10 Best Cheap Baby Monitor Options 2022 – GenThirty

If you are looking for the best cheap baby monitor, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with a list of the top monitors that are currently available on the market. We will also provide you with a buyer’s guide so that you can make an informed decision when choosing a monitor for your baby.

Let’s face it, many baby monitors are often not cheap.

You want the best for your money, but you also don’t want to spend a fortune. The market is full of choices, and it can be confusing to try and figure out which one is right for you and your family.

First, I would consider what features you really want and need in a baby monitor. Do you just want to see your baby? Or do you need audio? Do you want it to come with a wall mount? Do you want white noise or the baby’s room temperature or extra features like that? If you take away all of the bells and whistles that come with many models on the market, there are a lot of options left!

We’ve researched for you and put together a list of the best cheap baby monitors available.

Factors To Consider in a Baby Monitor:

Range: How far away do you need to be able to see and/or hear your baby?

This could be a big factor for you if you live in an exceptionally large home but most monitors have a decent range where you’ll have no problem using them within your home.

Portability: Do you want a monitor that you can take with you when you travel?

If so, you’ll want to make sure that the one you choose is lightweight and is easy to pack.

What kind of battery life do you need?

Most monitors are plugged in the majority of the time but do you need one with long battery life?

Features: What do you want your monitor to do?

Do you need two-way audio so you can talk to your baby? Do you want a model with a temperature display? These are all smart features that may be convenient features but can vary the price of the baby monitors.

Display: What kind of display do you want?

Some parents prefer video monitors, while others are just fine with audio monitors. Do you need a big screen or night vision? How important is video quality clarity to you? Do you need a wide-angle lens?

Battery Life: How long do you need the battery to last?

Price: Obviously, this is a big factor! You don’t want to spend more than you have to, but you also want a quality product. Ease of use for rechargeable batteries is important, too.

Now that you know what to look for, here is our list of the best cheap baby monitors:

The VTech DM221 is an audio monitor that has many of the features new parents are looking for, without all of the bells and whistles that can often be found on more expensive models.

This monitor offers audio-only technology. It provides clear audio transmission and eliminates background noises.

With 1,000 feet of range, it also includes a 5-level sound indicator and a 2-way talk-back intercom. The baby unit also has an optional night light feature.

It also has a noise sensitivity feature that allows you to decide if you want to hear all noise or only noise above a certain level so you always have good audio quality.

It has a rechargeable battery or can be plugged into the AC power unit.

The Summer Easy Sight Digital Color Video Monitor is a decent choice for a baby monitor. It has some limited features that could work well for you.

It has an 1.8-inch portable color LCD handheld video monitor operates on 2.4GHz wireless digital technology. This monitor has automatic black and white night vision and sound activated LED lights.

The range is only 600 feet.

This is a great little monitor at an affordable price point with great features. It has a 3.5 inch LCD screen that supports 2x zoom. It has a clear infrared camera  that allows you to see clearly in the dark.

The setup is very simple. The remote control camera rotates 355 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically for a clear view of your baby.

In VOX mode, the monitor automatically turns off to save power. If it detects sound, the monitor will turn back on.

It has a 2.4GHz connection that is private with a range up to 984 feet. It also has two-way talk so you can talk to your baby if needed. Additionally, it also has temperature monitoring and a feeding alarm clock so you don’t disturb your baby’s sleep patterns unnecessarily.

This is one of the best, cheapest monitors on the market. The price is very reasonable (it is typically around $50) and you can add any extra cameras for around $40 if you need a second camera.

  • Screen size: 2.4 inches
  • Range: 960 feet
  • Battery life: 8 hours in eco mode
  • Dual screen capability: No but dual cameras are available, switch between with “ok” button with up to 4 cameras
  • Wifi or closed system: Closed system

For the price, this one is a really great monitor.

It has night vision so that you can see your baby clearly while they sleep. It also has a temperature indicator letting you know if there are temperature changes in the room or if it is too hot or cold.

Overall for the price and quality, this is one of the best choices you can make for a travel baby monitor.

You can also purchase accessories like the flexible twist mount if you need to.

This is a newer version of the monitor mentioned above. It’s slightly more expensive (around $70) but offers a camera that can pan around the room. This could be handy if you expect a set up where there won’t be an easy place for a stationary camera.

  • Screen size: 3.5 inches
  • Range: 960 feet
  • Battery life: About 8-10 hours in eco mode
  • Dual screen capability: No but multi-camera toggling
  • Wifi or closed system: Closed system

It’s really lightweight clocking in at just 1.32 pounds making it ideal to travel with, especially if you are flying.

This camera is equipped with 2K Ultra clear resolution which provides a clear HD view. It has 8x zoom.

It offers a 2-way talk function and sends alerts to your smartphone. Additionally, it has space for a SD card (not included) that can store video for continuous recording. You can also use it with Alexa.

It has strong encryption technology but because it does use Wifi, I would be mindful of this choice as you don’t want anyone seeing your baby.

This audio monitor offers a lot of nice features for an affordable price point.

It has a dependable long operation range that covers up to 1,000 feet. The parent unit has a built-in rechargeable battery that supports up to 8 hours of charge. It also has a built-in belt clip that makes it easy to take with you on the go.

Reviews report that it is easy to set up and use. It has a five-level sound indicator so you can monitor the noise level of your baby.

It also has alerts for low battery life or being out of range.

Overall it’s simple in its functions but gets the job done for under $30.

This monitor uses DECT technology which has zero interference and offers clear sound. According to the listing, inside it has a range of 150 feet and outside up to 1,000.

The parent unit is battery-powered (batteries not included) and works for about 24 hours. It has 5 LED lights that show the sound level.

The Smart Eco mode uses less battery the closer the units are to each other. Based on that, this would be best if you live in a smaller home or apartment.

9. BJS Baby Monitor with Camera and Audio, 1080P Indoor Home Camera with Sound and Motion Detection

This camera offers audio and video for a reasonable price. It is equipped with infrared light, this home camera emits infrared light when the surrounding is dark, and you have clear image quality with the video feed .

This camera has a microphone and a speaker, so you can talk with your child in front of the camera through the app. It has motion and sound sensors that recognize sound and movement within 30 feet of the camera.

The lens is 2MP that provides clear quality and can record continuously. It supports both cloud and SD card storage.

It has an app which means you view it over Wifi if you have internet connection. Again, not my first choice but not horrible if you can be on a closed connection. Never use this kind of camera in public or on unprotected Wifi for privacy concerns and safety.

This camera monitor features a high-quality screen color with a 2x zoom magnification. The screen is 2.4 inches which offers a good view of your baby and their room.

It has a high definition night vision camera that allows you to see your baby in the dark. Additionally, it has 5 infrared LED lights that help keep the image clear.

It has two-way talking and long transmission range that covers up to 960 feet. Some people use this to play a lullaby over the audio. The Li-ion battery is 950mAh and lasts 10 hours in eco mode.

It also has a lot of features like:

  • Vox Mode Voice Activation,
  • Sound Activated LED Indicators
  • Alarm/Timer Setting
  • 2x Digital Zoom with Digital Image Pan/Tilt option
  • Multi-Camera Expandability (up to four cameras)
  • Manual Pan (360 degrees) & Tilt (60 degrees)
  • Tabletop or Wall Mounting Options

Overall I think this is a great choice for a cheap baby monitor!

Best Cheap Baby Monitor FAQ

What features do you really need in a baby monitor?

It depends on your personal preference but we think the most important features are range, battery life, two-way talk, clarity, and portability.

Range is important so that you can be sure the monitor will work even if you’re in another room, moving around to different rooms, or outside. Battery life is key so that you don’t have to worry about recharging the monitor constantly. Two-way communication is a nice feature to have in case you need to soothe your baby from afar. Clarity is important so that you can see and hear your baby clearly. And portability is important so that you can take the monitor with you on the go, whether you’re traveling or just going to another room in the house.

Do you need video or is audio fine?

If you feel more comfortable being able to see your baby, then yes, video is a great feature to have. However, it’s not necessary and an audio-only monitor will work just fine. It’s all about what gives you that extra peace of mind.

Is wifi or a closed system better?

Again, this is a personal preference but we think a closed system is better because you don’t have to worry about anyone hacking into the system and seeing your baby.

How long do you use a baby monitor for?

Most people use them until their baby is around 2 years old. However, some people continue to use them even after their child is out of the crib and able to talk.

What’s the difference between a digital and analog monitor?

A digital monitor uses DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) technology which means it is encrypted and private. An analog monitor uses an unencrypted signal that can be picked up by anyone with a scanner.

In Summary: Best Cheap Baby Monitor Options

There are a lot of great cheap baby monitors on the market. It really depends on your personal preferences as to which one is best for you. However, we think the most important features to look for are range, battery life, two-way talk, sound quality, clarity, and portability.

We hope our guide helped you find the best cheap baby monitor for your needs!