Summer Infant Video Monitor: Review

05/25/2015

I survived for just over three years on a one-way audio-only monitor with our daughter. Because I didn’t know any different, I didn’t realize how much easier it could be if I had invested in something that allowed me to both see, hear and talk to my daughter.

After our son was born just over a month ago, I was given the opportunity to review and keep (hooray!) the Summer Infant Baby Touch Wifi Video Monitor. I was thrilled! Because our son is still so new and is almost always with me when he’s sleeping, we decided to, for the time being, set up the monitor in our 3-year-old daughter’s bedroom. The monitor will come in handy this summer during little man’s naps so big sister and I can play outside or garden while he sleeps.

The monitor was quite simple to set up and only has three parts: the charger, the handheld monitor and the camera. The charger stays plugged in next to our bed, but can easily be moved to any room or location. The handheld monitor is a great size and can be viewed while sitting on the charger. The monitor also has a stand for easy viewing. The camera is controlled from the handheld monitor and can pan, tilt and zoom, which is great especially when babies start to become mobile – or in our case – for toddlers who move all over their beds while they sleep. The camera is fairly clear; of course, the closer it is to your child the better. We mounted the camera on top of her high dresser in her room. We found we could get a better angle with a book underneath the camera, which can then be adjusted from the handheld monitor, panning left to right, tilting up and down or zooming in.

One feature I absolutely love is the two-way communication – I simply press a button and speak into the monitor. This has come in handy when our daughter wakes in the morning. Once we start using monitor with our son, I anticipate it will come in handy to help calm him if I can’t get to him right away or assure him mommy is still there. The handheld monitor has a temperature display which is helpful knowing how many layers your baby or toddler needs while sleeping or to be alerted if they may be overheating. The sound indicator is a useful feature when vacuuming or showering, as it lets you know your little one is making sound even though you can’t hear it.

The one downside is the battery life. When not on the charger it won’t last the whole night, but realistically, you would likely have it on the charger at night anyways. Having a charger is a bonus as constantly buying and replacing batteries is no fun at all.

One feature I haven’t used yet is the WIFI capability. When in or away from home, you can check in on your child by downloading the free Summer Link WiFi APP to your iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone or tablet. Security and privacy is ensured due to bank-level encryption and your own login.

I would definitely recommend this monitor. Set-up and maintenance is simple and the sound and camera quality as well as additional features including two-way audio, temperature gauge and sound indicator are pluses. While the battery life is less than I would have liked, it’s rechargeable and easy to view while charging.