When I traveled with my babies, I often preferred to stay in a vacation rental as I preferred us to have separate bedrooms. At first, I would pack a baby travel monitor to keep an eye on my little ones, but I always look for ways to pack as lightly as possible. This led me to discover there are a wide variety of baby monitor apps available for traveling parents. It didn’t take me long to download and install one on my phone!
If you have an extra iPad or an old mobile phone, you can turn it into a baby monitor using one of the many baby monitor apps available on the marketplace. The strategy I use when traveling with a baby monitor app, is to bring my current phone and my previous phone with me. That way I can keep my current model with me at all times, and use the previous model in my baby’s room.
As a parent who loves to pack lightly, I can tell you that being able to turn existing mobile devices into baby monitors makes life so much easier. It’s one less thing you have to pack and keep track of when you’re traveling with a baby.
Having a baby monitor app gives you peace of mind if you have your baby sleeping in a different room in a vacation rental or when visiting grandparents. With a comfortable baby travel crib and a quiet space, you can relax while your baby sleeps!
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Best Baby Monitor Apps
Technology changes quickly, and apps update often. It’s sometimes difficult to decide which is the best baby monitor app to use, so based on my real-life experiences traveling with babies, I’ve done the research for you.
Now let’s get to the good part. Here are my top choices for a baby monitor app available today.
1. Cloud Baby Monitor App
The Cloud Baby Monitor app offers live video streaming with noise and motion notifications. This baby monitor app for Android or Apple devices allows you to talk to your baby through the app. A bonus fun feature is that it has 2-way audio and video capabilities, which means your baby will be able to hear and see you as well. This function feels like a FaceTime call.
Turning on and controlling a nightlight, white noises and lullabies are a few other bells and whistles you’ll find on the Cloud Baby Monitor app. The Cloud Baby Monitor app is one of the most feature-rich baby monitor apps we’ve found. It also works on most all types of devices.
Device types: Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch), Mac, Apple TV, Android
Pros of Cloud Baby Monitor App
- Multiple parent device and multiple baby device options. You can watch your baby from multiple devices and even get noise alerts on your Apple watch. And you can monitor more than one baby or room at the same time. This is one of only two apps I found with the ability to have multiple baby stations.
- Runs in the background in audio-only mode when you switch to another app.
- Includes a collection of white noise and lullabies.
- Unlimited range.
- One purchase of the app can be installed on up to five devices or shared through your family plan.
- Connect through Wifi or Bluetooth with the ability to enable connections through 3G, LTE or other Wi-Fi networks (using Cloud Baby Monitor Unlimited Range).
Cons of Cloud Baby Monitor App
- Does not have a low-light camera feature (night vision), but the nightlight feature can be dimmed remotely to be just bright enough to see without disturbing your baby’s sleep.
2. Baby Monitor 3G App
Featured in my list of top baby travel essentials, the Baby Monitor 3G app has the same primary features as the Cloud Baby Monitor with just a couple of trade-offs.
You can only monitor one baby at a time. And the feature list does not include 2-way video capabilities. But this app offers an activity log so you can look at sleeping patterns and replay sounds. You can also control the microphone sensitivity so you can hone in on every sound in the room.
Device Types: Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch), Mac, Apple TV, Android
Pros of Baby Monitor 3G App
- Multi parent device option. You can monitor your baby from multiple devices.
- Crosses platforms. You can use an Android as the baby device and an iPhone as the parent device or vice versa. (You’ll need to purchase this baby monitor Android app and iPhone app separately for each platform.)
- Can switch from video to still photos to save data.
- Includes an activity log.
- Unlimited range and supports Wi-Fi and cellular 3G/LTE networks.
Cons of Baby Monitor 3G App
- The app will stop playing sounds or notifications if another app starts using audio.
- You can only share a single purchase of the app on multiple devices through a family share plan through Google Play or Apple ID.
3. Dormi Baby Monitor App for Android
As you can imagine by this app’s name, Dormi Baby Monitor is only available for Android devices. That being said, it’s quite feature-rich and a great value if you’re an Android user. As with most of the other apps on this list, Dormi features live video and the ability to talk to your baby through the app.
In addition, this app has “Intelligent Audio.” The microphone’s sensitivity will auto-adjust to the noise level in the room. The website also boasts sophisticated video software that decreases battery drainage. And it features night vision for low-light camera functions.
Other bells and whistles for this baby monitor Android app:
- Notifications come through even when you’re talking on the phone.
- If the baby device receives a call or text message, the app will alert the parent device.
- You can monitor the temperature of your child’s room through the app (if the device in the child’s room has an ambient temperature sensor).
Device type: Android
Pros of Dormi Baby Monitor App
- Multiple parent device option. You can monitor your baby from multiple devices with this baby monitor Android app.
- Unlimited range (although some customer reviews state that the connection is glitchy when not connected to Wi-Fi). Works with both Wi-Fi and cellular data.
Cons of Dormi Baby Monitor App
- It has a graphic interface; video streaming is not automatic. You have to press a button and hold to view the video.
4. Luna App
Luna is a fairly basic baby monitor app with video and many of the standard features. It offers live stream video and audio, and you can talk to your baby through the app. But you won’t find many of the bells and whistles featured in some of the others.
Much like the Dormi, the interface is graphic, with the option to press a button for live video. However, Luna’s video streaming starts automatically when there is a noise in your baby’s room.
A big perk to this app is the manufacturer’s claim that it uses four times less battery power than other baby monitoring apps. If you’re looking for just a basic iPhone baby monitor app, this could be a good choice.
Device type: Apple (iPhone and iPad)
Pros of Luna App
- Conserves battery.
- Includes a (limited) activity log.
- Runs in the background when using other apps.
- Unlimited range and works with Wi-Fi & 3G / LTE
Cons of Luna App
- Does not offer a multiple parent device option.
5. Annie Baby Monitor App
The Annie Baby Monitor app ranks right up there with the Cloud Baby Monitor app for features and device types. This iPhone or Android baby monitor app offers all the bells and whistles, and the interface looks great.
The view is sleek and modern, much like Cloud. However, one reviewer stated that the controls for the volume, light, etc., lay over the top of the video, obstructing part of the view.
Reading through the reviews, it appears some people have had technical issues with Annie. Examples given are that it often loses connectivity between devices, and it seems to want to use cellular data, even when the Wi-Fi signal is strong. These complaints were more prevalent on the Android platform than on Apple. And app developers are usually able to correct these kinds of issues with updates as they’re discovered.
Device types: Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch), Mac, Android
Pros of Annie Baby Monitor App
- Multi parent device and multiple baby device options. You can watch your baby from multiple devices. And you can monitor more than one baby or room at the same time. This is the second of only two of the best baby monitor apps for iPhone or Android that I found with the ability to have multiple baby stations.
- Unlimited range and compatible with Wi-Fi, 3G or LTE networks.
- Offers night vision (low-light camera).
Cons of Annie Baby Monitor App
- The website advertises cross-functionality between device types. However, that feature doesn’t seem to be working currently, according to recent customer reviews.
6. Nancy Baby Monitor App
Nancy Baby Monitor App is another app made by the same company as the popular baby monitor apps Annie and Baby Monitor Free. Nancy’s interface looks similar to Annie’s, except it doesn’t work on Mac.
Nancy appears to be a bit scaled-down and basic compared to Annie. There doesn’t seem to be an activity log offered, nor the ability to monitor your baby from multiple devices. The price point is similar, though, so you may as well choose Annie over this one.
Device types: Apple (iPhone, iPad), Android
Pros of Nancy Baby Monitor App
- Unlimited range on Wi-Fi and cellular networks (3G, 4G & LTE).
Cons of Nancy Baby Monitor App
- Does not offer multiple device capability
Functions to Look for in Baby Monitor Apps
First, let’s talk about what functions to expect in a baby monitor app. Several of the best baby monitor apps offer various bells and whistles. These extra features can be nice to have, and we’ll mention some of them in our list. But here are a few basic functions you should look for in a baby monitor smartphone app:
Live Video Streaming
Most of the best baby monitor apps offer live video streaming. With today’s technology in most mobile devices, there isn’t a reason to not have this function.
Therefore, we consider video feed to be a basic feature for all baby monitor apps for iPhone or Android devices. Being able to view your baby in real time on your baby monitoring app gives you extra peace of mind.
Multiple Device Capability
The ability to monitor your baby from more than one device has many benefits. For example, you and another parent, grandparent, or babysitter can all keep an eye on your baby at the same time from different places. Or if you’re out of town, you can view your baby from your mobile phone and the other parent can monitor your baby at home at the same time.
Runs in the Background When Using Different Apps
This feature is related to reliability. If you get a phone call or need to use your device for something else while you’re monitoring your baby, the worst thing that could happen is the baby monitor app you’re relying on to notify you of activity doesn’t work. Reliability of a baby monitor app is extremely important.
Other Features for Baby Monitoring Apps
When it comes to baby monitor apps, it’s a busy marketplace. Some are feature-rich, and some are basic. Here are a few common features you might find in addition to the main ones listed above:
- 2-way audio
- 2-way video stream
- Multiple baby stations
- Activity log
- Nightlight
- Night vision (low-light camera feature)
- Plays lullabies or white noise
My Recommendation for the Best Baby Monitor Apps
Of all the baby monitor smartphone apps I reviewed for this article, Cloud Baby Monitor, Baby Monitor 3G, and Annie Baby Monitor seem to be the most feature-rich, well-rounded ones. And they work on pretty much every device.
If you’re an Android user, you might want to consider the Dormi Baby Monitor. Its maker seems to have decided to specialize in all things Android and do it well. They have leveraged the best of Android devices to wow its users with a few features none of the rest have making it the best baby monitor app for Android users.
While you won’t find a free baby monitor app in this list, they won’t break the budget either. If you are unsure, download a free version to try it out before buying.
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Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she’s helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.
