Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor review

Another minus is that it lacks some of the extra features we’ve come to expect in baby monitors – such as lullabies – but for any anxious parents out there, the sensor movement pad would more than make up for this.

Tested by:

Carla, 37, is a first-time mum who lives in Hertfordshire with her boyfriend, their whippet and their 9-month-old daughter, Vivienne. Carla tested the product on baby Vivienne in her bedroom at home as well as while visiting family.

First impressions?

It’s a very sleek-looking set-up, and I was instantly impressed with the size of the screen and clarity of picture. Compared to the baby monitor we were using, it looked much better quality and somehow more reliable, too!

It’s quite a straightforward monitor, with a touchscreen LCD screen which I found reasonably responsive, although it could be a little sticky at times, and I found I had to press quite hard.

It also offers brilliantly clear infrared night vision and it has volume control through simple up and down buttons on the side.

You can choose whether to have continuous sound transmission or for the monitor to just pick up sounds as and when – a green light would flash when my daughter made a noise, and if it got particularly loud, another green light would flash.

How easy is the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor to set up?

It’s ridiculously easy – you don’t even need to read the instructions. It’s all very self-explanatory, and the monitor, camera and sensor pad all paired up without me having to do anything.

How easy is it to position everything correctly?

Very. The camera has a very wide lens, so I was able to get almost all of my baby in view without a problem.

Is the camera on the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor adjustable?

Yes, you can do this both physically and through the screen. The camera can be tilted up, down and from side to side, and you can pan and zoom in when using the screen.

What is the sound quality like?

It was very clear; however, I felt it could be louder. Sometimes it wouldn’t wake me at night – instead, the actual sound of my baby crying woke me. If you’re like me, who chills out in front of the TV post baby bedtime, the sound can get a little lost.

How was the background noise?

There was very little background noise.

What is the picture like on the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor?

The picture quality is hands down my favourite element of this monitor. It is very clear, to the point that you can see tiny movements including breathing! I am able to see my baby’s facial expressions when she wakes up, her chest rising and falling – everything you need to see, without having to zoom in.

Is the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor voice-activated?

Yes, but you can turn this off if you want to, by changing the settings in the menu on the parent unit. I found I used the ‘vox’ function, meaning it only activated when my baby made a noise.

Is there a talk-back function on the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor?

Yes, and it’s easy to use – there’s an icon on the parent unit which you press on the touchscreen to activate it. My baby definitely heard me loud and clear!

Was there any interference?

None at all, ever.

Does the monitor have a temperature indicator?

Yes, on both the parent unit and the camera. The only problem with it on the camera is that it is a very bright light, which seemed to be too bright for my baby! It was almost as if a light was beaming onto her, but you can easily turn the camera temperature indicator off but keep it on on the parent unit (so you can still see the temperature of the room).

Does the monitor have entertainment modes for your baby, such as lullabies?

This monitor doesn’t offer any entertainment modes.

Does it offer data analysis of baby’s sleep, and, if so, did you use this?

This monitor doesn’t have any data analysis functionality.

Does the monitor operate via Wi-Fi, and, if so, how secure is it?

It does and it seems secure enough, but the instruction booklet does warn that it could be picked up by other monitors nearby, and to turn the camera and unit off when not in use.

Does the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor operate on mains or battery?

The camera operates via mains. The camera unit operates via battery, and can last up to 5 hours if on, or 6 if in sleep mode. I felt that this didn’t last quite long enough – overnight I would leave it on charge or hope for the best. It sounds an alarm if the battery is low, which is useful, although very loud.

What were your favourite features of this monitor?

This monitor’s biggest selling point would be the movement sensor pad; there aren’t many of these on the market that are as sleek and slim as this one. It was very simple to use – you place it under the baby’s mattress and it will only sound if no movement is detected after 20 seconds.

At first, I thought this was a little sensitive – my baby barely moves when she’s in a deep sleep! – but once I actually used it, I realised it does detect the slightest of movements. She also had no idea it was under her mattress!

For me, though, it actually made me more paranoid – I would worry if it didn’t sound the alarm to say she hadn’t moved, and I found I checked on her more than normal as I was worried the technology had failed me.

My favourite feature was how clear and crisp the picture quality was and how wide the camera lens was – it really was brilliant. I also liked the tabletop stand of the parent unit – it has a little arm to stand it up on so you can see the unit easily.

One downside is that if you have the volume off or on very low, you can easily miss the flashing light that shows noise has been detected. It would be better if the screen flashed when noise is detected.

Who would this monitor be best for?

I think this monitor is great for people who want something straightforward, no-nonsense and reliable, with fantastic picture quality. I wouldn’t recommend it to particularly anxious parents because for me, the movement sensor pad became a source of worry rather than reassurance. You can turn this function off, though, and I found I ended up doing this.

It would also be great for families that travel a lot, too.

Is the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor value for money?

It has a very high price point at £249.99, which may be due to the movement sensor as the technology is quite advanced. I would say it is value for money if it’s a movement sensor you’re after, but as a straightforward audio and visual monitor, it’s a bit pricey.

Would you recommend it?

If you can afford the price and you’re looking for a monitor with a movement sensor pad, then definitely. And although the picture quality is amazing, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra money when there are similar items on the market with a lower price tag.

Where can I buy the Angelcare AC527 Baby Movement Monitor?

It’s available from Argos, Winstanleys Pramworld and Amazon

MadeForMums verdict:

As a baby monitor, it’s definitely up there as a more advanced offering. However, I found the movement sensor unnecessary and made me worry more – which is a shame as the camera and picture quality are simply amazing.

Read more...

• Best baby monitors
• Buyers guide to baby monitors
• Homiee 7zop wireless monitor review