Snuza Hero MD review: how does this compact breathing monitor offer peace of mind for new parents?

Price on writing: £100

How we tested the Snuza Hero MD baby monitor

Our parent-tester Nino tested the Snuza Hero MD with his baby during naps and night times. He scored the monitor and took detailed notes on a number of factors: ease of set-up, stand-out features, peace of mind and value for money.

Related: Mumsnet’s ultimate guide to the best baby monitors

Overview of the Snuza Hero MD

Clipping easily onto baby’s nappy, the compact Snuza Hero MD is a medically-certified device endorsed by the Lullaby Trust. It monitors babies’ breathing via their movements, flashing green and giving an optional ‘audible tick’ with each breath. If no breath has been detected for 15 seconds, the Snuza vibrates to rouse the baby. If there’s still no breathing detected after 20 seconds, an alarm sounds to alert the parents. It also has an alarm for a  low breathing rate of fewer than 8 breaths per minute.

Unlike most other baby monitors, it just monitors breathing - there’s no parent unit or app, and no audio or video function. The alarm emits from the device itself, so you’ll need to stay within earshot of your baby for the monitor to work. 

The Snuza Hero MD is designed to offer peace of mind to parents, especially in the first few months of a baby’s life when risk of SIDS is at its highest and parental anxiety can run high. Many parents say having the device improved their sleep, as they could relax in the knowledge that their baby was OK.

Read next: The best cribs and bedside co-sleepers for newborns

How easy is the Snuza Hero MD to set up?

The monitor is a doddle to set up, which is a real plus. Who wants to be fiddling about with tech when you have a baby to deal with? With the Leapfrog LF915HD, the parent and baby units automatically find each other, so once plugged in, it’s very intuitive and straightforward to operate.

-Mumsnet parent-tester Nino

Once set up, Nino found the Snuza easy to clip onto his daughter’s nappy, and it felt secure once on. Crucially, he found that the device didn’t bother his daughter while she wore it, and she napped as usual.

Read next: The best breast pumps, tried and tested by breastfeeding mums

What’s the battery life like?

The battery doesn’t need recharging and is designed to last 4-6 months being used on average 8 hours per day. There’s a low battery indicator and if you do need to replace the battery, it takes a CR15270 battery which are available for under £10.

Were there any false alarms?

None - false alarms seem relatively rare for the Snuza, according to Mumsnetters and reviewers across the wider web, especially when compared to breathing monitor mats - some of which seem particularly prone to false alarms.

What’s the Snuza Hero like to use day-to-day?

Nino used the Snuza mainly for naps, and in combination with a camera monitor. He found it reliable and easy to use, giving extra peace of mind while his baby slept. 

While it doesn’t provide the features of a video or audio monitor that allows you to check on your child from another room, the Snuza’s medical certification, focus and simplicity add an extra layer of reassurance for parents.

Related: The best cot beds for cosy bedtimes

Does the Snuza Hero offer good value for money?

At £100, this Snuza is by no means cheap - especially if you also need to shell out for a regular audio or video monitor. However, if you’re looking for the reassurance of a breathing monitor, it’s probably the best value one out there. 

Compared to the Owlet Smart Sock, which keeps tabs on baby’s oxygen level and heart rate, the Snuza is much less high-tech. However with models costing from £240, the Owlet comes with a hefty price tag. Similarly, premium monitors with sensor mats like the Cubo ai and Nanit Pro retail for £250+. 

Then there’s the Tommee Tippee Dreamee. With an RRP of £170 it’s still more expensive than the Snuza, but comes with a video monitor and parental unit, as well as a sensor mat. However, when we tested out the Dreamee, we found the sensor mat to be really sensitive and prone to false alarms. 

All in all, we think the peace of mind the Snuza can bring new parents is worth its weight in gold, which more than justifies the £100 price tag.

Read next: The best cot mattresses for safety and comfort

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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.