In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician

Angelcare AC327 Review

Potential all-around solution for every monitoring need from movement to sound and video
Angelcare AC327
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Price:   $170 List | $123.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Video and audio, wireless sensor pad
Cons:  Higher EMF than wired, price, requires hardboard under the mattress
Manufacturer:   Angelcare
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 2, 2021
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57
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 8
  • Reliability - 40% 7
  • Ease of Use - 30% 4
  • EMF - 20% 6
  • Portability - 10% 5

The Skinny

The Angelcare AC327 is a one-and-done monitoring solution that includes movement, video, and audio capabilities. This monitor works with a sensor pad that goes under the baby's mattress and includes the ability to hear and see a baby with a paired parent device that comes with the unit. This monitor could be a good solution for parents who want to buy a single monitor for their child, but still want to monitor movement (which is typically only good from 0-6 months old). This unit requires a hardboard under the mattress and won't work with all mattress types. Also, the lack of wires creates more EMF emissions than previous wired Angelcare options. It is also a little on the spendy side, but the longevity might make that worthwhile depending on your goals. Overall, we think it might be a potential option if you want an audio or video option with a movement monitor.

Compare to Similar Products

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Angelcare AC327
This Product
Angelcare AC327
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award 
Price $170.00 List
$123.99 at Amazon - 27% off		$90.00 List
Check Price at Amazon		$110.00 List
Check Price at Amazon		$130.00 List
$129.99 at Amazon		$100.00 List
$99.99 at Amazon
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Pros Video and audio, wireless sensor padPortable, affordable, simple, no EMFPortable, simple, vibration stimulus, no EMFAlarm and lights, 2 sensor pads, no cordsWearable, lower EMF than similar options, lots of app info, alert on parent device
Cons Higher EMF than wired, price, requires hardboard under the mattressNo parent unit, could be uncomfortable, alarm could be scaryNo parent unit, difficult to attach, short battery lifeNursery alarm, no parent unit, no sensitivity adjustmentSomewhat higher price, proximity to connect required
Bottom Line Potential all-around solution for every monitoring need from movement to sound and videoAffordable monitor that is easy to use and good for travelReliable clip-style wearable with a unique vibration stimulusStraightforward option with two sensor pads but no parent device or adjustable sensor sensitivityUseful wearable button that provides more information than other wearable monitors
Rating Categories Angelcare AC327 Snuza Go Snuza Hero SE Babysense 7 Sense-U Baby
Reliability (40%)
7.0
8.0
5.0
3.0
4.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
4.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
EMF (20%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
4.0
Portability (10%)
5.0
10.0
10.0
4.0
8.0
Specs Angelcare AC327 Snuza Go Snuza Hero SE Babysense 7 Sense-U Baby
Sensor Type Sensor Pad Wearable Wearable Sensor Pad Wearable
Parent Unit Yes, Dedicated No No No Smartphone
Monitoring Type Movement, Sound, Video Movement Movement Movement Movement, Position, Activity
EMF (at baby) .9 V/m 0.4 V/m 0.4 V/m 0.4 V/m 1.2 V/m
Recommended Age Sensor Pad: 0-24mo
Audio & Video: 0mo+		 Not Listed Not Listed 0-12mo Rollover Alarm: 0-6mo (or until baby can roll over)
Breathing and Temp. Alarm: All ages
Adjustable Sensitivity Yes No No No No
Wireless Mobility Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

Launching in 1997, Angelcare was one of the first companies to offer movement monitors to the masses. This Canadian company offers sound, video, and movement monitors for infants.

Performance Comparison



The AC327 comes with video, audio, and movement all in one purchase.
The AC327 comes with video, audio, and movement all in one purchase.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Reliability


Sensor pad movement monitors can often have more false alarms than wearables. The pad can only cover so much area and if your little moves, or rolls out of the coverage zone then the alarm will alert as it no longer sense movement. This may not be an issue when your baby is still an infant, but as they age and begin to shift, roll, and scoot, it could be more of a problem. Some of the other sensor pads we've tested include more than one pad for better overall coverage and fewer false alarms which is why the competition ranks higher in our tests. We didn't experience false alarms while testing, but some users report that it does occur.

The sensor pad on the AC327 is wireless and has adjustable...
The sensor pad on the AC327 is wireless and has adjustable sensitivity for fewer false alarms.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The breathing pad has adjustable sensitivity to help prevent false alarms, but the alarm happens inside the nursery, so you will be waking your baby if there is a false alarm.

The Angelcare has a dedicated parent device but it feels dated and...
The Angelcare has a dedicated parent device but it feels dated and isn't the most intuitive.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The AC327 isn't hard to use, but there is more going on here than with most of the competition. With a parent device with few buttons and adjustable sensitivity on the sensor pad, it isn't a turn-on and walk-away device like some of the competition. We are not big fans of the user interface on the parent device and it feels dated that there are only a handful of buttons that are not intuitive and easy to mix up in the middle of the night. With advances in technology, we feel it shouldn't be too difficult to design a unit with easy-to-use buttons and features.

The AC327 parent unit has a lot of features, but the limited buttons...
The AC327 parent unit has a kickstand for easy viewing.

This monitor includes color video, voice activation, two-way talk, temperature alarm on the parent device, volume control, and low battery alarm.

The AC327 sensor pad requires a hard surface to rest on and not all...
The AC327 sensor pad requires a hard surface to rest on and not all mattresses are compatible. The pad is adjustable to help avoid false alarms from any nearby device that causes vibrations.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Set Up


The monitor requires more setup than some of the wearable options and has more parts than any other option in our review. With a parent device, camera, and sensor pad there are simply more components you need to deal with than some options that clip on baby's clothes and are good to go. While you don't need to pair the parent device like monitors of old, it does require mattress and bed set up, sensor pad positioning, camera installation, and ensuring a connection between the camera and the parent device.

Mattress Selection
The AC327 sensor pad requires a hard surface to rest on under the mattress to work properly. Also, the monitor doesn't work properly with all mattress types including most memory foam, straw, or hollow-core mattresses. If your mattress is non-traditional, you might want to consider contacting Angelcare for specifics before you purchase.

Portability


While this sensor pad is more portable than those with wires to worry about it still isn't the best choice for travel where you can't control the kind of sleep surface you'll encounter. Because this monitor requires a hard surface to sit on and is only compatible with some kinds of mattresses, you may not be able to use it with every hotel crib or friend's mattress. If you need to take it to grandma's where you know the setup will work, then a setup without wires is arguably easier.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF)


The Angelcare AC327 emits more EMF than the previous Angelcare options we've tested. This is likely a direct result of the wireless pad compared to the previous version's wired pad. While fewer wires around a baby crib are safer, the higher level of EMF might give you pause. While the jury is still out on the cumulative effects of EMF on developing systems, we believe less is better and err on the side of caution when we can. The AC327 emitted 0.9 V/m compared to the previous version we tested with EMF of 0.7V/m. Similar higher ranking sensor pad monitors have EMF levels of 0.4 in our tests as well.

Manufacturer Video



— Wendy Schmitz