Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor review: a mum-of-two's verdict on our #1 monitor

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How we tested

Our parent-tester put the Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor to the test at home with her 14-month-old and 2-year-old children, over the course of 3 weeks. She scored the monitor and took detailed notes on a number of factors: ease of set-up, picture quality, stand-out features, signal strength and value for money.

Overview

The Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor is a mid-range video baby monitor with a range of premium features, which are reflected in the price tag. 

With high-quality video, audio and night vision, the monitor comes with two cameras, and can be connected to up to four. With multiple cameras connected, parents can view a split screen, keeping an eye on their baby's crib and their toddler's cot bed at the same time.  

It’s also WiFi-free - a quality that’s increasing in popularity thanks to concerns around the security and reliability of WiFi-connected devices. The monitor connects to the parent unit without relying on WiFi, so you can rest assured that you’ll stay connected even if the WiFi signal drops out. 

How easy is it to set up?

Set-up was really straightforward. All our tester needed to do was charge the parent unit and the Babysense monitor was good to go. The buttons on the unit are pretty self-explanatory, and there’s a simple, clear instruction booklet too. 

With a previous monitor, our tester had mounted the camera over her baby’s cot, and was disappointed that the Babysense couldn’t easily be fitted to the flexible arm’s clamp. While the cameras can sit on any flat surface, to get a full view of the room our tester recommended mounting the monitor to the wall using the screws and rawl plugs included.  

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What’s the picture quality like?

Our tester was really impressed with the picture quality of both the day and night vision. The large, 5.5” screen lends itself to a split-screen display, so she could see both of her children at the same time. 

The tilt, pan and zoom on this monitor are also impressive, offering a full view of your baby’s room, wherever in the house you are. What’s more, the monitor automatically switches into standby mode when idle, saving the battery and preventing the need for unnecessary light in your bedroom. If and when one of your children makes a noise or moves, the monitor switches back on. 

How reliable is the signal?

Our tester used the monitor in her average-sized three bedroom house and had no issues whatsoever with signal from any part of the house. Having a reliable signal like this really helps give peace of mind and allows you to relax or sleep while your baby is napping elsewhere in the house. 

What’s it like to use day-to-day?

While she was really impressed by the baby monitor’s features, our tester did flag a couple of things she’d change. Firstly, it could be louder - both for reassurance if you’re a deep sleeper, and for communicating with toddlers via the two-way talk function. 

Secondly, while the split-screen feature means you can see video from both cameras simultaneously, the sound alternates between the two cameras, and there’s no way to listen in to both at the same time. 

Read next: The best cot mattresses for a safe night's sleep

Is it good value for money?

At £175, the Babysense 5.5” 1080p Full HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor is on the pricier side for video monitors without a motion sensor. Compared with the Leapfrog LF915HD at £130, you’re getting an extra camera, a higher-definition and larger screen and a more reliable non-WiFi signal with the Babysense. 

Put the monitor up against the cheaper VTech VM3254 at £50, and the benefits of the Babysense monitor become clearer. A much larger screen, better picture quality and the ability to pan and tilt the camera. While cheaper monitors may have many of the same functions, the Babysense delivers them to a much higher standard.

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About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.