The best smart baby monitors of 2026, as tested by moms

What we like about it: The Dream Duo 2 includes the Owlet Smart HD Display and Owlet Dream Sock. The Owlet is the only FDA-approved infant health monitor on this list. The Dream Sock is the first and only over-the-counter medical pulse oximetry solution for infants. The package comes with four different sized socks designed to fit healthy babies weighing between 6 lbs and 30 lbs. The socks contain a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which is similar to what hospitals use to test heart rate. The sock has Velcro straps so you can easily adjust it around your child’s foot.

One thing I liked about this camera is that the cord was the longest of all the monitors, and its magnetic base made it the most adjustable, so you get the best possible camera angle. This was very helpful since the area where my son’s group plays requires a difficult angle to get the full view. This baby monitor runs over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and connects to the Owlet app (available on iOS and Android). The application is free and there is no paid subscription.

The readings show you baby’s pulse rate, oxygen levels if he detects movement, noise in the room, room temperature and predicts his next nap based on wake windows and when baby wakes up. After baby wakes up, you receive a full sleep session report that tells you how long baby slept, average heart rate, and oxygen levels. One thing that surprised me was how the sock was able to tell when and how long my son was awake and when he was in a light or deep sleep.

Who is it best for: This tool can be useful for parents with newborns and children because the data can be shown to their pediatrician if their child is experiencing a sleep regression or if they are having difficulty knowing their wake windows and setting a sleep schedule. If your goal is to get a better understanding of your baby’s sleep patterns, the Owlet Dream Duo 2 may be a good choice for your family. Please note: American Academy of Pediatrics Direct-to-consumer heart rate monitors and oximetry devices are not recommended to prevent sudden infant death syndrome or other sleep-related deaths. The AAP warns that there is not enough evidence to support that these types of devices can prevent these deaths and gives parents a false sense of security. Owlet states on its website that the Dream Sock is for tracking your baby’s health by monitoring sleep patterns, quality, and sleep duration. As long as you use Dream Sock correctly, you can get the benefits.

I found the sock to be easier to set up than the camera, but using the sock on my son took some trial and error. This is because he did not like to wear them, so you should keep this in mind if your child does not like to wear shoes or socks.

Who should avoid it: If you are someone who is very concerned about extra data, this baby monitor may not be for you. As mentioned earlier, the Owlet Sock is only intended to be used as a means of tracking your child’s sleep patterns and not as a medical device. You’ll need to keep the sock on the charging dock when not in use so it stays charged. If you don’t put it back on the base, it will drain the battery and won’t work properly. Sometimes I have to troubleshoot the sock and camera operation from the app if the connection is lost. The base itself lights up in different colors and each has a different meaning:

Green light: A flashing green light means it is picking up your heart rate and oxygen readings. Once installed and everything appears to be in range, the flash becomes more consistent.

Red light: If the base starts flashing red, it means your oxygen levels or heart rate levels are out of range.

Blue light: This means the base is unable to detect the sock via Bluetooth and will also play a “Hush Little Baby” lullaby to let you know.

Yellow light: This indicates that the sock is unable to find a reading on your child’s foot.

If the Dream Sock seems a bit much, the camera is also sold separately and offers a clear image of your baby as well as two-way audio, temperature checks, and cry notifications.