I recently had my first baby, and I’ll admit: I went a little overboard trying to find the best baby products for my precious little girl. But I wanted to make sure I made the right choice, especially for something as important as a baby monitor.
When it comes to premium baby monitors, the two names that come up the most often are Nanit and Owlet.
At first glance, they both have the latest technology and provide important information about my baby. But after trying both products, I definitely have my favorite. Let’s talk about it.
If You Want More Comfortable Tracking For Your Baby… Nanit
The Owlet tracks vitals using its Dream Sock, a little electronic sock with sensors. The Nanit detects a baby’s breathing motion with the Breathing Band which is a piece of fabric with a special pattern on it that the Nanit Pro can recognize. The Breathing Band doesn’t have any sensors, electronics or radars.
Personally, I prefer Nanit's Breathing Band because 1) it’s much easier to put on and 2) it’s more comfortable for my Fiadh. She always seemed to wriggle around when I tried to put the Dream Sock on her.
Plus, even though the Owlet has been tested thoroughly, I don’t love putting electronics on my newborn all night. Fortunately, Nanit's Breathing Band uses no electronics or sensors.
If You Need A User-Friendly App … Nanit
Both the Nanit and Owlet come with apps to help track and monitor your baby’s sleep. I’m relatively tech-savvy, but the sleep deprivation that comes with raising a newborn can give me a brain fart or two.
I personally found using the Nanit app more user-friendly and intuitive. However, I was able to figure out how to use the Owlet app after some trial and error. Unfortunately, the Owlet sometimes sent me false alarms, which didn’t help my stress levels.
If You Want a Cheaper Overall Option … Owlet
Both the Nanit and the Owlet are premium baby monitors with heftier price tags. The Nanit ranges from $249 to $399 (depending on the stand).
The Owlet monitor ranges from $119 to $159 (depending on the version), which is cheaper than the Nanit. Owlet offers a bundle of both the monitor and the Dream Sock for $399.
Overall, however, Nanit’s my preference because I feel like it’s a better value for the money!
If You Want a Sleek Design … Nanit
I don’t know about you, but I spent way too much time decorating my nursery to use an ugly baby monitor.
I like the designs of both the Nanit and Owlet monitors, but to me, Nanit felt like the best fit. It has a simple and sleek design that leans away from the surveillance-esque style dominating the market. The Owlet monitor is a little basic in design, looking like pretty much any other baby monitor out there.
I also prefer the look of Nanit’s Breathing Band over Owlet’s Dream Sock. The Breathing Band is a soft cloth band with a simple, distinctive pattern, while the Dream Sock is a sock that looks like a medical device.
If Video Quality Is Important to You … Nanit
I’m a bit of a worrywart, so I want a monitor that can catch any movement by my baby when I’m not in the room. I found that the Nanit has better video quality at 1080p resolution versus the Owlet monitor’s 720p resolution.
They both have great night vision quality, but I thought the Nanit’s picture still came in clearer. For many people, 720p might be sufficient, but I want high-quality videos of Fiadh that I can watch over and over again. For me, Nanit’s the clear winner.
Overall Winner … Nanit
For me, Nanit is the best baby monitor for my baby. Its comprehensive features, user-friendly technology, and sleek design make it special. The app's insights and sleep tips have been a game-changer for me as a new parent, significantly reducing my stress.
If you’re looking for the baby monitor of your dreams, Nanit’s the one for you!
