Nanit Monitor Review: Best Newborn Monitor We've Tried

We’ve tried a few different baby monitors in our house. I can confidently say that the Nanit baby monitor is, hands down, my favorite of all of them.

As a new parent, you want to make sure your baby is safe and sound at all times. The Nanit Baby Monitor is a high-tech option that promises to provide peace of mind because you can access video at any time from the Nanit app on your phone. But is it worth the investment? Read on for an honest review of the Nanit Baby Monitor and find out if it’s the right choice for you and your little one!

Nanit Baby Monitor in baby's room — *A Nanit Baby Monitor camera, set up with a wall mount over the crib*

What is the Nanit Baby Monitor?

The Nanit Baby Monitor is a state-of-the-art monitoring device that provides parents with 24/7 peace of mind. It features motion and sound detection, HD video streaming, night vision capabilities, two-way audio communication, and even a tracking system to assess your baby’s sleeping patterns. The upgraded Insights Premium (currently $100/year) gives access to 30 days of sleep analysis and video clips. For unlimited sleep analysis, you’ll pay $200/year.

I have mine set to a split screen of two of my kids’ beds. I love that I can keep an eye on two kids at once! That was one of my biggest considerations when I was shopping for a baby monitor. I need it to show two cameras at once, to be available on a cell phone (not just with a parent unit), and to add a third camera. The Nanit baby monitor does all of this.

How does the Nanit baby monitor work?

The Nanit Baby Monitor uses advanced technology to provide parents with a comprehensive view of their baby’s sleep patterns and behavior. The device is mounted above the baby’s crib (on the wall or on a floor stand) and uses computer vision to track the baby’s movements and breathing. The monitor also includes a mobile app that allows parents to view live video feeds, receive alerts for sound and motion, and track their baby’s sleep patterns over time.

The Nanit also has breathing bands (and breathing sleepwear) that you can put on your child to monitor their breathing patterns overnight. It tracks breathing without using any sensors or electronics.

What are the features of the Nanit Baby Monitor?

The Nanit Baby Monitor is packed with features that make it a top choice for parents looking for a high-tech solution.

Nanit uses computer vision to track the baby’s movements and breathing
Includes a mobile app with live video feeds with 1080p HD video
Parent app can receive alerts for sound and motion
Track baby’s sleep patterns over time
Two-way audio
Temperature and humidity sensors
Ability to share access with family members and caregivers
Overhead nightlight on the unit that doesn’t shine on the baby
256-bit AES encryption so you don’t have to worry about someone hacking into your monitor

What are the pros and cons of the Nanit baby monitor?

Pros:

Sensitivity of alerts
Tracking sleep patterns over time
The mobile app in general is intuitive and offers much more information than other baby monitor apps
Upgraded sleep analytics is FSA and HSA approved ($100-200 annual fee)
App can tell you how long your child has been asleep or was last attended to based on movement in the area outside of the crib/designated sleep area
Two-way audio
Over-unit nightlight that won’t wake up the baby
1080p HD video
256-bit AES encryption
Picture-in-picture so you can have other apps open and still hear what is happening in your little one’s room

Cons:

High price point for camera setup
Upgraded sleep analytics requires annual fee of $100-200/year (FSA and HSA approved)
Dependent on wifi
Reliance on mobile app (no parent unit)
You aren’t able to “view” around the room like you can with some cameras

Shop the Nanit site

Shop Nanit on Amazon

Is the Nanit Baby Monitor worth the investment?

The Nanit Baby Monitor has many features that make it a top choice for parents, including its use of advanced technology to track a baby’s movements and breathing. Its higher price point from other baby monitors, reliance on a stable Wi-Fi connection, and app-only (no parent monitor) setup may not work for everyone. Ultimately, whether the Nanit Baby Monitor is worth the investment will depend on your own preferences and needs. For us, it’s totally worth it. If I could go back to when we had our second baby, I would have purchased the Nanit then!

All about Nanit insights

In order to go get sleep data, developmental tracking, and other features, you need the Nanit Insights package. It also allows for Breathing Motion Monitoring, and auto-captured baby moments. There are three levels of Nanit Insights packages, starting at $50 per year and going to $300 per year.

Can you travel with the Nanit?

Yes! We do. It is helpful to have the travel case which holdsa flex stand with cord and camera. I probably should get the travel case that also holds the Sound + Light, since we travel with that, too.