Choosing a baby monitor for a newborn isn't just about video quality anymore. In 2025, the best monitors track breathing, score sleep, and alert you to anomalies in real time. That's genuinely useful — and genuinely confusing to navigate.
We've broken down the three monitors parents ask about most: the Nanit Pro, the Owlet Dream Sock, and the Hatch Rest+. Each one solves a different problem. Here's how to figure out which one fits your family.
Quick Comparison
| Nanit Pro | Owlet Dream Sock | Hatch Rest+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299–$399 | $149–$299 | $79–$89 |
| Video | 1080p HD | No video | No video |
| Health tracking | Motion-based breathing | SpO2 + heart rate | None |
| Sleep analytics | Yes (nightly scores) | Yes (app) | No |
| Best for | Video + sleep data | Heart rate peace of mind | Sound machine + toddler clock |
| Subscription | Yes (for insights) | Yes (for full app) | Optional |
Nanit Pro Complete Sleep System — Best Overall Video Monitor
Price: $299–$399 · Our score: 8.7/10
The Nanit Pro mounts directly above the crib for a bird's-eye view that shows you the full sleep space — no blind spots. The 1080p camera is crystal clear in both daylight and night vision.
What separates Nanit from a standard video monitor is its computer vision sleep tracking. The camera analyzes your baby's movement to produce a nightly sleep score, wake-up counts, and total sleep time. You don't need any wearable on your baby.
The optional Breathing Band (included in the Complete bundle) tracks breathing motion as a secondary layer. It's not a medical pulse oximeter, but it adds another data point.
What parents love:
- Overhead angle is far better than angled monitors — you see everything
- The sleep score is genuinely useful for identifying patterns
- Temperature and humidity sensors in the camera
What to know:
- The full sleep analytics require a Nanit Insights subscription (~$99/year)
- The breathing band can slip off small newborns
Buy the Nanit Pro if: You want the best video monitor with meaningful sleep data and you're okay with a subscription.
Check Nanit Pro price on Amazon ↗
Owlet Dream Sock — Best for Heart Rate Peace of Mind
Price: $149–$299 · Our score: 8.2/10
The Owlet Dream Sock is a wearable that clips to your baby's foot and tracks heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) via pulse oximetry — the same technology used in hospital monitors, though the Owlet itself is not an FDA-cleared medical device.
The sock communicates with a base station that glows green when readings are normal. If readings fall outside normal ranges (heart rate too high or low, SpO2 drops), it alerts you via sound and app notification.
What parents love:
- Nothing else gives you real-time heart rate + oxygen from home
- The "green light = all is well" base station reduces constant checking
- Detailed app data and nightly sleep summaries
What to know:
- Not a medical device — cannot diagnose or treat anything
- False alarms occur, especially when the sock slips
- The Dream Sock doesn't include a video camera
Buy the Owlet if: Your primary need is heart rate + oxygen data and you understand it's wellness monitoring, not medical monitoring. Many NICU parents and parents of premature babies find this invaluable.
Check Owlet Dream Sock price on Amazon ↗
Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen — Best Sound Machine + Toddler Sleep Clock
Price: $79–$89 · Our score: 9.2/10
The Hatch Rest+ isn't a baby monitor in the traditional sense — it doesn't track health metrics or stream video. It's a sound machine, night light, and toddler sleep clock in one device.
For newborns, it's invaluable as a white noise machine (35+ sound options) that you control from your phone without disturbing the baby. For toddlers ages 2–5, the "OK to wake" light is a game-changer: the light changes from red to green at your set wake time, teaching toddlers to stay in bed until it's time to get up.
Unlike the Nanit and Owlet, the Hatch has a 10+ year use case. Parents consistently report using it through elementary school.
What parents love:
- App control means no fumbling in the dark
- The OK to wake light genuinely works for toddler sleep training
- Long useful lifespan — works from newborn through school age
What to know:
- Not a health monitor — no video, no SpO2, no heart rate
- Some features require a Hatch+ subscription
Buy the Hatch if: You want a best-in-class sound machine that grows with your child. At $79, it's also the lowest price here.
Check Hatch Rest+ price on Amazon ↗
Which Monitor Should You Buy?
For most new parents, we recommend starting with the Hatch Rest+ and adding a Nanit or Owlet based on your anxiety level.
The Hatch is the best value purchase here and the only one you'll still use in 5 years. The Nanit adds genuine peace of mind through sleep data and clear video. The Owlet adds heart rate monitoring if that specific data point matters to you.
If budget allows only one:
- Video + sleep data → Nanit Pro
- Heart rate + SpO2 data → Owlet Dream Sock
- Best value + longest use → Hatch Rest+
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a baby monitor with breathing tracking?
Breathing tracking adds a layer of information but is not a substitute for safe sleep practices (firm mattress, no loose bedding, back-sleeping). If your baby is healthy and full-term, a standard video monitor is sufficient for most families. Breathing monitors are especially valuable for premature babies, those with heart conditions, or parents who experience significant anxiety.
Can I use the Owlet and Nanit together?
Yes. Many parents use the Owlet for heart rate data and the Nanit for video + sleep scoring. They serve different functions and pair well together.
Are baby monitors required for safe sleep?
No. Safe sleep practices (SIDS guidelines from the AAP) are the primary protection. Monitors are a parenting tool for peace of mind, not a medical safety device.
What's the difference between the Nanit Pro and the Nanit Pro Complete?
The Complete bundle includes the Nanit Pro camera, a floor stand, and the Breathing Band. The standalone camera works without the breathing band — you're just getting motion-based sleep tracking rather than the additional breathing sensor.
When should I stop using a baby monitor?
Most parents transition away from monitors between ages 2–4, when children can call out if they need help. The Hatch Rest+ is the exception — its toddler clock function keeps it useful through age 5+.