Is it better to have a baby monitor with or without Wi-Fi? The real trade-offs in 2025

When you first set up a baby monitor, you might think it’s just about hearing your little one cry. But by 2025, the choice between a Wi-Fi baby monitor and a non-Wi-Fi model isn’t just about convenience-it’s about safety, reliability, and peace of mind. And the answer isn’t as simple as ‘more tech is better.’

What Wi-Fi baby monitors actually do-and what they risk

Wi-Fi baby monitors let you check on your baby from anywhere. Whether you’re at work, running errands, or even on vacation, you can pull up a live video feed on your phone. That sounds amazing, right? And for many parents, it is. Brands like Nanit Pro, Eufy SpaceView, and Motorola Halo+ offer 1080p video, temperature sensors, lullabies, and even sleep tracking-all through an app.

But here’s the catch: every time you connect a device to the internet, you open a door. In 2022, researchers found that 78% of tested Wi-Fi baby monitors had at least one critical security flaw. Some used default passwords that never changed. Others sent video streams unencrypted. There are real stories: one parent in Sheffield heard a stranger’s voice shouting through their Motorola Halo+ in July 2023. The company confirmed it was unauthorized access.

The VTech breach in 2015-where hackers stole data from 6.4 million families-isn’t just a footnote. It’s a warning. Even if your monitor doesn’t store data in the cloud, if it connects to your home network, it’s part of your digital footprint. And if your Wi-Fi is weak or your router outdated, that monitor becomes an easy target.

Non-Wi-Fi monitors: the old-school option that still wins

Then there’s the non-Wi-Fi baby monitor. These use radio frequencies-usually 1.9GHz DECT or 2.4GHz FHSS-to send audio and video directly from the nursery to the parent unit. No internet. No app. No cloud. Just a clear, private signal.

Models like the Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro and VTech VM321 have been trusted for years. Parents love them because they just work. No lag. No buffering. No “connection lost” messages when the Wi-Fi goes down during a storm. One user wrote on Amazon: “Works perfectly through 3 walls in our 2,300 sq ft home.” That’s the kind of reliability you can’t buy with features.

Security? It’s built in. To hack a non-Wi-Fi monitor, you’d need to be physically close-within 100 to 500 feet-and have specialized equipment. Even then, most use AES-128 encryption or frequency-hopping tech that changes channels 100 times per second. It’s not impossible, but it’s wildly impractical. Unlike Wi-Fi monitors, which can be hacked from across the world, these are only vulnerable if someone’s standing outside your window with a radio scanner.

Performance: speed, lag, and what really matters at 3 a.m.

Let’s talk about what happens when your baby wakes up crying at 3 a.m. You grab your phone. You open the app. And then… you wait.

Wi-Fi monitors average 3.2 seconds of lag on a strong connection. But if your internet is slow, congested, or your router is old? That lag jumps to 8.7 seconds. Eight seconds. That’s enough time for a crying baby to escalate into a full meltdown. Meanwhile, non-Wi-Fi monitors respond in under half a second. No delay. No buffering. Just instant sound and video.

Battery life matters too. Wi-Fi monitors often drain faster because they’re constantly sending data to the cloud. The Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro lasts 12 hours on a single charge. Many Wi-Fi models? 6 to 8 hours. And if you’re using night vision or motion alerts? That drops even faster.

Cost isn’t just the price tag

At first glance, a non-Wi-Fi monitor like the Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro ($179.99) looks pricier than a Wyze Cam v3 ($149.99). But the real cost of a Wi-Fi monitor often hides in the fine print.

Many Wi-Fi models require a subscription to save recordings, get alerts, or use advanced features. Eufy charges $4.99/month. Nanit wants $9.99/month for sleep analytics. That’s $120 a year extra. Over three years? That’s more than the price of a top-tier non-Wi-Fi monitor.

Plus, Wi-Fi monitors need regular updates. If you forget to install a firmware patch, your monitor becomes vulnerable. Non-Wi-Fi models? Plug it in, turn it on, and you’re done. No updates. No passwords. No tech support calls.

Who should pick Wi-Fi-and who shouldn’t

If you’re a parent who travels often, works remotely, or has family members who want to check in on the baby from another city-then a Wi-Fi monitor makes sense. You need that remote access. But even then, don’t just buy the first one you see.

Look for models with local storage (no cloud required), end-to-end encryption, and two-factor authentication. Nanit’s 2023 firmware update lets you disable remote access entirely. Eufy’s new SecureCore tech keeps video encrypted on your home network-no cloud needed. These are the exceptions, not the rule.

If you’re a first-time parent, live in a house with spotty internet, or just want to sleep without worrying about hackers-go non-Wi-Fi. You’re not being old-fashioned. You’re being smart. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that 73% of pediatricians recommend non-Wi-Fi monitors as the primary option for most families.

What’s changing in 2025

Regulations are catching up. The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act, which took effect in October 2023, now requires all connected baby monitors to have automatic updates and secure boot features. The UK’s Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 bans default passwords. California’s SB-327 has been around since 2020.

Manufacturers are responding. New models in 2025 are starting to blend the best of both worlds: local video processing with optional secure remote access. But even these hybrids still require setup, passwords, and updates. For most parents, the simpler, more reliable option still wins.

Final decision: what to buy

Here’s the short version:

• Choose a non-Wi-Fi baby monitor if: You want zero hacking risk, instant response, no monthly fees, and simple setup. Best for: First-time parents, homes with unreliable internet, or anyone who values privacy over convenience.
• Choose a Wi-Fi baby monitor if: You need remote access, you’re tech-savvy, you’ll set up strong passwords and two-factor auth, and you’re willing to pay for cloud storage. Best for: Working parents, families with multiple caregivers across locations, or those who want sleep tracking and analytics.

If you’re unsure, start with a non-Wi-Fi model. You can always add a Wi-Fi camera later for daytime use. But once you’ve been hacked-or even just had a scary scare-you won’t want to risk it again.