We can all agree that a good baby monitor is a parenting life-saver. What nobody warns you about is how tricky it can be to find one that meets all your monitoring needs.
In the realm of WiFi-enabled baby monitors, the Motorola Halo+ stands out. It is only rivaled by solid alternatives like the Dropcam Pro. So, in this review, we compare the Dropcam vs Motorola baby monitor to help you make an informed choice.
Quick Take: Dropcam Pro Vs Motorola Halo+
Dropcam Pro
The Dropcam Pro is originally from the Nest brand which is now a subsidiary of Google. It is a general-use video wi-fi monitor but its features allow it to be used for baby monitoring.
Once it is wall-mounted and connected, the wide-angle lens of the Dropcam Pro camera streams video in 720p. This video feed can be viewed remotely from any destination as long wi-fi in the camera location is running. Video clips of your baby can also be recorded and stored via the Cloud Video Recording service.
In the box, you will find:
- A pro HD camera
- An aluminum stand
- A 10 ft USB cable
- USB power adapter
- Mounting hardware
Pros:
- Plug and play installation
- Video can be viewed on multiple smart devices; iOS, Android, and Computers
- The wide-angle lens provides ample view of your baby
- Past footage can be reviewed from storage
Cons:
- Users are restricted only to Dropcam apps
- Video feed signals can be interrupted by other devices on the network or in the immediate vicinity
Motorola Halo+ Over-the-crib Baby Monitor
The Motorola Halo+ baby monitor is equally a WiFi-enabled video monitor. The camera unit is designed to safely be mounted over your baby’s crib but it can also be well-mounted as they grow.
In a unique twist, this Motorola baby monitor comes with a 4.3″ screen parental unit. You can, therefore, stream the video feed from your baby’s room remotely via a smart device or on the parental unit when you are at home. The picture quality is 1080p.
While unboxing the Halo+, you will find:
- An HD camera
- A parental monitoring unit
- A mounting kit
- Power Adapters
Pros:
- High 1080p video resolution
- Multiple viewing options: parental unit, iOS, and Android smart devices
- Video storage is available on the Hubble app
- Expandable by up to 4 cameras
Cons:
- The camera does not rotate
- The video can be disrupted by other devices or WiFi downtime
A Weigh-in on the Features
The true value of any baby monitor is in the features. They give you a clear picture of what it can and cannot do for you and your child. So, let’s dive right in and see which between the Dropcam Pro and the Motorola Halo+ has more to offer.
Installation
The first step in installing the Dropcam Pro is setting it up on your WiFi network. It comes with a USB cable that you can use to connect the camera to your computer and simply follow the auto-install prompts.
When that is done you can mount the camera on a wall or plop it on a dresser or a bookshelf. This depends on the layout of your home and where you feel the camera would have a bird’s eye view.
Installing the Motorola Halo baby monitor is pretty much the same. Download the Hubble App, connect the camera to the computer, and follow the installation prompts.
On mounting, the crib mount is easy to install and does not involve any menial screwing or wall drilling. Plus, everything you need will be in the package.
Alternatively, you could simply place the camera on an unobstructed surface.
Verdict: This is a tie. Both monitors are easy to set up as long as your WiFi is running and you stick to the prompts. They both also offer multiple mounting options.
Display Size and Viewing
On the Dropcam Pro, the size of your display depends on the smart device you choose to connect the camera to. A tablet, for instance, would offer a larger display than a phone.
Nonetheless, in terms of the area that you can view, the camera can be adjusted up to 130° diagonally and you can also take advantage of the ×8 zoom feature. These two features would come in handy if your child is adventurous or you need a more detailed view of certain angles.
The video stream from the Motorola Halo+ can be viewed either on the 4.3″ or on a smart device. You, therefore, have control over the size of your viewing display.
As for camera coverage, the camera has limited flexibility which in turn may limit how much you can see in a room. The zoom feature is also only rated at ×2.
Verdict: In this Motorola Halo+ vs Dropcam Pro baby monitor review, the Dropcam Pro takes the cup here. A wide-lens camera gives you a broader viewing experience.
Camera Quality
At 720p the Dropcam Pro camera is fairly decent and will allow you to monitor your child without difficulty. It also has infrared night vision and an LED night light to ensure that you can see your child clearly.
On the downside, after a software update, there is now no provision to turn off the LED light if your child tends to be awakened by any lighting in their room.
In contrast, the Motorola Halo Plus baby monitor camera offers a stunning 1080p HD video quality. It equally has night vision supported by an LED night light but you can turn it off or on as desired.
The one challenge you might experience is that, for some reason, video display on smart devices is much clearer than on the parental monitor.
Verdict: both day and night viewing are crystal clear on the Motorola Halo+ video baby monitor. I also think that the option to turn off the night light is a fundamental advantage given how easily light awakens sleeping babies.
Talkback and Sound Clarity
The talkback feature is present in both the Dropcam Pro and the Motorola Halo+. Both devices relay sound quite clearly and have options to adjust the volume as needed.
They also share a common downside in that voice transmission can lag or be disrupted by other devices in the network.
Verdict: none of the monitors outpaces the other in this battle so this too is a tie.
Connectivity and Detection Range
Both of these monitors are WiFi monitors which means they give you unlimited freedom. As long as the WiFi in your home is working and your smart device is online too, you can see your baby no matter where you are.
Connectivity may only be disrupted by:
- WiFi downtimes
- Too many devices connected on the same WiFi network
- Signal interference by devices such as smartphones, microwaves, or security systems
That said, viewing on the Motorola Halo Baby Monitor parental unit is limited to spaces within the home.
Verdict: given as it offers both remote and short-range viewing options, through smart devices and a parental unit, I would lean towards the Motorola Halo+ on this.
Battery Life
The Dropcam camera requires to be plugged in to work. Measuring the lifespan of the battery for this monitor is difficult, since how long the monitor lasts depends on the type of parent mobile device used to sync to it.
As this is app-reliant, how long before your parent unit passes out also depends on whether you have using other apps at the same time.
Similar to the Dropcam Pro, the Motorola baby monitor Halo+ also works on the same principle. The camera does not have a battery – it needs to be plugged in. Only the parent device comes with battery, which you can also keep plugged in or without.
Unfortunately, on battery, its charge could only hold about 3 to 4 hours of use as their batteries are designed to last only for short periods, perhaps for short travel use.
Verdict: The Dropcam wins in our opinion, since most mobile devices can withstand long use, usually more than 6 hours. In comparison, the short battery life means the Motorola Halo Plus is best used plugged in for continuous monitoring.
Expandability
The Motorola Halo+ allows you to install up to 4 cameras and monitor them from the same parental unit and app account. The parental monitor also maintains tabs at the bottom of the screen so that you can switch between them when you need to.
Unfortunately, Dropcam has not invested in expandability features as much as Motorola has. On the Dropcam Pro app menu, there are also no options for viewing multiple camera feeds.
Verdict: if you would like to monitor multiple rooms, the Motorola Halo+ may be a better fit for you as opposed to Dropcam as baby monitor.
Motion and Sound Detection
Motion and sound detection are a feature that I find to be invaluable in baby monitors, more so for night time monitoring. It is also a helpful security feature to watch out for intruders in certain rooms.
The Dropcam Pro is designed to send you alerts whenever it detects unusual noises like loud bangs or your alarm system. You can also activate such alerts for certain periods like nighttime or when you are away from home.
The Halo+ monitor unit on the other hand will begin to beep when it detects your baby moving or it picks any sounds in the room. The beeping can get a bit loud though hence you may not enjoy it if you are a light sleeper.
Additionally, the Hubble app allows you to set a radius within which to detect motion. I find that this would help when monitoring a toddler as they are more active.
Verdict: aside from the annoying beeping, the Motorola Halo+ offers more movement monitoring options and the sound detection is better tailored for baby monitoring.
Motorola vs Dropcam Baby Monitor Review: Stand Out Features
Brands often make an effort to set themselves apart by including some stand out features in their monitors. In this case, because the Halo+ is specifically designed for baby care, it offers more unique features than the Dropcam Pro.
That notwithstanding, here are some clever provisions you may enjoy from these devices.
- BLE Connectivity – Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a pairing mechanism in iOS devices that allows you to pair them with other devices at a lower charge consumption. It is among the features of the Dropcam Pro that I rank quite as it would be helpful when you need to keep tabs on your tot without draining your phone battery.
That said, it can only be used within the Bluetooth range.
- A Parenting Companion- I don’t know about you but I worry a lot about sleeping patterns and maintaining a regular schedule for a healthy baby sleep habit. The Hubble App on the Halo+ is an amazing parenting companion for such concerns.
On it, you can monitor sleep activity, pumping patterns, and even diaper changes plus so much more. It also offers other parenting resources including tips and reminder alarms for various tasks.
- Lullabies and Voice Record – the Motorola baby monitor comes with in-built lullabies that you can play to soothe your baby to sleep. You can also download more from the Hubble App including audiobooks for bedtime stories.
When you are away, the voice recorder would allow you to record voice messages for your baby or even a lullaby in your own voice.
- Voice Operation– for days when you walk in with your hands full of groceries or even if you are just busy making dinner, you can control the Motorola Halo+ monitor through voice prompts via Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Temperature monitoring – the room temperature in your baby’s room will be displayed on the parental monitoring unit of the Halo+ baby monitor at all times. This is an essential health safety feature that is not available on the Dropcam Pro baby monitor.
- Creative Night Lighting- The LED night light on the Motorola Halo+ can be adjusted between 7 different colors depending on what you or your baby prefers. The over-the-crib camera is also fitted with a light show projector that casts images in the ceiling to entertain your child as they lay in the crib.
If nothing else, this feature makes the Halo+ a winner for me. It would come in handy when you need to soothe your baby in the night without necessarily going over to their room.
Dropcam Vs Motorola Baby Monitor FAQS
Is Dropcam the same as Nest Cam?
Dropcam and Nest Cam are both home indoor monitoring cameras from the same brand; the Nest company.
However, they are entirely different products with unique features, which you can learn more in our Nest Cam baby monitor review apart from our Motorola Halo+ vs Dropcam Pro review.
Are Dropcam or Motorola Baby Monitors safe?
Both of these monitors operate using WiFi. The brands have gone to great lengths to ensure that they are secure against hacking threats.
However, it is equally important that you keep your wi-fi network secure and limit the number of people you give access to it. This will greatly minimize your risk of exposure to hacks. It is also safer to only install software updates and apps from the product manufacturer.
What are the alternatives to Dropcam and Motorola Baby Monitors?
For various reasons such as price, availability in your region, or personal preference you may want to explore other similar monitor options. Consider:
- Cubo Ai Plus Smart Baby Monitor – the Cubo Ai Plus is a WiFi-enabled smart baby monitor that packed full of features worth the buck. It displays video in 1080P, has stunning night vision, plays lullabies, and has 2-way talkback.
You can set up a motion detection zone through the baby monitor app. Parents will also appreciate the daily sleep reports. It also has an alert system and air sensors for monitoring room conditions.
You can set up a motion detection zone through the baby monitor app. Parents will also appreciate the daily sleep reports. It also has an alert system and air sensors for monitoring room conditions.
With the latest app updates, the monitor now supports Google Alexa. All these features make it a solid alternative to Dropcam or the Halo+ despite being on a pricier end.
- iBaby Smart WiFi Baby monitor- the iBaby Smart WiFi Monitor too is a WiFi video baby monitor with a 1080P HD camera. It offers the advantage of being able to remotely pan and tilt the camera for a better view while maintaining features such as sound and motion alerts.
It impressively also has a moonlight projector similar to that of the Motorola Halo+. To counter the perennial problem of signal disruptions, the works on both 2.4Hz and 5Hz bands.
On price, it is a much cheaper baby monitor than any other monitor on this review.
Conclusion
So, when it comes down to the wire and you need to pick one, here is a Dropcam Vs Motorola Review in summary.
- Stunning Video Quality: New optics and updated image sensor provide 2x sharper video
- 60 Second Setup: Connect to Wi-Fi via computer or iOS mobile device via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), live stream from your Dropcam security camera in under a minute
- Incredible Field of View: 130 degrees diagonal, plus Zoom and Night Vision, so you don't miss a thing
The Dropcam monitor would be a good choice for you if you:
- Prefer long-term video storage
- Do not require camera expandability
- Do not mind it taking up bandwidth as it uploads video clips to cloud storage
- Prefer a wider view of your baby’s room and hence need a wide-angle lens
If these features would meet your baby monitoring needs, have a look at the Dropcam Pro.
- ✅ MONITOR FROM ANYWHERE - Our video infant monitor allows you to check on your little one, whether you're at work or just in the kitchen. Simply connect to the Hubble app on your smartphone.
- ✅ CRISP & CLEAR DISPLAY - View a real-time video feed of your little one's room on the parent unit's 4.3" color screen. Its infrared night vision feature gives you a clear video feed at night time.A camera can only be registered to one Parent Unit at any one time
- ✅ STAY ON TOP OF BABY'S HEALTH - The Hubble Baby Smart Sleep Assistant keeps track of your baby's hours of sleep, as well as the number of feeding times, diaper changes, and pumping sessions.
Alternatively, you could choose the Motorola Halo+ baby monitor if you:
- Would feel more confident using a baby-centric monitor
- Require more than one camera for household monitoring
- Prefer the option to turn the LED night light on or off
- Would benefit from the features offered in the Hubble app
Would these features ease your parenting journey? If so, you can check out the Motorola Halo+ Baby Monitor.
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Meta Title: Dropcam Vs Motorola Baby Monitor Review (%currentyear%)| Baby Journey
Meta Description: In our Dropcam vs Motorola Baby Monitor review, the Motorola Halo+ wins the battle. Find out from our in-depth comparison of the two on features, pros and cons.
Slug: Dropcam vs Motorola Baby Monitor
Main keywords: Dropcam vs Motorola Baby Monitor, Dropcam vs Motorola Baby Monitor review, dropcam vs motorola review
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
