Most people would agree that the audio quality of baby monitors is their most essential feature. While I also agree, I have to come to realize that the video feeds from our smart baby monitor help me worry even less about the baby’s wellbeing. So, when I was scouting for a baby monitor, this was one of the top features I considered.
Apart from video and audio quality, I also paid attention to the parent unit feature (and its alternative), sleep tracking & other monitoring features, and portability/ease of installation.
When weighing our options, we zeroed in on three baby monitors that fit what we were looking for and compared them. So, if you are a new parent looking to get a baby monitor for your newborn, you may find this comparison helpful.
Owlet vs Nanit vs Miku Smart Baby Monitors Review
#1. Miku – Smart Baby Monitor
Miku offers quality video and audio outputs while ensuring a high level of security, so hackers cannot readily gain access to your camera. It also gives sleep analytics, and you wouldn’t even have to wear a tracker on your baby.
Audio AND Video/Camera
Miku offers two-way audio; so you can speak with your baby and it can hear you too. Since the monitor is built with an Ole Wolff speaker, you can expect above-average sensitivity. So, your baby should hear your voice clearly.
Besides the audio hardware, the phone app allows you to play lullabies and white noises from phone. Plus, you can play the sounds from anywhere, as long as you are connected to the internet.
The camera on this monitor is pretty okay. It produces clear videos, which are okay for an HD camera. The night vision is pretty clear, and the colors are generally satisfactory.
Like the audio, the video from the camera streams to your phone through the app anywhere you are, as long as you are connected to the internet. However, the camera has no zoom feature.
Parent Unit
The Miku brand has no parent unit; but your smartphone can serve as the parent device. The monitor connects to the smartphone through WiFi pretty seamlessly. So, using your phone should not be an issue.
Sleep Tracking
Instead of having to wrap your baby in a special blanket or socks, the camera uses a special technology to monitor your baby’s sleep quality. This gives it an advantage over competition.
This device will monitor your baby’s breathing, movement, temperature, humidity, and sleeping patterns. However, it could get glitchy as the temperature sometimes fluctuate with the monitor’s temperature.
Other Features
You can install the monitor with no stress at all, and it barely takes up any space. Then with advanced encryption and two-factor authentication, the camera has a fair bit of security. It would be almost impossible for someone outside the range of your Wi-Fi to hack it.
If you ever want a detailed report of how your baby slept, the app offers a sleep analytics section. You do not pay a subscription while using Miku – another advantage over alternatives.
#2. Nanit – Pro Smart Baby Monitor
Nanit has a high level of flexibility, making it easy to operate. It also uses a wearable band for sleep analytics, so it is pretty reliable.
Audio AND Video/Camera
The gap in audio quality of Nanit vs Miku is not far off. Both even offer two-way audio. But while Miku comes with lullabies and white noises, you only get white noises with Nanit.
There’s a real difference in picture quality of Nanit vs Miku. I would choose Nanit over Miku for video clarity.
The camera comes with night vision like the other two. It even has an adjustable night light, so you can fine-tune things until the view satisfies you.
Parent Unit
The Nanit baby monitor has no parent unit. None of the three baby monitors have one; they are all WiFi baby monitors. But then, you can use your smartphone, iPad, Mac, and Amazon Echo Show as the parent unit.
Sleep Tracking
Nanit comes with a wearable, which helps to track breathing. The breathing wear stays on through the night. So, you never have to wake up to fasten it.
Besides breathing, it tracks sleep efficiency, time of sleep, sleep duration, and number of visits to the baby.
Other Features
Installation is easy and flexible. You can even choose to install it with a wall mount or a floor stand. However, the wall mount is the cheaper option. It also comes with a travel pack, so you can go on vacations with it.
The camera offers the same level of security as the Miku camera since it also uses advanced encryption. You get one year of the basic subscription plan. But afterwards, you’d have to pay if you want to see your baby’s sleep analytics.
#3. Owlet – Dream Duo Smart Baby Monitor
Owlet’s selling point is its smart sock. It tries to find a midpoint where the baby can use the baby monitoring wearable without feeling uncomfortable.
In my experience, sleep tracking with wearables is typically more accurate. So, you’ll get more consistent readings with most devices that use baby monitoring wearables – like this one.
Audio AND Video/Camera
When it comes to audio output, Owlet vs Nanit vs Miku is a tie. All three offer about the same audio quality. In fact, Owlet and Miku use similar speakers. But unlike the other two, this device does not have white noise or lullabies.
This device’s camera is on par with Nanit. So, you get video feeds of similar clarity and a zoom feature. Like the other two, it also supports night vision.
Parent Unit
As hinted earlier, this baby monitor does not come with a parent unit. But you can install the phone app on your smartphone and use that as your parent unit. Besides the app on your phone, the base station will also show you some feedback.
Sleep Tracking
When worn, the Owlet Smart Sock monitors the baby’s heart rate, movements, and sleep cycle. The smart sock also tracks oxygen levels, noise levels, and humidity in the baby’s room.
This device would have been even more splendid if these smart features – particularly the movements and sleep cycle tracking – were absolutely consistent.
Other Features
The design of the Owlet monitor allows for mounting in different ways. You can place it by itself on a flat base, attach it to a wall, or place it on a magnetic surface.
By monitoring your baby’s sleep cycle over time, this device can predict your baby’s sleeping times. It also detects when the smart sock comes of your baby’s feet. Then it alerts you, so you can put the sock back in place.
While the others use 256-bit encryption, Owlet uses 128-bit encryption. In lay terms, Owlet’s encryption is not as secure as Miku and Nanit. But it is still pretty secure.
Comparison Chart
| Miku | Nanit | Owlet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Image |  |  |  |
| Video Quality | HD output – not as clear as Full HD | Full HD output | Full HD output |
| Audio Quality | Better than average audio | Better than average audio | Better than average audio |
| White Noises and Lullabies | Offers both | Offers only white noises | Offers none |
| Two-way Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Parent Unit | No parent unit. Your smartphone serves as the parent unit. | No parent unit. But your smartphone, iPad, or Mac computer can be the parent unit. | No parent unit. You can use your smartphone. Then there’s a base station. |
| Connection | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Tracks: • Breathing • Movement • Humidity • Temperature • sleeping patterns. | Tracks: • sleep efficiency • sleep duration • time of sleep • number of visits. | Tracks: • oxygen levels • movement • heart rate • sleep cycle • noise levels • humidity |
| Mounting Options | Wall | Wall and Floor | Wall, flat base, and magnetic surface |
| Security | 256-bit encryption (more secure) | 256-bit encryption (more secure) | 128-bit encryption (less secure, but still secure) |
| Baby Monitoring Wearable | None | Band | Smart sock |
Summary
All three baby monitor brands are high-quality. But when it comes to innovation and automation, Owlet is ahead. Nanit offers a lot of comfort and flexibility while Miku thrives when it comes to traditional baby monitor features.
There isn’t much distinction in their audio quality. But for the best video quality and reliable sleep metrics, Nanit and Owlet are the better choices. However, if you are wary about a security breach, opt for Miku.
