The Nanit Original vs the Nanit Plus
If you have your heart set on a Nanit smart baby monitor, you may be wondering what is the difference between the Nanit and the Nanit Plus? Are the extra features of the “Plus” worth the increased price?
Our guide will break down the differences and compare the Nanit vs Nanit Plus so you can make an informed decision.
A Quick Overview
The company Nanit has only been around since 2016, but in this short time, they have produced two great baby monitors.
The first is the Original Nanit Smart Baby Monitor. The Nanit camera offers a bird’s eye view of your child 24/7, mounting on the wall above the crib.
You can see and hear your little one day or night on your device’s mobile app. The app can alert you to a variety of things including sound, movement detection, and room temperature and humidity. The app’s smart sleep tracking provides parents with useful insights into their child’s habits.
Pros:
- The easy wall-mount camera provides a birds-eye view
- Sleep tracking with insights
- User-friendly app with push notifications
- A variety of alert types and monitoring features
Cons:
- Cannot play music or sounds
- Does not have two-way talk
The Nanit Plus baby monitor is the upgraded version of the original. It has many of the same offerings with a few advanced features. We will dive into their similarities in later sections, but here is a brief breakdown of the Nanit Plus camera offerings.
Pros:
- HD camera pairs with nearly any device including Alexa smart home products
- App provides sleep tracking along with personalized guidance and tips
- Can monitor breathing with Nanit breathing wear
- Camera audio features include two-way talk and playing sound
Cons:
- Costly
- Speaker isn’t very loud
Nanit vs Nanit Plus Comparison Summary
- Comes with wall mount
- Floor stand and multi-stand sold separately
- Comes with wall mount
- Floor stand and multi-stand sold separately
- Tracking available
- Insights with paid subscriptions
- Tracking available
- Insights with paid subscriptions
- Can create parenting team
- Can create parenting team
- Can customize user access
- Can set individualized permissions
- Supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions
- Supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions
- Two-factor login
- Customizable and sent to the app
- Customizable and sent to the app
- Background audio monitoring
- Camera can alert to breathing issues
- Comes with wall mount
- Floor stand and multi-stand sold separately
- Tracking available
- Insights with paid subscriptions
- Can create parenting team
- Supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions
- Customizable and sent to the app
- Comes with wall mount
- Floor stand and multi-stand sold separately
- Tracking available
- Insights with paid subscriptions
- Can create parenting team
- Can customize user access
- Can set individualized permissions
- Supports WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions
- Two-factor login
- Customizable and sent to the app
- Background audio monitoring
- Camera can alert to breathing issues
Nanit vs Nanit Plus Features Face to Face
Design & Setup
Nanits original claim to fame was the birds eye view provided by their Nanit camera. The camera is made to mount above your baby’s crib, giving you an unobstructed view of everything going on.
Both the Nanit Original and Nanit Plus come with the same easy to install wall mounting system. It even includes a cord management system to help store dangerous cords away from curious children.
You can also purchase extras to make your camera more travel-friendly. The floor stand allows your camera to have the same overhead view without putting holes in your wall.
The multi-use stand allows you to put your camera on virtually any hard and flat surface which is ideal for travel. However, the multi-use stand does not allow for use of the Nanit insights (like sleep tracking).
The design of the classic white camera did not change from the Original to the Plus and both are compatible with either the floor stand or the multi-use stand. Therefore, there is no real clear winner here.
Alerts and Feedback Type
The Nanit Original tracks both sound and motion in your baby’s room. The Nanit monitor also tracks the room’s humidity and temperature. You will receive alerts about all of this data via the app.
The app sends push notifications to alert you to any issue detected. Thankfully, you can customize the alerts to your liking as some Nanit reviews report receiving close to 50 push notifications an hour.
The Nanit Plus provides increased alerts and feedback. It sends sound and motion alerts. It can also sense the environment and send notifications regarding temperature and humidity. The biggest upgrade is breath monitoring and breathing alerts which we will review further in-depth later.
Finally, the Nanit Plus is background audio supported. This means that even if you leave the app and navigate to other pages on your phone, or put your phone on standby, Nanit will continue to monitor audio in the nursery.
Because of the increased alert types and their ability to run in the background, the Nanit Plus wins this round.
Connection
Both the Nanit and the Nanit Plus baby monitors use WiFi to connect the camera and the app. They support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. There are some security concerns when compared to non-WiFi cameras, like radio signals, as WiFi can technically be hacked.
However, Nanit maintains that as long as you connect to a secure connection, and partake in their support of WPA2, WPA, and WEP encryptions, the chance of a data breach is minimal.
The Nanit Plus has another nice feature, two-factor authentication. Since you can expand your parenting “team”, allowing other people to view and hear your child on the app, you can beef up security. You can also apply access levels so when your babysitter leaves you can rescind her permissions to view anything on the app.
While the connection largely remained the same, the fact that the Nanit Plus has increased security measures and controls result in the Plus coming out on top in this category.
Sound & Video Quality
Most Nanit baby monitor reviews will note that the camera quality is a little grainy, especially in dim light. The Nanit Original uses a high-definition camera but it is only 960p. In bright light conditions, the camera quality will often be adequate, especially if you are viewing it on a small screen as is common with a phone.
The sound quality of the Nanit Original is excellent. Many users report that it is extremely clear with only some noting that there is a slight (5 second) delay.
The Nanit Plus has the same 960p video quality. In the daytime, this usually results in a clear picture but at night it can be a bit muddy. The 130-degree field of vision won’t allow you to view the entire room, but the camera is meant to be mounted directly over a crib.
The sound quality of the Nanit Plus is crystal clear, with most users only reporting a half-second delay. As the video and sound quality didn’t change from the Original to the Plus, there isn’t a clear winner here.
Nightlights & Night Vision
The Nanit Original includes infrared night vision. It is designed to automatically turn on in dim light so you can see your little one clearly either day or night. The infrared nights are unobtrusive so as not to wake your child. The picture is decent but some note that it is a bit grainy.
The Nanit Original also has a soft glow night light. The night light is on top of the camera and directed towards the ceiling. It isn’t too harsh but provides just the amount of light to locate a tossed pacifier. Gradual dimming technology adjusts it to the perfect setting.
The Nanit Plus provides the same 10-LED infrared light display. As the camera is still 960p the image didn’t improve much. However, parents love that as the night vision automatically adjusts there is no click or loud noise, it does so silently.
The Plus also has a night light, much like the Original. The gradually dimming night light can be turned on with the app. As it is directed towards the ceiling it won’t interfere with the camera image.
There was not much change from the Original to the Plus, so it’s a tie for both.
Battery
The camera must be plugged in at all times, which can either be an advantage or a disadvantage for some parents. But this means that battery life isn’t an issue. There is no parent unit, so as long as your device has battery you will be able to use the app.
Baby Monitor App
The Nanit Original features a pretty user-friendly app. Within the baby monitor app, you can see and hear your child, but you also have access to other options. Sleep insights and tracked data are available in clear, color-coded graphs.
Parents can set up a team by using multiple log-ins so that grandma, the babysitter, or anyone can have access to the camera and use in-app commenting. The saved video history and the time-lapse 24/7 summaries are all stored within the app so you can look back on your little one’s days and nights.
The Nanit Plus has many of the same offerings, plus a few upgrades. It has background audio, so you can remain in the know even when you navigate away from the app.
Another slick feature is night mode so you can dim your screen while the app runs during the night. You won’t be disturbed unless the app alerts you to a problem. The color motion map that shows your child’s sleep patterns in their crib is another often remarked on new feature in many a Nanit Plus review. Finally, the update to the “Team” feature includes user permissions that can vary and be individualized so not everyone has full access.
The only downfall is that the app is only available for Android or iOS and cannot work with a PC. Nevertheless, the Nanit Plus is the winner due to its multiple upgrades.
Sleep Insights
Both the Nanit Original and Nanit Plus provide sleep data and tracking. The camera is extremely adept at picking up when your child is awake and asleep.
You can review copious amounts of data, graphs, and numbers regarding your child’s bedtime, sleep stats, and habits. However, guidance isn’t provided unless you subscribe to sleep insights (for a fee). Sleep insights provide expert-backed tips and guidance.
There wasn’t much change from Original to Plus when it comes to sleep insights, so there isn’t a clear-cut winner.
baby’s sleeping habits. -Nanit vs Nanit Plus Review | Baby Journey” class=”wp-image-9415″/>Stand Out Features
Breathing Monitoring
The Nanit Plus camera has the option to monitor your child’s breathing when paired with the breathing wear. The Nanit breathing wear is a black and white patterned band, sleep sack or swaddle that is tracked by the camera.
It doesn’t have a sensor within it so you don’t have to worry about putting something electronic on your child. The camera detects the pattern and alerts you if breathing is not detected. The alerts come to both the app and the camera, providing excellent peace of mind.
White Noise & Nature Sounds
The Nanit Plus camera includes the ability to play nature sounds or white noise. This is something that the Original camera doesn’t have as it does not have a speaker.
Parents can turn on and off the sounds via the app. They can also use the two-way audio feature. However, the Plus speaker is still a work in progress. Some parents note that it isn’t very loud and sounds tinny. Additionally, Nanit has yet to add songs or music to their audio repertoire.
Nanit vs Nanit Plus Common FAQs
1. Does both Nanit work without wifi?
Neither the Nanit Original nor the Nanit Plus work without WiFi. They both require a WiFi connection for the camera and app to work.
2. Is the Nanit Original discontinued?
The Nanit Original, or Gen 1, has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
3. Is Nanit temperature accurate for both models?
The Nanit Original and Plus both have good reviews of the temperature being quite accurate.
4. Does the Nanit and Nanit Plus monitor breathing?
The Nanit Original does not monitor breathing. The Nanit Plus can monitor breathing when paired with the Nanit Breathing wear which comes in the form of a sleep sack, swaddle, or a breathing band.
5. How much is the Nanit subscription?
Nanit offers various tiers of subscription. There are Insights, Premium, and Unlimited. Each tier progressively allows more saved memories, a lengthier data tracking overview, more users, and a broader range of features.
The tiers range from $5 per month to $30 per month. More information can be found here: https://www.nanit.com/insights .
6. What are the alternatives to both Nanit baby monitors?
The Nanit Original is a great camera that provides a plethora of sleep data. The Miku Smart Baby Monitor also provides sleep data but has a few additional features. It includes the ability to play sounds or use the two-way talk. You can also read our Miku Baby Monitor review as we cover in-depth about the device.
Similar to the Nanit it is mounted over the crib and uses an app to provide parents with information. It is a lot like the Nanit Original with a few minor additions.
The Nanit Plus is used by many parents for its breath monitoring feature. A popular contender is the Owlet Duo Smart Baby Monitor, or if you can make do without the camera, the Owlet Baby Monitor is also a great option.
The Owlet camera provides parents with the same great monitoring displayed on an app, but the sock provides advanced breathing monitoring, including oxygen levels and heart rate. It is a great option for parents who want more data regarding their child’s health stats.
Which Nanit is Best?
The Nanit Original may have been discontinued, but models are still available. It makes a great camera for parents who want basic audio and video monitoring via an app.
The app is user friendly and presents parents with a lot of sleep data, ideal for those who want to be aware of their little one’s habits. A soft-glow night light and nursery environment monitoring are pleasant additional features.
This monitor is best for parents who want a basic audio and video app-enabled monitor with advanced sleep statistics and data.
- Best view of baby day and night: See and hear your baby 24/7 with HD live streaming, unparalleled night vision, and zoom to get in close. Plus, Nanit works over Wi-Fi, even when internet is down.
- The Nanit Wall Mount: No painful set-up. No exposed cords. Nanit easily mounts to the wall behind your crib, giving you an amazing overhead view of baby.
- Smart notifications: Nanit tracks sound and motion to keep you in the know about what's happening in the nursery. Temperature and humidity sensors monitor the environment, ensuring your baby is comfortable.
Use the Nanit Original if:
- You want sleep data and tracking
- Only need basic audio and video monitoring
- Prefer the lower price point
The Nanit Plus is an upgraded version of the first generation Nanit. Its camera includes a speaker so you can talk to your child or play soothing sounds.
The app provides the same data but allows it to be safely disseminated to more people. User permissions, two-factor login, and tailored user settings make it easier to manage your parenting “Team”.
Another major feature is its ability to pair with the Nanit breathing wear to monitor your child’s breathing. This camera is a perfect choice for parents who crave a lot of sleep data and want a smart camera that can monitor breathing while performing basic monitoring functions.
- ALWAYS BE CONNECTED: Get a crystal clear HD bird's eye view of your baby, day or night from anywhere on your iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, or Echo Show device. Hear or speak to your baby with two-way audio. Listen while using other apps or even when your screen is turned off with background audio. Receive real-time sound and motion notifications with adjustable sensitivity. Plus, monitor the temperature and humidity of the nursery to ensure they're comfortable.
- SLEEP TRACKING & GUIDANCE: Nanit gives you your baby's sleep stats each morning, plus a timelapse highlight reel of their sleep, so you can rewatch their entire night in seconds. Get personalized, science-backed sleep guidance and tips from the world’s leading pediatric sleep experts, right in your Nanit app.
- MAKING MEMORIES, MADE EASY: With Nanit Memories, your Nanit camera captures your baby’s finest moments automatically right in your app. Celebrate fun moments and growth milestones every step of the way, wherever you are. Share with friends and family, and hold onto their Memories forever.
Use the Nanit Plus if:
- You want to monitor your child’s breathing
- You want a camera speaker for an intercom or to play sounds
- You are interested in advanced app security settings
That’s about our Nanit vs Nanit Plus review though! What do you think about both models? If you find this review helpful, help us spread the word or leave a comment below!
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Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
