Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor ($50 – $70).
- A reliable local monitor covers most homes.
- Wi-Fi monitors let you watch from anywhere; local monitors are more private.
In this article
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On a budget? Here are the best-value baby monitors in the US, starting with the cheapest model we rate, with typical prices and our verdict on each.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor | Buy | 7.7/10 | $50 – $70 |
| Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Video Baby Monitor | Buy | 8.8/10 | $180 – $230 |
Budget picks in detail
VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor
Tight budgets and travel · Verdict: Buy · Score: 7.7/10 · Typical price: $50 – $70
Why we like it: Basic video and two-way talk for little money.
Pros: Inexpensive · No Wi-Fi or account needed · Two-way talk and lullabies · Light enough to pack
Cons: Small 2.8-inch screen · Lower-resolution video
Buy it if you want a simple, private video monitor for a small home, a grandparent’s house or travel.
Skip it if you want a big screen, sharp night video or long range in a large house.
Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Video Baby Monitor
Most families · Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $180 – $230
Why we like it: Private, non-Wi-Fi video with a 5-inch screen.
Pros: No Wi-Fi, so nothing streams to the cloud · Large 5-inch parent screen · Swappable lenses for wide or zoomed views · Active Noise Reduction cuts background hiss
Cons: No phone viewing away from home · Parent unit battery needs a nightly charge
Buy it if you want a dependable video monitor that works without Wi-Fi, apps or a monthly fee.
Skip it if you want to check on your baby from work or while traveling; it only works in and around the house.
How to save money
A reliable local monitor covers most homes.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Wi-Fi monitors let you watch from anywhere; local monitors are more private.
Common mistake: Skipping security settings on Wi-Fi monitors.
Compare more options
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap baby monitors in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor, typically $50 – $70.
Are cheap baby monitors worth it?
A reliable local monitor covers most homes. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Wi-Fi monitors let you watch from anywhere; local monitors are more private.
When are baby monitors cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.