Do Baby Monitors Need To Be Plugged In? (Solved)

One of the things that need to be set up in a baby’s room that’s separate from your own is a baby monitor.

But that would need a connection to communicate with you, which entails having cables sticking out of the monitor can be a problem.

Now, exposed cables can be a problem as they pose a hazard in a child’s room, so many parents look for wireless solutions to minimize any dangers inside.

Here’s If Baby Monitors Need To Be Plugged In:

Just like any electronic device, baby monitors do need to be plugged in. While they can be used on battery power, they won’t have the range that they do when they’re plugged into an outlet. Battery-powered monitors also tend to be more expensive than ones that are hardwired.

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How Are Baby Monitor Cameras Powered?

Baby monitor cameras are powered via batteries or through an AC power source. Models vary, as some baby monitor cameras can only be powered through an AC power source, while other models give you the option of batteries or AC power.

For models that use AC power, these models will come with an AC power supply that matches the needs of the camera.

And for baby monitor cameras that use batteries, the newer models come with rechargeable batteries.

Older units, or those that only use audio-only for monitoring, would sometimes have free non-rechargeable batteries. These batteries can be replaced by any off-the-shelf batteries that you can find in the hardware section of the mall.

Do Baby Monitors Need an Internet Cable?

Not all baby monitors need an Internet cable.

There are baby monitors sold in the market that don’t even need an Internet connection to connect and use radio frequencies, similar to a two-way radio.

How Do Baby Monitor Cameras Connect to the Parent Monitor?

The technology behind baby monitors is simple. The baby monitor has a transmitter that emits signals that the parent monitor receives.

Most of the simple baby monitors transmit high-frequency radio waves, translated to sound when it reaches the parent unit.

Now, modern baby monitors go beyond transmitting sound and can transmit video signals. These units also send via radio frequencies and do not need to connect to the Internet. The advantage of these units is that they are hacker-proof but at the expense of being limited in range.

More advanced baby monitors also allow for an extended range in transmitting signals. These monitors connect through your home network’s router.

The advantage of these baby monitors is that you can check on your baby while away from your home, but there’s a risk of hacking since these monitors connect to the Internet.

For baby monitors that connect via the Internet, you can connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

What Is the Most Stable Way to Use Baby Monitors?

A wired connection between the baby monitor and the parent unit will make things stable for a clear connection. But that defeats the purpose of having a baby monitor, as you should be able to take the parent monitor wherever you go, even within the house.

Audio-only baby monitors don’t have any problems with unstable connections but are limited in distance.

And that’s where network-based baby monitors have an advantage.

Many of the baby monitors that connect to your networks have the advantage of connecting via ethernet or wired connection.

The baby monitor camera can feed stable signals to the parent monitor with an ethernet connection. As the parent or guardian, you can use the paired monitor to receive the signal from the camera or use a smartphone app to check on your child.

You are likely to get a good connection when you’re both on the same network if you are at home. Often, you won’t have to connect to the Internet and only rely on local connections made by the router.

But for those monitoring over the Internet, your connection will depend on your carrier’s signal.

Check out our blog about do baby monitors need wi-fi to work?

What Happens If a Baby Monitor Loses Connection?

When your baby monitor loses connection, you won’t be able to check on your child. You won’t get a camera feed or any alerts from the baby monitor.

Many factors that affect disconnection include low power or a disruption in your Internet connection.

Aside from that, other devices, such as Wi-Fi-enabled devices and microwave ovens, can interfere with your baby’s monitor. It’s best to keep your baby monitor away from these devices to avoid interference.

Is There a Completely Wireless Baby Monitor?

Wireless baby monitors allow you to transfer the monitor to a different position quickly.

While completely wireless, you will need to charge these units now and then to ensure continuous operations.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Wi-Fi Baby Monitors?

Using a Wi-Fi baby monitor offers many advantages that make them worth considering.

First, you don’t need to rely on a receiver, as you can use your smartphone or tablet. You can see and hear your baby as long as you have a compatible app connected to the transmitter.

If you need a babysitter in charge, you can still check on the baby with the compatible app.

The nice thing about having an app connected to your baby monitor is that you can share the screen with other friends and relatives. Just make sure that the people you share the connection with are trusted.

Many of these newer Wi-Fi baby monitors also come with night vision, making monitoring late at night easier. You need not have extra lights on that can disturb your baby.

Having a Wi-Fi baby monitor removes any dangling wires that can accidentally strangle your baby. Just make sure that you charge the transmitter when not in use. In addition, you don’t need to worry about routing wires from the router to the baby’s room.

And with many people often having their phones by their bedside, you need not worry about forgetting about the receiver.

As long as you have the app ready to notify you, you won’t have a problem responding to your child’s needs.

The Disadvantage of Wi-Fi Baby Monitors;

Now, it goes without saying that these technological advancements have their weakness. And like any other device that uses Wi-Fi, these baby monitors are also susceptible to hacking.

While it is a cause for concern, many manufacturers of baby monitors take cybersecurity seriously. But as an added precaution, you can enforce the following to ensure the security of your baby monitor:

Review the different models and check what kind of encryption do these monitors use
Setup a password that will be hard to crack.
Ensure firmware is up to date as manufacturers release updates to improve security.
Have your firewall active in your home network.

Final Thoughts

Baby monitors need to be plugged in, at the very least, to recharge their batteries. Now, having to plug in isn’t a bad thing, as modern baby monitors benefit from it, particularly those that need to connect over the Internet to maximize their features.

That said, a wired baby monitor is something worth considering, given all the features it brings in looking over your child.

Read our blog here about how do wi-fi baby monitors work?

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