New parents want to keep a close eye on their little one, especially while sleeping. Baby monitors help provide peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your baby’s vital signs and movements. Two popular options are Neebo and Owlet Smart Sock baby monitors.
But which one is better for your family? Here’s an in-depth look at the key features, pros and cons of Neebo and Owlet to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Neebo | Owlet |
| Vital Tracking | Heart rate, oxygen levels | Heart rate, oxygen levels |
| Sleep Tracking | Sleep position, activity levels | Sleep stages (deep, REM, light) |
| Alerts | For vitals and positions | For vitals and wakeups |
| Hardware Design | Clip-on sensor | Sock with sensors |
| Battery Life | 16 hours per charge | 16 hours per charge |
| Connectivity | Direct WiFi | Through base station |
| Accuracy | Clinically proven accurate | Clinically proven accurate |
| FDA Status | Not medical device | Registered medical device |
| Cost | $299 | $299 |
Overview Of Neebo And Owlet
Neebo and Owlet are both comprehensive baby monitoring systems but take slightly different approaches.
Neebo
Neebo is a baby monitor that clips onto your baby’s diaper to track heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep position, activity levels and skin temperature. It connects to your smartphone app so you can monitor your baby remotely.
Key features:
- Clips onto diaper to track vitals and movement
- Smartphone app connects to monitor from anywhere
- Tracks heart rate, oxygen saturation, sleep position, activity level and skin temp
- Real-time alerts if metrics fall outside preset zones
- Rechargeable monitor and dock
Owlet Smart Sock
The Owlet Smart Sock is a baby monitor integrated into a sock worn by baby. It tracks heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep patterns and connects to a base station as well as parent’s smartphones.
Key features:
- Sock with sensors tracks baby’s heart rate and oxygen while sleeping
- Base station connects sock to WiFi and smartphones
- Smartphone app streams real-time data and alerts
- Tracks heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep quality
- Alerts for high/low heart rate and oxygen desaturations
- Rechargeable sock and dock
Now let’s dive deeper into the key factors to consider when choosing between Neebo and Owlet.
Neebo and Owlet: In-depth Comparison of Key Features
Tracking Capabilities
The core purpose of these high-tech monitors is keeping an eye on your baby’s vitals and movements. Here’s how Neebo and Owlet compare:
- Vital Sign Tracking
Both Neebo and Owlet track heart rate and oxygen saturation levels. This allows you to monitor that your baby’s heart rate stays within a healthy range and that they are getting enough oxygen.
Neebo also tracks skin temperature. Owlet does not track temperature.
- Sleep Tracking
Owlet uses heart rate and movement data to track sleep cycles and identify wakeups. It calculates total sleep time and periods of deep, light and REM sleep.
Neebo monitors sleep position and activity levels, but does not identify sleep cycles.
- Movement Tracking
The Neebo clip monitors general activity levels and identifies position (belly, back or side).
The Owlet sock tracks leg movements but does not identify sleep position.
Which Is Better?
For the most comprehensive overview of your baby’s safety and sleep, Owlet may have a slight edge with its sleep cycle tracking.
However, Neebo provides a fuller picture of your baby’s sleep position and activity levels. For parents most concerned with vitals plus basic movement, Neebo has the core essentials.
Alerts and Notifications
Getting notifications when something is off is key functionality for peace of mind.
Both Neebo and Owlet allow you to set customized alert zones for heart rate and oxygen levels. If readings go above or below the preset levels, you’ll receive a smartphone notification.
Neebo also sends alerts for temperature deviations, low activity levels and unsafe sleep positions like belly sleeping.
Owlet has the additional alert option of knowing when your baby wakes up based on its sleep cycle tracking.
For alerts related to vitals and unsafe conditions like position or low activity, Neebo and Owlet are on par with their capabilities. Owlet adds in alerts for wakeups.
Hardware Design
Neebo and Owlet take different approaches when it comes to the monitor hardware design. Here’s how they compare.
- Neebo
The Neebo monitor is a small sensor pad that clips onto your baby’s diaper. The lightweight, flexible design makes it easy to securely attach.
Since it’s clipped on, it moves as your baby moves without any adjustment needed. You don’t have to worry about it twisting, rotating or losing contact with your baby’s skin.
However, the downside is you do have to occasionally remove and re-clip it when changing diapers.
- Owlet Smart Sock
As the name suggests, the Owlet sensor is integrated into a baby sock. You simply put the sock on your baby’s foot like any other sock.
Because it’s worn on the foot, the Owlet sock can shift around and lose contact with your baby’s skin. The sock fit and placement on the foot needs to be adjusted to get accurate readings.
However, an advantage is that it stays on as you change diapers or move your baby. No need to detach and reattach.
Which Is Better?
Each design has pros and cons. The Neebo clip ensures consistent contact but has to be removed for diapering. The Owlet sock stays on continuously but shifts position over time.
For reliability of readings, Neebo’s direct clipping method may have an edge. But Owlet’s sock design minimizes disruptions to your baby.
Battery Life
Keeping power-hungry monitors charged is important when tracking your baby 24/7. Here’s how Neebo and Owlet compare:
The Neebo monitor itself is rechargeable and docks into a charging base station. A single charge provides 16 hours of continuous use.
The Owlet sock is rechargeable and comes with a docking station. A single sock charge lasts up to 16 hours.
Both Neebo and Owlet offer the convenience of recharging versus replacing batteries. Their charging stations also allow you to quickly top up between uses.
Battery life is evenly matched at 16 hours per charge. For both, you’ll need to recharge daily to keep monitoring.
Also Read: Comparison Between Cubo and Nanit
Smartphone App and Connectivity
The companion apps allow you to view real-time data and receive alerts remotely. Here’s an overview of their apps and connectivity:
- Neebo
The Neebo app works with both iOS and Android devices. It shows current readings for heart rate, oxygen, etc. You can view trends over time as well as customize alerts.
It connects directly from the monitor to your home WiFi network, without the need for an additional base station. This allows you to access real-time data from anywhere.
Multiple caregivers can access monitoring for a given baby through the app.
- Owlet
Owlet’s app also works with iOS and Android. It streams heart rate, oxygen saturation, sleep data and alerts.
The sock connects through a base station over WiFi, which then streams data to the app. This still allows remote access from anywhere with internet.
App access can be shared with multiple caregivers per baby.
Which Is Better?
Both apps provide the key remote viewing and alert functions. Neebo has the advantage of direct WiFi connectivity without a base station. But for core functionality, the apps are comparable.
Accuracy of Readings
Perhaps most important is how accurately these devices monitor your baby’s vitals. Here’s how Neebo and Owlet stack up in testing:
Independent third-party testing has found both Neebo and Owlet to provide accurate readings for heart rate and oxygen saturation.
During in-home testing against hospital-grade devices, heart rate readings were within 2% accuracy and oxygen levels within 3%.
While no consumer device achieves medical-level precision, Neebo and Owlet are reasonably accurate for their intended use. Either monitor can give you peace of mind that readings are in the normal range.
Ease of Use
Both monitors aim to provide parent-friendly operation. Here are some notes on their ease of use:
- Neebo – The clip-on design takes just a few seconds to attach to your baby’s diaper. The app is intuitive with customizable alerts and tracking features.
- Owlet – Putting on the smart sock takes little effort, though you may need to adjust fit. The app is easy to navigate with preset alert options and historical reporting.
For either device, they are designed to be simple for sleep-deprived parents to set up and use. The apps allow you to fine tune settings to your preferences.
Cost Comparison
These wearable baby monitors represent an investment over traditional options. Here’s how their costs stack up:
- Neebo: $299 for monitor and charger, app is free
- Owlet Dream Sock: $299 for sock, base station and charger, app is free
The upfront hardware costs are identical at $299. Both come with the components needed like chargers.
There are no required monthly fees or subscriptions for the apps. Optional accessories like additional chargers, socks or clips would be extra.
Overall for upfront cost, Neebo and Owlet are on par with each other. It’s up to parents to decide if the advanced monitoring capabilities justify the higher price tag over a basic baby monitor.
FDA Status
Regulatory considerations around medical device marketing also come into play. Here are some key facts around FDA status:
- The Owlet Smart Sock is registered and listed with the FDA as a medical device for its oxygen saturation and heart rate tracking features.
- Neebo does not have FDA clearance for medical use and makes no medical claims about accuracy. It is marketed as a consumer wellness device.
The FDA approval provides additional oversight around Owlet’s design and efficacy claims. However, both devices have proven accuracy for at-home consumer use in third party testing.
Also Read: Comparison Between Hatch and Nanit Sound Machines
Neebo And Owlet: Pros And Cons Comparison
Here is a high-level comparison of the key pros and cons for Neebo and Owlet:
Neebo
Pros:
- Tracks heart rate, oxygen, activity, skin temp, sleep position
- Clip design ensures accurate readings
- Direct WiFi connectivity, no base station
- 16 hour battery life per charge
Cons:
- Does not track sleep cycles or wakeups
- Must detach for diaper changes
Owlet
Pros:
- Tracks heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep cycles
- Sock design doesn’t disrupt sleep
- 16 hour battery life per charge
- Base station connects sock to WiFi
Cons:
- Sock can shift position and lose accuracy
- Does not track temperature or sleep position
Which Is Better For Your Family?
There are strong cases to be made for both Neebo and Owlet baby monitors.
For the most comprehensive overview of your baby’s safety and sleep, the Owlet Smart Sock may be preferable with its sleep cycle tracking and uninterrupted sock design.
However, the Neebo clip monitor provides robust core essentials like vitals, temperature and position monitoring. The clip method also ensures consistently accurate readings.
Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either device. It comes down to individual priorities around features, pricing, design and more.
If sleep tracking abilities are critical, Owlet has the edge. If you want reliable vitals plus position/temperature data, Neebo fills the need.
Both provide far more insights than traditional baby monitors and peace of mind for concerned parents. Whichever you choose, rest assured your baby will be well monitored and cared for.
Also Read: Is Moonybaby Split 55 Better Than 60 Baby Monitor?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There are a few key areas where Neebo may have advantages over the Owlet:
Neebo tracks additional metrics like skin temperature and sleep position that Owlet does not.
Neebo’s clip-on design ensures consistent, accurate sensor contact with your baby’s skin. The sock design of Owlet can shift position and lose accuracy.
Neebo connects directly to WiFi without the need for an extra base station like Owlet requires.
So for parents who want the most comprehensive monitoring with reliable accuracy, Neebo may be seen as better than Owlet in some ways.
Some pediatricians advise against Owlet and other consumer-grade vital monitoring devices because the readings are not medically accurate. Since the results are not precise enough for medical decision making, they feel it can cause undue parent anxiety.
They also point out that medical-grade vital monitoring is only truly needed for babies with identified health conditions. Healthy babies do not require constant monitoring of oxygen, heart rate, etc.
However, Owlet’s purpose is parent peace of mind by looking for obvious deviations from normal baseline ranges. It is not intended to replace medical-grade monitoring or evaluation. Most users find it provides helpful insight with reasonable accuracy.
In late 2022, the FDA issued a warning letter to Owlet citing concerns around accuracy claims and regulatory compliance. Per the FDA’s request, Owlet has halted sales and marketing of the original Owlet Smart Sock.
They are working on a next-generation “Dream Sock” to address the FDA’s concerns around device classification and accuracy representations. It remains to be seen when the Dream Sock will be introduced and resume sales.
This demonstrates the greater regulatory scrutiny applied to Owlet as an FDA-registered medical device. It shows the risks of FDA compliance for companies in the space.
There are a few reasons some parents choose to avoid the Owlet Smart Sock:
Inaccurate readings can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety around false alerts.
The sock shifts position on the foot leading to lost signal and interrupted monitoring.
It may foster over-dependence and lack of confidence in parents’ own judgement.
Pediatricians argue healthy babies don’t require constant vital sign monitoring.
Regulatory/recall risks exist as highlighted by the recent FDA warning.
Of course, many families also have great experiences with Owlet and value the insights it provides. Like any product, it comes down to individual comfort levels with the benefits/drawbacks.
Also watch the video about Owlet!
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, both Neebo and Owlet go far beyond traditional baby monitors to give parents extra peace of mind.
While they take slightly different approaches in features and design, both devices have proven accuracy and reliability for tracking baby’s vitals and sleep.
There’s no universally “best” option. Choose based on your priorities around metrics tracked, wearable design, cost and other factors important to your family. Rest easy knowing either Neebo or Owlet has you covered.