Safety 1st Sound View Monitor Review
At first glance, this basic baby monitor seems like a good budget buy. Take a second look, however, and you'll find that the Sound View isn't just basic; it's lacking. No out-of-range indicator and no rechargeable batteries make the difference between a reliable monitor and one that isn't very portable or cost-efficient.
Unfortunately, as one user suggests in a Safety 1st Sound View review on Amazon, you may get what you pay for here. Like the Graco UltraClear, the Safety 1st Sound View Monitor doesn't have rechargeable batteries. So, if you plan to use the monitor on battery power, get ready to pay up for constant battery replacement. This particular monitor also takes only 9-volt batteries, which tend to be more expensive than other batteries and can also be harder to find, especially in bulk, making it harder to comparison shop or stock up to save money. Another user notes in a Safety 1st Sound View review on Amazon that you need a screwdriver to change the batteries, which you would have to do often if you frequently relied on battery power.
The lack of rechargeable batteries and single parent unit make the Safety 1st Sound View far less portable and easy to use than some of the other baby monitors on our list. On top of that, the Sound View doesn't have an out-of-range indicator, which is a deal breaker in our book.
Other Recommended Baby Monitors
Sony BabyCall NTM-910
Voted best 2010 analog audio baby monitor by the online parenting magazine Babble.com, this monitor includes an AC adapter and rechargeable batteries. Its selection of 27 channels makes it easy to avoid interference from other electronic devices in your home. The BabyCall is also water-resistant, making it a popular choice for use in the kitchen. Read more »
Fisher-Price Remote Control Musical Audio Monitor
This Fisher-Price baby monitor delivers more than just basic functions and must-have features, such as rechargeable batteries and low-battery and out-of-range indicators. It also allows you to remotely operate a nightlight and play music and nature sounds for your baby. Such extras help make it a great value for the money. Read more »
Graco iMonitor Vibe
The Vibe gets rave reviews for its adjustable vibration feature, battery backup for the baby unit, nightlight, and parent-unit locator. It also includes AC adapters for both the parent and child units, rechargeable batteries, and digital technology that blocks interference from other electronic devices. Read more »
Summer Infant Secure Sounds Digital Monitor
This digital baby monitor comes with an automatic channel selector, belt clip, out-of-range indicator, rechargeable battery, and recharging base. It also includes a backup battery pack for the baby unit so you can continue using the monitor during a power outage. Read more »
