Babyping video baby monitor review

Babyping is a baby monitor that lets you see as well as hear your baby. There are similar products that include both a camera and display but this one connects to an iPhone or iPad across a home network.

Configuring network cameras can be complex but Babyping makes it as simple as possible. Initially, the camera must be plugged into the router using the included Ethernet cable. The wireless password is then entered using the free app. Following this simple configuration, the camera can be repositioned wherever there is a reasonably strong Wifi signal, although it will also work over Ethernet. It still needs mains power, though – it's worth thinking about whether there's a mains socket and suitable vantage point near the cot.

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Picture quality during the day was excellent. It was pretty good at night too, thanks to the bank of infrared lamps around the lens. It came unstuck at dusk, though, with gloomy colours – the app could do with a manual control for night-vision mode.

The app can show either full-screen video or just the audio and the audio continues broadcasting even after switching the iPad to another app. It's possible to mute the audio too, whereupon a pop-up message appears when sounds are detected.

Babyping couldn't be much easier to use, but it wasn't problem-free. The app buffers a small amount of video to avoid glitches in the signal, but this meant a delay of anything from one to seven seconds. We also experienced occasional lost connections and had to fiddle with our router's settings to regain the signal.

We were initially sceptical about whether anyone needs a baby video monitor – after all, babies are quite good at letting you know when something is wrong. However, we must admit that it was quite comforting to see our junior tester sleeping soundly. The Babyping proved even more useful for keeping an eye on toddlers during the day – especially ones that have a habit of clobbering their little sisters.

Babyping is expensive compared to conventional baby video monitors but it is elegantly implemented and has a lot to offer anxious, hi-tech parents.