In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Miku Review

Expensive Wi-Fi monitor with low resolution images and average sound
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Price:   $400 List | $399 at Amazon
Pros:  Easy to use, Internet range
Cons:  Very expensive, average sound and video, no zoom
Manufacturer:   Miku
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Aug 1, 2019
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#9 of 13
  • Range - 20% 7
  • Sound Clarity - 20% 6
  • Video Quality - 30% 5
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7
  • Battery life - 10% 9
  • Features - 5% 2

The Skinny

The Miku is a high-end Wi-Fi option that has a lower resolution camera than all of the other Wi-Fi options in this review. The 720p camera creates lower quality images than the Wi-Fi competition with images more on par with the dedicated monitors. This product has fewer features than the competition including no ability to zoom in! Which for some parents is understandably a deal-breaker. This monitor does have the benefits of internet range and it is one of the easiest to use, but the lack of features and the sub-par images combined with the highest price in the review mean most parents will find a better monitor elsewhere.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Miku
Awards   Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award 
Price $400.00 List
$399.00 at Amazon		$299.00 List$199.00 List
$140.53 at Amazon - 29% off		$188.00 List
$175.99 at Amazon - 6% off		$56.00 List
$39.99 at Amazon - 29% off
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Easy to use, Internet rangeAwesome images, face recognition, easy to use, lots of featuresInternet range, great images, versatile long term useWi-Fi range, lots of features, great images, easy to useWi-fi capable, budget-friendly, quality images
Cons Very expensive, average sound and video, no zoomNot baby specific, expensive, poor sound, some features require subscriptionNo internet / no monitor, disappointing soundSub par sound, higher price, internet dependantRequires internet, disappointing sound
Bottom Line Expensive Wi-Fi monitor with low resolution images and average soundFancy wi-fi with impressive video but the price may not be worth it for baby monitoringReally cool camera with lots of uses and great video for simple baby monitoringCool wi-fi option with all the bells and whistles that is easy to useStraightforward, wi-fi capable camera with good images and an impressive price
Rating Categories Miku Nest Cam IQ Indoor... Nest Cam Indoor... iBaby Care M7 Wi-Fi LeFun 1080p Wi-Fi
Range (20%)
10
0
7
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
10
Sound Clarity (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
4
10
0
4
10
0
4
10
0
4
Video Quality (30%)
10
0
5
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
10
Ease Of Use (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
6
Battery Life (10%)
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
10
Features (5%)
10
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2
10
0
8
10
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8
10
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9
10
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8
Specs Miku Nest Cam IQ Indoor... Nest Cam Indoor... iBaby Care M7 Wi-Fi LeFun 1080p Wi-Fi
Communication Technology 2.4GHz FHSS 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n
Indoor Range Test 5 Walls
77 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!) 500 Feet Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Max Sound 98 db 86 db 86 db 82 db 85 db
Screen Size 2.4" 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?) Not Listed (Unlimited?)
Temperature No No No Yes No
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 None Zoom, Close-up tracking Zoom Pan/Tilt/Zoom Pan/Tilt/Zoom
Battery Life 12.75 hrs n/a n/a n/a n/a
EMF @ 6 Feet from Camera 0.77 V/m 0.91 V/m 0.92 V/m 1.42 V/m 0.84 V/m
Warranty 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Miku company has a singular focus at the moment on baby monitoring with a camera and algorithm that monitor baby's breathing in additional to providing video. The company includes engineers, fathers, and mothers who came together to create something that might lead to a "safer world for babies".

Tips if You Buy Wi-Fi
  • In case your internet isn't robust enough to support your chosen monitor, buying from a retailer with a good return policy will ensure you aren't stuck with something you can't use.
  • Test your new monitor as soon as you get it to ensure that it works.
  • We suggest using a device besides your smartphone for monitoring. This secondary device helps you avoid losing connection when you receive a phone call.
  • Be sure to change the default password that comes with the monitor! Keeping the default password leaves you open to potential hacking.

Performance Comparison


The Miku baby monitor is a video and movement monitor with poor visuals and a higher price tag that utilizes smart devices to keep tabs on your little one.
The Miku baby monitor is a video and movement monitor with poor visuals and a higher price tag that utilizes smart devices to keep tabs on your little one.

Range


The Miku has the benefit of Internet connectivity which means it is a good choice for larger homes or situations where more than 4 walls in play between the nursery and the parent device. Wi-Fi may be your only option depending on your situation, but you will need a robust Wi-Fi router or range extender for the monitor connection. Your chosen parent device will also need an internet connection and/or data plan if you are using a smartphone not connected to Wi-Fi.

We tested the Miku monitor for decibel levels to compare with the competition.
The Miku has speakers and an on/off button on the top of the monitor.

Audio / Visual


Video monitors work best with adequate sound to indicate to parents that the baby has a need. Without the sound, you won't know when the baby needs you to look at the video. For this reason, we compare the sound from one product to the others. The Miku sound is better than some of the Wi-Fi options but it isn't impressive overall. Maximum sound is 86db and the sound is always on unless you turn it off. The sound quality is bright with almost no mid or low tones, but it is clear and does a relatively good job at indicating what is happening in the baby's room.

Daylight images are somewhat better than night but they lack the clarity and real-life color most parents will expect in a monitor of this type and price.
The Miku night images are relatively fuzzy and not as clear as much of the competition as seen in this image where the baby's face is difficult to distinguish.

The visual images for this monitor are less impressive than the other Wi-Fi options we used. The video has more distortion than the competition and it is missing the ability to zoom in even with digital zoom, which seems like a huge oversight. The color is close to real life and the images are clear during the daylight. Nightvision is only so-so with darker images than the competition, but there are no hot spots of light and blurry edges found in some of the competition. If you are looking for great video from your Wi-Fi monitor the Miku is not going to offer the real-life video most parents hope for.

The Miku has a user-friendly interface with most of the regularly used features on the main viewing screen.
The Miku has a user-friendly interface with most of the regularly used features on the main viewing screen.

Ease of Use


The Miku is one of the easiest to use monitors we tested with a score rivaling the competition. The setup process for the Miku is extremely easy taking about a minute with an easy to use app that walks you through the process. The app itself is intuitive and the lack of features means there isn't much to manipulate or learn. All of the features are located on the home screen making them easy to find and use with the most used features appearing on the video viewing screen when in full-screen mode.

The Miku attaches to the base with a round ball attachment that allows for a more versatile mounting angle than some of the competition.
The Miku attaches to the base with a round ball attachment that allows for a more versatile mounting angle than some of the competition.

This camera will not work if you are talking on the phone, something it shares ith most Wi-Fi competition which is why we recommend using an alternate device besides your smartphone if you need constant monitoring. The app ad the sound will continue to operate if the app is minimized and running in the background while you use other apps. However, this will also run the battery down and may not be the best choice if you aren't plugged in.

Battery Life


The Miku camera does not have batteries so the battery matric is based on the parent device battery. The battery life of your device will depend on the type of device, how old it is, and what if any other apps or uses the device is being utilized for. In general, however we assume that most smartphones and tablets will have a longer battery life than the standard dedicated monitor.

The Miku and accessories are nicely packaged and give the impression of high-quality simplicity similar to Apple product presentations.
The Miku and accessories are nicely packaged and give the impression of high-quality simplicity similar to Apple product presentations.

Features


The Miku has a variety of features but took a hit in this metric because it lacks basic functionality parents might be looking for like a zoom feature. While most monitors only offer digital zoom, which is not the same as actual zoom, they at least offer something that allows parents a "close up" view of baby's face. Why doesn't the Miku have this? We aren't sure, but it feels like an oversight. What it does have includes the following:
  • Two-way talk
  • Breathing monitoring
  • Temperature and humidity sensor
  • Sound and motion detection
  • Sleep analytics and reports
  • Music playlists/sleep sounds
  • Miku Analytics

The Miku has a unique feature that uses an algorithm and video images to monitor your baby's breathing and motion, which allows parents to use it somewhat as a movement monitor without the need for additional components. We did not test this feature, but it is one of the redeeming features that make the high price potentially justifiable if you want a movement monitor or sleep analytics.

The Miku has a lower EMF reading at 6 ft than much of the competition.
The Miku has a lower EMF reading at 6 ft than much of the competition.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels


Every Wi-Fi monitor emits some level of EMF, which is why we feel a responsibility to test and report on the levels we experienced during testing for a side-by-side comparison of values. While the values in your specific situation may be different as you will have other influencers than we did, it does give you an idea of which options emit less compared to others. The Miku emits an average of 0.77 V/m when placed 6 feet from the reader. This reading is one of the best in the group making it a good choice for parents concerned about EMF exposure.

The Miku does not offer remote control capabilities and must be moved manually if you want a different view.
The Miku does not offer remote control capabilities and must be moved manually if you want a different view.

Security/Privacy Concerns


Miku offers a little more information on security than some of the competition and not as much as others. On their website they say the following about security and privacy:

Thoroughly modern crypto security. Safety is our number one priority. That's why Miku houses a high security Crypto Chip so data remains secure, a feature unique to Miku.
AES 256-bit
Crypto Chip Security
TLS/SSL

Keep Your Monitor Safer
  • Update the firmware upon activation and when updates are available
  • Change the password when you set up the monitor and regularly thereafter
  • The new password should be 8-10+ characters including upper and lower case letters, special characters, and numbers
  • Limit the camera's field of view so it only sees what you need it to see
  • Because cameras can be turned on and manipulated from a distance, you should unplug the camera when not in use

Manufacturer Video




— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz