By Hellobaby Official
JULY 08, 2022
WiFi VS Non-WiFi Baby Monitor – Which One Is Better?
Baby monitors are the best intelligent instruments to assist parents in monitoring their newborns. In recent years, baby monitors have been gradually updated from formal specifications and models to become more and more intelligent. Whether they need to be connected to the Internet can be divided into two categories: WiFi baby monitors and Non-WiFi baby monitors. Suppose you're a soon-to-be parent and have never used a baby monitor. In that case, you must be wondering what the difference between a WiFi baby monitor and a Non-WiFi baby monitor is and which type of baby monitor is better for your family is? The following is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the two kinds of baby monitors from the perspective of technology and functions for novice parents.
WiFi Baby Monitor
WiFi baby monitors must transmit signals between the baby's room and you by using a wireless internet connection. You can check your baby's status from anywhere, as long as your receiver and surveillance cameras are within the range of an exemplary wireless network. Some WiFi baby monitors use the 5GHz band to communicate with the parent unit. One of the conveniences about WiFi baby monitors is that most WiFi baby monitors can connect to a smartphone or tablet, so you don't need to carry an extra receiver with you.
Pros Of WiFi Baby Monitors
1. Long transmission distance
WiFi baby monitor supports transmission distance far more than a non-WiFi baby monitor, which is one of the significant advantages of a WiFi baby monitor. Because the WiFi baby monitor transmits video and audio over the wireless Internet, you can always keep an eye on your baby wherever you are, as long as the device is in an excellent wireless network environment.
2. No need to carry additional receivers
One of the design goals of WiFi baby monitors is to simplify the device. You don't need to carry additional receivers to go out; bind your smartphone or tablet and other receiving devices to a surveillance camera and connect to a wireless network to check your baby's situation at home or in a nursery at any time.
3. Operational intelligence
Most WiFi baby monitors have their corresponding apps. This kind of app meets the needs of modern young people who can work, play and keep an eye on their baby all on the same device.
4. Data storage
Because the receivers of WiFi baby monitors are mostly smartphones or tablets, their corresponding applications can store videos and photos directly on the smartphone or tablet. Video footage is precious for parents who want to record the baby's growth.
5. Multi-stream
Multi-streaming is another excellent feature of WiFi baby monitors. These WiFi baby monitors allow multiple users to access surveillance cameras simultaneously through a smartphone app. However, you must manually enable this feature and set an access password on the baby monitor app. Also, you can invite new members to the app and allow them to help your baby while you're away. However, not all WiFi baby monitors have this feature.
Cons Of WiFi Baby Monitors
1. Easy to be hacked
The main disadvantage of WiFi baby monitors is that they are more likely to be hacked than non-WiFi baby monitors. Although it is not so easy to crack them, the risk cannot be ignored. Many sellers of WiFi baby monitors are trying to upgrade the privacy protection system of the monitors. However, there is still no WiFi baby monitor on the market that can prevent hackers.
2. Transmission delay
Because WiFi baby monitors can only work when connected to a wireless network, if a power outage or poor WiFi signal prevents the connection, the WiFi baby monitor will not work. Moreover, the data transmission of the WiFi baby monitor is lengthy. It must be uploaded to the cloud through the router and then transmitted to your receiving device, which means that the video you received has a delay of 10-20 seconds.
3. More expensive
WiFi baby monitors are generally more expensive than non-WiFi baby monitors because they are equipped with apps and feature more affluent settings.
Non-WiFi Baby Monitor
As the name suggests, non-WiFi baby monitors do not require a wireless internet connection; they deliver video and audio in real-time via FHSS or DECT. Because they use non-static channels, their transmission will not be delayed and is more secure, but the transmission distance is minimal. This type of baby monitor consists of two parts; one is the surveillance camera, and the other is the receiver of the parent unit. So Non-WiFi baby monitors require parents to carry the receiving device to care for the baby.
Pros Of Non-WiFi Baby Monitors
1. Relatively anti-hacking
Non-WiFi baby monitors transmit data through non-static channels, making them more secure than connecting to WiFi. While not wholly unhackable, most non-WiFi baby monitors use Frequency Hopping Spectrum (FHSS), which is challenging to crack.
2. Less transmission delay
The non-WiFi baby monitor transfer process is less likely to experience delays as it is not as complex as WiFi transfer but rather directly from one unit to the other.
3. Simple operation
Non-WiFi baby monitor configurations have limited functionality, and the receiving device is specific, so operation is simple.
4. More affordable
In terms of equipment, the design of non-WiFi devices is relatively basic; in terms of functions, non-WiFi baby monitors are not as rich as WiFi baby monitors, so non-WiFi baby monitors are more affordable.
Cons Of Non-WiFi Baby Monitors
1. Limited transmission distance
Most non-WiFi baby monitors use FHSS or DECT to transmit video and audio. Their generally supported transmission range is between 300-1500 feet, so you cannot monitor your baby from a long distance.
2. Need to carry an extra receiver
Non-WiFi baby monitors can only monitor the baby through a specific receiving device, so you must carry this parent unit. It is easy to forget the parent unit in the corner of the house, which is very inconvenient.
WiFi Baby Monitor VS. Non-WiFi Baby Monitor, Which Is Better?
Which baby monitor type depends on your needs, and you can make trade-offs from various aspects such as budget, transmission range, latency, privacy, and security. WiFi baby monitors and non-WiFi baby monitors have advantages and disadvantages, and you can refer to our summary of the advantages and disadvantages when purchasing.