Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor review
Find out what parent tester Emily and her 7-month-old daughter Daisy thought of the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor.
4.6
In a nutshell
A stylish baby monitor with top-notch picture quality, a temperature alert and 360-degree field of view, however it lacks sleep or movement monitors for those who may be looking for extra reassurance
What we tested
- Ease of use
4.7
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. - Sound/picture
4.7
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. - Signal range
4.4
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. - Design
4.5
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. - Durability
4.7
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. - Worth the money
4.6
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.
4.6
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Easy set-up
- Talkback function
- Ability to synch multiple cameras
- 360-degree field of view
Cons
- No smartphone app
- Signal can dip out
- No movement monitor
- No sleep analysis
A firm favourite among mums, Momcozy is a well-loved and trusted brand that is perhaps best known for its breast pumps. They have now branched out into baby monitors, and the new Momcozy Video Baby Monitor BM01 comes with the promise of user-friendly features to ensure parents can effortlessly keep an eye on their little ones.
At £159.99 the monitor is towards the higher end of the market, but the high-definition camera is truly remarkable, while the 360-degree field of view, 90-degree tilt, and clear zoom means you can see almost every angle of the room. It also boasts a number of features seen in the higher priced monitors, such as temperature alerts, lullabies and 2-way talkback function, however unlike the LeapFrog LF920HD 7" High-Definition Pan and Tilt Video Baby Monitor, £179.99, and the Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor, from £179.99 - £379, it doesn’t have sleep or movement monitors.
About our parent tester
Journalist Emily, 32, is a first time mum to 7-month-old Daisy and has written for a number of titles including The i, The Telegraph and Fabulous magazine. Emily tested the Momcozy Video Baby Monitor BM01 in her south west London flat.
What were your first impressions of the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
On opening the box I found the monitor didn’t have too many parts and looked easy to assemble, while the handheld monitor was a good size and very light. I was impressed by the general look of the camera and monitor, both being sleek and modern, as well as appearing durable.
How easy is the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor to put together and set up?
The set-up is incredibly easy. Simply charge the monitor for 8 hours, then turn it on and press the button on the back of the camera unit – it will connect automatically and you can use it straight away. The instructions are very clear, and I found the monitor to be pretty self-explanatory to use.
Both the camera and monitor are freestanding (the monitor uses a pull-out stand at the back), and there is a wall mount for the camera which screws into the wall. For me, the wall mount wasn’t necessary as the camera unit can perch on almost any surface and has fantastic vision (even up to 6m in the dark), so you can place it on a shelf across the room from your baby and still see clearly.
Does the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor have an adjustable camera?
Yes, and this is where this baby monitor really shines. It features a 360-degree view and a 90-degree tilt, as well as a 2x and 4x zoom, which you can adjust on the display using a button. The movement is silent and easy to operate and really does show every angle of the room which is perfect for when babies are crawling, rolling or walking.
One negative of the camera is that it doesn’t have a recording function, so you can’t play back the video or save snippets.
How does the Momcozy BM01 compare to other baby monitors you have used?
Previously I used the Boifun baby monitor (which is cheaper than the Momcozy BM01 at £110) and the price difference between the 2 is evident. I found the Momcozy BM01 360-degree field of view faultless, and the manoeuvrability is very smooth, while the monitor display is exceptionally clear – even in the dark. The battery life is also longer on the Momcozy BM01 and it features a handy 2-way talkback feature, however, it does not have a smartphone app which was disappointing.
What is the sound quality like on the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
Excellent. You can hear everything very clearly, with only a very minor delay (although this delay does get slightly longer the further from the camera unit you move). The microphone is sensitive and picks up small sounds, which is why we enjoyed using the VOX function. This keeps the monitor on mute until baby cries, when the monitor lights up and the LED indicator will flash. One other point is that the sound turns off when adjusting the camera angle, but this didn’t have any impact on its effectiveness.
Did you have any problems with background noise or interference?
The Momcozy BM01 monitor is fairly sensitive to background noise. A car horn beeping outside set off the VOX function, but I’d rather it was a little too sensitive than not enough. There was also no interference.
What is the picture quality like on the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
Honestly, it is fantastic. The 1080p full HD camera means you can see the baby with amazing clarity, both in the daytime and at night. The 5in screen monitor is clear and easy to see, even from across the room.
What are the different functions of the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
The Momcozy BM01 features sound detection, a temperature alarm, humidity level, 2x and 4x zoom, 6 lullabies, 2-way talk back function and feeding alarms (which wake you at set times to feed the baby). There is also a multi-camera function, whereby users can have up to four cameras synced to one monitor and can keep an eye on multiple rooms simultaneously using the split-screen.
Did you like the various lullabies and sounds that come from the monitor?
There were 6 lullabies in total and, to be honest, they were quite annoying (one of them was Auld Lang Syne). I found the white noise lullaby most useful when trying to settle Daisy, but I didn’t use it very often as her white noise machine was much better.
Does the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor offer data analysis of baby’s sleep?
No, but this could be a useful function.
Does the monitor have a voice-activation function?
The Momcozy BM01 does have voice activation, which we found easy to turn on and incredibly useful as Daisy is a noisy sleeper. Switching on the VOX function ensures the monitor screen turns on and an LED indicator flashes when the baby cries out or becomes fussy, allowing parents to check in without being alerted to every tiny noise. You can set the monitor to switch on when the camera reaches 3 different noise levels (the lowest being 75dB and the highest 60dB). I found the highest setting the most reassuring, but the lower setting went off when Daisy cried during the nighttime.
Does the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor have a temperature indicator?
Yes, the Momcozy monitor does feature a temperature indicator, which was very useful during the cold spell this January. The temperature is shown on the screen at all times, and you can set an alarm to alert you if the room gets too hot or cold. We also have the Tommee Tippee Groegg in Daisy’s nursery, but I found the Momcozy monitor to be more accurate as it gives the temperature to the nearest tenth of a degree.
Does the monitor have a movement sensor feature?
No, it doesn’t. I’ve never used a movement sensor before so didn’t feel anything was missing, however, parents wanting to keep a closer eye on movement would be missing out with the Momcozy BM01. The LeapFrog LF920HD Video Baby Monitor might be a better choice.
Is there a talk-back function on the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
Yes. The talkback function is very simple to use by pressing and holding the microphone button on the monitor to speak and listen back. My voice came out a little tinnier than usual, but I have yet to find a monitor (or recording device) that doesn’t have this issue.
Does the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor operate via Wi-Fi?
This unit doesn’t operate via Wi-Fi, meaning it is completely hack-resistant. It’s also very useful when taking the monitor to someone else’s house or on holiday as, once turned on, it is ready to go right away without having to fiddle around with Wi-Fi passwords.
Does the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor operate on mains or battery, or both?
The camera unit operates on the mains, so has to be placed near a plug socket, while the parent unit has the option to be battery or mains-operated. The manufacturer claims the Momcozy BM01 battery lasts for 11.5 hours with the video and sound on, however, I found it only lasted 10 hours, so I was too nervous to leave it unplugged while I slept. This opinion was shared by other reviewers, with a handful of parents on Amazon complaining about the battery life. However, it was quick to charge and left on the VOX setting the monitor did make it through to 11.5 hours.
How portable is the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
The portability of this monitor was one of my favourite features. The camera can sit on any surface so it can be moved from room to room easily, and as it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi it’s ready to use as soon as it is switched on. Sadly it doesn’t come with a travel case, but it would fit in a travel bag with ease. One slight downside is that the signal can dip in and out the further you move from the camera. The monitor had perfect signal when I was inside, but when I stepped into the garden it occasionally struggled to connect depending on where I was standing (I live in a 2-bed flat in London, so it didn’t have to travel particularly far).
How durable does the baby monitor feel?
It feels sturdy and robust. Daisy knocked the monitor out of my hand while I was carrying her and it survived the fall.
What did you like the most about the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
The picture quality really is exceptional, both during the day and at night. I really enjoyed the temperature alarm during the winter months, as well as how easy the entire unit is to take on holiday or to another house (I often take Daisy to her grandparents’ house, and the Momcozy BM01 is ideal to simply plug in and go).
What would you have wanted to know before buying the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
That it doesn’t connect to an app on your phone. I assumed all new monitors did and while I was initially disappointed, I quite enjoyed using the monitor, especially propping it up on the side while I made dinner or read.
What’s in the box?
- Camera
- Baby monitor
- 2 x screws
- 2 x wall anchors
- Wall mount bracket
- 2 x power cables
- 2 x adapters
- User guide
What are the additional accessories that you can buy?
Additional Momcozy cameras can be bought for £89.99 (although currently sold out on the Momcozy website at the time of writing this review). You can connect up to 4 cameras to the same monitor and view all of them using the split screen function, which would be very handy with more than one child.
What did you think of the packaging of this product?
The packaging was compact and suitably protective. There weren’t reams of unnecessary bubble wrap and cardboard, and everything could be recycled.
What are the repair options for the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
Momcozy will check and replace the order if there is any default within the first year, and returns are available if unopened within 14 days of purchase. I spoke to customer service directly through their website live chat and they were incredibly quick and helpful with all of my questions.
Who would the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor product be most useful for?
The Momcozy BM01 is ideal for parents with babies who have just moved into their own room. The camera quality and 360-degree field of view are excellent, meaning you have peace of mind when they are snoozing or playing on their own, and the monitor is easy to prop up or carry around in your pocket when you are getting things done. The split-screen function would also be useful for parents of multiple children, as you can have an eye on up to 4 cameras at once.
Is the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor worth the money?
At £159.99 the Momcozy BM01 certainly isn’t cheap, but I believe the price is worth it for the excellent camera quality, 2-way talkback and impressive field of view and zoom capabilities. It's pretty competitively priced compared to similar monitors, however, if you’re looking for sleep analysis or a movement sensor then this isn’t the monitor for you.
Where can I buy the Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor?
Available at Momcozy and Amazon.
MadeForMums verdict
This is a stylish and smart piece of kit with lots of great functions – temperature alerts, easy installation, 2-way talkback, multi-camera syncing etc – but it’s the HD picture and portability that make it really stand out. Hack-proof with excellent sound sensors, you can rest easy knowing your little one is too.
Authors
Product Specifications
Product | |
---|---|
Brand | Momcozy |
Model | Momcozy BM01 Video Baby Monitor |
Price | £159.99 |
Features | |
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Video screen | Yes |
Movement sensor pad | No |
Two-way talkback | Yes |
Night light | No |
Room temperature display | Yes |
Soothing lullabies | Yes |
Power supply | Mains |
Features |
|
Accessories | |
---|---|
Accessories included |
|