4,000+ reviews | Check here |
| #6. Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO | 1000 ft. | 5 inch | 10 hrs | 4.8/5 stars in 2,500+ reviews | Check here |
| #7. ANMEATE Baby Monitor | 960 ft. | 3.5 inch | 14 hrs | 4.6/5 stars in 2,300+ reviews | Check here |
| #8. BabySense Baby Monitor | 960 ft. | 4.3 inch | 8 hrs | 4.3/5 stars in 2,100+ reviews | Check here |
| #9. AXVUE Baby Monitor | 1000 ft. | 4.3 inch | 20 hrs | 4.1/5 stars in 1,200+ reviews | Check here |
| #10. Philips SCD730 | 1000 ft. | Audio-only | 31 hrs – 46 hrs | 4.7/5 stars in 500+ reviews | Check Price |
| #11. VTech MD1211 | 1500 ft. | Audio-only | 10 hrs | 4.5/5 stars in 100+ reviews | Check Price |
| #12. Philips SCD570 | 1000 ft. | Audio-only | 18 hrs | 4.5/5 stars in 600+ reviews | Check Price |
| #13. Philips SCD560/10 | 900 ft. | Audio-only | 18 hrs | 4.2/5 stars in 500+ reviews | Check Price |
| #14. Angelcare AC420 | 820 ft. | Audio-only | 30 hrs | 4.4/5 stars in 700+ reviews | Check Price |
| #15. Motorola MBP160 | 1325 ft. | Audio-only | 3 hrs | 3.8/5 stars in 90+ reviews | Check Price |
| #16. Graco Secure Coverage Digital | 2000 ft. (not entirely) | Audio-only | 14 hrs | 4.2/5 stars in 800+ reviews | Check Price |
Why long-range?
Getting a long-range baby monitor will save you the hassle of constantly losing connection and having to reconnect over and over. Short-range monitors will constantly give you the ‘out-of-range’ signal and there is not much you can do if the range is limited and live in a spacious house.
I highly recommend getting a monitor that at least has a 1,000-foot range. You want to make sure the monitor you are paying for works and gives you the distance you are looking for.
Reviews of the Longest Range Video Baby Monitors 2023
Our top long-range baby monitors with the camera are not as many as the audio long-range baby monitors but we managed to narrow down on baby monitors that scored highly on the transfer of video over a long distance without using wifi. Most long-range baby monitors with video use the DECT 6.0 technology or FHSS technology which provides less interference and secure communication.
If you plan on purchasing a long-range baby monitor with a camera, kindly consider getting one that has sensitivity options. Sound or audio sensitivity options enable you to choose from high to low sensitivity options. Low sensitivity is ideal if you have a small house and are not worried about indoor range. High sensitivity is great if you live in a large house with several walls which will obstruct the signal in transit.
1. Panasonic Long-Range Video Baby Monitor – Best Range
Range: 1500 ft.
Panasonic video baby monitor is the best long-range video baby monitor in 2023. Panasonic KX-HN3001W is ideal for you if you are specifically looking for quality and reliable signal transmission for your large home. The manufacturer’s declared range is up to 1500 ft. and a few parents have vouched for this transmission range. Out of 210 reviews, 29 of them mentioned the range of this baby monitor.
While we have verified that this monitor indeed uses the DECT technology which is known to be excellent with transmitting signals (used in walkie-talkies), parents have had mixed reviews of this baby monitor. Some were happy about it but more than half mentioned that it didn’t really live up to the claimed 1500 ft. range. A fair range for this monitor would be in the 700 ft. range but is still considered good compared to many other monitors in the market.
Below are the features that can give you an idea of this long-distance-transmission baby monitor.
- Transmission range of up to 1500 ft.
- It has a night vision range of 13 ft which is within the average for a lot of medium and long-range baby monitors such as Infant Optics DXR 8.
- It has 2x Zoom capability
- It uses a lithium-ion battery that can last for up to 5 hours
- The screen is 3.5-inch in size and displays in low resolution of 320-by-240
- It has 5 lullabies and 5 background noises
- 72 degrees tilt and 37 degrees field of view/pan
Like other Panasonic products, the Panasonic Long-Range baby monitor relies on DECT technology to transmit sound and visual signals from the camera to the color display unit. DECT technology was pioneered in Europe and is specifically designed for telecoms to use as it does better with long-distance signal transmission.
- 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
Panasonic video baby monitor records at a decent 10 frames per second which is considered standard for a regular baby monitor. Other advanced security cameras record at higher speeds, as high as 30 frames per second.
Currently, over 180 parents have reviewed this video baby monitor on Amazon and it has an average rating of 2.9/5. This is considerably low compared to other medium-range options that surpass the 4/5 rating. I personally sought to analyze ratings from different sites below is a summary is what I found out from parents who are unhappy about this device:
- It is very buggy despite several features that should guarantee bare minimum video transmission and audio to a decent distance of 1500 ft. as promised by the manufacturer.
Below is a video review of the Panasonic long-range baby monitor:
2. Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Baby Monitor For Long Range
Yet another video baby monitor with a 5-inch screen, this product from Infant Optics is what I would call a great example of next-gen tech in baby products. It comes with a maximum range of about 1000 feet.
As you expect, the 720p HD display GFSK modulation will provide you with sharper colors and brightness and includes pan, tilt, and zoom features for better viewing angles. Images and video are clear even in the night vision mode.
What makes this baby monitor even more superb is its Active Noise Reduction feature that filters all the surrounding noises and only alerts you when your baby speaks. Amazing, right? Add the 1000mW speaker to the mix and you have the clearest sound playback and volume ever!
The DXR-8 PRO also employs the closed-loop FHSS system to keep your connection secure. You will get a 1-year warranty that is extensible to 2 years upon registration.
- Patent-Pending Active Noise Reduction Feature -filters out background noises so you can hear your baby more clearly. Removes unwanted sound from fans, air purifiers, humidifiers, air conditioners, static and more.
- Ultra Clear Video Quality: High definition 720P video resolution playback.Type of Modulation:GFSK
- Large 5 Screen: see more in better detail up close. Improved LCD screen offers more brightness, better viewing angles, and sharper colors
- Full Viewing Control: pan/tilt/zoom, interchangeable lenses. Zoom lens included, wide angle lens sold separately. Zoom up to 6x with optical and digital zoom used together
- Double the Audio Power: 1000mW speaker for louder volume and crisper sound playb
3. MoonyBaby Split Screen Long-Range Baby Monitor
Moonybaby video baby monitor has a reliable 1000 ft. outdoor range and 200 ft. indoor range that is considered decent, given the average is 700 ft. In addition to the incredibly long range, Moonybaby comes with a large 5-inch screen, digital zoom, and a wide-angle view.
You can check its price on Amazon here.
4. DBPower video baby monitor
DBPower video baby monitor is our third longest-range baby monitor with a reliable connection for up to 1000 ft. DBPower has a 300 ft. range longer than Infant Optics DXR 8’s 700 ft. range but the 1000 ft. range is similar to the latest Infant Optics DXR 8 Pro. With this monitor, you can connect up to 4 cameras, although it only comes with one.
DBPower uses FHSS technology that ensures 100% privacy and less interference. DBPower is ideal for you if you are looking for a secure, long-range baby monitor with excellent image, video, and playback capabilities. DBPower video baby monitor is one of the best-rated baby monitors on Amazon with 4/5 as of this update.
The video below describes DBPower features:
DBPower has a super large field of view of up to 270 degrees which is considerably larger than Panasonic’s 37 degrees field of view. Below are other features that made DBPower get featured on this top long-distance baby monitor in 2023:
- 4.3 screen/display
- Weighs 1.8 pounds
- Currently number #136 best-selling baby monitor
- 270 degrees pan and 110 degrees tilt
- DBPower is voice-activated
- Has soothing sounds and lullabies
- DBPower has a long battery life of up to 9 hours although it deteriorates after about 6 months of use.
- Has temperature sensors
- Has night light
- Can record with a MicroSD card. It supports 32GB TF card which you’ll need to purchase separately.
- 1000 ft. range
- Supports split-screen viewing in case you want to use to stream four camera feeds. It supports up to 4 cameras.
5. ANMEATE Video Baby Monitor
Unlike some of the baby monitors above, the SM935E from ANMAETE features a 3.5-inch big screen and a maximum range of 960 feet at under $100. There is a remote pan, tilt, and zoom feature that allows you to have a super-clear view of your kiddo from a different room.
The monitor’s infrared night vision mode lets you watch clearly even when sleeping and uses a 2.4GHz FHSS digital wireless transmission that is not hackable to keep the monitor safe.
I love the in-built temperature sensor feature that helps you maintain your child’s optimal room temperature to keep them cozy by adjusting the thermostat.
In addition, the SM935E comes with lullabies and melodies and there is a talk-back feature that lets you sing or talk to your little princess when she seems restless.
And did I say that you can set a reminder like for feeding your baby on the parent monitor?
Buy on Amazon here
6. VTech VM321 Long Range Video Baby Monitor
VTech VM321 video baby monitor boasts over 1000 ft. outdoor range and 150 ft. indoor range while streaming the video. This baby monitor made it to this list because of its 1000 ft. range and specifically because of its incredibly great sound quality.
VTech VM321 is one of the oldest baby monitors in the market today having been released more than 6 years ago in March 2012. Customers have praised this monitor for security, excellent video quality, and sound clarity. One differentiating feature is the vibrating sound alerts on the parent unit which makes it a great long-range baby monitor for deaf or hearing impaired parents. This monitor is also one of the top-rated VTech baby monitors with two cameras.
- This configuration includes one parent unit (monitor) and one baby unit (camera)
- High resolution 2.8 color LCD screen - never miss your babys smile
- Automatic IR night vision - view your baby at night without disturbing them.
- Comfort your infant with the 2-way talk-back intercom or choose to play one of five preset lullabies
- Adjustable camera lens - the baby unit camera angle can be easily adjusted, ensuring the best view of your baby
- Wall-mountable - the camera includes a wall-mount bracket to easily attach to a wall
- This 2.4GHz system digitally transmits audio and video signals up to 1,000 feet
- Parent unit can be set to beep if: (1) temperature drops below or rises above your customized zone, (2) link between the parent unit and the baby unit is lost, and/or (3) rechargeable battery is low
- 6-level sound indicator on the parent unit allows you to visually monitor noise levels even when the unit is muted
- Language is preset to English, but can be switched to French or Spanish for all screen displays
- Expandable system - up four total cameras (additional cameras sold separately)
- The baby unit also includes a cord management system for storing any excess power cord
The following are the features of the VTech VM321 video baby monitor:
- Range outdoor: 1000 ft.
- Soothing lullabies
- 2.8-inch screen/display
- Automatic infrared night vision
- 2-way talk
- Can support up to four cameras
- Battery life: 9 hours
- Screen: 2.8 inches
- Languages it supports: English, French, and Spanish
You can check the price of the VTech VM321 video baby monitor on Amazon here.
7. Eufy Baby Video Monitor
This baby monitor from EUFY comes with a maximum range of 1000 feet that allows you to watch over your little one from a different room in the house. I love the 5-inch large display with 720p HD resolution that gives you a crystal clear view of your baby. Thanks to the instant alerts, you get notified when your baby needs your attention even from your sleep.
What I admire most about this video baby monitor is that it comes with a 110-degree wide lens that expands your view for better monitoring when your child starts taking their first steps. The pan feature goes 330 degrees for a corner-to-corner view while the tilt goes 110 degrees for a floor-to-ceiling view.
You can connect up to 4 cameras and you can talk directly to your baby with your feed protected using the FHSS communication tech.
- Sweet Dreams on the Big Screen: The large 5 720p video baby monitor display shows a sharp picture with 10 times more detail than ordinary 240p-display baby monitors.
- Ready for Their First Steps: When your baby starts to walk and run around, just attach the included lens to expand the view to 110 Degrees. No need to purchase another lens.
- Pan from Pillow to Pinky Toes: Pan the lens 330° to see corner-to-corner and tilt 110° to see floor to ceiling.
- Instant Alerts: Get alerted immediately from the video baby monitor when your baby is crying, even when youre sleeping.
- Be Mobile: The 460ft - 1000ft range-coverage area allows you to watch your little one rest peacefully in real-time wherever you are in your home. Note: Supports 1000ft max. in an open area. Notice: micro SD cards are not support
Buy on Amazon here
8. BabySense Video Baby Monitor
Like the baby monitor above, this one from BabySense offers a maximum range transmission of 960 feet but comes with a larger screen (4.3-inch) with a split-screen function. As such, you can view two feeds from your two baby rooms simultaneously.
And if you are worried about the safety of your little prince, the monitor uses the 2.4GHz FHSS tech which is hack-free. The tilt and pan functions offer 90-degree and 360-degree zoom and view. The monitor also alerts you about the room temperature. BabySense has been in this industry since 1991.
I love the talk-back communication tech that allows you to speak or sing to your child when they desire your special attention. Alternatively, you can use the monitor’s in-built lullabies with white noise sounds to calm them down. If you try to go further than the required range, the monitor will prompt a warning notification so you can stay within the limit. When it’s time to sleep, the infrared night vision mode will make sure you don’t miss a thing in your baby’s room.
Buy on Amazon here
9. AXVUE Video Baby Monitor
For more than 10 years, AXVUE has dedicated its resources to providing us moms with high-quality and top-performance video baby monitors. Their A242 video baby monitor is among the most affordable baby monitor in the market is slightly over $100. It offers a maximum range of 1000 feet designed with high-speed digital wireless technology for consistency. The monitor comes with two cameras so you can watch your newborn and toddler at home.
I love the high resolution and 4.3” large color TFT-LCD screen that offers the best pictures, room temperature detection, as well as the absence of an app or Wi-Fi connection making it hack-free. You will also like VOX sound-activating tech with 3 adjustable sensitivity levels that pick up your little one’s voice and signal you immediately. Did I mention the 2-way communication tech that allows you to speak to your little angel?
Buy on Amazon here
10.Vava Baby Monitor – Our Overall Parents’ Choice for Excellent Transmission
Range: 480 – 900 ft.
Vava baby monitor is our second best long-range baby monitor, going by what parents have had to say about its excellence to transmit over long distances and thick walls. As mentioned above, we analyzed over 1,400 reviews, and close to 20% of that mentioned range in the comment had great things about its super long range.
This ranking is not based on the manufacturer’s claim. Vava, the company behind this video baby monitor claims that it can transmit in 480 ft to 900 ft depending on the location and signal obstructions. Several parents mentioned that the monitor does better than advertised. Here is a snapshot with an example of a happy parent:
The range is excellent for our needs. I actually think it is more than advertised because I am able to use this further than the maximum range, so that’s a complete bonus!
Terry
Another parent said that it did well in his 2000 ft. square home:
- ” The range is excellent for our home (~2,000 sq. ft.). It still has good signal strength in both our front and backyard.It can be hung on the wall or can sit on a shelf or dresser depending on your preference, which is nice. This will be perfect for when we travel. It does not have a night light or play music which is not an essential feature in our case.You will not be disappointed by this monitor! “ – KMH
Here are other features that I really like about this long-range baby monitor:
- It is currently the top-rated non-wifi baby monitor, ahead of Infant Optics, Eufy Spaceview S, Babysense and Hellobaby (See the list here)
- It has been rated 4.8/5 by over 1,400 parents as of Feb 2020. Among the highest-rated baby gear
- It has a long-lasting 4500 mAh battery that can last for 24 hours on eco mode and up to 12 hours on display mode
- It comes with a 5-inch HD display, better than Infant Optics’ 3.5-inch VGA display that is so 1990s. The display is also IPS which is suppose to be better than LCD-display screen
- 2-way audio with a 4x zoom feature.
- The 4th best-selling baby monitor on Amazon
During my review, I also found Vtech VM819 Video Baby Monitor and JouSecu Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio (with baby crying detection feature) to be fabulous choices with 1000-ft range and are currently available on Amazon.
Reviews of our Best Long-Range Audio Baby Monitors
Most of all the reliable baby monitors are audio baby monitors and below is our list of VTech long-range and Philips Avent’s long-range baby monitors.
Philips Long Range Baby Monitors
Philips long-range baby monitors are considered to be among the best in class. Philips uses DECT technology for the transmission of signals from the transmitting unit to the receiving unit. Its range is more than 300 meters or over 1000 feet and we rated Philips baby monitors as the best long-range as it does not lose quality as you increase the distance away from the transmitting unit unlike other long-range baby monitors such as Panasonic Video Baby Monitor. Below are three of the best Philips long-range baby monitors available on the market at present.
11. Philips Long Range Avent Dect Audio Baby Monitor SCD 730
Philips Avent DECT 730 is a great long-range baby monitor that is ideal for you if you are looking for quality audio(10/10) and a greatly designed baby monitor. A verified customer with a 6,000 sq. house with thick walls experienced great transmission with minimal interference.
- Range outdoor: 1082 ft. or 330 meters
- Range indoor: 160ft.or 50 meters
- Battery life: 18 hours
- Transmission: DECT
12. Philips Long Range Avent 570
Philips Avent SCD570/10 is our 7th longest-range baby monitor in this review. This baby monitor transmits audio signals only but boasts of up to 1350 ft. outdoor range.
- Range outdoor: 1350 ft. – manufacturer claim
- Range indoor: 164 ft. – manufacturer claim
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Screen Size: 1.6′
Philips Avent SCD570 is a great long-range baby monitor that is ideal for you if you are looking for durable, quality audio(9.6/10) and a long battery life(9.2/10). Outdoors, you should expect excellent connect for up to 200 ft. before becoming intermittent and inconsistent. Indoors, you can expect up to 95 ft. (6 walls) excellent reception before it becomes unreliable.
13. Philips Long Range Avent SCD560/10 Audio Baby Monitor
Philips SCD560/10 is our 8th longest range baby monitor that has a 1082 ft. outdoor range and a long battery life of up to 18 hours.
Philips Avent SCD560/10 is a great long-range baby monitor that is ideal for you if you are looking for clear static-free sound (9/10) and a less expensive Philips baby monitor. Except for the bright flashing light, customers have indicated that the temperature readings are accurate and the lanyard comes in handy when moving around the house. The range is ideal if you have multiple floors
14. VTech Long Range DM1211
In early 2019, VTech released VTech DM1211, a baby monitor with the best range. This long-range audio baby monitor has an extended range of 1500 ft. outdoors, about 500 ft. more than the original VTech DM112.
- Range outdoor: 1500 ft.
- Range indoor: 220 ft.
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
VTech DM1211 is one of the best, inexpensive audio baby monitors that you can rely on for long-range transmission, excellent sound clarity (10/10), very long battery life (10/10), and is very easy to use. The monitor comes with a 2-way talk-back intercom and can support 2 units (also ideal if you have twins!).
You can’t buy an additional unit on its own but can buy the VTech DM1211-2, which comes with 2 parent units. Although the manufacturer claims a 2220 ft. indoor transmission range, it could only do 150 ft (about 8 walls). After 150 ft. the connection indoors is very unreliable. If you will be using your baby monitor indoors and want more than a 100 ft. transmission range, this is the best baby monitor for you.
15. VTech Long Range DM111
Audio only
- Range outdoor: 1350 ft.
- Range indoor: 164 ft.
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Transmission: DECT
Ideal for:
VTech DM111 is an excellent long-range audio baby monitor that is ideal for parents looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-use baby monitor. It has an outdoor range of 1000 ft. but can do up to 1350 ft. It can also transmit its signal for up to 98 ft. (7 walls) indoor, a longer range compared to VTech DM221. The 98 ft. indoor gives excellent signal transmission but can do up to 164 ft (9 walls).
16. Angelcare AC420 Baby Sound Monitor
Angelcare AC420 is one of the longest-range baby monitors that has been proven by thousands of customers. From our review, it has the longest indoor range at about 110 ft. and excellent battery life. The audio baby monitor is not only great with transmitting sound over a long distance, but it also has crystal clear sound and is very durable.
- Range outdoor: 820 ft.
- Range indoor: 110 ft
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Transmission: 927 MHz and 2.4 GHz
17. Motorola Long Range Audio Baby Monitor MBP160
Motorola MBP160 s our other long-range audio baby monitor with a long outdoor range of up to 1325 ft.
- Range outdoor: 1325 ft.
- Range indoor: Not listed
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Manufactured by Binatone Globa
- Available on Amazon
Graco, reviewed below claimed that the Graco Secure coverage digital baby monitor could do up to 2000 ft. but several reviewers claimed that this monitor does not actually cover the 2000 ft. range promised. We have downgraded it from the first position.
2000 ft.Range Baby Monitor – Graco Secure Coverage Digital Baby Monitor
Graco claims that its audio baby monitor, Graco Secure Digital, has a 2000 ft. range but several independent sources have refuted this extra-long range claim. Independent reviews give this audio baby monitor about 1000 ft. range. Before you purchase this outdoor baby monitor, consider looking through several other alternatives such as VTech’s new line of audio baby monitors with an improved range of up to 1500 ft.
Graco secure does not disclose the indoor range but the 2000 ft. range features heavily on several marketing materials and reviews you will find about this 2000 ft. range baby monitor. It is also important to note that this 2000 ft. baby monitor is not a video camera but rather an audio baby monitor, comparable to VTech audio baby monitors.
Graco Secure baby monitor was in the market from as early as 2010.
A lot more baby monitors are improving their technology, most DECT capabilities to reach or surpass the 2000 ft range set by Graco Secure. For example, VTech recently relaunched its VTech audio phones with an enhanced range which went from 1000 ft. to 1500 ft. It will not be a surprise to have baby monitors with more than a 2000 ft. range. You can check if Graco Secure 2000 ft. range baby monitor is now available on Amazon. By the time of this publication, it was unavailable.
Below is a video review of the 2000 ft. range, Graco Secure:
Best Long Range Baby Monitors Buying and User Guide
Factors that Affect Transmission
Indoor vs. Outdoor Range in Baby Monitors
For wifi baby monitors, the range of transmission is unlimited as it depends on internet connectivity. However, if your wifi connection is weak or unreliable, you will have difficulty getting the feed.
From our analysis, we noted that manufacturers across the spectrum indicate the transmission of signal over an open field also called outdoor range. We, however, sought to get the length in which the signal can be transmitted within buildings, also called indoor range. Let’s differentiate these terms first.
The outdoor range is the interference-free distance from the baby monitor unit to the parent unit. The outdoor range is also known as the line of sight range or the distance between the baby unit and the parent unit in a straight line without any obstruction. The outdoor range indicated by manufacturers assumes that there are no obstructions on the path of signal transfer. The figure below shows a range of Panasonic long-range baby monitor.
Indoor range of a baby monitor is the maximum distance a signal from the baby can be transmitted away from the baby within a building. In a large house, if the baby’s crib is separated by walls, you measure the indoor range by counting the number of walls the signal can travel.
From the above diagram, a great indoor range for a baby monitor would be those that can stretch up to 7 or 8 walls. Some of the leading audio baby monitors such as VTech DM111 can transfer the audio signal for up to 8 walls! Angelcare AC420 can do 7 walls. 7 walls is considered an excellent indoor range and the two are considered among the best indoor long-range baby monitors.
From our analysis, we realized that most manufacturers do not disclose the indoor range and just disclose the outdoor range. The outdoor range is significantly misleading as some baby monitors’ signals get obstructed more than others when indoors. In our research, we found a long-range baby monitor that claimed to have a good connection up to 2000 ft. but later realized that the test doesn’t match the claim. By the time we updated this list, Graco Baby Monitor is not available for shipping on Amazon, Walmart, or Target
Obstructions: Any obstruction in the line of the signal path between the baby monitor unit and the parent unit leads to the loss of some signals. Obstructions such as wood/timber, house plastering material, or glass do not obstruct the baby monitor signal significantly but stone bricks(on walls) and water (i.e water tanks) obstruct the signal and significantly reduce the range of a baby monitor signal.
Other devices: Both Wifi and Non-wifi baby monitors are get interfered with by other devices. If a wifi router or any devices that use 2.4 GHz is placed next to a wifi baby monitor, the signal will be bad and the output in the parent unit will of poor quality.
How we reviewed and ranked Long Range baby monitors on our list
1. Signal Clarity – Clarity of sound took the biggest weight among all the factors we considered. Most baby monitors had unreliable or intermittent sounds around the period it loses the signal. For each monitor, we evaluated and determined clarity right before it loses the signal indicating the maximum range. The technology influenced sound clarity and we noted that all long-range baby monitors that use DECT technology have better sound clarity. However,
2. Indoor vs. Outdoor range: We classified the performance of each baby monitor based on the indoor range and its outdoor range. Audio baby monitors performed better with long-distance transmission.
3. Functionalities – Some long-range baby monitors have more features and therefore significantly bigger files being transferred. For example, video baby monitors have more functionalities compared to long-range audio monitors and we separated the two categories to get a clear picture of best performers in audio and video.
Baby Monitor Range Extender & Reliability
A number of baby monitors have an accessory that you can purchase to enable your baby monitor to transmit signals for a longer distance. Similar to wifi signal booster, the baby monitor range extender enables the signals in DECT or FHSS baby monitors to remain strong despite interference. Before you purchase any range extender, you should read the reviews to understand if the extender has any impact on the range of your baby monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Longest Range Baby Monitors
The longest-range baby monitor at the moment is 2000 ft. but reliable ranges are between 1000 ft. and 1500 ft. Graco Secure Digital baby monitor has been listed as a 2000 ft. range baby monitor but tests have shown that it does far less than 2000 ft.
The average range of a baby monitor is 750 ft. to 1000 ft. This range is for video baby monitors. The best video baby monitor range is 1500 ft. by Panasonic long-range video baby monitor. The average range for audio baby monitors is 1000 ft but some audio baby monitors are doing up to 1500 ft and above. The new enhanced VTech DM1111 and VTech DM1211 both have 1500 ft. which is an improvement from what they had – 1000 ft before the enhancement.
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We analyzed 11,632 reviews of all top-rated baby monitors. Taking into account the manufacturers’ stated transmission range, we used our review analysis tool to find every review that mentioned ‘range’, ‘connection’, ‘signal drop’ and other terms related to signal transmission.
Of all the 22 baby monitors that have a stated range of 400 ft. to 200 0 ft., we found Vava baby monitor to have given parents the best satisfaction when it comes to signal transmission over long distances.
Of the 1,443 reviews that parents had left on Amazon (as of Feb 2020), 19.6% mentioned ‘range’ or ‘transmission range’ in their comments and of those mentions, more than 80% are straight 5-star rating.
Below is our entire list of top-rated video baby monitors with a reliable transmission range.
Several baby monitors reviewed by 10BabyGear have great features but fail to transmit signals over long distances without wifi. In our review, we analyzed both indoor and outdoor range for each of the baby monitors. We reviewed over 30 baby monitors and came up with a list of the top long-range baby monitors without WiFi to enable you to narrow down your list as you seek to purchase your new long-range baby monitor. From the analysis of the tests, some baby monitor emerged to transmit a signal for a long distance, longer than the range disclosed by the manufacturers.
We have subdivided our list of long-range baby monitors into the following:
- Top 6 long-distance audio baby monitors: Audio baby monitors performed very well in transmitting audio over a long distance with and without the obstruction of a wall. Most of the audio baby monitors in our list have been rated at least 4.0/5 and above. VTech audio baby monitor dominated our list of top performers which are best suited for a large house or a house with several obstructions.
- The 3 best long-distance video baby monitors: There are not many long-range video baby monitors as the video’s signal is significantly heavier and may not transmit well over a long distance.
| List of Top Baby Monitors | Editors' Choice |
|---|---|
| Overall Best Non-Wifi Baby Monitor | Infant Optics DXR 8 Pro |
| Best Dual-Camera Split Screen baby Monitor | Babysense HD S2 |
| Best Baby With the Longest Range | Panasonic Long-Range Video Baby Monitor |
| Best Monitor Powered by Batteries | VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor (19 hours on a single charge) |
| The Best Voice-activated(VOX) Baby Monitor | Anmeate Baby Monitor |
| The Best Breathing Baby Monitor | Owlet Smart Sock 3 |
| Best Large-Screen Video Baby Monitor | VTech VM919HD Video Monitor |
| The Best Audio/Sound-only Baby Monitor | Philips AVENT SCD720/86 |
| The Best 5 GHz Wifi Baby Monitor | iBaby M8 Video Baby Monitor |
| The Best Baby Car Camera/Monitor | Yada Portable Baby Monitor |
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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.