REASONS TO BUY
Portable
Wearable
Fewer false alarms
REASONS TO AVOID
Price
Nursery only alarm
Potentially scary for baby
Levana Oma Sense Review
Portable simplicity make it interesting but the higher price and loud alarm should be considered
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Movement Monitors
The Skinny
The Levana Oma Sense is a wearable movement monitor that has an audible alarm for when the baby's movements go below the preset threshold of normal. This portable option is easy to use, less bulky than older models and has a simple user interface anyone can use right out of the box. However, this type of monitor has a very loud alarm that emits from the device itself. Think loud smoke detector type of sound intended to alert parents in another room or through an audio monitor. However, this sound can be upsetting and will definitely wake a sleeping child which is disruptive for you. Should the alert be a false alarm, everyone will be disappointed. Also, the price is higher than similar options with identical features making this option a second in comparison. While it scores well overall, and we like this easy clip-on, there are less expensive monitors that performed better or have additional features that could be a better choice.
Editor's Note: The Levana review now includes more information about the options we recommend. This update occurred on March 25, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Levana Oma Sense | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $180 List $79.99 at Amazon | $130 List $129.99 at Amazon | $170 List $59.99 at Amazon | $130 List $127.50 at Amazon | $100 List $69.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Portable, wearable, fewer false alarms | Portable, simple, vibration stimulus, no EMF | Video and audio, wireless sensor pad | Alarm and lights, 2 sensor pads, no cords | App-enabled, comfortable button, budget-friendly |
| Cons | Price, nursery only alarm, potentially scary for baby | No parent unit, difficult to attach, short battery life | Higher EMF than wired, high price, requires hardboard under the mattress | Nursery alarm, no parent unit, no sensitivity adjustment | Easily lose or wash buttons, potential connectivity issues, less reliable |
| Bottom Line | Portable simplicity make it interesting but the higher price and loud alarm should be considered | Reliable clip-style wearable with a unique vibration stimulus | Potential all-around solution for every monitoring need from movement to sound and video | Straightforward option with two sensor pads but no parent device or adjustable sensor sensitivity | Interesting idea but the high EMF and lower reliability score gives us pause |
| Rating Categories | Levana Oma Sense | Snuza Hero SE | Angelcare AC327 | Babysense 7 | Monbaby Smart Button |
| Reliability (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| EMF (20%) | |||||
| Portability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Levana Oma Sense | Snuza Hero SE | Angelcare AC327 | Babysense 7 | Monbaby Smart Button |
| Sensor Type | Wearable | Wearable | Sensor Pad | Sensor Pad | Wearable |
| Parent Unit | No | No | Yes, Dedicated | No | Smartphone |
| Monitoring Type | Movement | Movement | Movement, Sound, Video | Movement | Movement, Position, Activity |
| EMF (at baby) | 0.4 V/m | 0.4 V/m | .9 V/m | 0.4 V/m | 2.3 V/m |
| Recommended Age | 0-6mo | Not Listed | Sensor Pad: 0-24mo Audio & Video: 0mo+ |
0-12mo | 0-18mo |
| Adjustable Sensitivity | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Wireless Mobility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The name Levana comes from the Latin word "levare," which means "to lift" a newborn child. Levana is also the Roman goddess of childbirth. Two reasons the company chose its name. Levana has been around for almost 20 years designing products to help families.
Performance Comparison
The Levana has a loud in nursery alarm akin to a smoke detector.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Reliability
Wearable movement monitors are arguably more reliable than the sensor pads that go under a baby's mattress. Because the baby wears the device, they can't roll out of the field of coverage like the sensor pad models. This device seems similar to others like it, with fewer false alarms and restless nights of getting up to check on a perfectly fine infant. The problem here is when and if there is a false alarm, you now have a very loud alarm going off inside your baby's nursery, which is not adjustable and could be upsetting for your little one, who might have been in a deep sleep and is now awake and crying. While we can all agree a crying baby is better than one having any breathing issue, it is something you should consider before choosing your wearable monitor. There are others that do not have an alarm in the nursery and one that even vibrates on the baby's belly to help rouse them gently from sleep, so the alarm never sounds.
Combine with Sound Monitor
We recommend pairing this type of monitor with a top-ranking sound monitor to help ensure you hear the alarm should it go off.
We recommend pairing this type of monitor with a top-ranking sound monitor to help ensure you hear the alarm should it go off.
With one button for on and one for off, there isn't much to this simple monitor.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Levana couldn't be easier to use. It is as easy as it gets with a simple on/off button and the ability to turn the alarm off. This monitor clips onto your baby's diaper near their tummy in a way similar to phone holsters or old-fashioned beepers. With no other features or functions, this one is great for anyone afraid of technology or worried about setup.
To set up the Levana you only need to clip it in place and turn it on.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Set Up
Set up for the Om is super easy. There really is none. There is no pairing as it is standalone, and there is nothing to connect to like WiFi, parent unit or a personal device.
The Levana is small and comes with its own carrying case making it suitable for easy travel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The Om is one of the most portable options out there, and it comes with a carry case if you need to take it on travel. This device doesn't require a special mattress or hardboard beneath the mattress like sensor pad monitors, making it perfect for nights at Grandma's or on the go. All you need is a baby and something to clip the monitor to, and you are good to go.
Electromagnetic Field (EMF)
This monitor has more EMF than similar competitors, with a reading of 0.4 V/m in our tests. We measured the EMF from the device right next to you since this is where your baby's developing body will be. This is the same as the ambient EMF in the room.
Should You Buy the Levana Oma?
There is no reason not to buy the Oma, except that the higher-performing SNuza Go is almost identical and costs significantly less. Our testing and research of the best movement monitors indicate the Go is more reliable than the Oma, so we believe choosing the Go over the Oma is a no-brainer.
What Other Movement Monitor Should You Consider?
We think most parents will be happier choosing the Snuza Go or the Snuza Hero. Both options are similar, with the Hero also providing vibration to help rouse deep sleepers to avoid the pending in-nursery alarm. We like this feature because it can provide gentle stimulation for your baby where they move and avoid the loud alarm altogether.
Manufacturer Video
—
Wendy Schmitz
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