Stiftung Warentest: Babyphone vs. App - the test
Baby monitor or app - the Stiftung Warentest investigated this question and tested 15 baby monitors and 4 popular apps. In this test summary, we show you which of these work reliably and what you should not trust.
Baby monitors versus apps: This is how the baby monitors perform in the goods test
Classic baby monitors are still the most reliable. However, the range is always short: you must not be more than a few rooms away.
- The Philips baby monitor DECT SCD 501 is the test winner among baby phones with sound transmission (grade: 2.3). Thanks to DECT technology, which is also used in telephones, it is particularly interference-resistant. Price: approx. 45 euros.
- The Audioline Watch & Care V130 tops the list of baby phones with sound and video transmission (grade 2.5). It is also quite immune to interference and provides an acceptable picture. The price is around 85 euros.
- Tip: For optimal transmission, set up the baby monitor approximately one meter from the child. When looking for the right device, you should consider these quality criteria for baby monitors.
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Stiftung Warentest: Babyphone apps in the test
Baby monitor apps connect your smartphone or iPhone to the second cell phone in the children's room via WLAN. So theoretically you have an unlimited range, but no app can really convince:
- Android & iOS: The "Babyphone" app is one of the most popular apps and is available for around 3.70 euros. If the baby makes noises, your smartphone is automatically called. However, there is no video function.
- However, Warentest criticizes that the smartphone switches to standby mode after every alarm and that you have to restart the app in the children's room. In addition, nothing works if the display lock is activated. Another shortcoming: If someone calls, the doorbell rings loudly in the children's room.
- Android: Even the "baby monitor" cannot convince the experts: It does offer video transmission, but you can't see anything in the dark, says Warentest. There was no more criticism from the testers. Price: 2.49 euros.
- iOS: "Babyphone Duo" is also not optimal, since the app does not suppress incoming calls - sometimes the doorbell rings loudly in the children's room. If the screen lock is active, the app does not work at all. You can also forget the video transmission in the dark, everything stays black. Price: 3.99 euros.
- For all apps, the experts criticize the fact that you will not be informed if the connection is lost. The situation is different with classic baby monitors. All details can be found at test.de.
Conclusion: baby monitor apps as a last resort
- Good baby phones like the test winner Philips baby monitor DECT SCD 501 are extremely reliable, but have a short range. Thanks to infrared, you can also look at your child at night with video models.
- The best app is the "Baby Monitor" for Android, but you can forget about the video function at night - as with any app. If the connection is broken, you will not be informed. The baby can cry for so long.
- So you should rely on real baby monitors if you want to be informed about noises. Numerous apps for mothers and fathers (Android) and iOS, on the other hand, reliably help with other problems.
- You can also use the Samsung Galaxy S5 in combination with the Galaxy Gear as a baby monitor: if your child cries, the watch vibrates on your wrist.
In the next article you will find various tips on where you can buy premium diapers cheaply. In our baby monitor buying advice we also introduce you to the various baby monitor systems and how they work.