Simple & effective sound baby monitor [Motorola MBP10]

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This is my review of the Motorola Digital Sound Baby Monitor MBP10, which is simple, effective and economical.

How we ended up with this monitor

Baby Jae sleeps very well alone in another room, so I need a baby monitor to know when he needs me. The iBabyGuard Infant Smart Mat (reviewed here) was doing a good job until it showed the error message. I could only send it for servicing during my next Singapore visit.

Immediately, I scoured through loads of reviews for a basic sound monitor. Sounds easy? Definitely not! Most of the monitors in the market are packed with features — track temperature, humidity, video, movement, etc. And at a huge price tag.

Finally, I found this monitor: transmits only sound, sensitive microphone, crystal clear sound, relatively low price tag, and good reviews. I was elated to see it at Mothercare and grabbed 1 unit straightaway!

Some information:

  • 1 baby unit, 1 parent unit (with rechargeable battery, portable)
  • 5 levels of volume control
  • No sensitivity adjustment

Our Detailed Review

Rating Guide: Oh no!     ★★ Poor     ★★★ Fair     ★★★★ Good     ★★★★★ Excellent!

(a) Ease of Use: ★★★★ It’s easy to set up: connect the baby unit to socket, connect parent unit to socket (to charge batteries), press the middle button on parent unit, the 2 devices will “link” to each other. Start using! Adjust volume as desired using the up / down buttons.

The baby unit has to be at least 1 metre away from baby. Being kiasi (very cautious), I place it away further than that.

I place the parent unit on the dressing table beside our mattress. When Baby Jae fusses in the next room, I’d press and hold the middle button to turn it off. This prevents sounds from the next room from disturbing hubby and Vee. If I need to sit down and breastfeed Jae, I’d do so away from the baby unit.

Upon returning to my bedroom, I’d press the middle button once and it’d “link” to the baby unit and be activated again. Overall, very easy to operate.

(b) Effectiveness: ★★My main concern before buying this monitor is its lack of sensitivity adjustment. Fortunately, it’s very sensitive and can pick up Baby Jae’s sounds immediately. Once he starts stretching and fussing, I’d hear it from the parent unit.

Because he sleeps earlier than us, I play relaxation music in his room so that he won’t be disturbed by sudden noises. There’s also a fan blowing at his cot bed.

The baby unit is very sensitive, so I need to lower the volume of the music and select a medium fan speed. Otherwise, the baby unit will transmit sounds quite often, even when Baby Jae is sleeping soundly.

The parent unit gives out very crisp and clear sounds. When Baby Jae is quiet, the unit is also very quiet, absolutely no static interference from our devices such as handphones and modems. (Vastly different from our previous sound monitor) Thumbs up!

The range is also good. If Baby Jae sleeps while I need to move about the house, I’d disconnect the parent unit from the mains and bring it around. It works even when I walk to our relative’s place, which is beside our house.

Both the units are very light, and can stand upright. The base is very small, so the units may be knocked over easily. Alternatively, just place them lying down. They’d still work fine.

(c) Quality: ★★★★ We’ve only used this baby monitor for a month. So far, the units are of reasonable quality. Can’t judge the long-term quality yet.

(d) Overall Value: This monitor retails at Mothercare (Kuala Lumpur) at RM389 . I got a 5% discount with the membership card. It’s among the lowest-priced baby monitors here. In the U.S., it retails at about USD67.

It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a basic sound baby monitor that works.

What we like about it:

  • Easy to set-up and use
  • No interference — very quiet when baby’s sleeping soundly
  • Sensitive enough — activated whenever baby makes noise. I can attend to him before he starts crying.
  • Crystal clear sound
  • Light and portable

What can be improved:

  • Allow adjustment of sensitivity
  • Bigger base so that it’s more stable when standing upright

Get Your Own

We bought the Motorola Digital Sound Baby Monitor MBP10 at Mothercare (Kuala Lumpur, The Curve). There are various models of Motorola baby monitors. For the one reviewed here, be sure to see “MBP10” on the box.

You may also check the price at Amazon here: Motorola Digital Audio Baby Monitor MBP10L*

Disclosure: We bought our own Motorola Digital Audio Baby Monitor MBP10.

Mummy’s Reviews™ is a review site that receives compensation if readers make purchases from affiliate links (these are marked with an *). If we receive compensation from the companies whose products we review, this would be disclosed. These compensation help to maintain and grow Mummy’s Reviews™. We test each product thoroughly and give ratings according to our experience with it. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.

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