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Owlet Cam 2 smart HD baby monitor review: a new way to check in on your little one

Sally J. Hall
·5-min read
(Owlet)
(Owlet)

Looking after your baby or toddler is a pleasure and we love to be with our little ones. But when they’re sleeping, it’s important to feel assured of their wellbeing and safety, while being able to get on with a few things.

Owlet, the company who launched the Smart Sock a few years ago, knows that parents want to keep an eye on their babies. In response, it’s developed a new kind of baby monitor to help you keep an eye on your little one as they snooze: the Owlet Cam 2.

The Owlet Cam 2 is a smart HD baby monitor that you can use from wherever you are, day or night. Unlike traditional video baby monitors, it can be attached to the wall above your child’s cot or crib, making sure that there are no unsightly wires; it can also be placed on furniture.

Does it live up to the hype? We’ve taken an in-depth view to see if it is worth spending your hard-earned cash on.

Owlet Cam 2 Key Specs

  • Suitable from birth

  • HD viewing

  • Notifies you when your baby moves or cries

  • Can be used on your smartphone

  • Has a night vision setting

  • Has a talk back feature

First impressions of the Owlet Cam 2

Open the box and you’ll find the camera unit, a plug adapter for the UK or Europe (handy when you’re travelling, so don’t throw away the two-pin plug), wire covers to hide the wires along your wall, including a handy right angled bend, a screw for mounting the camera to the wall, plus a standard USB charging cable. The camera comes in white or grey so that you can match your décor.

(Owlet)
(Owlet)

First things first, download the Owlet app to your device and to any handsets of people who look after your little one, as you can all use your own phone with it. The monitor continually records short clips when your baby moves, which means that you can all keep each other updated as to what your little one is up to.

It’s a great feature for parents who are leaving their child with a grandparent or child minder, as you can see for yourself how your child is at any moment, dispelling any worries. The app runs on your phone in the background and will only kick in if you select it, or if your baby needs you, allowing you to get on with your life but also allowing you to check in frequently - something all new parents will appreciate.

Owlet Cam - getting started

There’s a start guide in the box, a promising-looking leaflet that you assume is going to tell you how to fix it all to the wall but no – it just shows you how to download the app. However, if you go to the Owlet website Help Centre, there’s a guide to tell you how to position the camera and mount the wires and guards properly. It’s a great pictorial and video guide and will take you through fitting the monitor step-by-step. This gives your nursery a sleek appearance and makes the whole set-up safe and secure – no wires to trip over.

(Owlet)
(Owlet)

The camera has a swivel base for the optimum view of the crib and it has a 130-degreefield of vision, so you will always be able to see your baby, no matter how much they wriggle around in the cot. It offers a clear picture with high definition vision and when it gets dark, it automatically switches to night vision, so you can still see your baby. You are able to zoom in but images can get blurry if you zoom too far as it’s a digital zoom.

A digial babysitter

In addition to vision, the app notifies you when your baby is moving or making noises so you can respond appropriately, whether that’s going into the room to pick up your baby for a feed or a change or talking calmly to them from outside the room to help them self-settle via the talkback feature – this is a great function that can help you encourage your baby to get back to sleep on their own. Other features include a display of your baby’s room temperature and humidity so that you’re able to act if it’s too hot or cold.

Stockists for the Owlet Cam 2 - where to buy

Verdict

(Owlet)
(Owlet)

It’s a hefty price for a monitor – other video and sound monitors typically start at around £60 - but it will appeal to those super-organised parents who like tech and who run their lives from their phone. It’s also a very smart looking set-up and the hidden wires will appeal to many, especially if you have just decorated the nursery.

Check the distance between you and the baby’s room; although it claims a 100m range, the signal can be blocked by very thick walls. Good Wi-Fi is also essential for a clear picture. You also need to bear in mind that you can’t have continual sight of your baby while using your phone for other purposes, or when it’s on screen lock.

You can buy the Cam 2 alone, or in a bundle with the Smart Sock, which keeps track of your baby’s oxygenation, heart rate and sleep patterns so that you can monitor all your child’s sleep progress.