The Best Movement Monitor Review of 2020

Wearable: No | Parent Unit: None

The Babysense 7 is a sensor pad monitor that sits under the crib mattress. It is easy to use and works well with minimal preparation. This monitor has a straightforward control unit you place on the front of the crib that receives data from the two pads and sounds the alarm (with red lights) if your infant stops moving after a designated period. The Babysense 7 is a reliable monitor with few false alarms that operates on AA batteries to limit the use of potentially dangerous cords. Also, it continues to work reasonably well once your little one is mobile (up to one year old), unlike the wearable monitors that have an increase in false alarms as your baby begins to move.

Like other mattress sensors, the Babysense 7 needs a hard surface under the mattress to function as designed, and it is one of the most expensive products in this review. It also isn't the right choice if you want a parent device to avoid alarms in the nursery. However, it is easy to use and works well for a longer period than similar competitors thanks to the two pads. We think most families will appreciate the simplicity and few false alarms and can always add a video or sound monitor if you want them.

Read Review: Babysense 7

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: None

The Snuza Hero SE is a clip style wearable with a unique vibration feature that rouses a baby gently from a deep sleep, so they move enough (theoretically breathing) to stop the vibrating alarm before the audible alarm ensues. This product is the only monitor we reviewed with this rousing feature. We like the simplicity of this monitor and the ability to use it while traveling as it doesn't require a special bedding setup like the sensor pads.

This clip can be uncomfortable for some babies, and it doesn't work well if your little one is old enough to roll over or crawl as the sensor can dislodge or lose contact with the baby. This unit also has no parent unit, so if the vibration doesn't rouse baby, then an audible alarm will emit from the clip, and you won't hear it if you aren't nearby. If you don't hear the signal, it will continue to alert, which could be upsetting for little ones. Some parents didn't like the shorter battery life, while others experienced false alarms when the clip lost contact with the baby's belly. However, if you travel frequently or want a monitor that stimulates the baby into movement (a unique function in our experience), then the Snuza Hero is an excellent choice.

Read Review: Snuza Hero

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: None

The Snuza Go is a budget-friendly wearable that clips to the front of your baby's diaper with a flexible sensor that rests on the infant's abdomen. It is easy to use and travels well. This unit has a simple design that requires no setup or crib modification, giving parents that straight out of the box satisfaction you can't find in the mattress style monitor. This option is similar to the Snuza Hero, but it lacks the stimulation feature for the peaceful rousing of the baby.

The Go doesn't have a parent unit, and the loud nursery alarm can cause unnecessary upset for the baby. Some parents also feel that the battery life is too short, and replacements are challenging to locate, but the lower price of the Go can offset this potential problem if budget on your brain. The Go isn't a great choice for older babies on the move, as this can result in false alarms, so it has a limited lifespan. Overall, this monitor has a very reasonable price for a straightforward unit that works for younger infants while traveling.

Read Review: Snuza Go

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: Smartphone

The Sense-U Baby is an app-enabled wearable great for families who want more information on what is happening with their baby and inside the baby's nursery. This wearable attaches like a button or can be clipped in place. It is easy to attach and turn on. We like the free app you pair with your device and feel the user-interface is fairly intuitive and friendly, especially if you use apps frequently. This app provides information beyond just movement including baby position, temperature, and more. It is portable, making it a good choice for travel and it has less EMF than the other button style wearable in this review.

The Sense-U can only be paired with one device at a time, which can be frustrating if the parent with the device is not home. Also, its Bluetooth is only good up to about 50ft, so it may not work in larger homes as it must pair with a smartphone. Set up is also more convoluted, and while not hard it does have more steps than the other clip-style wearables. And, while the EMF than a similar product, it isn't as low as most of the competition wearable monitors. Overall, we think tech-loving parents will like this monitor and how much information it provides. Many parents will feel the EMF is a worthwhile trade-off for the peace of mind they gain.

Read Review: Sense-U Baby

Wearable: No | Parent Unit: Dedicated

The Angelcare AC327 is a wireless mattress sensor pad movement monitor with all the bells and whistles. This monitor is one of the few that comes with a dedicated parent device. It has audio and video capabilities and will work long after your little one outgrows the need for a movement monitor. This newer Angelcare option has a wireless sensor pad so you don't need to worry about baby and wires and the pad sensitivity is adjustable so you can filter out ambient vibrations like those from a fan or white noise machine. We like that this option lets you see and hear baby and alerts parents instead of emitting an alarm in the nursery where it can be upsetting if the alarm is false

While we like the wireless design of the pad, it does emit more EMf than those with wires, which we aren't fans of. The parent device is not intuitive and the limited buttons with unfamiliar icons that feel dated. Much like other all-in-one solutions, this monitor does everything okay without being a stand out in any field with subpar video images and so-so sound. Also, sensor pads require hard surfaces to rest on and specific mattress styles in order to work, so you'll need to do your homework and this option won't be the best for traveling. Overall, however, if you want a one and done monitor that gives you video and audio with movement, this is a potential contender.

Read Review: Angelcare AC327

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: None

The Levana Om Sense is a clip style wearable you place on your baby's diaper. It is fairly small, easy to use, and has a straightforward design that makes it travel friendly. We like that there is no setup and anyone can use it without much instruction.

The Levana has no real features and includes a loud alarm that emits directly from the device you clip to your baby. The alarm is in-nursery only and could go unheard by parents depending on where they are in relation to the nursery or what else is going on in the home (a separate sound monitor might be a good idea). It is also likely to be upsetting to a little one, especially if the alarm is a false one. While we like the simplicity of this option, it is more expensive than similar clip style wearables and there is no reason to pay more for essentially the same product.

Read Review: Levana Om Sense

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: Smartphone

The Monbaby Smart Button is a unique wearable button that attaches to your baby's clothes. The button is small, portable, and more comfortable than the clip-style wearable. We like the reasonable price (comparatively) and the smartphone capabilities that provide and record a lot of information. Plus, this Wi-Fi capable device means you don't need to stay close to the baby's location to hear the alarm.

This product requires access to Wi-Fi, and some users feel that the app is challenging to navigate. The button itself is useless if you lose it or accidentally run it through the washer and dryer, which is something a sleep-deprived parent could easily do. However, if you make removing the button a habit, and you figure out the app, then the Monbaby is a high-tech choice that can keep you informed without disrupting your little one.

To provide a complete picture and information, we believe it is crucial to discuss the monitors we don't recommend, especially if we feel there is a potential health concern related to our decision.

Not Recommended Due to High EMF

Owlet Smart Sock 2

Wearable: Yes | Parent Unit: Smartphone

The Owlet Smart Sock 2 functions like a pulse oximeter. The sock is worn on a baby's foot and continuously monitors oxygen saturation and heart rate. This "sock" connects via Bluetooth to a base that communicates with an app on your smartphone to alert you. This monitor collects and tracks data and avoids waking the baby with a false alarm inside the nursery. It is essential that you understand that the Owlet is not a movement monitor and it only tracks oxygen saturation and heart rate, not whether or not your baby is moving in a way indicative of breathing. Also, the Owlet is not a medical device and should not be used to treat, monitor, diagnose, or prevent any medical issues. However, you can use your HSA or FSA pre-tax health saving accounts to purchase this monitor.

While the concept is cool and the technology intriguing, the Owlet Smart Sock 2 is a product we do not recommend as a result of disappointing Electromagnetic Field (EMF) test results that are far higher (8 V/m) than the competition and everyday products like personal fitness monitors. In our opinion, the EMF levels from the Owlet are too high (for more information on EMF and our testing, please see the EMF section below.) While each parent must weigh the pros and cons to make the right decision for their baby, we believe the unnecessary and uncertain potential health risks related to high EMF exposure is reason enough not to use the Smart Sock. In our opinion, this is a classic instance of implementing the precautionary principle.

Also, the Owlet is expensive, with a price that is more than three times some of the competition. Although they offer financing options, it is still expensive for a product with inherent problems (i.e., false alarms if the sock falls off and a sock-based system that is unusable once baby outgrows the sock). Nonetheless, the Owlet's tech gadgetry will intrigue and potentially addict some parents, and we worry parents will consider it a medical device when even the company says it isn't. Plus, it shouldn't replace safe sleep practices. While we think this kind of tech is cool and intriguing for the unique information it provides, until the levels of EMF are lower, it isn't a product we feel comfortable recommending based on our EMF test results.

Why You Should Trust Us

Consideration for inclusion in our movement monitor review begins with our founder, board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Dr. Spurrier chooses products with safety and efficacy in mind. The in-house test team is led by Bob Wofford, father of 7, and our Senior Review Analyst. Wendy Schmitz, a Senior Review Editor, helps with test result analysis and ranking of products to determine award winners. Over time we have tested 14 different monitors designed for movement. Our vast experience over the last seven years, helps us provide the details you need to find the right monitor for your baby.

We purchase and test the majority of the products in our reviews, including this review for movement style monitors. The products are tested side-by-side for ease of use, EMF, false alarms, and features. We used two different brand EMF meters during testing to ensure accurate readings for each product and across models.

Movement Monitor Buying Advice

Movement monitors are considered an essential tool by many parents hoping to protect their infant from the dangers of sleep-related death. Most parents have a fear of SIDS, and we understand this. Even though movement detecting monitors are not approved or endorsed by the FDA or the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to aid in the prevention of SIDs, many parents consider purchasing one if there's even a tiny chance that it can potentially prevent a sleep-related death. While these products are not medical equipment, nor is there proof that they save lives, they could potentially provide peace of mind for some parents. Video monitors let you see your little one, and you can hear them on a sound monitor, but how can you confirm that they are still breathing? Many parents have spent significant time staring at a video monitor, looking for signs of movement to ease a worried mind. You could go to their room to check, but no one wants to unnecessarily wake a sleeping baby or bother crossing the house in the middle of the night if they don't have to.

Types of Movement Monitors

There are two basic types of movement monitors that have similar principles of monitoring the movement of sleeping babies. One style is a sensor pad that goes under the baby's mattress (above left), while the other style is something a baby wears (above right). There are pros and cons to both, and choosing the right option for your newborn will depend on your overall goals.

Sensor Pads

The most reliable products utilize sensors pads under the crib mattress. These units can sense even the slightest movement, like breathing. If the movement stops for longer than a pre-determined time, an alarm sounds on the nursery unit or parent device depending on the model. This kind of movement device is best for at-home use as it requires a hard surface under the mattress to function correctly and has limitations on the type of mattress it will work with. These sensor pads aren't compatible with memory foam mattresses and most travel or hotel cribs. This type of product also continues to be useful after little ones can roll or crawl (unlike wearable monitors). The Babysense 7 and the Anglecare AC327 are both sensor pad monitors.

Wearables

Wearables clip onto the baby's diaper, attach to clothing, or slip over the foot. Depending on the model, they are as small as a button or as large as an 80s style beeper. Wearables typically have more false alarms than sensor pads because the device can easily lose contact with the baby. However, wearables can be ideal for traveling. These monitors are small and don't require special crib considerations, but they can fail or have false alarms. They can also be challenging to attach to clothing if your baby is already sleeping, and they can dislodge if the baby is awake.

The Snuza monitors, Owlet Smart Sock 2 (above left), and the Monbaby Smart Button (above right) are variations of wearable monitors.

Parent Unit

Having a parent unit means you can move further from the baby and still hear the alarm or receive the alert. Some monitors are compatible with smartphones and send an alert to your phone via an app. However, many monitor alarms are on the sensor itself or the nursery unit. Purchasing a product without a parent unit means you need to stay within hearing distance of the alarm, or you may miss it. Some parent devices can be programmed to only alert the parents instead of sounding in the nursery. This feature can be useful if your device is prone to false alarms. That way, the baby can continue to sleep peacefully unaware. Combining the movement monitor with a sound monitor can mitigate some of these problems, and choosing two monitors is a popular solution for many parents. Still, it can be more expensive to buy and maintain two monitors.

Reliability

False alarms can be a frightening experience (for parents and baby), and they often result in more questions than answers. Their occurrence makes reliability an important consideration and the one thing most parents complain about. In our experience, the sensor pads are the most reliable because there is no risk that the sensor will move or become dislodged. Products like the Angelcare AC327 and the Babysense 7 had fewer false alarms than the wearable products. The primary cause of false alarms seems to happen when wearable monitors lose contact with the baby's body and are no longer able to sense movement. Contact loss can happen if the sock with Owlet Smart Sock 2 falls off, the button on the Monbaby Smart Button loses contact with baby, or the Snuza products shift away from the baby's belly. As your baby becomes mobile, there is a chance of a wearable product losing contact with the baby. For this reason, the sensor pads result in fewer false alarms as they encompass a wide area of the mattress and are not dependant on a calm and stationary baby. Also, the Angelcare AC327 has a sensitivity adjustment on the nursery unit that can be altered to suit the specific needs of your nursery and child, thereby decreasing potential false alarms.

Ease of Use

Parents should consider how difficult a monitor is to use, including the setup, buttons, settings, smartphone interface, and battery changes. The Babysense 7 and the Angelcare AC327 are both straightforward to turn on, but they have some adjustment settings to manage at least once and the parent unit on the AC327 isn't user friendly nor intuitive. Alternatively, the Snuza Go, Snuza Hero and Levana Om Sense require less initial preparation but can be frustrating to attach to a squirmy or sleeping baby resulting in false alarms or sleep disruption. Parents also complain that the battery compartment is hard to open on the Snuzas, making battery changes a dreaded chore.

The Monbaby Smart Button, Sense-U Baby and the Owlet Smart Sock 2 can also be difficult to attach, and the sensor and smartphone can fail to connect, making the monitor nothing more than an expensive, useless accessory. Plus, each has an app you need to use and while they are fairly intuitive it will help if you are used to using tech gadgets and apps already.

Alarm Volume

Most of the monitors in this review alert inside the nursery, so they need to be loud enough to wake you from a dead sleep in a different room. This nursery alarm should wake a baby from a deep sleep, who is theoretically not breathing, without the potential delay from a slow waking parent running to the nursery. However, this also means the alarm can potentially scare your little one, which will lead to crying as opposed to gentle stimulation to encourage movement or breathing. Also, depending on the size of your house, where the nursery is in relation to your bedroom, and whether or not the monitor has become covered, the alarm could be difficult to hear. Given these variables, we highly recommend that the monitors without parent units be paired with a sound monitor. The Angelcare AC327 has a dedicated parent unit with video and audio capability, so you are sure to hear the alarm and then are able to peek in on your little one.

Adjustable Sensitivity

The Angelcare AC327 sensor pad has an adjustable sensitivity. The highly sensitive pads sensor pads on mattress style monitors can pick up ambient noise and vibration from heating vents, fans, or household appliances. If the pads pick up ambient interference, the monitor will not alarm if the infant stops moving because the sensor will think the interference is the baby. It is important to test your monitor while using everyday appliances in proximity to the baby's room (specifically fans, air filters, white noise makers, and heaters in baby's room). If the alarm does not function, then the sensor on the AC327 can be adjusted to eliminate interference. The wearable monitors are not affected by low-level ambient vibration and do not have an adjustable sensor, but don't mistake this to mean they are suitable for strollers or car seats; they are not. In fact, none of the movement monitors will work when used in a device designed to move as the monitor cannot tell the difference between a baby's movement vs. the movement of the product. If you choose the BabySense 7, you'll need to remove ambient interference from the room or away from the baby's crib.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)

While the jury is still officially out on the effects of EMF on the human body and the sensitive developing systems of babies, we believe there is enough evidence that indicates potential harm that parents should consider the EMF (Volts/meter) emitted by all products used close to or on their little ones. We believe that a "better safe than sorry" approach is smart and that parents should make thoughtful and informed decisions when choosing EMF emitting products. While each home has an ambient amount of EMF and each product added to a home can up the EMF emissions, putting an EMF emitting device directly on your baby is something different, and we think it should be thoughtfully considered. With this in mind, we tested each product to determine how much EMF it emits when in use.

The Owlet Smart Sock 2 has a significantly higher level of EMF than all of the movement competition and more than any of the video monitors included in our video monitor review. Our two EMF meters registered an average of 8 V/m when placed next to the Owlet Smart Sock v2. We are not comfortable with this level of EMF right on a baby. This result is 73% that of the EMF emitted from an iPhone while making a phone call, 3x higher than a Fitbit fitness monitor (more on this below), and 12x that of the ambient EMF in our testing area!

In comparison, both Snuza models emitted no EMF over the ambient room reading (0.4 V/m). The Owlet emits almost twice as much EMF than the Monbaby Smart Button (which is also high in our opinion). The Sense-U Baby has significantly lower EMF than the similar Monbaby with a reading of 1.3 V/m which is partly why it ranked higher overall. The mattress sensor pads from the BabySense 7 emit no EMF over the ambient room in our tests and the Angelcare AC327 is middle of the road with 1.2 V/m thanks to the wireless design. In our opinion, this means any of the movement monitors are potentially better for your baby than the Owlet Smart Sock v2, with those that emit 0 V/m over ambient being preferable.

To give you some perspective, we also tested the EMF on a smartphone in various configurations of Bluetooth, wi-fi, and calling active and not active and some wearable fitness monitors. This testing puts into perspective how the wearable monitors EMF compare to everyday items that you use or keep on your person. We feel parents can relate to this data as concerns about radiation from cell phones and cancer have increased in recent years.

A smartphone with the Wi-Fi on and making a call, measured 17 V/m at a one-inch distance, while the Owlet emitted 8 V/m at one-inch - that is 73% of the EMF emitted by the cell phone. At 1 inch away from the meter, the Fitbit has an average reading of 3 V/m, which is significantly less than the Owlet Smart Sock v2 with an 8 V/m reading and the Monbaby Smart Button with a 5 V/m.

Even though there isn't conclusive data concerning what level/duration of V/m is dangerous, we don't recommend high EMF emitting products for the first formative six months (when this kind of product is useful) especially since there are good alternatives available that do not have this issue. Babies are more susceptible to EMF than adults because they are still developing and have thinner skulls. Given this information, we are disturbed that some products for baby monitoring have significantly higher EMF than the adult products we hear so much about in the media. We feel there is no real engineering reason why the Owlet Sock should have such high EMF readings when the FitBit is less than half that of the Owlet but uses similar technology transmitting similar information to your smartphone. We consider this to be a product design flaw on Owlet's part, and the EMF level is just too high for our comfort.

Curious, we also measured the EMF level in an older Owlet Smart Sock v1. The EMF reading at 1-inch from the sock for the v1 is significantly lower with a reading of 1.4 V/m, while the v2 sock has a reading of 8 V/m. The v1 reading is much closer to the ambient EMF levels of 0.7 V/m, which we feel is a more acceptable EMF level. Our EMF measurements of the Owlet Smart Sock v2 show that it has higher EMF transmissions at the baby by a startling 5.7x more. At such a high level, we cannot in good conscience recommend the Owlet Smart Sock 2. We can't say why the company decided to increase the EMF level of the Bluetooth radio transmitter in the baby's sock so dramatically. Still, it is our opinion that putting such a high EMF source on infants is a disturbing engineering oversight by Owlet in the v2 design.

Conclusion

Movement monitors are not a medical device, and you shouldn't rely on them to prevent SIDS, or to monitor any medical condition or issue. However, this kind of monitor can give peace of mind to some, and if it can help improve your ability to gain much needed sleep, then it might be worth considering. We feel there is a good option for everyone in our lineup of award winners. However, whatever you monitoring decisions end up being, nothing can take the place of safe and smart sleeping practices to reduce the potential risk of SIDs. Babies should always sleep on their back, in their own space, on a firm surface, and only with a tight-fitting sheet for bedding. The sleeping area should not contain blankets, toys, or bumpers. Providing a safe and comfortable sleep space for your little one is critical. This safe area must include adequate airflow with a fan or air filter, no smoking, and keeping the room a temperature that is comfortable for an adult in lightweight clothing (avoid overheating the space or keeping it too cool).