Angelcare vs Owlet vs Snuza: Best Movement and Heart Rate Monitors

Angelcare Movement Monitor	Owlet Smart Sock 2	Snuza Hero
Easy To Use and Doubles As  A Sound Monitor	Most Advanced Monitoring	Affordable And Easy To Travel With
$145.99	Check on Amazon
Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Not too long ago, having a baby monitor meant placing a static-producing, one-way audio monitor on your nightstand and tried to pick out baby noise vs. the white noise that would scratch out of the speaker all night. Then, video was introduced, and parents were able to see their baby’s movement and listen in, but even those would be faulty from time to time.

The newest technology in this market is the movement monitors, or heart rate monitors. These devices bring added technology to notify parents when their baby not only moves, but has a spike in heart rate. These devices are the best prevention of SIDS available to parents, and should be strongly considered, especially for heavy-sleeping mommies and daddies.

Some other names you might see for these products are angelcare baby monitor, breathing monitor, apnea monitor, movement monitor, or heart rate monitor.

How Does A Movement Monitor Work?

There are a as many products on the market as there are ways to monitor your baby’s breathing and movement. Most rely on some kind of movement sensor placed either on your baby (like a sock), or as a pad that is placed underneath the crib mattress. Some monitors rely on battery, while other are digital and connect to your home wifi and are controlled via smartphone app.

Which Movement Monitor Is Right For Your Baby?

Many products we review have clear cut winners and losers. Unfortunately for you, the reader, every product is so different, and different parents/babies respond differently to each product. We have identified the three best products on the market, each very different than the next, that you should consider if you want the top of the line product to monitor your baby’s movement and heart rate at night.

Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor Review

The Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor is different than the Owlet and Snuza because  it is the only product that made our list than isn’t worn by the baby. The Angelcare monitor is a pad that is placed underneath the crib mattress, and can detect movement (or lack thereof). It is battery powered, and we generally liked the product for its ease of use, and the fact that it doubles as a sound monitor.

Price: $145.99

Pros:

• Easy to set up, adjust the settings, and understand
• Doubles as sound monitor, temperature monitor, and nightlight for baby
• Affordable

Cons:

• Some complaints that pad is too sensitive; alerting parents when there are no concerns
• Uses wires, which can be unsightly in nursery
• Some battery issues (drain fast; don’t recharge properly)

Owlet Smart Sock 2 Review

FULL DISCLOSURE: the Owlet is the product we used most with our baby and loved it. The Owlet uses Pulse Oximetry technology, which is just a fancy way to say it monitors your baby’s heart rate via a sock he or she wears when he sleeps. This product is not cheap, but it worked perfectly and sends real time information to you through a smartphone app. Since we use our phone as an alarm clock anyway, we didn’t need any additional monitors or devices in our room or the nursery. The Owlet does come with a device that glows when there is movement, which some parents find comforting so they don’t have to check their phones.

Price: Check on Amazon

Pros:

• No extra monitors or equipment needed
• Real-time, useful information
• Simple design that doesn’t distract or irritate baby

Cons:

• Expensive
• App has had some issues crashing
• Tracking information requires monthly fee

Snuza Hero SE Baby Movement Monitor Review

There are many models of the Snuza monitors, including movement monitors and breathing monitors. All of the Snuza products clip on to your baby’s diaper, and monitor either movement of breathing, and has the ability to vibrate in an effort to rouse your baby if your he or she were to stop breathing. There is also an audible alarm that can notify the parents if baby were to stop moving or breathing.

Price:

Pros:

• Simple design; no cords or wires used
• Affordable and easy to bring with you when you and baby sleep away from home
• Only device that vibrates and makes noise to alarm parents and stimulate baby if no movement or breathing

Cons:

• Some complaints about fitting securely to diaper
• Some false alarms triggered when low battery or product shifts
• Can get dirty and difficult to clean

I think you’ll be happy with any of the three options, just take into account what is most important to you; price, features, or maybe mobility? For other sleep related products, check out our reviews of Co-Sleepers & Bassinets.

Learn more about the Owlet Smart Sock in this video: