Motorola AM24 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Motorola AM24 | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Sound Baby Monitor | Best Budget-Friendly Option | |||
Price | $30 List $29.99 at Amazon | $60 List | $36 List $32.99 at Amazon | $40 List $38.95 at Amazon | $30 List $15.69 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A sound monitor with a performance that falls short | A well-rounded sound monitor that comes with two parent units | An adorable, inexpensive sound monitor | Awesome sound with lots of features that is a winning choice for almost any family | Priced nicely for the tightest budgets and gets the job done without added features |
Rating Categories | Motorola AM24 | VTech DM1211 | TimeFlys QQ Portable | VTech DM221 | VTech DM111 |
Sound Clarity (30%) | |||||
Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
Range (20%) | |||||
Battery Life (15%) | |||||
Features (10%) | |||||
Specs | Motorola AM24 | VTech DM1211 | TimeFlys QQ Portable | VTech DM221 | VTech DM111 |
Indoor Range Test (Walls & Feet) | 7 Walls 110 Feet |
7 Walls 170+ Feet |
7 Walls 115 Feet |
5 Walls 90 Feet |
7 Walls 98 Feet |
Open Field Range Test | 750 Feet | 1180 Feet | 575 Feet | 1325 Feet | 1350 Feet |
Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*Buyer Beware!) | 1000 Feet | 1500 Feet | 1000 Feet | 1000 Feet | Not Listed |
Communication Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology |
Sound Activation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Adjustable Mic Sensitivity | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Sound Filtering Test Results | Average | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very Poor |
Two-Way Talk | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Max Sound | 87 dB | 93 dB | 92 dB | 103 dB | 104 dB |
Temperature | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Battery Type | Rechargable | Rechargable | Rechargable | Rechargable | AAA |
Nursery Unit Battery Backup | No | No | Yes | No | No |
EMF @ 6 Feet Nursery Unit | 1.01 V/m | 1.07 V/m | 1.38 V/m | 3.11 V/m | 2.63 V/m |
Night Light | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Lullaby Music | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Out Of Range Alert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vibrate Alert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Motorola has an extensive history in consumer electronics with a diverse portfolio spanning from mobile phones to baby monitoring devices to modems and beyond. Throughout the years, Motorola has consistently offered quality items that combine innovation and affordability, making them the favored brand for many consumers seeking dependable solutions.
Performance Comparison
Sound Clarity
While the Motorola AM24 has a few strengths, it's outweighed by some drawbacks in this metric, positioning it below the average when compared to the competition. It boasts sound clarity that's a cut above the rest. The audio was notably clear with minimal distortion, although it did face challenges with higher pitches. But, we noticed that the Motorola AM24 is never totally quiet as it doesn't offer sound filtering. This means you can constantly hear ambient noise from the nursery on the parent unit. While you can turn it down low enough for most parents to snooze, parents or caregivers who are light sleepers may struggle with constant noise. Also, the Motorola is not the loudest monitor on the highest volume setting, with an 86.6 dB reading in our test. This result is lower than most, and we could notice the difference.
Ease of Use
Navigating the Motorola AM24 wasn't exactly the most straightforward device to use. Turning on the baby unit involved pressing the power button multiple times, and the parent unit's interface wasn't easy in terms of user-friendliness. Navigating the menu also felt cumbersome, as the icons scroll left or right, not up or down. Sometimes, changing settings took more time, too. Eventually, you will figure it out, but the experience of using it might not be as enjoyable due to these quirks. If you're the set-it-and-forget type, you might not have a problem with this sound monitor. However, if you're frequently making adjustments, you may not enjoy this sound monitor as much.
Range
The Motorola AM24 isn't a standout option for range. In our open field range test, there was an initial cutting out of the sound around 350 feet; however, you still could hear if a baby was crying or make out distinct noises until 750 feet. However, it did not meet the manufacturer's range claim of 1000 feet. For our indoor range test, it had a mediocre performance. It made it through 7 walls and 110 feet before the signal was lost. This can be a drawback for those in larger homes, as the main purpose of a baby monitor is to provide reliable communication and monitoring.
Battery Life
The Motorola AM24 nursery unit must be plugged in to operate and has no battery backup for unexpected power outages. The parent unit has a rechargeable battery with 10 hours of playtime.
Features
Choosing a sound monitor with valuable features can make the monitoring process more convenient and tailored to your liking. The Motorola AM24 offers some features, but not all.
Here's a breakdown of the features it includes:
- Two-way talk
- Sound level indicator
- Sound activation
- Out-of-range alert
- Low battery indicator
- Page
- Vibration alert
- Room temperature sensor
- 1.5" LCD black and white display with orange backlight
The Motorola AM24 misses out on some features, like lullaby music, battery backup, a belt clip, night light functionality, and adjustable microphone sensitivity. We suggest evaluating how a product aligns with your sound monitoring goals and needs.
EMF
When it comes to EMF emissions, the Motorola AM24 emits less EMF compared to its rivals.
At a distance of 6 feet from the nursery unit, the maximum EMF reading for Motorola is 1.01 V/m. This reading is comfortably below the average benchmark set by the competition.
Should You Buy the Motorola AM24?
Looking at the best sound monitors, the Motorola AM24 doesn't offer anything particularly valuable or unique to the competition. Without a compelling reason to purchase this monitor, we suggest exploring other options that might better align with your needs.
What Other Sound Monitor Should You Consider?
Among the options, the VTech DM1211 ranks high, showcasing excellence across the board in all our tests. It offers sound quality, user-friendliness, and a range that works for most parents. If you're searching for a multifunctional monitor, consider the Hatch Rest+. It brings a unique set of features to the competition, all while emitting lower EMF levels and a range that reaches as far as your WiFi signal. For those who want to save some money, consider the TimeFlys QQ Portable. It strikes a good balance between value and performance.