Battery Life On BT Baby Monitors (11 Answers)

BT baby monitors are a solid choice for parents who want a reliable and tested brand. When it comes to using battery-operated baby monitors, one of the key concerns will be how long the battery will last.

In this article, we take a look at how BT baby monitors hold their charge so that you can be sure that a BT baby monitor is right for your needs.

Here’s The Battery Life On BT Baby Monitors:

The BT Smart Baby Monitor is BT’s flagship device and claims to have a battery life of 4 hours. However, tests have shown that the BT Smart Baby Monitor can exceed this with: An 8-hour-long battery life with the screen enabled. A 16-hour duration with ‘audio-only’. 

In comparison, the BT Video Baby Monitor 7500 will only provide 6.5 hours of charge but does have a replaceable battery.

This is on the low end compared to the battery life on baby monitors from Owlet.

What BT Baby Monitors Have The Longest Battery Life?

BT has produced some fantastic baby monitors over the years, but there is one that has not only stood out from the crowd, it has even hit the number one slot of ‘best baby monitors’ on many lists.

That particular baby monitor also has the best battery life of any of BT’s baby monitors to date.

Introducing The BT Smart Baby Monitor

The BT Smart Baby Monitor was given the award of best baby monitor for 2022 by Wired.com, and rightfully so.

Despite BT claiming it only has a 4-hour battery life, it was found that in testing it actually achieved much better results.

• Mumsnet.com proved that after a full charge the BT Smart Baby Monitor lasted for 16 hours on ‘audio only’ and up to 8 hours with video enabled. That’s pretty impressive!

However, battery life is not the only thing that this baby monitor has up its sleeve:

• WiFi-enabled to allow worldwide range.
• Intuitive controls and easy to set up.
• Can be controlled with voice commands and an app.
• Two-way talkback allows communication with your child.
• Completely portable.
• Night-vision feature.
• Can be used in conjunction with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Includes a total of 5 lullabies.
• Can sense temperature changes.
• Remote-controlled camera.
• 1080p video.
• Motion detection sensors.
• Advanced Encryption Standard is in place to prevent hacks.

This top-of-the-line ‘smart’ baby monitor has all the bells and whistles that you could need to ensure you can have the peace of mind you need.

The fact that its battery can hold its charge for longer than expected is a bonus that should make any parent happy.

How Long Do Batteries Typically Last On Baby Monitors?

In general terms, baby monitors that provide video streaming use far more power than a monitor that only provides audio.

This is why typically you’ll find that an audio-only baby monitor will have better overall battery life.

The testers at Which.co.uk found that, on average, an audio-only baby monitor will last for around 13 hours, whereas, video monitors averaged around the 7-hour mark.

However, it should also be noted that this is not always the case.

You will find that there are some models of video-capable baby monitors that can outperform audio-only units.

In fact, during testing, it was found that some audio monitors didn’t even last the night and run out of charge after a measly 6 hours.

In comparison, there are video monitors that far exceeded this and provided over 12 hours of battery life.

Remember, not all baby monitors will provide the same battery life so it is worth checking what the specific model you are looking at provides.

• The average battery life of an audio-only baby monitor is 13 hours but can be as low as 6.
• The average battery life of a video and audio baby monitor is 7 hours but can be up to over 12.
• Understanding that there is a great disparity between battery life and the models on the market is key to ensuring you buy a baby monitor with a battery life that suits your particular needs.

Are There Any Ways To Prolong The Battery Life?

Getting the most out of your baby monitor’s battery is very worthwhile.

Let’s face it, parents have enough on their plate without having to remember to charge their baby monitor every couple of hours.

To get the most juice out of your baby monitor try using the following tips and you may find that your baby monitor lasts that bit longer:

1. Lower The Screen Brightness
   • Just like your mobile phone, you can adjust the screen brightness to save on battery power. The brighter the screen, the more energy your baby monitor is using.
2. Bring Down the Volume
   • Hearing your baby cry out is obviously a key feature of any baby monitor, but make sure you’re volume settings are not overdoing it.
   • Lower those levels to an appropriate volume and you could save both your ears and battery from being overworked.
3. Set Your Monitor To Conserve Energy
   • Many baby monitors offer a ‘power save‘ mode.
   • Activating this setting will conserve battery power by reducing certain features, such as picture quality, for example.
4. Disable The Video Feed
   • Only have the video feed enabled if you are using it.
   • If you’ve got your video feed running constantly then it will be continually draining your battery.
   • If you have the option, schedule automated shut-downs of your video feed to ensure that you’re not using it unnecessarily.
5. Adjust Your Motion Sensors
   • Motion sensors can drain the battery life of your baby monitor if they are continually set off.
   • If your motion sensors are being triggered when it is not appropriate then it is worth lowering their sensitivity.
   • Remember, the placement of your camera is also important – do not have it facing a road or environment that causes the sensors to be triggered unnecessarily.
6. Keep Your Firmware Updated
   • You should always keep up with any updates available from the manufacturer as this has the potential to ensure that your baby monitor is running efficiently.
   • Not only will your baby monitor be glitch-free, but it also may improve the overall battery life.
7. Ensure That There Are No Signal Issues
   • If your baby monitor is struggling to achieve a connection to either the parent unit or the WiFi router it will drain the battery.
   • The placement of your baby monitor is crucial in order to avoid signal dropouts or interference.
   • Your user manual should inform you of the optimal proximity that needs to be adhered to in order for a strong signal to be maintained.
8. Don’t Overwork The Night Vision Feature
   • Ambient light changes can cause your infrared sensors and night vision features to activate.
   • These features drain the battery so they should only be activated when necessary.
   • Avoid placing the camera in a room in which there are shifts in lighting.
9. Never Use The Wrong Charging Cables
   • Using the incorrect charging cables can damage your battery, cause it not to charge, and even damage your baby monitor.
10. Swap In A New Battery
    • Some baby monitors allow parents to replace the batteries inside their units.
    • By replacing the battery inside your baby monitor you can prolong the lifecycle of the unit and it should last as long as it did when you first bought it.

How Do I Know If My BT Baby Monitor Is Fully Charged?

To ensure that your BT baby monitor is fully charged you need to pay attention to the on-screen indicators.

• There is a battery symbol that will appear full when the unit has completely charged.
• When it is in the process of charging the same symbol will have a scrolling animation.
• You can also tell that the battery is charging when the LED light is blue.
• When the battery is low that same LED light will be red.
• A fully charged battery will cause the LED to become green.

It’s worth noting that the positions of these LEDs or colors of them will differ slightly between models.

Can BT Baby Monitors Work While Plugged In?

BT baby monitors have rechargeable batteries which allow portability and flexibility in terms of location and setup.

However, as we’ve seen, it is important to charge the batteries in order to place your baby monitor wherever you need it to be.

If you’ve forgotten to charge up your baby monitor, but you still need to use it then it is possible to power your BT baby monitor by plugging it into the mains.

Having your BT baby monitor plugged into the wall will still provide you with the same features, however, you are limited in terms of placement choice.

How Long Does It Take To Charge BT Baby Monitors?

Understanding how long it takes to charge your BT baby monitor is helpful as it allows you to plan accordingly.

The BT Smart Baby Monitor needs a 12-hour charge for full battery life, but you can also give it a quick 30-minute charge to get it up and running for a short duration.

The same charging times also apply for the BT Video Baby Monitor 6000.

What Type Of Batteries Do The Models Use?

The majority of modern BT baby monitors use rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries, the exact specifications depend on the model:

• BT Video Baby Monitors 7500,7030 and 7000 use 3.7V 2500mAh batteries.
• The BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 series and the Smart BT Baby Monitor 5-inch use 2100mAh 4.4Wh batteries.
• The BT Video Baby Monitor 5000 series use 1200mAh 4.4Wh batteries.

Older models may use 4x AA batteries, so it’s worth checking what model you have in order to know which battery it is using.

You can check this online or in the user manual supplied with the original purchase of your BT baby monitor.

Can You Replace The Batteries On BT Baby Monitors?

The battery in your BT baby monitor can easily be replaced when it is malfunctioning, no longer holding sufficient charge from old age, or has been damaged in some way.

To safely remove the old battery and replace it with a new one simply follow the instructions below:

1. Locate the battery compartment on the back of your baby monitor.
2. Slide this panel to the side to reveal the battery.
3. Place the cover to one side.
4. Carefully disconnect the small plug connected to the battery and remove the battery from the compartment.
5. Using the new replacement battery, reconnect the plug into the socket and push the battery securely into place.
6. Replace the battery compartment cover.
7. Charge your BT baby monitor until it is fully charged before using it again. 

When Should You Replace The Batteries?

The battery in your BT baby monitor should be replaced if it is too old (past the 1 or 2-year warranty) and you notice it not working as efficiently or it has started to malfunction due to some form of external damage.

The first thing you should always try when you are having any battery-related issues is to switch off your BT baby monitor, remove the battery, and then leave it disconnected for 30 minutes.

After this, try re-inserting the battery to see if your problem has been resolved.

This can save you from wasting any time or money purchasing a new battery unnecessarily.

If it has not fixed the issue, and you are encountering any of the signs listed below, your battery is in need of replacement.

Signs You May Need A Replacement Battery:

• The Parent unit is failing to turn on. When this happens, the most common cause is a completely flat battery.
• A loud beeping alert is continually happening even after a full charge, indicating the battery is not charging correctly.
• Sudden power downs with no prior indication of an issue.
• The baby monitor is no longer holding a charge to the model’s specifications and is depleting at a much faster rate.

In the unlikely circumstance that you have a faulty battery installed in your BT baby monitor and it begins to malfunction within its guarantee, you should contact BT customer services to get a replacement free of charge.

It is worth noting that in order to get a replacement from BT you will need both an ID to prove you are the original purchaser and also proof of the time and date you purchased the product.

Sadly, after this time has passed it will be up to you to purchase a replacement battery by calling the helpline on 0808 100 6554, emailing enquire-btshop@bt.com, or visiting their help page.

Remember, you should always use the charging cable provided by BT. It may be tempting to purchase a cheaper unbranded version, but you can risk damaging both the monitor and the battery.

How Much Do Extra Batteries Cost For BT Baby Monitors?

Fortunately purchasing a replacement battery for your BT baby monitor is quick and painless.

They are simple and safe to install and also readily available, so as long as you know which battery you need to purchase you will have no problems.

• For the BT Baby Monitor 7500, Video Baby Monitor 7000, and the Video Baby Monitor 7500 Lightshow you can purchase a replacement battery for $17.60.

It is always advised to purchase official battery packs directly from BT by calling the dedicated BT Helpline on 0808 100 6554.

BT state that:

“You must replace the battery pack with the same type and rating. Using an incorrect battery pack could damage your product, cause overheating or a possible fire or explosion.”

Do BT Baby Monitors Always Beep When The Battery Is Low?

BT baby monitors have been designed to emit a loud beeping alert that indicates when the battery levels are too low.

This can be highly convenient for parents as they do not need to be in the immediate vicinity of the BT baby monitor in order to know that it is running low on charge.

It is better to be alerted than to find your monitor in place but not actually functioning.

To avoid the loud beeping noise, you should always check the battery levels are sufficiently high enough before you disconnect it from the mains’ power.

When you notice the battery levels are low you should charge it as soon as possible so that the battery doesn’t completely drain.

If you have just checked the battery level of your BT baby monitor and it was sufficiently charged, and yet, the low battery level alert happens not long after, it could be a sign that the battery is draining too quickly and is in need of replacement.

Most BT baby monitors should have a battery that lasts between 4 hours to 9 hours after a full charge.

Older batteries or damaged batteries are not as efficient at holding charge compared to brand new batteries.

A loud beeping noise emanating from the Parent unit can also be an alert to other issues – not solely restricted to low battery levels.

Other reasons causes for a beeping alert include:

• The Baby unit and Parent unit are not within the operational range of each other. The beeping noise will be combined with an ‘out of range’ notification. To solve this, move them closer together.
• The Baby unit has been switched off. If your Parent unit is beeping it may be indicating it is unable to connect to the Baby unit, so always ensure both are switched on.
• Continual beeping even after a full charge could signal the charging cable is broken. Try purchasing a new cable from BT to see if the problem is resolved.

Sources

• MumsNET: BT Smart Baby Monitor Review
• Which: The Baby Monitors Failing To Live Up To Parents’ Expectations
• BT: BT Video Baby Monitor 6000  
• BT: Video Baby Monitor Device Troubleshooting