In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician

Hello Baby HB65 Review

Good dedicated monitor if Wi-Fi is not an option
Hello Baby HB65
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Top Pick Award
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Price:   $90 List | $80 at Amazon
Pros:  Lower price for dedicated, better sound, good video
Cons:  Shorter range, fewer features, less vibrant color
Manufacturer:   Hello Baby
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Nov 24, 2020
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66
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#8 of 17
  • Range - 20% 6
  • Sound Clarity - 20% 5
  • Video Quality - 30% 7
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7
  • Battery life - 10% 9
  • Features - 5% 6

The Skinny

The Hello Baby HB65 is a dedicated video monitor that doesn't require the internet to work. This option has exceptional battery life, better than average video quality, and good sound. It is relatively easy to use and has enough features to get the job done without the confusion of more bells and whistles. This monitor is more expensive than some impressive Wi-FI options, though it is inexpensive for a dedicated style monitor. It also doesn't offer exceptional video you've likely grown used to on your smart device. However, it does offer acceptable visuals. This option is straightforward and basic, but this could be exactly what you want or need depending on your goals, making it one to add to your dedicated short list.

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Hello Baby HB65
This Product
Hello Baby HB65
Awards Top Pick Award  Top Pick Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award 
Price $90.00 List
$79.99 at Amazon - 11% off		$299.00 List
$225.00 at Amazon - 25% off		$199.00 List
$110.01 at Amazon - 45% off		$30.00 List$200.00 List
$187.00 at Amazon - 7% off
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Lower price for dedicated, better sound, good videoAwesome images, face recognition, easy to use, lots of featuresInternet range, great images, versatile long term useWi-fi capable, budget-friendly, quality imagesGood visuals, lots of features, easy to use
Cons Shorter range, fewer features, less vibrant colorNot baby specific, expensive, poor sound, some features require subscriptionNo internet / no monitor, disappointing soundRequires internet, disappointing soundSound could be better, harder setup
Bottom Line If you need a dedicated monitor, this could be the oneGreat video and loads of feature but the price is high for features that aren't baby specificGreat camera with versatile uses that produces quality video and soundNo frills wi-fi with good visuals and a low priceIf you like Arlo products, this is a good one for long term use
Rating Categories Hello Baby HB65 Nest Cam IQ Indoor... Nest Cam Indoor... LeFun 1080p Wi-Fi Arlo Baby
Range (20%)
6
10
10
10
10
Sound Clarity (20%)
5
4
4
4
5
Video Quality (30%)
7
10
10
10
8
Ease Of Use (15%)
7
9
8
6
8
Battery Life (10%)
9
10
10
10
10
Features (5%)
6
8
8
8
9
Specs Hello Baby HB65 Nest Cam IQ Indoor... Nest Cam Indoor... LeFun 1080p Wi-Fi Arlo Baby
Communication Technology 2.4 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz
Indoor Range Test 4 Walls
65 Feet		 Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Open Field Range Test 800 Feet Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*buyer beware!) 1000 Feet Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Max Sound 76.3 db 86 db 86 db 85 db 93 db
Screen Size 3.2" n/a n/a n/a n/a
Max # of Cameras 4 10 Per Home with 3 Homes Per Nest App. Log In 10 Per Home with Unlimited Homes Not Listed (Unlimited?) 5 simultaneous video streams free.
Up to 20 cameras with paid subscription.
Temperature Yes No No No Yes
Movement Detection No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sound Activation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Talk-to-Baby Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pan/Tilt/ Zoom Pan/Tilt/Zoom Zoom, Close-up tracking Zoom Pan/Tilt/Zoom Zoom
Battery Life 14 hrs n/a n/a n/a n/a
EMF @ 6 Feet from Camera 0.83 V/m 0.91 V/m 0.92 V/m 0.84 V/m 0.75 V/m
Warranty 1 Year 2 Year 2 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Hello Baby is a younger juvenile product company with a beginning in 2017. Their current focus seems to be on video monitors, accessories, and compatible replacement camera. The website is limited, but the English translation seems to indicate it is a foreign-based company.

Performance Comparison



The range on the Hello Baby is about average for the group.
The range on the Hello Baby is about average for the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Range


The Hello Baby HB65 has an adequate range depending on the size of your home or the distance between the nursery camera and parent monitor. The manufacturer has a claim of 1000 ft connection between units.


In our tests, we started having connectivity issues closer to 700 feet in an open field test and lost the connection entirely at 800 ft. For the indoor range, the manufacturer lists 165 ft. We were able to keep connectivity up to 65 feet between 4 walls. While not super impressive, it is about average for the dedicated style video monitors in our tests.

The sound and visual quality of the Hello Baby is better than most...
The sound and visual quality of the Hello Baby is better than most of the dedicated options we tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Audio / Visual


The Hello Baby HB65 has better than average visuals and audio for a dedicated monitor. While it can't compete with the HD quality of some of the Wi-FI options, none of the dedicated monitors we've tested do.


The Hello Baby has a maximum decibel level of 76.3 dB. This level is fairly low, but it is pretty clear compared to the competition. Most of the competition earned below average results for sound, so it is refreshing that this option is better than most. The sound is well balanced, but there is some background rattle. It has sound activation, noise filtering, and adjustable sensitivity that all work fairly well.

The daytime images of the Hello Baby are clear enough to tell if...
The daytime images of the Hello Baby are clear enough to tell if your baby needs help, but they aren't 100% accurate with the real world.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Hello Baby earned relatively good scores for the dedicated monitors in visual quality. While the WI-FI options are often 1080p and HD, the dedicated monitors are less impressive. However, compared to similar options, this one isn't too shabby. Day images a fairly clear and the colors, while muted are accurate to the color chart in our tests. Zooming in results in less clarity and loss of detail, but you'll be able to see if your baby is in distress.

Daytime images of the Hello Baby lose some clarity when you use the...
Night images on the Hello Baby lack all clarity and detail, making...


Night vision on the Hello loses some clarity and depth with fuzzier images than daytime visuals. The brightness is good, but it doesn't match the details of the Wi-Fi products. This option does offer some of the best visuals in our tests out of the dedicated monitors.

The user interface on the Hello Baby is fairly intuitive and a quick...
The user interface on the Hello Baby is fairly intuitive and a quick glance at the instructions should give you the information you need to use the monitor.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Hello Baby HB65 has a quick and simple setup that requires plugging the components in and turning them on. They automatically pair and can be used immediately without worrying about downloading apps or setting up accounts. No need to worry about hooking up to the internet or password problems.


The user interface on the Hello is fairly straightforward with easy to access directional buttons and a menu. Camera switching, microphone, and zoom are all on the parent unit without the need to navigate a menu. The menu is a single level, which is better than others and you can see all of the options on the bottom of the screen.

Battery Life


The HB65 parent unit has an extended battery life that lasted well over 14 hours in our tests under normal use.


The manufacturer claims 6 hours, so more than double the claim in real-world use is a nice change of pace.

The Hello Baby has 2-way talk to baby and zoon features located on...
The Hello Baby has 2-way talk to baby and zoon features located on the front of the baby unit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


The Hello Baby HB65 can be paired with up to 4 cameras for multiple children or areas of coverage.


It has temperature sensors that were within one degree of our room thermometer for accuracy. It features 2 ay communication with baby and true pan, tilt, and zoom features not found on all cameras in this review. It also features sound activation, screen sleep, and noise filtering.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels


The Hello Baby HB65 has an average EMF reading at a distance of 6 ft from the baby camera of 89 V/m. This result is better than the average for the group making it a potential option for parents worried about EMF exposure. Also, placing the camera at the maximum distance away from the baby where it will still work effectively can decrease the EMF exposure.

— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz