Security Camera vs Baby Monitor (Which is Right for You?)

At first, you may think that there isn’t much difference between a baby monitor and a security camera but there are some key differences that you should keep in mind if you’re considering using a security camera to monitor your baby. If this is what you are doing, you need to read through this article first.

Baby monitors usually connect to a viewing device that you use inside your house while security cameras usually have online phone applications for accessing the video feed. Baby monitors also have features like baby vital checks and room temperature monitoring capabilities specifically for monitoring the baby.

For more specific differences between security cameras vs baby monitors, keep reading. We will also go through some of the most frequently asked questions regarding baby monitors versus security cameras.

Security Camera vs Baby Monitor: The Differences

Online Viewing Capabilities

Baby monitors are designed to keep an eye and ear on your baby while you’re in another room or outside in your garden while your baby sleeps and normally does not have online viewing capabilities.

Smart security cameras usually do have online viewing capabilities because they’re designed to view your home no matter where you might be at the time.

 

Temperature Monitoring Features

Baby monitors have special features that assist you in looking after your baby like room temperature monitoring while security cameras normally do not have temperature monitoring features.

 

Speakers

Baby monitors can play lullabies for your baby to sleep better while security cameras do not have speakers to play anything.

 

Components

Baby monitors are made up of two components, one to monitor the baby and another unit for viewing the video, sound, temperature, and other information from the monitor.

Security cameras can be stand-alone units that connect to your wi-fi so that you can access the video footage through your cell phone application at any time from anywhere.

 

Audio

Baby monitors need to be able to monitor audio while security cameras usually don’t record audio.

 

In Which Ways Are Security Cameras And Baby Monitors The Same?

  1. Both security cameras and baby monitors are able to record and allow you to view your baby remotely.
  2. Security cameras and baby monitors can send you notifications if your baby moves around. Motion sensor capabilities.
  3. Security cameras and baby monitors have infrared or low light viewing capabilities.
  4. There are baby monitors and security cameras that can both move, tilt, and zoom.

 

Recommended Baby Monitors

Last update on 2023-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor

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The Infant Optics DXR-8 Baby Monitor has been previously awarded as the “Best Baby Monitor of The Year” by Popular Mechanics.

It has a lightweight compact design with batteries that will last 6 hours straight while constantly watching your baby on the screen.

The baby monitor comes with interchangeable lenses for zooming into your baby’s crib or to have a wide-angle view of your baby’s room.

This baby monitor is trusted by millions of parents that have put it through vigorous testing.

The video and audio are transmitted through a secure 2.4GHz channel with FHSS technology to ensure that nobody can access it without your receiver.

 

Baby Monitor with Remote Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera

Baby Monitor with Remote Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera

This is another great baby monitor with all the modern features you’d expect.

It has a 3.2” LCD for viewing and features night vision as well. With the remote, you can pan, tilt, and zoom to see exactly what your baby is doing at any time. Two-way talk allows you to talk to your baby while listening to him or her.

This baby monitor can also monitor the temperature of your baby’s room to make sure it’s not too hot or cold. It also features night vision so that you can keep an eye on your baby without lighting up the room so much that they can’t sleep.

It can also play lullabies to your baby to help him or her sleep easier. An audio-only mode is also available for when you don’t need to watch your baby.

 

Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor

Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor

The Nanit Plus baby monitor is a “top of the range” baby monitor that you can access from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet, Kindle Fire, or Echo Show Device.

This is particularly useful for when you’re not the one at home watching your baby because even though you have someone babysitting, you can still have a look in anytime you want to.

Besides having remote access via your smartphone, this baby monitor can give you “sleep stats” each morning to tell you how your baby is sleeping during the night.

It will also give you a timelapse of the whole night’s video footage. With the application, you’ll receive science-backed tips and guidance regarding your baby’s sleep.

 

Recommended Security Cameras

Last update on 2023-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Security Camera

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If you going to use a security camera as a baby monitor, it should be a security camera with features like two-way audio so that you can listen and speak to your baby as well.

It should also have night vision so that you can keep an eye on your baby without having lights keeping him or her awake. The Wyze Cam 1080p has both these features and more.

The Wyze Cam can also live stream HD video to your smartphone through the Wyze application no matter where you are. It also has motion detection and can record on a local SD card if you want to.

 

Wyze Cam Pan

Wyze Cam Pan

Wyze Cam Pan is another smart camera that can be used as a baby monitor. Not only does it have all the features of the Wyze Cam 1080p above but it also tilts and rotates so that you can focus on anything in the baby room.

 

Related Questions: Security Camera vs Baby Monitor

Can I Use A Security Camera As A Baby Monitor?

You can use a security camera as a baby monitor but it’s advisable that you choose a smart security camera that supports two-way-audio and night vision.

One of the main things that security cameras lack when compared to baby monitors is the ability to monitor the baby’s vital signs. Those features come with pretty expensive baby monitors though and most people don’t care to have it.

 

What Is The Best Baby Monitor 2023?

One of the best baby monitors available in 2023 is the Nanit Plus that reviewed in this article. Not only does it support, audio, and video but it’s also packed with extra features like monitoring your baby’s sleeping patterns and giving you expert advice through the application.

What Is The Most Secure Baby Monitor?

The Infant Optics DXR-8 baby monitor is one of the most secure baby monitors with its secure 2.4GHz channel with FHSS technology.

 

Do You Really Need A Baby Monitor?

You don’t really need a baby monitor just like you don’t really need a security camera at home.

People had to do without baby monitors until the year of 1937 (Yes, it was that long ago)

Having said this, there are clear benefits to having a baby monitor though like being able to perform chores around the house while keeping an eye on your baby at the same time.

Baby monitors have also proven to be very useful for parents who want to check in on their baby while someone is babysitting their baby. This way they check up on the baby and the caretaker at the same time.

 

Conclusion: Difference Between Baby Monitor and Security Camera

A dedicated baby monitor will work better than a security camera to monitor your child especially in terms of tracking your child’s vital signs or playing it lullabies.

Besides tracking vitals and playing lullabies, smart security cameras can be quite effective in monitoring your baby as well because they also have two-way communication, motion capture, and night vision features that are all well suited for monitoring a baby.

If you don’t care to track your baby’s vital signs then a smart camera like the ones we covered in this article will do the job of a baby monitor without a problem.

You can even use a spare cell phone to monitor your baby with the help of applications like Alfred Baby Monitoring which has the ability to record motion, turn on the flash, two-way-audio, and more.

There is a free option that allows you to view in 240p which is decent if your spare phone is close to the baby’s crib but even the paid HD subscription isn’t very expensive.

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Author

Edward Clark
Edward Clark, with 15 years of hands-on experience, is a distinguished expert in smart locks and home security systems. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering with a focus on Cybersecurity and is a member of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). His credentials include certifications from ASIS International, IAPP, CompTIA, NTS, and CEDIA. With expertise spanning risk management, electronic security, and data privacy, he's been featured in The Guardian, Forbes, Wired, and more. Edward's mission: guiding individuals toward secure homes using the latest technologies.

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