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As a new parent, it’s hard not to worry while your baby is sleeping, but checking in every 5 minutes isn’t ideal for anyone. It often results in poor sleep for you – and the risk of disturbing them.
That’s where baby monitors come in. Baby sleep and movement monitors have become essential tools for providing peace of mind to parents, and I had heard a lot about two popular brands – Nanit and Owlet – as I geared up to become a parent. In the spirit of a good old-fashioned TQE throwdown, I tried them both out to see how they stack up. Below, dive into my findings on their design, features, technology, and price.
The Players
Nanit: Nanit has gained recognition for its state-of-the-art baby monitors that blend cutting-edge technology with sleek design. Founded in 2014, Nanit focuses on providing parents with insights into their baby's sleep patterns, milestones, and overall well-being. Nanit's flagship product, the Nanit Pro, boasts features such as sleep tracking, temperature and humidity monitoring, and HD video streaming. It can be paired with the brand’s sleepwear to detect baby’s breathing motion in almost any sleep position.
Owlet: Established in 2013, Owlet has made a name for itself with its Smart Sock, which monitors baby's vital signs through a wearable sock. Owlet aims to provide parents with real-time information about their baby's heart rate and oxygen levels and has been lauded as a great product for preemies and those worried about SIDS.
Design
Nanit: Nanit prides itself on its sleek design, and I must admit I’m a sucker for minimalism. The Nanit Pro camera mounts to the wall and is the most elegant solution I’ve seen. It pairs with the Breathing Wear Sleeping Bag to detect baby’s breathing motion in just about any position, which is super convenient (who doesn’t love a two-in-one product?).
Owlet: The Dream Sock is meant to be wrapped around your little’s foot in order to provide insights. The wearable design is nice in theory, but squirmy legs make it a bit of a challenge to put on. It’s complemented by the Owlet Cam, which offers extremely crisp 1080p HD video with night vision.
Features
Nanit: Nanit offers comprehensive sleep tracking – including sleep analysis, duration, and quality. It also monitors your little’s sleeping environment for things like room temperature and humidity that can play a role in their sleep. Additionally, Nanit’s camera supports two-way audio, so I’m able to soothe my little one without entering the room.
Owlet: The Owlet Smart Sock has fewer features and focuses primarily on monitoring heart rate and oxygen levels. I appreciate the camera’s high-definition video streaming with night vision, which makes keeping track of my little one easier when the lights are off.
Technology
Nanit: Nanit’s technology is truly top-of-the-line – the video quality is incredibly crisp, and it’s easy for me to track everything from naps to nights of sleep from near and far (I have to give a special shout out to the Split Screen feature!). This feels like the perfect application of technology: making my life easier and more peaceful, and also providing valuable and actionable information that empower me as a parent! I love that the app also includes tips and guidance based on the information it generates.
Owlet: The Owlet isn’t as savvy as the Nanit. It provides real-time health data and sends alerts if any vital signs fall outside the normal range, but it doesn’t have the same breadth as Nanit – nor does it send tips and tricks for improving sleep.
Price
Nanit: Like any premium parenting product, Nanit falls in the higher price range: the camera itself costs anywhere from $199-$399 depending on the mount you choose, and the Sleeping Bag is $28. It honestly feels like a steal for what you get (peace of mind is priceless in my opinion), but it’s definitely not the most affordable option on the market. Plus, you can use code TQE20 for an extra 20% off.
Owlet: Owlet is similarly priced: the newest version of the camera is $127.20, and the Dream Sock is $239.20. Depending on what you buy, you can expect to pay around the same amount in total for both the Nanit and Owlet.
Winner: Tie
Overall Winner: Nanit
With all parenting products, I like to caveat that I trust you’ll do what’s best for you and your little one. Every family has different needs and priorities, and both of these products have amazing benefits, so you really can’t go wrong. But, for the money I spent, I preferred the Nanit experience.
On the surface, I love how sleek it looks and functions; every touchpoint – from the camera stand design to the in-app experience to the sleeping bag design – is simple, minimal, and elegant. I’m also so grateful for the detailed insights the app provides, and the tips it offers based on my little one’s sleep patterns.
I had seen Nanit all over social media before trying it for myself, and it really does live up to the hype. And I’m not alone in this belief: 71% of parents surveyed reported feeling less anxious after implementing this pediatrician-approved technology into their routine. I often say that great parenting products don’t make life easy but they do make it easier and Nanit is most definitely a great parenting product!
