In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Nanit Pro Complete Review

A smart monitor that does it all for a premium price but requires good Wifi, a personal device, and a possible subscription
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Nanit Pro Complete Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $380 List
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Manufacturer:   Nanit
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Nov 26, 2024
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 7
  • Expected Reliability - 25% 7.8
  • Set-up - 20% 6.2
  • Ease of Use - 20% 6.5
  • Monitoring Capability - 20% 8.0
  • Alerts - 15% 7.4

Our Verdict

The Nanit Pro is a do-it-all baby monitor that offers sound, video, and movement monitoring. With the addition of the breathing band, the camera can assess if your little one is moving in a way that indicates breathing is happening. We like the wearable band's simplicity and the unit's setup, which has everything you need for proper placement. This monitor pairs with a smart device via an app. It is a WiFi connection for monitoring from any location with the internet. We think the app is easy to use. This monitor performed well in most metrics and performed well in our video monitor review. This monitor has a more involved setup process with tools and mounting requirements. The app and the account you need also increase the difficulty of use, but overall, we still think tech-savvy folks will enjoy what it offers and forget the complex setup once they're monitoring their little one. See it ranked against other top products in our article on the best movement monitors.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy wearable
Multiple functions
Decent reliability
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Flimsy plug connection to camera
Subscription required for all features
False alarms

Compare to Similar Products

 
nanit pro complete
This Product
Nanit Pro Complete
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Movement Monitor
Top Pick Award
Best Video with Vitals
Top Pick Award
Best For Simplicity
Best Value Award
Best Movement on a Budget
Price $380 List
$208.99 at Amazon
$400 List
$399.00 at Amazon
$280 List
$279.99 at Amazon
$130 List
$103.98 at Amazon
$85 List
$59.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line WiFi monitor that offers all kinds of monitoring for an expensive price and possible long-term subscription expenseImpressive one-and-done option with video, sound, and vitals tracking, but the alert volume is low and might not wake all sleepersA useful all-in-one monitor with an easy setup and adjustable volume alerts, but we have some concerns about erroneous or inaccurate vitalsHighly portable, clip-style wearable with vibration stimulates baby without upsetting loud alarmPortable wearable with vibration rousing and in-nursery alarm that is easy to use and often on sale
Rating Categories Nanit Pro Complete Owlet Dream Duo 2 S... Eufy Smart Sock S340 Snuza Hero SE Levana Oma
Expected Reliability (25%)
7.8
7.8
7.0
8.1
7.6
Set-up (20%)
6.2
8.5
8.5
9.3
9.2
Ease of Use (20%)
6.5
8.2
8.4
8.4
8.0
Monitoring Capability (20%)
8.0
8.5
8.8
5.8
5.8
Alerts (15%)
7.4
7.8
7.5
7.2
4.8
Specs Nanit Pro Complete Owlet Dream Duo 2 S... Eufy Smart Sock S340 Snuza Hero SE Levana Oma
Monitoring Type Movement, Sound, Video, Activity Pulse Rate, Oxygen Level, Wakings, Sleep State, Sound, Motion, and Cry Detection Heart Rate, Sleep Time, Sleep Status, Movements, Oxygen Level, Cry Detection Movement Movement
Recommended Age Breathing Monitor: 0-24 mo
Swaddle: 6mo and under
Breathing Band is size dependant and comes in 2 sizes - S (0 to 3mo) or L (3 - 24mo)
1-18 mo 1-18 mo Not Listed 0-6mo
Sensor Type Wearable Wearable Wearable Wearable Wearable
Baby Alert No No No Yes Yes
Parent Unit Smartphone Smartphone, Base Station Smartphone, Base Station No No
EMF (at baby) 0.37 V/m 0.521 V/m 0.253 V/m No increase above ambient 0.20 V/m
Adjustable Sensitivity No Yes Yes No No
Wireless Mobility Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Warranty 1 year Limited 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year
Login Info

Our Analysis and Test Results

Nanit is operated by “scientists, parents, and designers.” It is a relatively young company and somewhat unique. They are trying to provide something beyond basic monitoring and provide what they call “breathing wear” that uses algorithms to monitor movement that indicates a baby is breathing.

Performance Comparison



nanit pro complete - the breathing band for the nanit seemed to work well in our testing...
The breathing band for the Nanit seemed to work well in our testing, and we did not experience false alarms.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Expected Reliability


Our expected reliability test results are based on our experience and extensive research on user experiences. The breathing wrap for the Nanit is easy to use, stayed on during our testing, and seemed to work well.


We did not experience any false alarms during testing and even had trouble tricking the device into thinking our fake baby had stopped breathing. It would even recognize our doll as a baby; the technology and algorithm are so good. While any monitor of this kind could have false alarms or fail to alarm when motion that indicates breathing stops, this monitor seems better than much of the competition we tested.

nanit pro complete - some movement monitors include cameras that aid in monitoring...
Some movement monitors include cameras that aid in monitoring movement indicative of breathing and require set up before monitoring.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Set Up


The setup for this monitor is more convoluted than the competition. On the upside, it includes everything you'll need for a successful installation outside of a possible ladder and stud finder, but it has a lot going on and will require some planning.


Setup includes mounting the camera above the crib, routing wires for safety, downloading an app, setting up an account, and connecting it with your WiFi and camera. While not a difficult process, it is more than much of the competition we tested.

nanit pro complete - the nanit app user interface is easy to use and fairly intuitive if...
The Nanit app user interface is easy to use and fairly intuitive if you regularly use other apps.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Ease of Use


The Nanit is not the most straightforward option in the review to use, with several monitors earning higher marks in this metric. Its issues are related mainly to this monitor's complex and varied nature, including all the bells and functionality parents might be looking for. You need a subscription to access all of the features the company advertises for the monitor's life.


This monitor is not the most portable in the group, and if you choose to unmount it for travel, you'll need a stand or a high vantage point to use it elsewhere. It is arguably easier to move and travel with than mattress sensor pads that require hard surfaces and certain mattress types, but it isn't as straightforward as a wearable that doesn't need an app, smartphone, or internet.

nanit pro complete - the app for the nanit monitors all kinds of things, including growth...
The app for the Nanit monitors all kinds of things, including growth and night activities.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Monitoring Cababilities


This monitor monitors almost everything, but when your baby needs a change. If you want a one-and-done solution, the Nanit is the one we'd choose for everything you can monitor or get an alert for.

nanit pro complete - the nanit offers some of the best expected reliability in our...
The Nanit offers some of the best expected reliability in our testing and research.
Credit: Abriah Wofford


The Nanit has sound, video, motion, temperature, and humidity sensors and monitors heart rate, growth and activity too! Having so much information can cause anxiety for some, and we aren't convinced anyone needs all these details. We understand that new parents tend to be anxious already, and some might find comfort in the details Nanit offers, but others might find it makes the experience worse.

nanit pro complete - the nanit alarm for no breathing motion detected changes the screen...
The Nanit alarm for no breathing motion detected changes the screen to red and includes a dismiss button to turn it off.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Alerts


The Nanit has alerts for almost everything and anything. It was a struggle in testing to get an alarm for a non-breathing baby, but we did get alerts for nearly anything and everything on the planet.


Most of the alerts for this monitor are a ping and popup similar to a missed text or email notification you might receive. This means it might be something you end up ignoring, missing, or sleeping through. While it scored well in this category because it alerts to everything from motion in the room and movement of the baby to temperature and humidity, we can't say with certainty that it will rouse a sleep-deprived parent deep in slumber.

We recommend you set the app and your phone settings to the highest possible volume to give you the greatest chance of hearing alarms or alerts. Be aware that this monitor doesn't alarm in the nursery, so it is up to the caregiver to hear the alarm and respond as necessary. We appreciate that this design only causes trauma for caregivers should a false alarm occur. Still, it does mean there is nothing in-nursery to encourage your little one to move/breathe.

Electro Magnetic Field (EMF)


The Nanit did not have an EMF reading higher than the ambient EMF in the test room. This low level of EMF proves that it is possible to create a quality and functional monitor that doesn't expose little ones to unnecessary EMF.


nanit pro complete - the nanit movement monitor requires the use of the patterned wrap...
The Nanit movement monitor requires the use of the patterned wrap for the camera algorithm to monitor movement that indicates breathing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Nanit Pro?


If you want a one-and-done solution and price is not a problem, then the Nanit is a potential solution that provides all the fancy features you want without buying multiple products. While it offers good video, sound, and potentially reliable movement monitoring, it has a very elaborate setup. It requires the internet, a smart device, an app, and an account to operate, which could be more than some parents want to tackle. To get all of the features, it also requires a subscription, and this can increase the lifetime cost of the unit. However, unlike some competitors, the subscription is largely a sleep plan, saving memories from the video and tracking milestones. All of the monitoring components are free with the Pro. So whether or not it is the monitor for you will depend on your monitoring goals, tech-savvy skills, and budget.

What Other Movement Monitor Should You Consider?


If you like technology but want an easier setup, the Owlet Dream Duo 2 Smart Baby Monitor uses a sock for tracking vitals and has a more straightforward camera and base station setup compared to the Nanit. If you need something travel-friendly, the Snuza Hero SE is a simple clip monitor with an in-nursery alarm that is good for same-room slumber or paired with a monitor that can relay the alarm to a parent's room.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
 

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