Baby monitors are extremely helpful in terms of monitoring what your baby is doing. There are so many different types of baby monitors available out there, but most of them fall into two main categories, the WiFi and the Non-Wifi baby monitors.
If you have no knowledge about baby monitors, you may get confused between these two types of baby monitors and wonder the question – “WiFi VS Non-WiFi Baby Monitor – Which one is better?” It is a question that most new parents have asked themselves and which many of us have felt obliged to answer.
In simple words, baby monitors with WiFi technology use your internet connection to transmit audio or video to the parent unit, while non-wifi baby monitors rely on technologies like FHSS or DECT to send data. Also, both types of baby monitors have their pros and cons.
To explain the answer more clearly, we have provided an in-depth review of these two types of baby monitors below.
Wifi baby monitors mainly communicate with the parent unit using the wifi connection. A wifi baby monitor allows you to access the camera from anywhere as long as you are connected to the internet and the baby monitor is in the wifi range. Also, some wifi baby monitors use a 5GHz frequency band to communicate with the parent unit.
So, it is clear that you will require an internet connection if you want to use a wifi baby monitor. A fast and reliable internet connection enables you to get real-time updates of your baby. On the other hand, a patchy or unreliable internet can cause signal drops or transmission delays.
But, if you compare with non-wifi baby monitors, then wifi baby monitors are very convenient to use. Because most of the wifi monitors out there can be accessed through smartphone or tablet, so you don’t have to carry the receiver or parent unit all the time. Also, they allow you to access the camera with multiple devices.
Pros of WiFi Baby Monitors:
Here are a few of the common advantages of wifi baby monitors –
1. Long Transmission range
One of the significant advantages of using a wifi baby monitor is its long transmission range. If you are away from work and missing your baby, then a wifi baby monitor can help you check on your baby. Also, you don’t have to carry the receiver with you. All you need is a smartphone or tablet which is connected to a fast and reliable internet or the local wifi network.
2. Easy to use
Using a wifi baby monitor is very easy as well as convenient. Most wifi monitors out there have their smartphone app, which can be used to configure and set the baby monitor. With the app, you can easily access your baby monitor through your smartphone from anywhere.
So, if you live in a large house or are used to go outside for a while, you can easily monitor your baby as long as there is a wifi signal. Also, using a wifi monitor is convenient because you don’t always have to carry another piece of technology with you.
3. Multi-Streaming
Multi-streaming is another excellent feature of wifi baby monitors. These wifi baby monitors allow multiple users to access the camera simultaneously through the smartphone app. But, you will have to manually enable this feature and set an access password on the baby monitor app. Also, you can invite new members on the app and allow them to keep an on your baby when you are away. However, not all the wifi baby monitors have this feature.
4. Peace of mind
Wifi baby monitors enable you to monitor your kids from no matter where you are, providing you great peace of mind. Even if you are working at the office and want to check out your baby, you only just have to open the app.
Cons of WiFi Baby Monitors:
There are also disadvantages to wifi baby monitors. Let’s have a look at them –
1. Can be hacked
One of the main disadvantages of wifi baby monitors is that they can be hacked. It is not an easy task to hack a baby monitor, but if someone is determined enough, he can access the baby monitor and have a complete view of your baby’s room.
However, baby monitor manufacturers are trying to upgrade their monitor’s privacy protection technology, and day by day, its getting harder to hack a baby monitor. However, still, no one can fully claim that their baby monitor is hackproof. This problem mainly occurs due to the weak data encryption of the baby monitor.
So, if you want to be safe, you should go with a non-wifi baby monitor as they use non-static channels.
2. Expensive
As compare to non-wifi baby monitors, wifi baby monitors are a bit expensive. However, wifi baby monitors offer so many advanced features that make them worth the price.
3. Transmission delay
Yes, there is indeed a slight transmission delay with wifi baby monitors. It happens because the wifi baby monitor has to send the data to the cloud first before transmitting it to your router and then your smartphone app or computer. Due to this long process, you may experience transmission lag which can last for between 10-20 seconds.
Non-WiFi Baby monitor
A Non-wifi baby monitor doesn’t use the internet to function, allowing you to monitor your baby without connecting the baby monitor to the internet. They use FHSS or DECT technologies to share real-time data with the parent unit.
Yes, you get a parent unit with the package, which is the only way to access your baby monitor camera. The parent unit has a dedicated screen that measures 2.4 inches to 5 inches. One of the disadvantages of non-wifi baby monitors is that you always have to carry the parent unit in order to keep an eye on your baby.
Non-wifi baby monitors provide clear video during the daytime, and most of them even have night vision mode, which lets you clearly see in the dark. Also, some non-wifi baby monitors allow you to extend the camera so that you don’t miss any part of the room. You can mount the baby monitor anywhere and get complete view of the room.
Pros of Non-WiFi Baby Monitors:
Let’s look at some of the pros of non-wifi baby monitors-
1. Difficult to hack
Wifi baby monitors are connected to the internet, which makes them easy to access for hackers. While on the other hand, non-wifi baby monitors are more secure as they use non-static channels to transfer data. If you don’t want to compromise with your privacy, it will be better to go with a non-wifi baby monitor.
2. Less transmission delay
A significant advantage of non-wifi baby monitors is that they offer less transmission delay than wifi baby monitors. It became possible because non-wifi baby monitors use peer-to-peer mode to communicate with the parent while wifi baby monitors have to go through a long process to transfer data.
3. Reasonable price
Non-wifi baby monitors are popular for their reasonable price point. Most of the non-wifi baby monitors out there offer almost all the necessary features that new parents require at an affordable price.
Cons of Non-WiFi Baby Monitors:
Besides advantages, there are also few disadvantages of non-wifi baby monitors that you should know –
1. Limited range
While wifi-baby monitors offer an unlimited transmission range as long as you are connected to internet, non-wifi baby monitors offer a limited monitoring distance of up to 1,000 ft. However, few monitors offer transmission range up to 1,500 ft. but they are rare. If you cross this range, the baby monitor will lose its signal, and you will be unable to monitor your baby anymore.
2. No Smartphone app
A baby monitor with a smartphone app makes it very easy and convenient for the user to control the monitor. But non-wifi monitors don’t come with any smartphone app since they don’t use an internet connection to function. The only way to access a non-wifi baby monitor is by the parent unit or receiver.
WiFi VS Non-WiFi Baby Monitor - Which One Is Better?
It depends. Suppose you want to monitor your baby from anywhere without carrying the receiver all the time. In that case, you will appreciate wifi baby monitors as they offer an unlimited transmission range and allow you to monitor your kids over the app. But there are also few disadvantages of wifi baby monitors that you have to consider before making any decision, like transmission lag, can be hacked, and expensive price points.
On the other hand, non-wifi baby monitors are famous for their secure transmission and low price range. Also, you will hardly experience any transmission lag with non-wifi baby monitors. But they don’t allow you to access the camera through any smartphone app. They include dedicated receivers or parent units that you have to use to watch your kids.
So, both wifi and non-wifi baby monitors have some advantages as well as disadvantages. It depends on your requirements and preferences whether you should go with a wifi baby monitor or a non-wifi baby monitor. But, it would help if you chose a model which comes with all the necessary features that you require.
Conclusion
So, now you know what are the differences between a wifi baby monitor and a non-wifi baby monitor. Make sure you consider all the advantages and disadvantages before making any purchase.
Hopefully, you got all of your questions answered regarding this topic. For further assistance, you can email us or leave a comment. Also, you can checkout our other information articles that would help you to choose the best baby monitor.
Thanks for being with us 🙂
