Product test
The Avent Connected baby monitor’s faultless
by Stephan Lamprecht
Philips Avent Connected: I wouldn't want to do without this baby monitor again
22.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
Whether we're in the garden, in the cellar or at the neighbour's house in the evening: With the Philips Avent Connected Videophone, we stay connected to our sleeping children. I wouldn't want to give the baby monitor away - especially because of three functions.
With children, you buy countless products over the years in the hope that they will make your often stressful everyday life easier. However, you end up using many of them once or not at all. Some, on the other hand, will convince you so much that you won't want to do without them. Our baby monitor belongs in the second drawer.
We have been using the Avent Connected Videophone SCD921/26 for around a year and a half. During this time, it has become a real family helper. In the meantime, the official term "baby monitor" is no longer justified: It has grown into a "children's phone" due to the age of our girls. We no longer need it every day like we did at the beginning, but we still use it from time to time.
For example, recently at the Champions League final. Our neighbour had spontaneously invited my husband to watch it together in his garden lounge. I was also travelling. The baby monitor saved the evening of football: my husband simply took the receiver unit with him two houses away. If the daughter had called for him, the device would have transmitted the sound to him. And thanks to the camera, he could check on her from a distance at regular intervals.
1. big plus: the camera function
The video function simply gives me a calmer feeling - and therefore more freedom - when I haven't heard from my child for a long time. I then take a quick picture of the situation in the cot from time to time. So I don't leave the camera on all the time.
A 4.3-inch display provides me with a full HD image directly from the nursery. The baby unit captures the child and surroundings via a wide-angle lens. I also have the option of zooming in on the image. I can even see my child in complete darkness: The quality of the image is good even with the night vision function. Instead of running off as soon as it makes a sound, I can first check with the camera to see if it will calm down again soon.
2. big advantage: the Babymonitor app
The app is also practical for babysitting situations: The mother-in-law of one of our editorial colleagues, for example, lives in the same house and doesn't need the parent unit when she looks after her sleeping grandchildren in the evening. App activated, babysitting service started.
3rd popular function: the sleep music
There are 15 sounds and melodies to choose from: from soothing noises such as garden birds or hoovers to familiar lullabies such as "Brahms' Lullaby" or "The Moon Has Risen".
With the baby monitor app, we could even play self-recorded audio, but we have never tried this. Here too: nice, but not absolutely necessary.
What else the baby monitor can do
About playing your own sounds: You could even use a talkback function and soothe your child through the speaker. Would my children be soothed by my voice alone and without direct physical contact? I don't know, but I doubt it.
What I actually find useful is the integrated thermometer. Both the parent station and the app show me the room temperature continuously, with high and low temperature alarms if required. This can be a plus point, especially for newborn babies, who should have a cool room temperature.
Minus points: The price is hot
As much as we like our little family helper - nobody is perfect. That's why I don't want to withhold the disadvantages of the Philips Avent Connected Videophone from you. The baby monitor gets the biggest deduction for its price: at 327 francs (as of 22 June 2023), you'll have to dig pretty deep into your pocket for the good piece. If you only need it from time to time, the expensive purchase is probably not worth it.
Another downside: the battery life of the baby station is only two to three hours. However, there is an eco mode that lasts around ten hours. If you do not have the parent station directly connected to the power socket during operation, you should charge it daily to ensure that it runs reliably. The baby unit, on the other hand, does not have a battery, so you need a socket near the cot.
Conclusion: Top is expensive
👍The camera delivers good pictures even in the pitch dark.
👍The app is practical and overcomes range problems.
👍You have various nice-to-have features at your disposal, for example: music tracks and sounds, night light, room temperature display.
👎The device costs 327 francs - very expensive for a baby monitor.
👎The baby station does not have a battery, you are dependent on a power socket.
Katja Fischer
Senior Editor
Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chMom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.
