Nanit Plus Review
Pros: Easy to use, good visuals, movement monitor potential, works w/ Alexa
Cons: Pricey, average sound, fewer features
Manufacturer: Nanit
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
Nanit is a relatively new company run by a "collection of scientists, parents and designers" according to their website. The Nanit is relatively unique technology that goes beyond basic monitoring and includes optional "breathing wear" that uses machine learning algorithms to learn human behavior to help monitor a baby's breathing.
- Buy from a retailer with a generous return policy for easy returns in case your internet isn't up to snuff
- Be sure to give your new monitor a test drive to be sure you will have sufficient WiFi bandwidth for proper use
- Try to use a separate device for monitoring so you don't lose a connection when on a call
- Change the password that comes with the device! Hacking your monitor is far easier if you keep the default password
Performance Comparison
Range
The Nanit works wherever you can get an internet connection. The camera connects to your home Wi-Fi router and your parent device can work connected via Wi-Fi or your smartphone if you have a data plan. This capability makes it a good choice for families with larger homes or a home with more than four walls between the baby monitor and the parent device that will make using a dedicated monitor challenging.
Audio / Visual
Sound clarity is important, even in a video monitor. Hearing your little one is what prompts you to look at the screen. The Nanit has only average sound clarity but it is better than much of the Wi-Fi competition.
It has a maximum volume decibel level of 90db with clarity dropping off after 88db. This monitor offers hollow sound with good clarity. You can turn the sound off, but then you no longer get notifications. If you have the sound turned on and close the app you will still get notifications.
The video quality is better with images that are better than all of the dedicated monitors we tested but not as good as most of the Wi-Fi cameras in the group. The Nanit images have color that isn't exactly like real life with sight distortion providing cooler results than the baby's room. The images have good clarity when viewed as original size, but the quality goes down once you zoom in.
Night images are slightly less impressive with a bright spot in the center and some darker edges. Everything is still visible and clear, but even light across the screen is better.
Ease of Use
The Nanit is one of the easiest monitors to use with a high score compared to the dedicated options we tested and some of the Wi-Fi products.
etup for this monitor is very easy with a quick start guide and ap that is simple to navigate. It pretty much set itself up after we plugged it in and followed the app directions that include manual pairing. It is easier than much of the Wi-Fi competition in this review.
For daily use, the app has the features you typically use on the home screen and the frequently used features on the video screen. When you launch the app, you always have to turn the background sound setting on. If you turn the sound off, you will not get sound notifications. We experienced no time delay in our testing between what was happening in the room and what we observed on the app.
Battery Life
The Nanit camera does not have a battery and must be plugged in for it to work. For battery life, we tested the life of the parent device.
For a Wi-Fi option, this life depends on the device used, what other apps or services are being used, and how old the device is. However, most devices have the potential to last longer than the parent devices for dedicated monitors.
Features
The Plus comes with a variety of features but not as many baby-centric features as some of the competition.
This monitor does offer sound activation which we think is an important feature, but the camera cannot be controlled remotely limiting your potential field of view.
- One year of Nanit Insights sleep tracking and coaching (after a year, $5/month or $50/year)
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Two-way talk
- Up-facing soft glow nightlight
- Bird's-eye perspective mounting to "look down" for full crib view
- Hear your baby while using other apps/when the screen is locked
- Save videos and photos
- White noise and nature sounds
- Up to 3 users
- Works with Amazon Alexa
Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels
We test EMF under the same circumstance for each monitor so we can compare the results from one camera to another. Because there is always the potential for outside EMF interference we are not saying that our results are the same as what you might experience in your home. The Nanit Plus has an average reading of 0.79 V/m 6 ft from the EMF reader. This is one of the lowest readings in our tests. EMF exposure decreases the further you place the camera from your baby. For this reason, we recommend placing your camera as far from the baby as possible where it will still work.
Security/Privacy Concerns
Finding security and privacy information on the Nanit website is challenging at best. There is no specific page for the information leaving us to search for the information. Upon searching all we found were vague assurances that the product is secure.
When asked, "Can Nanit be hacked?" Nanit has this to say:
- Be sure to update the firmware
- Always alter the default password that comes with the monitor
- Your new password should be at least 8-10+ characters with both lower & upper case letters, and complex variety of numbers or characters
- Change the password for the app frequently
- Only allow the camera to see what you need it to
- Always unplug the camera when it isn't in use because most can be activated remotely
Manufacturer Video
— Wendy Schmitz, and BabyGearLab Review Team