Ovia Family Award Winners: Baby Monitors

What are the Ovia Family Awards? 

Each year, we ask Ovia parents to nominate their best-loved products and brands and tell us why these picks made such an impact on their journey into parenthood.

We analyze thousands of votes, pieces of feedback, and thoughtful recommendations to determine which best-of-the-best, tried-and-true products are worthy of an Ovia Family Award. When you see our seal, you know what you’re buying was chosen by parents who’ve used it, trust it, and can genuinely recommend it to other growing families.

In this category, we’re giving awards for:

  • Best Baby Monitor
  • Best Health Tracking Monitor

For all our other winners, visit our Ovia Family Awards Hub.

*All products featured are independently selected. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.


Best Baby Monitor: Infant Optics

“The video and sound are so clear. Love that it is not WiFi so I don’t have to worry about people hacking the signal.”

Since 2011, Infant Optics has focused solely on developing high-quality baby monitors — and it shows. The #1 selling brand in America, their high-tech, thoughtfully designed features keep babies safe while giving parents and caregivers peace of mind. 

Parents absolutely love that Infant Optics gives them the ability to stream real-time video without the use of wifi, and gives them the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom the camera for a complete view that feels like being in the room. 


The Infant Optics DXR-8 video baby monitor features high-quality video and audio capabilities, including two-way talk, all packed into a sleek, lightweight design. 

“Has its own screen and doesn’t use wifi. When our wifi would drop overnight I burned through so much data on my phone having [my baby monitor] on constantly so I could see/hear baby before we got this.”

Designed to be portable, the plug and play monitor sets up in seconds. Ovia parents raved about how simple and intuitive the system is to use. 

“Easy to set up and use, and also easy packing for travel.”

Another much-loved feature? The world’s first interchangeable baby monitor lens, which allows parents to see their infant’s crib up close with the zoom lens, then switch to a full view of the nursery with the wide lens once their little one is more mobile. 

“I’ve tried a few and this one has worked great. Love the wide lens and how easy it is to use.”

Infant Optics won out over some other finalists. Browse some other options that Ovia parents recommend below: 

  • Motorola
  • Nanit
  • Owlet (winner of the best health tracking monitor)

Best Health Tracking Monitor: Owlet

“This device lets me sleep more soundly. I have four children and wish I had it for the other three. Best money I have ever spent.”

At first glance, Owlet isn’t what you expect to see when you think “baby monitor.” But look a little closer and you’ll see that their award-winning “Smart Sock” goes above and beyond to ensure your baby sleeps safely and soundly. 

Simply place the Sock on your baby and it’s intelligent monitoring will track their oxygen level and heart rate and alert you if either leaves a preset “safe” zone. Plus, it records your baby’s total hours slept and gives you real-time information on your smartphone. 


While the Smart Sock integrates easily with Owlet’s Cam, many parents also use the Sock on its own. Parents reported being able to sleep peacefully knowing they have essential info about their baby’s well-being that a camera can’t provide. 

“We don’t use a camera. Having the sock gives us peace of mind about his vitals. You can tell if he’s crying because his heartbeat will be higher. It’s also great for sleep training. Our baby isn’t a crier so having his vitals is helpful to know what’s going on.”

The Sock uses established pulse-oximetry technology proven safe for babies, and the data is secure and encrypted. While the Sock will alert you if your baby’s readings leave the “safe” zone, the Cam will let you know if your baby is crying or moving. 

“The owlet gives us peace of mind when sleeping at night! It also helps us to see how much deep sleep vs light sleep she gets!”

“10/10 — our Owlet saved our sanity. We didn’t have it for the first week or so and our sleep definitely suffered. With it, even still, we have an incredible sense of Peace of Mind knowing if something is wrong, we’ll be alerted.”

To see more innovative health tracking monitors, check out our other finalists: 

  • Nanit
  • Angelcare
  • Miku

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