When it comes to monitoring the well-being of your baby, parents today have access to an array of advanced technologies that provide peace of mind. Two of the most popular baby monitoring systems on the market are Nanit and Owlet. Both brands offer high-tech solutions designed to help parents keep an eye on their infants, track their sleep, and monitor their overall health. However, these two systems take different approaches to achieving these goals, and choosing between them can be challenging. In this article, we’ll compare Nanit and Owlet across various factors, including features, design, usability, data tracking, and cost, to help you decide which baby monitor is right for your family.
Overview of Nanit and Owlet
Nanit
Nanit is a smart baby monitor that focuses primarily on sleep tracking and analysis. It uses a high-definition overhead camera to provide a clear view of your baby in the crib, offering features like two-way audio, temperature and humidity monitoring, and customizable sleep insights. Nanit’s standout feature is its ability to track your baby’s sleep patterns and provide personalized sleep coaching tips through its mobile app. The system also offers a breathing wear accessory, which allows you to monitor your baby’s breathing without the need for additional sensors or wearables on the baby.
Owlet
Owlet, on the other hand, is best known for its Smart Sock, a wearable device that tracks your baby’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns. The Smart Sock pairs with the Owlet Cam, a video monitor that provides HD video and audio streaming. Owlet’s primary focus is on monitoring your baby’s vital signs, which it does by using pulse oximetry technology similar to that found in hospitals. This allows parents to receive real-time alerts if their baby’s readings fall outside of preset ranges, offering a unique approach to baby monitoring that prioritizes health tracking.
Feature Comparison
Video and Audio Quality
Nanit: Nanit features a 1080p HD camera that provides a crystal-clear view of your baby from an overhead perspective. The camera has night vision, zoom capabilities, and a wide field of view, ensuring you can always see your baby clearly, day or night. The two-way audio feature allows you to talk to your baby through the app, providing comfort or helping to soothe them back to sleep.
Owlet: The Owlet Cam also offers 1080p HD video quality, with night vision and a 130-degree wide-angle lens. It includes two-way audio, allowing you to hear and speak to your baby from anywhere via the Owlet app. The Owlet Cam is placed on a flat surface or wall-mounted, giving parents flexibility in how they set it up.
Verdict: Both Nanit and Owlet provide high-quality video and audio monitoring, but Nanit’s overhead perspective offers a unique advantage for those who want a full view of the crib.
Health and Sleep Tracking
Nanit: Nanit tracks your baby’s sleep patterns, providing detailed insights into how long and how well your baby is sleeping. The app delivers personalized sleep coaching tips based on the data it collects, helping parents improve their baby’s sleep habits over time. Additionally, Nanit’s Breathing Wear accessory monitors your baby’s breathing motion without the need for electronics on the baby’s body. This non-invasive approach is appealing to parents who prefer a less intrusive monitoring solution.
Owlet: Owlet’s Smart Sock is designed to monitor your baby’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns in real-time. The device fits snugly on your baby’s foot and uses pulse oximetry to track vital signs. If readings fall outside of normal ranges, parents receive alerts via the app and the base station, which can help prevent emergencies. The Smart Sock’s data is also used to track sleep trends, although the primary focus is on health monitoring rather than sleep coaching.
Verdict: If you’re most concerned about monitoring your baby’s vital signs, Owlet’s Smart Sock offers a more comprehensive solution. However, for those focused on sleep tracking and analysis, Nanit provides deeper insights and personalized guidance.
Ease of Use and Setup
Nanit: Setting up the Nanit system is straightforward, though it requires mounting the camera above the crib, which may involve some installation effort. Once installed, the Nanit app is user-friendly and intuitive, with a simple interface that makes it easy to access video feeds, sleep data, and insights. The Breathing Wear is easy to use—just dress your baby in the wearable accessory, and the camera will detect the breathing patterns.
Owlet: Owlet’s Smart Sock is easy to set up and comes with multiple sock sizes to accommodate your growing baby. The sock connects wirelessly to a base station and the app, making it easy to start monitoring. The Owlet Cam can be placed on a flat surface or wall-mounted, with a relatively simple setup process. The app is also easy to navigate, providing clear readings and alerts.
Verdict: Both systems are designed with user-friendliness in mind, though the initial setup for Nanit might require more effort due to the camera mounting process. Owlet’s wearable design might appeal to parents looking for a more portable solution.
Data and Insights
Nanit: Nanit excels in providing detailed sleep data and actionable insights. The app tracks sleep patterns, including sleep duration, wake times, and overall sleep quality. It then offers personalized sleep coaching tips, which are based on the latest research in pediatric sleep science. This feature is particularly valuable for parents who want to actively work on improving their baby’s sleep habits.
Owlet: Owlet’s data is more focused on health metrics, such as heart rate and oxygen levels. The app provides real-time data and alerts if any readings fall outside the normal range, giving parents peace of mind that their baby’s vital signs are being closely monitored. The sleep tracking feature provides a basic overview of your baby’s sleep trends, but it doesn’t offer the in-depth coaching that Nanit provides.
Verdict: If you’re looking for detailed sleep analysis and coaching, Nanit is the better choice. For health monitoring and peace of mind regarding your baby’s vital signs, Owlet is superior.
Cost and Value
Nanit: Nanit’s system tends to be more expensive, particularly when you factor in the cost of accessories like the Breathing Wear. However, the extensive features, detailed sleep tracking, and personalized insights may justify the higher price for parents who want a comprehensive sleep monitoring solution.
Owlet: Owlet’s Smart Sock and Cam are also on the pricier side, especially when purchased together. However, the value lies in the health monitoring capabilities, which are unique to Owlet and provide a level of reassurance that many parents find invaluable.
Verdict: Both systems are an investment, but the choice depends on your priorities. Nanit offers more value for sleep-focused parents, while Owlet provides unparalleled health monitoring.
Conclusion
Nanit and Owlet are both excellent baby monitoring systems, each with its own strengths. Nanit is ideal for parents who want to focus on sleep tracking and improving their baby’s sleep habits with the help of detailed insights and coaching. Its non-invasive breathing monitoring is also a plus for those who prefer not to use wearable technology on their baby.
Owlet, on the other hand, stands out for its health monitoring capabilities. The Smart Sock’s ability to track heart rate and oxygen levels provides a level of security that’s hard to match, making it the preferred choice for parents who are particularly concerned about their baby’s vital signs.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize sleep tracking, health monitoring, or a combination of both, either Nanit or Owlet can provide the peace of mind you’re seeking as a parent.
