In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Sense-U Baby Review

Useful wearable button that provides more information than other wearable monitors
Top Pick Award
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Price:   $100 List | $100 at Amazon
Pros:  Wearable, lower EMF than similar options, lots of app info, alert on parent device
Cons:  Somewhat higher price, proximity to connect required
Manufacturer:   Sense-U
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 17, 2020
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The Skinny

The Sense-U Baby is similar to other buttons style movement monitors that attached to baby's clothes. This button connects with an app on your phone and gives you a variety of information about your baby and the nursery. From what position your little one is in, to the room temperature and of course movement, you can see much of what is happening from your bed without ever getting up. This button also emits less EMF than similar options and we like that the app is intuitive and easy to use, especially for tech-savvy users. Overall, we think it is a potential choice good for travel and those who want as much information as possible.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Sense-U is a high-tech startup company out of Silicon Valley in the United States.

Performance Comparison



A wearable solution like the Sense-U Baby might be the answer you're looking for if you want more information than just movement that indicates breathing.
A wearable solution like the Sense-U Baby might be the answer you're looking for if you want more information than just movement that indicates breathing.

Reliability


Wearables in our tests are more reliable than the mattress sensor pad style monitors as little ones can't roll out of the monitored zone. This makes for fewer false alarms where the device alerts your child has stopped breathing when they haven't. Plus, even if you do get an alert that your infant has stopped breathing and you run to check on them to find a peacefully sleeping baby breathing just fine, at least the baby wasn't startled by an in-room alarm and only you were inconvenienced. While we can't say you won't get a false alarm using the Sense-U, we feel more confident that if you do it will be less disruptive to the family as a whole than those monitors that beep in the nursery.

The Sense-U app is user friendly and has clear alarms for the middle of the night alerts.
The Sense-U app is user friendly and has clear alarms for the middle of the night alerts.

Ease of Use


We didn't have any difficulty using this device and the app is fairly user-friendly and intuitive. You do need to follow directions, download the app, register the device, and pair the unit etc. However, it isn't challenging once you get it set up and everyday use isn't any more difficult than other apps you probably use on a regular basis. While more features typically translates to harder to use, the app makes it easier than other monitors that require multiple button-pushing of the same button to toggle through features. If you aren't comfortable using a smartphone or tablet, then it is likely not the device for you.

The app for the Sense-U can also tell you if your little one is not sleeping on their back.
The Sense-U app can tell you whether or not your little one is sitting up and wide awake.

This monitor has features that include monitoring your baby's breathing, whether or not they roll over (above left), sitting up position (above right), room temperature, and alerts for lack of breathing, stomach sleeping, overheating, and getting cold.

Setting up the Sense-U has more steps than some of the competition since you need to connect the device to your smartphone and register it with the app.
Setting up the Sense-U has more steps than some of the competition since you need to connect the device to your smartphone and register it with the app.

Set Up


The Sens-U requires downloading an app and pairing it with your device. It definitely takes more time than those that work straight out of the box and there is a slight learning curve to the app depending on how tech-savvy you are and how much experience you have with things like this. While not challenging or difficult, we didn't have any problems, it does take more time, effort, and skill to complete than those you unpack and turn on. You'll want to give yourself some time to set up and register this device before you need to use it. in other words, don't think you'll pull it from the box and get it going 5 minutes before bedtime.

Only works on one device
Unlike other app-related devices that allow you to log in from several different devices, this monitor only works with the device it has been paired with as it is connecting directly to your device and not going through the internet. This means dad and mom will have to use the same device for monitoring which could be difficult if one is home alone without the paired device.

The Sense-U is small and easily portable making it good for travel.
The Sense-U is small and easily portable making it good for travel.

Portability


This monitor is very portable and doesn't require anything special for use. Unlike sensor pad style movement monitors that need a hard surface under the matters, this kind of wearable only requires a baby and clothing or a diaper for use. This makes it versatile and something you can use when away from your little one's regular sleeping area.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF)


This button wearable has less EMF than the other button we tested. With an EMF level of 1.3 V/m in our tests this option has almost a third less EMF than the other button which tested at 4.6 V/m. However, we feel less EMF is always better and there are other wearables with less EMF than this option, though they do not work with an app and have in-nursery alarms. This design means you'll need to weigh hepros and cons of whatworks best for your family and monitoring goals.

— Wendy Schmitz