The Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet Baby Monitor At A Glance
Video baby monitors have become a nursery essential. They allow you to see and hear your child without having to be in the same room. One great baby monitor option is the Summer Baby Pixel Cadet Video Baby Monitor. The Summer Baby Pixel Cadet Video Baby Monitor is the next generation of the Summer Baby Pixel Video Monitor.
The Summer Pixel Cadet is produced by Summer Infant, a company with over three decades of experience in the business of childcare products. Many of the items they produce are user-friendly, designed with parents in mind, and affordable.
The Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet is no exception. This camera and parent unit package include clear video and audio, remote camera steering, a variety of alerts, a two-way talk feature, and lullaby capability.
Its impressive range, security features, and multiple mounting options are nice bonuses. This monitor is perfect for parents of infants, toddlers, and young children alike. Our Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet baby monitor review can help you decide if it is the right baby monitoring device for your family.
Pros:
- Includes camera and 4.3 display parent unit
- Variety of alert and indicator options
- 1000-foot range
- Expandable up to 4 cameras
Cons:
- The power-saving mode cannot be disabled
- Night vision is a little grainy
Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet Baby Monitor FAQs
Baby monitors have become a nursery staple. From parents of newborns nervous about that first night in the crib to busy moms who want to keep an eye on the playroom, good reliable monitors are very helpful.
Summer baby monitors tend to be affordable and come with a great range of features. As you find out in this Cadet review, this specific monitor is great for parents of young children.
It is not as specialized as the Owlet as it doesn’t have breathing or heart rate monitoring, so if you are looking for these items it may not be the monitor for you.
Other questions you may have about the Cadet include:
What’s the difference between Summer Baby Pixel vs Baby Pixel Cadet?
The Pixel Cadet Summer Baby camera is the next generation of the Summer Baby Pixel. The prominent new features include remote camera control, two-way talk, sleep zone boundary technology, and expandability of the system.
How do I connect my Summer Cadet baby monitor?
Setup is simple, no WiFi or Bluetooth required. Simply plug in your camera and parent monitor and they will recognize one another. You can then use your monitor.
How do I sync my Summer Baby Pixel camera?
Once you plug in the camera and the monitor they will automatically recognize each other. To sync an additional camera, press and hold the power camera button on the parent unit for about seven seconds.
A green flashing light indicates syncing. On the parent unit, navigate within the menu to the add camera option. Press select, then use the arrow buttons to highlight and choose your desired camera. A video with a checkmark will appear if the sync is successful.
How do I reset my Summer Baby Pixel Cadet video monitor to factory setting?
If you lost a camera feed, you likely need to just re-sync. To re-sync the camera, follow the syncing instructions as if you were adding a new camera.
Summer Baby Pixel Cadet Review Features & Benefits
Let’s go through the Summer Pixel Cadet monitor in detail.
Setup & Mounting
Parents will love that the Summer baby monitor setup is quite easy. You can use the camera on a flat surface thanks to its base which includes a stand. Or, you can wall-mount the camera. The Summer Infant digital baby monitor includes wall mounting hardware so you have everything you need.
Once you have mounted the camera or placed it on the desired surface you only need to plug it into an outlet. Plugin the parent monitor and it should seamlessly connect with the camera.
Should you need to sync additional cameras the steps are equally as simple. There is no need to connect to WiFi, Bluetooth, or data.
Camera & Video Quality
The video quality is reported to be great in Cadet Summer Infant baby monitor reviews. The camera includes automatic night vision that senses when the room gets dim. The camera will automatically adjust its settings to dim light so you can see your child from dawn to dusk and through the night.
The camera also includes a 3-level zoom. You can operate this function remotely with the parent monitor. Additionally, you can pan left and right and tilt the camera up and down all from the parent monitor.
The daytime video shows up beautifully on the 4.3-inch color display. You may stumble across a Summer baby monitor review that says the night vision is a touch grainy, but most parents find it perfectly adequate.
Vision in the Dark
As mentioned a few times in our Summer Infant monitor review, the camera does have night vision. The night vision is only black and white, but it does allow you to see your child when their room is dark.
The night vision function is internal and related to the lens. There are no external nightlights. Many parents appreciate this as external lights, especially those that flash, can be disruptive to infant sleep.
Monitor Alerts
The parent unit is equipped with a variety of alerts. It of course will notify you when your child is crying or making noise. However, it also includes sleep zone technology. We will go into more below, but on the whole, this alerts you when your baby passes a set boundary.
In addition to alerts centering around your child, you can receive a variety of other notifications. The parent monitor can inform you when you are out of range. It can also produce a notification for low battery so you never have to worry about an empty battery in the middle of the night.
The monitor even has a temperature display so you can keep in the know about the atmosphere in the nursery. The notifications use sound as well as LED lights to attract your attention.
Expandability
You will quickly realize when reading other Summer Infant baby monitor reviews that expandability is a key issue. The Cadet baby monitor is expandable up to four cameras, perfect for watching two rooms or more.
You can easily sync each additional camera with the parent unit. You can then use scan mode to cycle through each camera or choose to watch a specific camera.
As it does not offer a split-screen, those with twins may not find it too practical. However, the scan feature changes between cameras every eight seconds so you can watch each child almost simultaneously.
Connectivity & Detection Range
The Pixel Cadet has an impressive monitoring range of 1000 feet. Keep in mind this is based off barrier-free environment, so walls in your home can impair connectivity. Still, it should be sufficient for use within your home and even in your yard or on your deck.
The connection is digital so it is extremely private. This camera does not use WiFi, Bluetooth, or 4G/5G. This means that hacking is virtually non-existent and should your WiFi go out your camera will still work. Also, setup is hassle-free because the monitor and camera digitally sync, no log-in required.
Battery Life
Battery life refers to the parent unit battery. The camera must be plugged in to work and does not have a battery.
The parent unit battery life is unfortunately a bit short. Most parents report only a few hours of use before the battery is low. When the battery is low you must plug it in to recharge it.
Most parents will need to plug it in at least once a day and certainly a few times overnight. Thankfully, there is a low-battery alert so you will know when it is time for a charge.
Travel-friendliness
The Pixel Cadet is somewhat travel-friendly. You can take your parent monitor and camera with you and plug it in wherever you are. However, the 1000-foot range is still applicable, so you will need to stay within range.
This camera doesn’t use WiFi, so you won’t be able to view the camera from your phone from virtually anywhere (some parents desire this feature for travel). However, because it doesn’t need WiFi you can use it in locations that don’t have internet or connectivity.
Safety & Security
As this is not a WiFi/Bluetooth/Data camera it is quite secure. The digital connection is very safe and chances of it being hacked are zero to none. Many parents love this characteristic of digital connection cameras.
Unique SleepZone Technology
This Pixel Cadet has SleepZone technology, which is awesome for parents worried about wiggly little ones alone in their crib. SleepZone allows you to set a perimeter around the area where your child sleeps. Should they cross this boundary the parent unit will alert you.
This is great if you are traveling and may not have access to your crib or bumpers. If you lay your child on a mat, a bed, or the floor you can set the boundary and be notified if they exit the perimeter. Additionally, it can be helpful for parents of infants in a crib as you want your child to stay away from edges and corners.
However, it isn’t too useful for older children who roll around a lot. The box isn’t very big, so your toddler will probably easily cross it during typical sleep. In which case, you will continue to receive alerts.
VOX Mode
This camera does have voice-activated on/off technology. If your child makes a sound the monitor will “awake” as well. You can leave the screen off to preserve the battery and be confident that the unit will wake up when your little one does.
After thirty seconds of no noise, the parent unit will turn off again. The only downfall is that the VOX mode is very sensitive and picks up white noise frequently.
Lullabies & Two-Way Talk
This monitor is capable of both playing lullabies and transmitting your voice, which I consider essential. You can turn on white noise or play lullabies with the parent unit.
The camera will play the sounds in your child’s room, soothing them to sleep. You can also communicate with your baby via the parent monitor. The two-way talk feature is a great way to comfort them without physically entering their room.
Alternatives to the Pixel Cadet
Not sure about the Summer Baby Pixel Cadet monitor and looking for alternatives to it instead? You can check out our Summer Infant VS Motorola Baby Monitor Review.
Want more? We have got you covered with three recommendations below.
#1 Infant Optics DXR-8 vs Pixel Cadet
The Infant Optics DXR-8 is very similar to the Pixel Cadet. It is also a digital monitor that has night vision, two-way talk, lullaby playing abilities, and remote camera movement. However, its camera is often cited as providing a bit clearer image. The system even includes an interchangeable wide-angle lens so you can zoom out or in. The image comes across on the large parent unit that has a ten-hour battery life. However, the range is shorter at only 700 feet.
The Infant Optics is a wonderful camera for parents of infants or young children. However, if you are hoping for a longer range or interested in SleepZone technology you will prefer the Pixel Cadet.
Differences & Similarities
- Both digital cameras (no WiFi)
- Both have two-way talk, lullaby ability, night-vision
- Infant Optics has an interchangeable wide-angle lens
- Infant Optics has a shorter range
- Infant Optics does not have SleepZone technology
- 2022 AWARD WINNER: Awarded "Best Baby Monitor Overall, 2022" by NBC News. The DXR-8 video baby monitor offers clear and reliable sound/video, long battery life, exceptional signal range and user-friendly controls — the dependable choice to help keep your baby safe and provide you with peace of mind.
- INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES: Conveniently switch between different lenses to choose the perfect viewing angle. Use a zoom lens to get a closer look at your baby and a wide-angle lens (sold separately) to capture a broader view of the room. Keep a trustful eye on your children while they sleep or play using this kids' room camera.
- OPERATES WITHOUT WIFI: Unlike wifi baby monitors for smartphones, there is no loading time to open apps, offering instant playback with lag-free video. With a dedicated monitor unit, no phones are necessary to view your baby, enabling parents to efficiently manage day-to-day tasks on their phone screen without compromising their baby's safety.
#2 Summer Baby Pixel Zoom HD vs Pixel Cadet
The Summer Baby Pixel Zoom HD is another comparable system. It has many of the same features, like the SleepZone technology, VOX, expandability, and two-way talk feature, but it also has a few upgrades. The display is larger, at 5 inches.
Additionally, the Moonlite night vision provides an in-color view at night. The 6-level zoom enables you to get stunningly close so you can see exactly what is happening.
If you want a closer and clearer picture and don’t mind spending a bit more, the Summer Baby Pixel Zoom is for you.
Similarities & Differences
- Both have SleepZone technology, two-way talk, lullabies, and remote steering
- Both are digital systems (no WiFi)
- The Pixel Zoom has six levels of zoom
- The Pixel Zoom night vision is colorized and clear
- The Pixel Zoom has a shorter range (800 feet)
- HD – HD Moonlite Night Vision Boost subtly illuminates the area for a clearer, temporary, in-color view of baby in the dark. Remote camera steering pans left, right, up & down for a perfect view. The 5-inch HD picture (720p) monitor has 6-level zoom.
- SET A VIRTUAL BOUNDARY – Have an escape artist on your hands? With SleepZone Virtual Boundary, you can ease sleep time worries and set a boundary box around a selected area. You’ll be alerted on the video monitor when your child exits their safe space.
- VOICE-ACTIVATION – When baby wakes during the night and cries, babbles or fusses, the voice activated video on/off technology (VOX) auto-wakes the infant monitor screen display, so you can quickly and easily see your little one.
#3 HelloBaby HB50 Video Baby Monitor vs Pixel Cadet
Finally, the HelloBaby HB50 Video Baby Monitor is a comparable option that is even more affordable. It has two-way talk, the ability to play lullabies, night vision, room-temperature monitoring, and LED sound indicator lights.
Its sleek-looking parent unit has a five-inch color LCD screen so you can easily see your baby. It also has a 1000 feet range so you can travel all over your house and still use the monitor. The 12-hour battery life is an improvement on the Pixel Cadet’s battery life.
This monitor has a host of great features at a lower price. However, it doesn’t have SleepZone technology so parents who want this feature may prefer the Pixel Cadet.
Similarities & Differences
- Both cameras have VOX, two-way talk, night vision, and room temperature monitoring
- Both cameras are digital (no WiFi)
- The HelloBaby has a larger screen
- The HelloBaby has a longer battery life
- The HelloBaby does not have SleepZone technology
- EASY and CONVENIENT to OPERATE: Setup is extremenly simple just like plug and play. The Parent Unit powered by rechargeable battery gives you full mobility in the house.
- INFRARED NIGHT VISION:The automatic light sensor precisely detects the light conditions and automatically shifts between day and night modes.
- TWO WAY TALK: The crystal clear two-way audio feature allows conversation both ends as clear as if you were in the same room with your little one.
Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet Baby Monitor Review In A Nutshell
- ADDED PEACE OF MIND - When baby sleeps well, the whole family sleeps well! The Summer Baby Pixel Cadet Video Baby Monitor brings a greater level of peace of mind right into the hands of parents, so everyone sleeps better.
- SET A VIRTUAL BOUNDARY – With SleepZone Virtual Boundary, you can set a boundary box around a selected area and be alerted on the video monitor when your child exits their safe space. You can also purchase more cameras to monitor up to 4 rooms total.
- BETTER VIEW OF BABY – The remote camera steering pans left to right and tilts up and down, so you always have the perfect view! Plus, the 4.3” handheld monitor has temperature display, 3-level zoom, wall mount hardware and up to 1,000-ft range.
If you are looking for an affordable infant monitor, the Summer Infant digital baby monitor Pixel Cadet is a great option. It has a variety of features and alerts that are displayed perfectly on the full-color 4.3-inch parent unit.
It is also safe, reliable, and easy to use. If our Summer Infant review has piqued your interest in the camera, be sure to check it out here!
Hope you find this Summer Infant Baby Pixel Cadet Baby Monitor review helpful. Leave us a comment below if you have suggestions or thoughts about the monitor!
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
