How we test baby monitors

Overall score

Our overall score includes:

Audio and video monitors

• Picture performance (30%)
• Sound performance (40%)
• Ease of use (30%)

Audio-only products

• Sound performance (70%)
• Ease of use (30%)

We assess each monitor's performance on: Sound range (how well it transmits through indoor walls). Sensitivity and sound quality (whether the baby unit picks up soft sounds and how well the parent unit reproduces them). Picture quality (of video monitors). We also check for interference from a microwave or a digital cordless phone – and whether the monitor causes interference in a TV or a digital cordless phone.

We assess ease of use on: The size and clarity of the labels, indicators and controls. How easy it is to operate the controls and set up the unit.