Babysense HD Split-screen baby monitor review

Tested by

Elizabeth lives in London with her husband Jonathan and two young children; Iliana (27 months) and Panayiotis (11 months old). Elizabeth tested the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor over the course of three weeks to keep an eye on both children in their separate bedrooms during the night, as well as with Panayiotis during his daytime naps.

What were your first impressions of the Babysense HD Split Screen Monitor?

The Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor comes in contemporary, easy-to-open packaging; with all components packed up nicely in separate paper boxes, without any polystyrene in sight. The words ‘thank you’ are printed in numerous languages and fonts as you unfold the box, which we thought was a nice touch. This was a great first impression of the product and the brand, which we were not previously aware of.

How does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor compare to previous versions?

The Babysense HD Split Screen Monitor is an updated version of the previous Babysense Split Screen Monitor, £139.99, and comes with enhanced functionality including a slightly larger display and HD quality imagery.

How does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor compare to other baby monitors you have used?

I have been using the BT Baby Monitor 6000, £119.98, for two years now, which I chose due to its multi-room functionality. However, when I was expecting my second, I was extremely disappointed to learn that BT does not sell standalone cameras and read many complaints about this.

I wish the Babysense HD Split Screen monitor had been available when I was pregnant with Iliana as I think it’s much better. Firstly, two cameras are provided by Babysense for a very similar price to the single camera of the BT Baby Monitor 6000. Secondly, you can easily buy additional camera units on the Babysense website.

Price and convenience aside, in my opinion, the Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor itself is far superior; the picture quality is noticeably better and numerous additional features are really useful.

The night-light is great, the monitor has a longer range (300 metres versus 250 metres) and there is less background noise. It also features a white noise function (the duration of which can be adjusted), a high/low-temperature alert and, not-forgetting my very favourite feature, the split screen.

What age is the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor suitable for?

This monitor is suitable from birth onwards and if you have multiples or young children sleeping in different cots or rooms, the split screen is ideal.

How easy is the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor to set up?

My husband set the monitor up and found it was very quick and easy to do. He liked that the cameras were already paired to the monitor, so it was simply a matter of switching the device on. The cameras can be used free-standing, but he attached them to the wall using the screws and raw plugs provided, and his drill.

How easy is the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor to use?

In terms of using the monitor itself, it is very intuitive. Admittedly, we both started using it without having looked at the instructions, but had no issues navigating the different settings. MFM parent tester Alexandra agreed, saying: “I’m not one for reading instructions so it was out of the box and up and running in 2 minutes!”

We then delved into the manual to find out how to set the temperature alert and adjust the VOX (voice-activated transmission) mode and found the instructions to be very clear. MFM Editorial Judge Christy although rated its ease of use: “The features, like split screen view, or white noise or music, are really easy to find intuitively. Impressed by how easy to use it is.”

Are the cameras on the Babysense HD Split-Screen Baby Monitor adjustable?

Yes, both cameras can pan, tilt and zoom so you can see the entire space. The lens swivels an impressive full 360 degrees, spinning all the way around and can be adjusted to numerous positions. You can also quickly and easily zoom in on your child remotely (choosing from 2x or 4x zoom) which is a great feature.

How easy is it to position everything correctly?

My husband found it very easy to position everything correctly. He said that a small movement of the camera did not make a big difference to the screen, which made fixing both units to the walls a doddle.

Does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor connect to your smartphone?

Babysense monitors do not connect to smartphones, or indeed the internet in any way. Instead, they use an enhanced closed-loop 2.4GHz FHSS Technology, ensuring that they cannot be hacked.

What is the sound quality like on the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

Very clear; I can hear Panayiotis moving around when he is up in the night and can hear exactly what Iliana is saying when she talks. A brilliant feature offered is the customisable VOX mode. VOX mode puts the monitor on standby if sound is not registered within 30 seconds. What’s really great about the Babysense monitor, is that you can adjust the VOX mode to low, medium or high, to determine what level of sound is needed to reactivate transmission.

Is there a talk-back function?

Yes, the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor does have a two-way talk function, which works fine and is quite useful for my toddler.

Was there any background noise when using the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

Much less than I’m used to with the BT Baby Monitor 6000. Panayiotis’ room faces the road, which is quite busy, so I would get a lot of noise from outside through this monitor. The screen would often activate from sleep mode if a loud car drove past; I have not had that experience with the Babysense monitor.

Did you experience any interference on the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

The instruction manual recommends keeping the monitor 5ft away from Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth systems and microwaves. Some Amazon reviewers reported hearing a buzzing sound when the device wasn't in Eco mode, but I haven’t noticed any interference at all – even when I’m in the kitchen with the monitor and right next to the microwave.

What is the picture like on the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

The picture quality is really impressive – even during the night, thanks to the camera’s auto infrared night vision. The screen size is big at 5in and, with the split screen, you can see two children side by side on a high-resolution 720p display. I found the picture clearer than both the BT Baby Monitor 6000 and the VAVA baby monitor, which I use when I’m at my mother-in-law’s house.

Some Amazon reviewers did find the screen very bright, saying “be prepared to squint if you're looking at it in the middle of the night with the lights off.”

What are your favourite features of the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

This Babysense monitor features a whole bunch of useful features. Not only does it offer a range of lullabies, but it also lets you choose how long they run, as well as a white noise feature. Having had my fair share of problems with Iliana’s sleep habits, I love that the Babysense monitor offers this feature built-in.

The feature that I love the most is the split screen function, which is invaluable when you have more than one infant. Being able to keep an eye on both my little ones, without having to switch the camera from one to the other has been immeasurably helpful. You can even adjust the camera when in split-screen mode.

The Babysense monitor also offers a long range of up to 300 metres, which is great for when we are in the garden with Iliana whilst Panayiotis is having a nap. With the BT Baby Monitor 6000, we’d have to keep the monitor by the kitchen window on full volume; as soon as we went into the garden, it lost connection. This would involve running back and forth to check on the monitor and keeping an anxious ear out for signs of Panayiotis waking. With Babysense, however, we can even be at the bottom of the garden and still receive the feed perfectly – this is a massive plus for us.

What are the lullabies like on the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

I have never used the lullabies on a baby monitor before but gave it a go with the Babysense monitor. I was really surprised to see that you can choose the length of time the tune runs for; either 15, 30 or 60 minutes or a continuous loop. You can also adjust the volume level to your liking. None of these are options with the BT Baby Monitor 6000 or the VAVA Baby Monitor, so I am very impressed.

What lets this feature down, however, is that the lullabies themselves are quite old-fashioned and sound a little tinny. It would be great to have a mixture of calming melodies and traditional lullabies, or perhaps some womb sounds – like those available on Ewan the Dream Sheep.

Does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor have a temperature indicator?

Yes, it also allows you to set up a temperature alert, which is an excellent feature. That said, I found the temperature indicator to be quite variable and potentially inaccurate. I use a GroEgg in both rooms and whilst there are times that the devices are in agreement, they sometimes display substantially different temperatures.

For example, one night, the monitor showed that Iliana’s room was 15 degrees, which made me jump! I went into her room and saw that her GroEgg displayed 20 degrees and I could feel that it wasn’t cold in her room. This is obviously quite frustrating.

Overall, this is definitely the biggest let-down for the Babysense monitor. Had it been accurate, the temperature alert would be my second favourite feature after the split screen. That said, it’s worth mentioning that my BT Baby Monitor 6000 also has an inaccurate temperature indicator, so I am used to it!

Does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor have a movement sensor feature?

Although Babysense does offer movement sensors, this is not a feature of this product.

Does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor operate on mains or battery?

Both! The Babysense monitor has a rechargeable 4000mAh battery which is charged via the mains, so you can use it both plugged in or use the battery if you wish to move it around the house.

According to the user manual, the monitor offers an operating time of up to 20 hours in eco-mode and 12 hours in regular mode when the battery is fully charged.

How portable is the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

Very portable; it’s easy to carry the monitor from room to room with me. I tend to charge it during the night when it’s next to my bed, so that during Panayiotis’ daytime naps and in the evenings it can move around the house with me without having to be hooked up to a socket.

It does not come with a travel bag, which would be useful. I have not travelled with the monitor, but I don’t see it being a problem; the cameras, chargers and monitor will take up some space in a suitcase, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind it offers.

How robust and durable does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor feel?

Very robust and durable, particularly because of the rounded shape of the cameras, they feel like they could survive a few falls and knocks!

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

It would have been useful to know that whilst you can see two separate locations using the split screen, you can’t hear sound from both rooms at the same time; I’m not sure if that is even possible, but it would be great if it was!

It would also be useful to know that there is a white noise function built in as this would prevent the need to purchase a separate white noise device (as I did for Iliana!).

What’s in the box?

• 5” HD LCD Monitor installed with a Li-ion battery
• Two pan-tilt-zoom Cameras
• 3 x power adapters
• User manual

What are the additional accessories that you can buy for the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

You can purchase additional cameras on the Babysense website; the monitor pairs with up to four cameras.

Who would the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor be most useful for?

In my opinion, the Babysense HD Split Screen Monitor is most suitable for parents with multiple infants/young children wanting to be able to see two rooms/cots simultaneously. Amazon reviewers tend to agree, with customer reviews such as “I ordered three other brands and sent them all back before I discovered this one! If you have a toddler and baby this is the monitor for you!” and “Finally a camera that is good for twins in two different cots”.

Is the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor worth the money?

At £179.99, the Babysense Monitor is fantastic value for money. Whilst other competitors in the market offer a very similar price, they only provide one camera unit, whereas Babysense offers two. Again, compared to the BT Baby Monitor 6000, which is £129.99, in my opinion, it’s a much better product in almost every sense.

How does the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor compare to other similar products on the market?

Where can I buy the Babysense HD Split Screen Baby Monitor?

The Babysense HD Split Screen Monitor is available at Amazon and Babysense.

MadeForMums verdict:

An impressive split screen baby monitor, ideal for parents of twins and multiples. Intuitive and easy to use with a high-quality picture and long-range, however, don’t rely upon the temperature indicator being accurate.