The report card
- Sound quality25% of score7.2
Mumsnet testers found the audio good even with background noise, but noticed occasional dropouts without warning.
- Range & reliability25% of score6.4
Works anywhere with a signal, but only as reliable as your Wi-Fi, with no direct fallback.
- Battery & portability15% of score6.4
Rechargeable, with up to 8 hours away from the mains.
- Useful extras15% of score8.4
Cry detection, temperature and humidity, a big sound library and a colour night light; no talk-back.
- Ease of use10% of score7.0
Controlled on the device or in the app, though Mumsnet found the link with the Nanit Pro app a little clunky.
- Value10% of score6.0
Around £100 is a lot for audio monitoring, less so if you'd buy a sound machine anyway.
The full review
The Sound + Light is Nanit's three-in-one: a white noise machine, a colour night light and an audio monitor that sends cry alerts and temperature and humidity readings to your phone. It connects over Wi-Fi and is controlled from the device itself or from Nanit's apps.
It makes most sense in two situations: if you already own a Nanit Pro camera and want everything in one place, or if you were going to buy a sound machine anyway. Mumsnet included it in its baby monitor round-up as the best sound machine monitor, praising the audio quality and programmable routines, and its rechargeable battery lasts up to 8 hours, so it can travel.
As a monitor it has weaknesses. There's no talk-back and no dedicated parent unit, it's only as reliable as your Wi-Fi, and Mumsnet's testers noticed occasional audio dropouts without any notification, which is exactly what you don't want from a monitor. They also found the integration with the Nanit Pro app a little clunky.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Monitor, sound machine and night light in one
- Cry alerts plus temperature and humidity on your phone
- Rechargeable battery for travel
- Fits into the Nanit app ecosystem
What I don't
- Only as reliable as your Wi-Fi
- Reports of audio dropouts without warning
- No talk-back or parent unit
- Pricey as an audio monitor
Key specs
- Connection
- Wi-Fi, app-based
- Alerts
- Cry detection to your phone
- Sensors
- Temperature and humidity
- Sound machine
- White noise, nature sounds, lullabies
- Night light
- Adjustable colours
- Battery
- Rechargeable, up to 8 hours
- Talk-back
- No
Head-to-heads
What I read
This is a research-led review. These are the main sources behind the scores, alongside patterns in verified owner reviews. How I review.