Owlet vs Snuza – top wearable baby monitors, the Dream Duo and Pico 2 compared.
Baby monitors have come along way and there are so many on the market to choose from. But, how do you know what to choose from the abundance of options out there? What will fit your family’s needs perfectly?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we can help with a comparison of some of the leading smart baby monitors on the market. In this post, we compare the top leading wearable baby monitors the Owlet Dream Duo and the Snuza Pico 2.
You can also check out our post comparing the Owlet Dream Duo and the Miku Smart Baby Monitor here.
Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.
TL:DR (too long, didn’t read)
Short on time? Ultimately, we decided that the Snuza Pico 2 was the best buy because of its affordability and portability. You can check it out here on Amazon.
Do I *Really* Need a baby monitor?
While we didn’t always have baby monitors (they’ve only been around a few decades after all), they’ve fast become a must have item. And they’ve really changed from the early days of simple two-way radio to today’s amazing smart baby tech. Your baby’s temperature, sleep quality, heart rate and breathing are all things some baby monitors now record and analyze.
Baby monitors make life easier and give you freedom to move around the house… or just sleep! without worrying about baby. That’s why baby monitors are on every mom’s must buy list 🙂
But which baby monitor is the best buy? Keep reading to learn more about the Owlet Dream Duo and the Snuza Pico 2 and decide if these Smart Baby Monitors are the right fit for your family.
Owlet Dream Duo Review
The Owlet originally started as a wearable ‘sock’ with a monitor that sits against baby’s foot and records information on baby’s heartrate and movements. It now comes with a video monitor.
Owlet Dream Duo Important Features
Video monitor features include:
- Two-way talk capabilities so you can talk to baby through the speakers
- High Definition Video (1080P) with 130 degree view and high definition night vision
- Temperature and humidity sensor for baby’s room
- The camera can be mounted on the wall with a safe wall mounting kit
- Encrypted connection to prevent hacking into your baby’s camera
- Access the video feed via an app on your smartphone
Dream Duo features include:
- Measures the baby’s heart rate
- Keep track of sleep quality and total hours slept (it’s logged automatically for you.)
- App for viewing data and video and getting advice tailored to your baby’s data
- Different size socks are included for both smaller and larger babies (from 5-30 pounds)
- HSA/FSA approved
How does the Owlet Dream DUO work?
The Owlet Dream Duo uses a wearable sock that straps onto baby’s foot during nap or night time. The sensor picks up Information on baby’s heart rate and relays that to the base station and an app on your smartphone. It will notify you if anything changes in your baby’s stats.
Owlet Dream DUO Pros/Cons
Pros
- The newest design (Dream Duo) promises a better fit for the baby’s foot and improved accuracy
- Peace of mind knowing that you’ll be notified if baby’s stats change.
- The ability to know and analyze your baby’s sleep quality and trends
Cons
- False alarms can occur if the sensor is improperly placed or gets shifted out of position by a wiggly baby.
- Alarms can cause increased anxiety for parents
Snuza Pico Review
The Snuza Pico 2 is a “baby movement monitor” that clips to your baby’s diaper on their tummy and sends information about your baby’s abdominal motion (breathing), body temperature, sleeping position and sleep patterns to your smartphone app.
The Snuza Pico 2 has a vibration that is triggered when your baby stops breathing for 15 seconds. If baby breathes again you aren’t notified. But after three vibration/rouse events, the Rouse Warning will alert you that your baby’s breathing movements have stopped for 15 seconds three separate times.
If breathing stops for more than 20 seconds it sets off an alarm on the device and alerts you on an app on your smartphone.
There are two other Snuza devices at different price points that work similarly:
- Snuza Go: The basic model. The Snuza Go doesn’t connect to a smartphone and only has an audio alarm on the device – it also doesn’t vibrate to attempt to rouse baby. You might find you prefer this option as it alarms immediately if a pause in breathing is detected.
- Snuza Hero: The Hero only monitors breathing movement and has no smartphone connectivity. It vibrates after 15 second of no breathing motion to rouse the baby and will alarm if no further breathing motion is detected.
Snuza Pico 2 Features
- 1.89” x 1.57” Lightweight monitor that attaches to baby’s diaper
- Snuza Pico 2 sends information and notifications to your smartphone using Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in alarm that sounds after 20 seconds of no breathing
- Will gently vibrate to rouse your baby when no breathing motion is detected for 15 seconds
- Monitors baby’s body temperature
- Indicates baby’s sleeping position (front, back etc)
How the Snuza Pico 2 Works
The Snuza Pico 2 senses the up and down motion of baby’s breathing. If the motion pauses for longer than 15 seconds, a vibration is triggered to try rouse the baby. If the motion stops for 20 seconds or more than three 15 second pauses happen, an alarm will sound on the device and through the smartphone app.
The Snuza Pico 2 is charged by plugging into the charging case at the wall. One charge lasts around 2 weeks.
Snuza Pico 2 Pros and Cons
Pros
- No wires, no pads, no smartphone required for use
- Portable and great for travel
- It can be used for children up to the age of six
- You can monitor up to four children on your smartphone
- Receive notifications for changes in breathing, temperature, sleeping position and sleep state.
- Track your child’s temperature when they are ill
- HSA/FSA Approved
Cons
- Older/more active babies might try to take the sleep monitor off
- It is not suitable for co-sleeping or bed sharing
- Too much clothing can muffle the device’s alarm (this doesn’t affect the phone notifications)
- Some users report bluetooth connectivity problems with the app in larger homes
- Bluetooth Technology only allows one smart device to connect to the Snuza Pico 2 at a time.
Why Use a Smart Baby Monitor instead of an audio or video monitor?
There are so many different baby monitors available at all kinds of price points and with lots of different feature levels. What’s the right option for you?
You might want to purchase a smart baby monitor if:
- Baby sleeps in their own room which is far away from your daily activities
- You’re anxious about baby’s sleep
- You like looking at the data on your baby’s sleep
You might think about waiting on a smart baby monitor if:
- You are co sleeping.
- Your living space is within hearing distance of the place where baby naps
- You think having too much information will stress you out
Audio or Video baby monitors can be a viable option if you don’t need the full bells and whistles of a smart baby monitor. Smart Baby Monitors like the Owlet Dream Duo or Snuza Pico 2 provide a much broader range of information and can give you comfort knowing that your baby is being constantly monitored while they sleep.
How to Choose Between the Owlet or the Snuza
The Owlet Dream Duo and Snuza Pico 2 provide useful information and peace of mind for parents of newborns. With a very similar price tag when choosing between the two you may want to consider:
- Do I want/need to track baby’s heart rate? (Choose Owlet Dream Duo)
- Do I want to see baby on video? (Choose Owlet Dream Duo)
- Do I want to use a baby monitor for several years? (Choose Snuza Pico 2)
- Is an affordable price preferred? (Choose Snuza Pico 2)
Smart Baby Monitor FAQ
Is it worth buying the Owlet/Snuza?
If you have anxiety over your baby’s sleep, a smart baby monitor can give you the peace of mind you need to get some rest. Which is definitely something at a premium with a new baby!
If you aren’t really that anxious, you may find a simpler audio/visual monitor works best for you… or you might not even need a baby monitor at all.
Do pediatricians recommend the Owlet/Snuza?
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement regarding Smart Baby Monitors. It says, “There is no evidence that the use of infant home apnea monitors decreases the incidence of SIDS and should not be used routinely for this purpose; however, they might be of value for selected infants at risk for apnea or cardiovascular events after discharge.”
The AAP also says that a home apnea monitor may be needed and prescribed by a doctor if: Your baby needs home oxygen or your baby has serious breathing problems.
Can these baby monitors prevent SIDS?
In short, no. Smart Baby Monitors can alert you to changes in your baby’s breathing or oxygen level, but they cannot definitively prevent SIDS.
The Owlet website states the product is “not as stringent as a medical monitor.” and “Do not use the Dream Duo if your doctor recommends the use of a hospital apnea monitor or hospital pulse oximeter.”
From the Snuza website, “ It isn’t a medical device. It is designed to assist parents in monitoring their baby, by detecting even the smallest of abdominal movements. Its vibrate and alarm functions are designed to provide an early warning system for parents. They aren’t intended to diagnose or treat any diseases.”
Will these monitors tell you if baby stops breathing?
The Owlet Dream Duo will notify you if your baby’s status changes.
The Snuza Pico 2 will vibrate to try to wake baby after a 15 second pause in breathing movements. If breathing movements pause for 20 seconds it will alarm at the device and through the smartphone.
Do these monitors give false alarms?
Previous versions of the Owlet Smart Sock were reported to have many false alarms. This led to a class-action lawsuit filed in April 2019 alleging that “the monitors tend to report false alarms, often multiple times per night, that fill parents with fear and anxiety about their babies’ health.” The previous version was also discontinued in the USA after the FDA determined that Owlet was required to register its product as a medical device. Note the current version for sale in the USA has had the oxygen saturation measuring feature removed.
On their website, Owlet says that sock fit/placement is the #1 reason for false alarms. They also cited other reasons the sensors might not work properly including sickness, movement that isn’t the baby (baby swing etc), higher elevation, and baby’s foot temperature. As a mom and Owlet Smart Sock user, I found false alarms to be very infrequent so I didn’t mind too much. I would rather be woken for a false alarm than a missed alarm!
The Snuza Pico 2 can give false alarms if improperly positioned on baby.
The Final Word
No baby monitor is perfect however, the Owlet Dream Duo and the Snuza Pico 2 can give you peace of mind and help reduce stress you might feel when your baby is sleeping.
While the Owlet Dream Duo and the Snuza Pico 2 are both excellent wearable devices we think that the Snuza Pico 2 is the best buy as it is more affordable and can be used until your child is 6 years old.