Owlet vs Snuza

Owlet vs Snuza: Differences [What’s Better For Your Baby?]

Owlet vs Snuza: what are the differences and which one is better? The short answer is that these devices monitor your baby through different methods. Snuza monitors your baby’s belly breathing, whereas Owlet monitors both the heart and oxygen levels of your baby.  We’ll compare both devices in terms of features, usage, and effectiveness to help you make the decision easier.  

Owlet vs Snuza: Comparison Table

Owlet
  • Wearable sock monitor
  • Monitors heart and oxygen levels
  • Rechargeable battery (10-12 hours)
  • Frequency range of 30m / 100ft
  • WiFi / Bluetooth allows for monitoring alerts via a downloadable app
Check Price
Snuza
  • Traditional clip-on monitor
  • Monitors belly breathing
  • Non rechargeable battery (2000 hours)
  • Frequency range of 999m / 3277ft
  • Alerts via alarm sounds and vibration directly from the device itself
Check Price

Owlet Review

Pros

  • Sock design is both portable and user-friendly 
  • Wireless monitoring via mobile application
  • Rechargeable battery with docking station
  • Monitors both heart rate and oxygen levels simultaneously 

Cons

  • Not the most affordable option
  • Requires plugin base to function
  • Synching to mobile Bluetooth device is sometimes unreliable 

Review

The Owlet actually tracks your baby’s heart rate in addition to their sleep and oxygen levels.

Owlet is specifically designed to properly and conveniently alert parents of any potential problem being experienced by their baby, to help keep their worries at ease. 

The monitor is cleverly designed in the form of a special sock that once on the baby’s foot, wirelessly connects to the base station while providing parents with alerts via app notifications and sounds straight from their mobile device.

These monitoring alerts can effectively inform parents of any changes in the oxygen level or heart rate of their baby. 

Check Current Price

Snuza Review

Pros

  • Can be used for co-sleeping 
  • Does not transmit any wireless signals to or from your baby
  • Easily worn beneath clothing
  • Very simple to set up and use

Cons

  • Limited functionality and features
  • Alarm can be falsely triggered through areas with excessive movement
  • Alerts are tied to the device itself, which can potentially disturb your baby

Review 

The Snuza is actually a wearable baby monitor that simply clips onto your infants diaper.

It effectively monitors your baby’s breathing without the need for any wires or suction cups.

This is achieved by monitoring the subtleties of your baby’s movements, such as abnormalities in the abdominal movement of your baby.  

If no abdominal movement is detected for even just 15 seconds, then the Snuza will spring into action by vibrating to help rouse the baby.

If three of these instances occur, the monitor will then alert the parent with the use of a beeping sound.

Check Current Price

snuza baby difference

Owlet vs Snuza: Key Differences

Devices 

The Owlet is a washable cotton sock that comes packaged in 3 sizes which ensures your baby can continue to use it as they grow. The included base station has a range of up to 100 feet and is required to be plugged in at all times in order for the sock to function. 

The oximeter within the sock uses a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 hours before needing to be docked in the base station for charging. All monitoring alerts are sent to your mobile device via the specialized application.  

Snuza is a very simplistic device that easily clips on to your baby’s diaper. All of the monitoring alerts come directly from the actual device through the use of alarm sounds that are loud enough to hear within a relatively decent range inside of your home. 

The built-in lithium-ion battery cannot be recharged but does provide a whopping 2000 hours of continued usage.

Functionality

The Owlet sock utilizes its internal oximeter for monitoring vital signs.

This is accomplished using a beam of light that shines through the skin to detect both red light and infra-red light that is being absorbed which in turn calculates the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream and the number of heartbeats per minute. 

The top of the movement monitor within the Snuza clip-on device rests comfortably on your baby’s stomach.

It continues to monitor your baby’s belly breathing by detecting even the tiniest movements. This device is sensitive enough to pick up even the slightest irregularity in your baby’s breathing, making it a simple yet effective monitoring device. 

Alerts and Alarms

Owlet

Owlet has parameters that are preset and cannot be altered in any way.  If oxygen saturation levels drop below 80% or heart rate goes either below 60 bpm or above 220 bpm, you will be alerted immediately.

The oximeter inside the sock wirelessly communicates with the base using BlueTooth, constantly sending important information.  The base itself has important visible and audible alert indicators. 

A green light indicates the device is working and readings are normal. A yellow light is used in conjunction with a lullaby to alert you of incorrect sock placement.

If you see a blue light you are experiencing loss of signal, low battery, or the device is out of range. A red light along with a loud siren means your baby’s oxygen or heart rate levels are outside of the normal preset parameters.

Finally, alert notifications can also be seen on your mobile device via the compatible app which allows you to monitor your baby at any time and from any distance. 

This is perfect for parents who travel and want to maintain some peace of mind while being separated from their baby. 

Snuza

Snuza is constantly monitoring your baby’s belly breathing movements.  So if no movement is detected for as much as 15 seconds, the device gently vibrates in help rouse your baby and get the belly breathing movements going again.

If that proves to be ineffective then a very loud alarm will sound off within  5 seconds. 

Other alerts will go off in situations where your baby’s movements may be weak or if less than 8 moves within a minute were picked up by the device.

Low battery is another reason an alert will be prompted in addition to the Snuza device becoming loose or detaching from your baby.

Being that the Snuza uses very sensitive detection methods that are based on movement to monitor your baby’s breathing, use should be avoided when your baby is placed in movement heavy areas such as a car seat or rocker in order to prevent false readings.

FAQ

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

SIDS refers to the sudden and unexplained death of an infant below 12 months of age that is known to occur during sleep.

While no concrete scientific explanation has determined the exact cause, some key identifying factors have shed light on conditions such as low birth weight and respiratory infections that can potentially make your child more susceptible. 

Do baby monitors protect your baby from SIDS?

While baby monitors like Owlet and Snuza do not guarantee protection from the onset of SIDS, both devices are effective tools in aiding the prevention of any potentially life-threatening conditions.

Monitoring the oxygen and heart rate levels of your baby is a crucial precautionary measure you can take to ensure you are being made aware of any problems as soon as they occur. That way you have the opportunity to act in preventing them from worsening to any sort of critical condition. 

owlet monitor review

Conclusion

Owlet vs Snuza baby monitor: And the winner is…

Both the Owlet and Snuza devices provide reliable methods of monitoring your baby.  However, they each have very different methods of doing so and your choice is ultimately going to come down the features you deem essential, the methods you find most convenient, and the device that you feel best justifies the cost.  

If you’re a parent who is constantly around the house and in close general proximity to your baby on a daily basis, then the Snuza may prove to be more than sufficient to suit your needs. 

It is the most cost-effective option and offers the most simple and easy to use device of the two.  

Some parents who don’t require all the bells and whistles of the Owlet may appreciate the more bare-bones approach of the Snuza. 

Just clip it on to your baby’s diaper and you’re good to go. It effectively monitors your baby’s belly breathing movements with audible alerts to grab your attention in the event of any breathing problems your baby may be having. 

On the other hand, if you are a parent who is always on the go, juggling a million things at once, then some of the enhanced features of the Owlet baby monitor is a better option for you.

Being able to use a plug in base gives you increased range to listen for alerts no matter where you are in the home. Then monitoring alerts via the mobile app means you can stay updated on your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels from virtually anywhere. 

Being able to keep track of precise heart rate and oxygen levels may also be a decision defining factor that you won’t mind spending more for.  

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.