INTERACTIVE LESSON & SIMULATOR
Interactive Simulator: Baby Monitors & Safe Crib Distance
Compare continuous 100 Hz DECT microwave pulses against VOX eco-modes and hardwired PoE cameras with our interactive crib distance calculator.
Distance from the crib matters more than monitor type
As with any small RF transmitter, field strength drops off quickly over the first few feet, so placing the transmitter unit several feet from the crib rather than clipped to the rail captures most of the practical benefit, regardless of whether the monitor is analog, DECT, or Wi-Fi based. See our comparison of the underlying technologies for how they differ.
Video monitors specifically
A video baby monitor's camera unit typically needs to stay within a few feet of the crib for a usable frame — in that case, prioritize placing it at the far end or side of the crib rather than directly overhead, which keeps some distance from the baby's head without losing the shot.
Wi-Fi based monitors
An app-connected monitor that rides on your home Wi-Fi doesn't add a second RF source beyond the router itself — it uses the existing network. A separate 2.4 GHz proprietary monitor does add its own transmitter, which is the case where transmitter placement matters most.
The receiver, on your side
If you keep a parent-side receiver or baby monitor speaker on your own nightstand overnight, the same distance guidance that applies to any bedroom transmitter applies here too — a few feet away rather than beside the pillow.