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13 Best Owlet Smart Socks and Alternatives to Use as Baby Monitors

A baby wearing a smart sock monitor

Becoming a new parent is both exciting and stressful. You want to ensure your little one is safe and healthy at all times. This often leads to sleepless nights as you check on your baby frequently. Baby monitors help give parents peace of mind so they can get some much-needed rest.

Owlet smart socks take baby monitoring to the next level. They track your baby‘s heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep trends to give you valuable insights. While the Owlet socks are popular, other brands offer similar smart sock monitors as well.

In this guide, we will cover:

  • What Owlet smart socks are and how they work
  • Top Owlet smart sock models to consider
  • Owlet smart sock alternatives from other brands
  • Factors to consider when choosing a baby smart sock

So whether you want an Owlet or are open to other options, read on for the top smart sock baby monitors available!

What Are Owlet Smart Socks and How Do They Work?

Owlet smart socks are baby monitors that track your little one‘s vitals and sleep patterns. The socks have sensors stitched into the fabric that read your baby‘s heart rate, oxygen levels, and movement.

Baby wearing an Owlet smart sock

The sock connects wirelessly to a base station. The base station displays your baby‘s real-time vitals and syncs the data to a mobile app.

If your baby‘s heart rate or oxygen levels go outside preset zones, the base station and app will send alerts. This lets you check on your little one if needed.

Most Owlet models also track your baby‘s sleep trends. The app shows their total sleep time, periods of restlessness, and awake periods. This helps you identify patterns and adjust nap schedules as needed.

So in short, Owlet smart socks provide 24/7 monitoring without wires or adhesives on your baby‘s skin. The non-invasive sensors slip right into a soft sock that feels comfy for babies.

Next, let‘s look at the top Owlet smart sock options available.

Top Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitors

Owlet offers a few different smart sock models. The main differences are in the size range, extra features like video monitoring, and price.

Owlet Dream Sock Plus

Owlet Dream Sock Plus

The Owlet Dream Sock Plus is the latest version of their original smart sock. It has all of the same great tracking features but now comes in both standard and plus sizes. This accommodates babies‘ growth over time.

Key features:

  • Tracks heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep trends
  • Alerts for readings outside preset zones
  • Standard and plus size for 0-18 months
  • Displays real-time data on base station
  • Syncs with iOS/Android app

The plus size sock fits babies up to 25 lbs. So you get extended use from the Owlet system as your baby grows.

Owlet Dream Sock

Owlet Dream Sock

The standard Owlet Dream Sock is the original model. It‘s a tried and true option that many parents still love.

Features:

  • Gets notifications for changes in heart rate and oxygen
  • Charts baby‘s sleep cycles and patterns
  • Access real-time data or review historical trends
  • Fits infants 0-18 months
  • Comes in three fabric colors

The Owlet app also provides sleep tips to help your little one snooze better. If you want the core pulse oximetry tracking without video, the Dream Sock is a great choice.

Owlet Dream Duo

Owlet Dream Duo

The Owlet Dream Duo bundles the standard Dream Sock with an HD video camera.

Key features:

  • Video monitoring with night vision
  • two-way audio communication
  • Smart sock tracks heart rate and oxygen
  • Get alerts for low levels or irregular heartbeats
  • Fits babies up to 18 months

The camera streams 1080p video to your smartphone. It also pans, tilts, and zooms so you can see every corner of the crib.

Owlet Dream Duo 2

Owlet Dream Duo 2

The Dream Duo 2 takes everything parents love about the original and makes it even better.

Improvements include:

  • Wider 140° viewing angle on camera
  • Crisper night vision quality
  • New oval-shaped sock design
  • More comfortable fit for little feet
  • Tracks temperature and humidity

You still get complete video and smart sock monitoring. But the upgrades make the Dream Duo 2 an even more useful baby monitor.

Other Notable Owlet Accessories

Along with their smart sock monitors, Owlet offers some additional products that work with their system.

Extended Sock

Once your baby passes the size limits of the normal Owlet socks, you can purchase an extended sock. This larger sock can monitor kids up to 5 years old. So you can continue getting those vital readings as your toddler grows.

Additional Fabric Socks

Owlet sells extra fabric sock sleeves separately from the monitor sensor. This allows you to switch up the look or have backups handy.

Travel Case

To keep your Owlet sock and base station protected on the go, pick up a travel case. It has a foam mold to prevent any damage.

Charging Stand

A charging stand offers a neat way to juice up your Owlet sock sensor and base station. Just drop them on and you‘re good to go.

Owlet Smart Sock Alternatives and Competitors

While Owlet pioneered smart socks for babies, other brands now offer their own versions. Here are some other great options if you want similar features but prefer a different brand.

Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor

Miku Pro

The Miku Pro is a comprehensive baby monitoring system. It combines contactless sleep tracking with HD video and audio monitoring.

The sleep sensor slips under the crib mattress to track breathing, sleep cycles, and more. While the wireless camera provides a 1080p view day and night.

Key features:

  • Contactless sleep tracking
  • Real-time breathing monitoring
  • HD video and night vision
  • Two-way audio communication
  • Soothing nightlight and lullabies
  • Temperature and humidity sensors
  • No socks to wear on baby

With Miku, you don‘t have to put socks on your little one. But you still get detailed sleep tracking – plus the ability to look and listen in.

Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System

Nanit Pro

Like Miku, the Nanit Pro takes a camera-first approach to baby monitoring. But it excels at tracking your little one‘s sleep habits.

Features include:

  • Overhead HD camera with night vision
  • In-depth sleep tracking and highlights
  • Breathing monitoring without socks/sensors
  • Environmental sensors for temperature, humidity
  • Two-way talk and background audio
  • Zoomable panoramic views
  • Sleep insights to establish routines

Nanit uses computer vision and AI to identify sleep cycles automatically. The insights help you improve your baby‘s sleep over time.

Lumi by Pampers

Lumi by Pampers

Pampers took a unique approach with the Lumi smart monitoring system. Their all-in-one sensor attaches to the front of your baby‘s diaper.

It tracks:

  • Sleep cycles and patterns
  • Diaper wetness
  • Baby‘s movements
  • Camera monitors room

The sensor neatly snaps onto Pamper‘s Lumi diapers. It detects wetness and sends alerts when it‘s time for a change.

The wireless camera also streams HD video with night vision. So you get visual and sensory monitoring.

Babysense Video Baby Monitor

Babysense Video Baby Monitor

The Babysense baby monitor pairs a standalone HD camera with a sock-like vital signs sensor.

The included sensor tracks your baby‘s:

  • Heart rate
  • Oxygen saturation levels
  • Sleep position

You get mobile alerts if readings seem abnormal. The 1080p camera pans, tilts, and zooms to provide a wide view.

Two-way audio allows you to listen and talk to your little one. Plus, the system is secured with end-to-end encryption.

Cubo AI

Cubo AI Baby Monitor

Powered by artificial intelligence, the Cubo AI monitors your baby in multiple ways.

The included camera tracks your little one‘s face, breathing patterns, cries, and movements. Without any wearable sock or sensor!

It can differentiate between babies crying and other noises. This way you only get alerts when they really need you.

Other capabilities include:

  • Person detection
  • Night vision
  • Two-way audio
  • Temperature/humidity sensors
  • Optional wall mount

With AI-powered tracking, the Cubo AI eliminates the need for socks or sensors on your baby.

Additional Smart Sock Alternatives

  • Sproutling – Ankle band monitors heart rate, temperature, position.
  • Baby Vida – Socks track oxygen, heart rate, sleep trends.
  • MonBaby – Smart button clips onto clothing, tracks breathing, oxygen.
  • Rest Devices Mimo – Onesie with sensors tracks respiration, body position.

So those give you a good range of Owlet sock alternatives! Many track similar vitals but with their own unique designs.

Factors to Consider When Picking a Smart Sock Baby Monitor

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right smart sock or alternative:

  • Baby‘s age – Some socks only fit newborns, while others accommodate infants and toddlers.
  • Comfort and fit – Look for soft, breathable materials without adhesive on baby‘s skin.
  • Tracking features – Know what metrics are most important like heart rate, oxygen, breathing, etc.
  • Extra functions – Do you want just a sock or paired cameras, audio, etc?
  • Alerts – How/when does the system notify you of concerns?
  • App/smartphone connectivity – Check OS and phone compatibility.
  • Data storage – Can data sync when phone is disconnected?
  • Battery life – How often do devices need charging?
  • Price – Smart socks range from $100 to $400. Set a budget.
  • Reviews – Read feedback from other parents on comfort, accuracy, etc.

Prioritize the features and tracking capabilities most important for your family. This will help you zero in on the right product.

Give Yourself (And Your Baby) Peace of Mind

When you‘re worried about your little one even in the next room, sleep doesn‘t come easy. Thankfully, smart sock baby monitors like the Owlet Dream Sock provide 24/7 tracking to give you peace of mind.

Owlet‘s award-winning Smart Socks track key vitals and sleep trends. The app sends alerts when abnormalities are detected. So you can respond and tend to your baby‘s needs.

We covered the top Owlet socks including the Dream Sock Plus, Dream Duo, and more. Plus plenty of alternatives if you want to compare brands and features.

Whichever product you choose, enjoy the benefits of hands-free monitoring. With smart socks keeping watch, you can finally get some well-deserved rest while your baby snoozes!

AlexisKestler

Written by Alexis Kestler

A female web designer and programmer - Now is a 36-year IT professional with over 15 years of experience living in NorCal. I enjoy keeping my feet wet in the world of technology through reading, working, and researching topics that pique my interest.