There are over 400 baby monitors on the market. Finding the best baby monitor in Australia means sorting through features you will never use and price tags that are hard to justify on broken sleep. This guide makes that easier. Every pick below has been chosen based on what parents consistently report actually working. Not what looks good in a product photo. What holds up at 3am.
What to Look for in a Baby Monitor
Before you compare specs, get clear on what your household actually needs. A first-time parent in a two-storey house has different priorities to someone in a small apartment. Start here.
- Range. Walls, floors and appliances all eat signal. If your house is large or has thick walls, prioritise monitors with strong, dedicated DECT or FHSS signal over standard WiFi.
- Audio vs video. Video feels essential until you realise you spend most nights staring at a grainy ceiling shot. Audio-only monitors are lighter, simpler and often more reliable. Video adds value if you want to check sleep position or settle anxiety without walking in.
- Battery life. A parent unit that dies at 2am is useless. Look for at least 10 hours of battery life on the handheld unit.
- Two-way talk. Lets you soothe without entering the room. Worth having, even if you do not use it every night.
- Temperature alert. Useful for monitoring nursery conditions, especially in Australian summers. Treat it as a nice extra. Red Nose Australia doesn't set a room temperature for sleep and doesn't think a room temperature monitor is necessary, so feeling bub's tummy or back is still the real check.
- Night vision. If you choose video, infrared night vision is non-negotiable. Check whether the image is actually clear in darkness before buying.
The 3 Baby Monitors Worth Your Money
Out of hundreds of options, three consistently stand out based on reliability, ease of use and long-term parent feedback. Here is what makes each one worth considering.
Oricom Secure870
The Oricom Secure870 is a dedicated DECT monitor, meaning it does not rely on your home WiFi. That matters at night when your router reboots or your connection drops. It covers up to 300 metres open range, has a clear 5-inch colour screen and includes room temperature monitoring. The parent unit battery lasts around 12 hours. It is one of the most consistently recommended monitors by Australian parents and does not require an app, an account or a subscription.
Nanit Pro
The Nanit Pro is a WiFi camera monitor with overhead mounting and breathing motion tracking via a wearable band. It gives detailed sleep analytics through the app, which some parents find genuinely useful and others find overwhelming. It works best for parents who want data and are comfortable managing a connected device. The subscription fee for full analytics access is worth factoring into the total cost. If you are already using a sleep sound setup in the nursery, the buying guide to night lights and sound machines covers how to layer those tools without overstimulating your baby.
Eufy SpaceView Pro
The Eufy SpaceView Pro sits in the middle ground. It is a dedicated monitor (no WiFi needed), has a large 5-inch screen and a PTZ camera you can pan, tilt and zoom remotely. Battery life on the parent unit is strong, and setup is straightforward. It is a solid choice if you want video without the app dependency of a WiFi monitor.
Safest Baby Monitor Options for Australian Homes
Safety questions tend to centre on two things: radiation and data privacy. Dedicated DECT and FHSS monitors emit significantly less radiofrequency than WiFi or cellular-connected devices. If EMF exposure is a concern, a non-WiFi monitor is the straightforward answer. For WiFi monitors, choose brands with strong data encryption and a clear privacy policy. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's product safety resources are worth checking if you want to verify compliance for any monitor sold in Australia.
Placement also matters. Mount cameras at cot height or above, never inside the cot, and keep all cords well out of reach. This applies to any device in the nursery, including sound machines and night lights.
What to Pair With Your Baby Monitor
A monitor tells you what is happening. A good sleep environment helps prevent the wake-ups in the first place. White noise is one of the most evidence-supported tools for improving infant sleep continuity. If you are building out your nursery setup, our roundup of white noise machines for babies covers the options that actually perform through the night.
Night lights that double as sound machines are worth considering if you want fewer devices on the shelf. Browse our night lights and white noise machines range to see what works alongside any of the monitors above. For a deeper look at how to choose the right combination, the complete guide to bedtime combos walks through what to look for.
The Bottom Line
You do not need the most expensive monitor. You need one that works reliably in your specific home, fits how you actually sleep and does not require troubleshooting at 3am. For most Australian families, the Oricom Secure870 covers the basics extremely well. The Eufy SpaceView Pro is the step up if you want video without WiFi. The Nanit Pro suits parents who want detailed sleep data and are happy with an app-based setup.
Pick the one that matches your house, your habits and your budget. Then set it up and stop reading reviews.
