The Best Travel-Friendly Baby Monitors for Hotels & Airbnbs

I used to think bringing a baby monitor on vacation was overkill. “I’ll just keep an ear out,” I told myself. Then I found myself tiptoeing into a dark hotel room, holding my breath, and trying not to trip over a suitcase while checking if my son was still asleep. Spoiler alert: I woke him up.

Lesson learned.

A travel-friendly baby monitor is super useful, especially for those moments when you want to sit on the balcony of your hotel room, enjoy an Airbnb’s living room after bedtime, or see what’s going on inside the Slumberpod. But not all baby monitors are created equal when it comes to travel. Some are bulky. Some require a 2.5ghz Wi-Fi connection (which is almost impossible with login-style hotel internet). And some are so complicated you’ll spend more time setting them up than actually using them.

That means you could end up with a monitor that won’t connect when you need it most.

So, after lots of trial and error (and a few bad purchases), here are the best travel-friendly baby monitors that actually make life easier on the road.

Which One is Right for You Quick List:

• Best overall: Momcozy BM03 – Reliable, portable, and easy to use.
• Best hybrid option: Eufy SpaceView – Works with and without Wi-Fi.
• Best for AI features: Ellie Baby Plus – Advanced monitoring without Wi-Fi.
• Best budget option: HelloBaby HB65 – Affordable and simple.
• Best Wi-Fi-based monitor: Nanit Pro – High-quality video with app access.

Best Overall: Momcozy BM03 Baby Monitor

Why I love it: Portable, reliable, and works without Wi-Fi.

This one has been my go-to for travel. It’s small enough to fit in a carry-on, has a solid battery life, and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi connection, so you don’t have to worry about sketchy hotel internet or security risks. The range is great—perfect for staying within earshot while enjoying a late-night conversation on an Airbnb patio or your cruise ship balcony.

Bonus: The screen resolution is crisp, and the camera can be remotely tilted, panned, and zoomed from the monitor. It also works well with a Slumberpod‘s plastic monitor sleeve.

Best Hybrid Option: Eufy SpaceView Baby Monitor

Why I love it: Works with and without Wi-Fi, giving you flexibility.

If you want a monitor that can function as both a Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi monitor, the Eufy SpaceView (read our full review) is the best of both worlds. Many baby monitors rely solely on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which hotels often block, but the Eufy gives you an option to switch to an independent connection that doesn’t need Wi-Fi at all. This means you can still keep an eye on your baby whether you’re in a remote Airbnb, a fancy resort, or a place with spotty internet. The video quality is excellent, the battery life is solid, and it’s easy to pack.

The only downside is the function to switch from analog to wifi is on the monitor, so you can’t walk down the hall, lose connection, and then make the decision from the monitor to switch to Wi-Fi. You’d have to go back into the room and make the switch on the monitor, so make sure you know the connection will hold before doing bedtime or nap time.

Best Clip-on and Extra Features: Ellie Baby Plus

Why I love it: Advanced AI features with no Wi-Fi required.

Ellie Baby Plus is the first-ever non-Wi-Fi baby monitor with built-in AI features, offering real-time alerts for covered faces, rollovers, breathing patterns, crying, and sleep quality—all without needing an internet connection.

It even allows you to set up danger zones, which is a lifesaver when your baby starts exploring and attempting daring escapes. The 24-hour playback means you won’t miss a thing, whether it’s their first steps or first “mama.” The camera is impressive, with 2.5K HD resolution, 5x zoom, and 360-degree room coverage, while the lightweight 5-inch LCD screen provides clear monitoring, complete with temperature and humidity display. Read our full Ellie Baby review.

Best for Carry On Only Travel: VTech DM221 Audio Monitor

Why I love it: No Wi-Fi, super lightweight, and budget-friendly.

If you don’t need video and just want a basic, reliable audio monitor, this is it. It’s tiny, so it won’t take up precious luggage space, and it works on battery power (or plugged in, if you have an adapter). The range is impressive, and the sound quality is surprisingly good for the price. If you’re traveling somewhere with unreliable Wi-Fi or just don’t want to haul a bulky video monitor, this is a great option.

Best Wi-Fi Option: Nanit Pro Smart Monitor

Why I love it: High-quality video and can be checked from anywhere.

If you’re staying somewhere with solid Wi-Fi and know you’ll be able to connect (like at a family member or friend’s house who knows they have a 2.4gz connection), the Nanit Pro is a great choice. It connects to your phone, so you don’t have to pack an extra screen, and it has excellent night vision. The biggest perk? If you have a babysitter or family member watching your little one, you can check in from anywhere—date night, anyone? Just keep in mind that you’ll need a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection, which isn’t always guaranteed when traveling.

Best Budget Pick: HelloBaby HB65 Baby Monitor

Why I love it: Affordable, portable, and works without Wi-Fi.

If you want a simple, no-frills monitor that won’t break the bank, the HelloBaby HB65 is a solid pick. It has a decent range, doesn’t require Wi-Fi, and has night vision. It’s not as fancy as the others, but it does the job—and at a price that makes it easy to justify as a backup travel monitor.

We ended up getting the Momcozy when this one didn’t play nicely with our Slumberpod, however.

No matter which one you choose, having a baby monitor on vacation means you can actually enjoy some downtime in another room while on vacation.

Now, who else is ready for a well-earned beverage on the balcony?

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