Baby Monitor Range: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

When you buy a baby monitor range, the distance over which a baby monitor reliably transmits audio or video from the nursery to your phone or base unit. Also known as wireless baby monitor distance, it’s not just a number on the box—it’s what keeps you calm when your baby is in another room. Many parents assume a 500-foot range means they can walk to the garden and still hear their baby. But walls, Wi-Fi interference, and even metal framing can cut that range in half—or worse.

Real-world baby monitor phone, a smartphone used to view live video or listen to audio from a baby monitor via a dedicated app setups are common now, and they change the game. Instead of relying on radio signals, these systems use your home Wi-Fi. That means your baby monitor app, software that connects your smartphone or tablet to a baby monitor for remote viewing and alerts works wherever you have internet. But if your router is in the basement and the nursery is upstairs, you might get a weak signal. That’s why placement matters more than advertised range.

Don’t confuse mobile baby monitor, a baby monitoring system designed to stream video or audio directly to a mobile device without a separate base unit with traditional models. Some apps claim to turn an old phone into a monitor. They can work, but they’re not always secure or reliable. Look for systems with end-to-end encryption and no cloud storage unless you’re okay with your baby’s footage being stored online.

Range isn’t the only thing that keeps your baby safe—it’s also about signal clarity. A monitor that cuts in and out during a cry is worse than no monitor at all. Look for models with DECT technology if you want static-free audio, or those that use 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands wisely to avoid interference from microwaves, cordless phones, or smart home gadgets.

And here’s something no one tells you: the best baby monitor for your home might not be the one with the longest range. It’s the one that works in your house. Test it. Walk from the nursery to the kitchen, then to the bedroom, then outside. See where the signal drops. If you’re buying a Wi-Fi model, check if it supports mesh networks or extenders. If you’re going analog, make sure the batteries last—and that you can hear your baby over the noise of the washing machine or the dog barking.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of top 10 monitors. It’s a collection of real guides written by parents who’ve been there—troubleshooting weak signals, setting up phone-based monitors without compromising privacy, and figuring out what actually works when the baby’s awake at 3 a.m. and you’re halfway through the house. Whether you’re dealing with an old house with thick walls or a modern apartment full of smart devices, these posts help you cut through the marketing and find what matters.