What Is The Range Of VTech Baby Monitors? (We Checked)

By / Gadgets / Last Updated: October 5, 2023

VTech baby monitors have provided parents the ability to ensure their little one is safe and sound without needing to be in the same room. However, the distance that the parent can be from their baby depends on the range that is offered by their baby monitor.

In this article, you can get to grips with how range differs in VTech baby monitors and how you can pick the right range for your needs.

Here’s The Range Of VTech Baby Monitors:

The range of a Vtech baby monitor is dependant on both the model and the specific type of baby monitor: Audio-only Vtech baby monitors will have a maximum range of 1000 feet. A video and audio VTech baby monitor will have a maximum range of 1000 feet.

Wi-Fi VTech baby monitors can have a potentially limitless range so long as a stable internet connection is assured. 

Which VTech Baby Monitor Has The Best Range?

VTech baby monitors hold a strong reputation for being a reliable brand with many parents choosing VTech to watch over their little ones to give them peace of mind.

Since 1976 VTech has been a highly regarded household name for the entire technology industry- not solely for Baby monitors.

VTech boasts a fantastic variety of baby monitors with an impressive range, from video, WiFi ready, and audio only, so you’ll be sure to find the right one for your needs.

The range is very important when it comes to purchasing the right baby monitor, as long-range capable devices enable you to monitor your baby from another room or even from the garden.

The working range for VTech baby monitors is one of their best features, so regardless of which one you choose you will be safe in the knowledge that the range will not let you down.

Here are the top 3 VTech baby monitors from 2022. These baby monitors will certainly have the range you need.

  1. Best Non-WiFi Baby Monitor: VTech VM819 Video Baby Monitor
    • With an operational range of up to 1000 feet (305m), this is easily the best-selling non-WiFi VTech video baby monitor.
    • The range is not its only best trait, as it also comes with a battery life of up to 19 hours.
    • Privacy will never be an issue with this monitor, as it features both FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) technology and a secure 2.4Ghz channel.
    • It features a top-quality 4.92 x 1.30 x 2.87 inch video monitor.
  2. Best Audio-Only Baby Monitor: VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor
    • With an operational range of 1000 feet (305m) it is the top choice for when you aren’t interested in having a video feed.
    • Runs on both mains power and a rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
    • 2-way talk-back is included so you can soothe your little one from a distance as well as being able to hear each small gurgle.
    • LED lights on the front also enable you to visually monitor the sound levels of your baby.
    • Its DECT 6.0 sound technology cleverly cancels out any background noise, providing you with crisp and clear audio 24/7.
  3. Best WiFi Baby Monitor: VTech VM901 Upgraded Smart WiFi Baby Monitor
    • As long as you have a strong WiFi connection, the operational range is worldwide.
    • Easy live streaming to your smartphone or tablet so you can monitor your little one hassle-free from miles away.
    • 720p true-color display, also featuring HD night vision technology which enables you to see just as clearly at night time as during the day.
    • It boasts a wide-angle lens, giving you the ability to remotely zoom, tilt and pan with ease all from your mobile device.

How Long Do Baby Monitors Generally Reach?

The industry standard for the range of a baby monitor is anywhere between 500 to 1000 feet (152-305 meters).

This may sound great, but it’s worth recognizing that the range advertised by manufacturers tends to be for outdoor use only, and considering the majority of us live indoors, these numbers can be quite misleading.

The folks at Which.co.uk investigated this factor and:

“(…) found that on a good baby monitor you’ll be able to move the parent unit more than 80 metres away from the baby (or nursery) unit without losing the signal. On a poor monitor, you won’t get much further than 20 metres.”

When talking about the general reach of baby monitors it helps to understand what types of baby monitors are available as they each feature a different range.

The 3 Main Types Of Baby Monitors You Need To Know About

  1. Audio-Only Baby Monitors
    • This is the first type of baby monitor to be invented and uses the same basic yet brilliant technology as walkie-talkies.
    • All you have to do is place the base unit next to your baby, then take the receiver anywhere in range to be able to listen to everything in your baby’s room.
    • Because of their simplicity, they tend to be the least expensive compared to video monitors.
    • Some makes and models claim to have a range of up to 2000 feet, but this can be affected by many different things.
    • They can be digital or analog, the main difference being that digital audio monitors encrypt the data transmitted for security reasons.
  2. Video & Audio Baby Monitors
    • Probably the most popular baby monitor on the market today.
    • They feature a mounted or tabletop camera that transmits audio and visuals to a portable video monitor, so parents can both hear and watch their children, giving them the ultimate peace of mind.
    • Their range tends to be lower than audio-only monitors, with an average reach of 900-1000 feet.
    • However, similar to audio-only baby monitors, this range can be affected by certain obstacles.
  3. WiFi Baby Monitors
    • This is the most modern type of baby monitor out there, but due to hacking scares in recent years, they have become less popular than the supposedly more secure, encrypted, non-WiFi baby video monitors.
    • In terms of range, if you have access to the internet then you can access this type of baby monitor remotely from anywhere in the world.
    • This can however be both a blessing and a curse as, depending on where you are located, you will be reliant on a strong and stable internet connection to be able to properly access the feed.
    • If your WiFi is not strong enough or cuts out, then so does your audio and visual feed.

To summarise, WiFi baby monitors technically have the furthest range in comparison to digital video and audio baby monitors.

However, the quality will depend entirely on the strength of your internet connection.

How Stable Is The Signal Over Long Distances?

With WiFi baby monitors, the signal is not affected by distance.

You can use WiFi baby monitors from anywhere around the world as long as you have internet access, so the stability of the connection will have nothing to do with the distance from which you are accessing the feed.

The stability of the signal with digital video/ audio-only baby monitors will, however, be affected by distance, which is the reason why each manufacturer advertises their products with a maximum range.

As long as you stay within the advertised operational range of your particular baby monitor, you should receive a stable connection.

Can You Extend The Range Of VTech Baby Monitors?

The range of non-WiFi VTech baby monitors can be extended in a few ways.

Here are some things you can try depending on what model you own:

  • With the RM series try raising the antenna to a more vertical position. This can improve the signal strength and help boost its range.
  • The range of a baby monitor can be affected by the age of the battery. If you notice your VTech baby monitor’s range is less than what it once was, the battery may be too old and it may be worth replacing it with a new one.
  • There are also certain obstacles such as walls and ovens that can affect the range of your baby monitor. The situations to avoid when setting up your baby monitor are covered in the next question.
  • There are also some DIY methods to extend the range, such as removing the internal antenna and replacing it with a better quality one or attaching a longer wire to the external antenna.
  • However, these DIY solutions can require a certain degree of technical skill so it’s probably safer and simpler to just purchase another VTech baby monitor that has the range you desire.

Why Does My Vtech Baby Monitor Say “Out Of Range”?

There is nothing more frustrating than purchasing a baby monitor to give you peace of mind, only to become stressed when it constantly displays an “out of range” alert.

So if this is happening to you, then look no further, because here are the most common reasons as to why your VTech baby monitor is out of range and how this can easily be resolved:

  1. The Parent & Baby Units Are Too Far Apart
    • Most VTech Baby monitors have an operational range of 1000ft.
    • If your VTech baby monitor is displaying “searching…” on the video feed, then the units are having problems connecting.
    • The first thing you should try is to move the parent and baby units closer together.
  2. Ensure both units are switched on.
    • An out-of-range alert may also happen if either of the units is powered off, as this will disrupt the connection.
  3. The units may need to be reset.
    • Follow the instructions in the product manual on how to do a hard reset of your VTech baby monitor.
    • Sometimes the age-old joke ‘have you tried turning it off then on again?’ works like a dream.
  4. The WiFi Is Not Working
    • If you are using a VTech baby monitor that runs on WiFi, try checking your internet signal.
    • If the WiFi has been switched off or the signal strength is too low, your camera unit may not be able to successfully connect to your smartphone or tablet.

There are also certain obstacles to be avoided when placing your baby monitor units as they can dampen the signal and potentially cause an out-of-range alert.

Here are the situations to avoid when setting up your VTech baby monitor:

  • Ensure you are not placing too many walls in between the two units. Walls decrease the signal strength, especially those made of thick concrete, so limiting the amount in between units is always advised.
  • If your house has a lot of insulation the operational range can be affected. The more insulation, the shorter the range of your monitor may be.
  • Never place either of the units near large metal appliances such as ovens, washing machines or refrigerators. These can all block the signal and cause your VTech baby monitor to display an out of range alert.
  • Do not place the baby monitor near large bodies of water such as central heating tanks or baths as this will reduce the signal quality.
  • Try to not place mirrors or thick glass windows between your units, as these will also reduce the range of your VTech baby monitor.

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