New parents want to keep a close eye on their little one while they sleep. Baby monitors provide peace of mind by tracking breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels and more.
But with so many options on the market, how do you choose? We compare two popular baby monitors, the Halo SleepSack and Owlet Smart Sock, to help you decide which is best for your family.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Halo SleepSack | Owlet Smart Sock |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$$+ |
| Monitoring Capabilities | None directly, offers separate audio monitor | Heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep trends |
| Notifications | No | Yes, alerts your smartphone |
| Technology Required | None | App, sock liner, wifi, base station |
| Replace Frequency | Grows with baby | Replace sock every 2-3 months |
| Safety Focus | Safe sleep environment | Vitals tracking for notifications |
| Medical Device | No | No |
Overview
The Halo SleepSack is a wearable blanket that promotes safe sleep while keeping baby warm and comfortable. They offer a basic audio monitor for an additional purchase.
The Owlet Smart Sock slides onto baby’s foot to track heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep trends. It connects to an app and base station to notify you if anything seems off.
Both are popular registry items for new parents that help monitor breathing and sleep. But there are some key differences when it comes to features and functionality.
Halo Sleepsack Wearable Blanket
The Halo SleepSack helps prevent startle reflexes that can wake baby up. It also eliminates loose blankets in the crib, reducing the risks associated with SIDS, suffocation and overheating. Parents have relied on Halo’s SleepSack swaddles and wearable blankets for over 25 years.
Features
- Dual zipper for easy diaper changes
- Roomier fit around hips and legs
- Designed for babies who can roll over
- Comes in cotton, micro-fleece and muslin options
- Adjustable sizing from newborn to 24 months
The SleepSack keeps babies comfortable and secure without the need for extra monitoring gadgets. For audio monitoring, Halo does offer a basic DECT audio monitor called the Halo Bassinest or Swivel Sleeper. It allows you to listen for cries or other noises from a separate room.
Pros
- Promotes safe sleep habits
- No tech/wifi required
- Provides warmth without loose blankets
- Can purchase affordable audio monitor separately
- Trusted brand for over 25 years
Cons
- No tracking of vitals or sleep analytics
- Not a smart device, only allows basic audio monitoring
The main downside to the Halo is the lack of vitals tracking. The SleepSack focuses more on safe sleep practices than high tech monitoring. If you’re looking for heart rate notifications and sleep analytics, you’ll need a different product like the Owlet.
Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor
The Owlet Smart Sock provides more advanced monitoring by tracking baby’s oxygen levels, heart rate and sleep trends. It then sends notifications to your smartphone if anything seems amiss.
New parents love getting those reassuring updates on their phones overnight. And the data helps identify patterns over time. But all that tech doesn’t come cheap.
Let’s look closer at the Smart Sock’s main components and functionality.
Features
- Monitor baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels
- Get notifications if levels go outside preset zones
- Access real-time data on the smartphone app
- Review sleep trends over time
- Socks available from 0-18 months
- Rechargeable sock liner and base station
The app connects to the base station up to 100 feet away. This allows you to roam the house while still receiving important updates. Many parents keep the base on their nightstand for quick access to notifications and the live display.
Pros
- Tracking of oxygen, heart rate and sleep trends
- Get notifications on your smartphone overnight
- Identify patterns over time
- Access data anywhere with wifi connection
- Larger size sock now available
Cons
- Expensive initial cost and monthly fee
- Occasional false alarms may cause undue stress
- Not a medical device and can have inconsistent readings
- Stopped selling older version 3 socks due to overheating risks
- Requires charging sock liner every 24 hours
While many parents swear by their Owlet sock, the biggest complaint is the high price tag. You’ll need almost $400 upfront for the base station, monitor socks and monthly membership. And socks need to be replaced every couple months as baby grows.
Key Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basic features and pros/cons of each product, let’s recap the major differences:
- Monitoring capabilities – The Owlet tracks vitals and sleep patterns, while the Halo focuses more on safe sleep environments.
- Features – Owlet offers real-time data and smartphone notifications. Halo has simpler audio monitoring available.
- Price – You’ll spend significantly more on the Owlet system with its monthly membership and sock replacements every few months.
- Technology – The Owlet depends on wifi, apps, sock liners and base stations, while the Halo SleepSack has no tech requirements.
For many parents, it comes down to your budget and desired functionality. If you want advanced tracking and notifications on your phone, the investment in the Owlet Smart Sock may be worth it. But for a more affordable way to monitor sleep sounds and promote safety, the Halo SleepSack is a tried and true option.
Also Read: Choose Between Cubo And Nanit.
Safety Considerations
New parents naturally have lots of questions and concerns when it comes to safety. Can these devices really reduce the risks of SIDS or other sleep-related dangers? Here’s what parents need to know:
- No monitors are foolproof or can prevent every tragedy. Supervision and safe sleep practices are still essential.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend relying on vital sign monitoring for reducing SIDS. Their focus remains on the ABC’s of safe infant sleep instead – alone, on their back, in a crib.
- Both the Halo and Owlet aim to improve safety by eliminating loose bedding and promoting healthy sleep environments.
- While not medical devices, they can provide added peace of mind overnight. But notifications should always be confirmed visually and discussed with your pediatrician if concerns arise.
- Be aware that no wearable device or app replaces adult supervision and following medical advice. Make sure to use baby monitors as just one part of your overall safety plan.
Also watch this video about Owlet!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Most pediatricians don’t recommend baby monitors that claim to reduce SIDS risks. That’s because they haven’t been sufficiently studied regarding safety and effectiveness. Pediatricians focus instead on the tried and true safe sleep guidelines. However, many still consider the Owlet a helpful tool for monitoring that provides added peace of mind. Just be sure to run any concerns by your doctor.
There are parent testimonials crediting their Owlet with notifying them of issues that required medical intervention. However, Owlet does not make direct medical claims about preventing SIDS or save claims. It provides notifications parents may act on, but effectiveness depends on many factors. Like any monitor, it should not replace adult supervision.
The main alternative to Owlet’s high-tech sock is Halo’s SleepSack wearable blanket. It serves a different purpose focused more on promoting safe sleep. Other monitor socks also exist but none offer the same breadth of features and app integration as Owlet. Ultimately, Halo and Owlet have very different approaches, so consider your needs and priorities before choosing one over the other.
The Owlet sock monitors heart rate and oxygen levels. It sends notifications if those vital signs seem too high or low based on preset zones. So theoretically, suffocation could trigger alerts due to changes in vitals. However, there’s no evidence Owlet or related devices can specifically detect suffocation events or reduces those risks overall. As always, proper adult supervision is still essential.
Also Read: Comparison Between Neebo And Owlet Baby Monitor.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully this overview gives you a better understanding of the Halo SleepSack and Owlet Smart Sock. Both companies aim to give parents peace of mind but have very different approaches.
The Halo focuses on promoting safe sleep practices at an affordable price point. Meanwhile, the Owlet leverages technology to monitor vital signs and offer smartphone connectivity.
At the end of the day, choose the product aligns best with your budget and priorities as a parent. And be sure to use any monitor judiciously as just one component of your overall safety plan.
