Angelcare AC25-1 baby monitor review

How easy is it to set up?

I was pleasantly surprised at how refreshingly simple the set-up of the monitor was. Unlike our previous monitor, the sensor pad comes pre-paired with the camera and unit, so all you need to do is plug in, turn on and you’re ready to use in just a few minutes.

The only aspect of set-up that might need a bit more time is the positioning of the camera to gain the best view of baby’s sleep space. There is the option to sit the camera on a shelf or mount it on a wall if that suits your room setup more.

If you have used any other baby monitors (please state which models), how does it compare?

Before testing the Angelcare AC25-1, our regular use monitor was the Owlet Cam 2 combined with Smart Sock 3. Having a monitor that could provide video and movement/breathing monitoring was a high priority for us. The Angelcare AC 25-1 is by far simpler to set up, more reliable in terms of connections and the hand-held video unit is very intuitive.

What different functions does the monitor have?

There are lots of handy functions on this monitor. It actually took a few hours and lots of playing with the monitor to really discover all of the features and how they could work for us and our routines and lifestyles.

The colour video monitor is wireless, has up to 5 hours of battery life and has a very simple-to-navigate menu. As you flick through the menu, you are able to use each function.

The functions are navigated from left to right across the bottom of the screen and include Movement pad sensitivity, photo and video image settings, volume and sound control – including the ability to have conversations and soothe baby via your voice over the monitor, Music – the ability to play a choice of three different nursery rhymes to help soothe baby, room conditions – including the ability to set temperature parameters and the monitor will notify you when the room is too cold or too warm.

Is the camera adjustable?

The camera itself sits securely on a rotating base and can easily stand on a flat surface and be adjusted to capture the view you need it to.

There is the added option to mount the camera on a wall to achieve optimum view, but we didn’t find this was needed with our particular room set up at the moment.

Once you have placed your camera, there is an option to zoom in on your monitor view to give a really clear view of your little one whilst they are napping.

If you connect it to your smartphone, how easy was this to do?

Although the AC25-1 is a wireless monitor, it does not connect via smartphones or tablets. We were really pleased about this feature, as we always worry about online and app-based baby monitors and the security issues/ hacking that could possibly occur.

The monitor, movement sensor pad and camera all come pre-paired so that there is no setup whatsoever.

What is the sound quality like on the monitor?

The sound settings on the monitor are such that you are able to listen to background noise, have two-way conversations as well as turn the sound off completely.

We found it very useful to have the background noise turned up to volume to level three so that we were able to work and do jobs around the house whilst listening for our little one stirring in their crib as their nap came to an end.

If she woke a little too soon or unexpectedly, Often we were able to soothe her via the microphone button by making soothing noises or saying her name through the microphone.

What is the picture like?

The picture is incredibly clear, even when using the zoom functions. Both the colour screen day mode and the black and white night vision mode can be viewed easily.

Does it have any other features that you like?

There really isn’t much that this monitor can’t do. One of our favourite features has to be the ability to set your own parameters for the climate conditions of the room. The monitor accurately senses and displays the room temperature where baby is sleeping and via the settings on the handheld screen, you can change the optimum maximum and minimum temperatures that you prefer for baby, with the option of an alarm sounding if the room gets too hot or too cold.

Does it operate on mains or battery — or a combination?

Both the camera and the handheld monitor come complete with mains plugs. The camera requires a mains plug connection permanently and the handheld monitor can be plugged in to charge and then unplugged and used wirelessly for up to 5 hrs before it will need recharging. We charged our handheld monitor when we first set up the camera and have only had to charge it once in the few weeks we have been using it, so the battery life is great.

How portable is it?

The handheld screen itself is a great size. It is easy to move from room to room or carry with you and it also has the bonus of a flip-out stand so that you are able to stand the monitor on a surface whilst you work or do jobs around the house.

We haven’t yet taken the monitor on holiday with us, however, this is something that we feel would be easily done. The setup time was minimal and the monitor is fuss-free and very intuitive to move from room to room and place to place.

What would you have wanted to know before getting this monitor?

It would have been handy to know that there was the ability to turn off the movement sensor pad. As useful as the pad is, on the first night of using the monitor, the alarm sounded when I lifted my little girl out of her crib to feed her as it didn’t sense her slight breathing movements. It scared the life out of us!

After a bit of investigation and playing with the monitor, we found that just one simple press of a button disabled the movement sensor pad and you were able to lift baby in and out of the crib and use the monitor as a simple video-only monitor also - a great option and feature for younger babies who may wake frequently in the night for feeds.

How sustainable was the packaging?

The packaging of the monitor was neat and tidy with minimal plastic, which is always a bonus for eco-conscious parents like ourselves.

Is this product worth the money?

In comparison with many other baby monitors, we feel the AC25-1 is great value for money. It is packed with many features and can be used for many years to come.

MadeForMums verdict

We really couldn’t be happier with the AC25-1 monitor. The quality of the product, and the excellent range of functions combined with the reliability of each feature, has really given us peace of mind to help us leave our 4-month-old in her crib whilst she naps. The monitor has allowed us the freedom to work and complete chores, all with the peace of mind that she is safe and sound whilst she sleeps. It would have been an added bonus to have the opportunity to add an additional camera to the system to place in our other children's bedrooms as well but all-in-ll, this monitor really is an all-round solution which we can envisage using for many years to come and we would highly recommend to other parents.