How A Ring Camera As Baby Monitor Gives Peace Of Mind

When I First Tried Using a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor
. At first, I wasn’t sure if using a Ring camera as a baby monitor was smart. We already had one by the door. So, I thought—why not try it in the nursery?
As a busy mom, I wanted something easy and quick. In this guide, I’ll show you what I did. I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and if I’d do it again.
Let’s dive into the pros, cons, and the stuff no one tells you.

Can You Use a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor?

Yes, you can. But it has limits.
I’ve used it myself. It works, but it’s not like a real baby monitor.
Ring cameras are for home safety, not babies. They don’t have cry alerts, lullabies, or continuous sound.
Still, if you already have one, it’s a good backup.
Here’s the difference:
Baby monitors give you sound all the time. Some even track breathing or sing lullabies. Many send alerts when your baby cries.
Ring cameras give you clear video. You can talk to your baby through the app. But if your phone is locked, you won’t hear anything.
For naps or short breaks, it worked fine for me. I wouldn’t trust it overnight. For older babies or tech-loving parents, it’s worth a try.
So yes, you can use a Ring camera as a baby monitor—but with caution and limitations.

How I Set Up My Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor

Setup was quick. I had to adjust a few things.
Here’s what I did—and what I suggest for you.

Step 1: Pick the Right Spot
Mount the camera high. Aim it at the crib from above. Avoid bright windows or lights.
Tip: Place it above the crib for the best view.

Step 2: Change Motion Settings
Turn off “People Only Mode.” Your baby might not count as a “person.” Adjust the motion zones and lower the alert level.
Tip: Turn off People-Only Mode and fine-tune the zones.

Step 3: Use Night Vision
Ring’s night vision is great. It works by itself in the dark.
Tip: No need to set it—it works on its own.

Step 4: Try Two-Way Talk
You can talk to your baby through the app. It helps calm them from another room.
Tip: Use the mic to comfort your baby without rushing in.

Step 5: Set Custom Alerts
I changed the alert sound for the nursery. It helped me tell it apart from other alerts.
Tip: Pick a unique tone for baby alerts.

Step 6: Check Your Wi-Fi
A weak signal caused delays. I moved the router closer. That fixed the problem.
Tip: Strong Wi-Fi is key for smooth video.

Pros and Cons of Using a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor
Pros

Clear Video and Night Vision
The video was sharp—even in the dark. I could see my baby breathe.
Two-Way Talk
I could say “Mama’s here” from the kitchen. It calmed my baby fast.
Motion Alerts
It told me when the baby moved. I adjusted the settings to avoid false alarms.
Remote Viewing
I could check in from work, the store, or grandma’s house.

Cons

No Background Sound
You won’t hear your baby unless the app is open.
App Delay
There’s a short lag—maybe one or two seconds. But it matters if your baby is crying.
No Baby Tools
No cry alert. No lullaby. No breathing monitor. It’s not built for babies.
Needs Good Wi-Fi
A weak signal means frozen video. You may need to move your router.

Extra Cost for Clips
Want to save videos? That costs extra with the Ring plan.

Is It Safe to Use a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor in the Nursery?

I had the same fear—privacy.
Watching the front door is one thing. Watching your baby? That’s personal.
Here’s what I found:
Yes, Ring uses encryption. That keeps video private.
Yes, it needs two-factor login. Even if someone gets your password, they’ll need your phone too.
But no tech is 100% safe. Weak passwords or open Wi-Fi can still cause problems.

My Top 3 Safety Tips

Use a Strong Password
No repeats. Use letters, numbers, and symbols.
Turn on 2FA
Two-factor login adds a strong safety layer.
Use a Secure Network
Avoid public Wi-Fi. I made a guest network just for my Ring devices.

A Quick Word on Sound at Night

I don’t use Ring for overnight sound. The app doesn’t stay open in the background. Instead, I use a cheap sound-only monitor beside my bed.

When It Works—And When It Doesn’t
When It Works Best
You already have a Ring camera
You’re traveling and want less gear
Your baby is older
You’re good with tech
You want to peek in from far away

When It Doesn’t Work Well
For newborns who need close watching
In homes with weak Wi-Fi
If you need sound all night
If you hate apps or tech setup

What Worked for Me (And What Didn’t)
For naps and short breaks? Perfect.
At night? Nope. I needed to hear every little sound.
Now, I use Ring during the day. At night, I keep a sound monitor beside the bed. It’s simple. It works.

Here’s what I experienced when using the Ring camera as a baby monitor in real life

Baby Monitors vs. Ring Cameras: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Ring Camera	Baby Monitor
Video	HD with night vision	Varies—some are HD
Two-Way Talk	Yes (small delay)	Yes (often smoother)
Sound	Only when app is open	Always on
Alerts	Motion only	Cry, sound, motion
App Control	Yes, full app	Some have apps
Setup	Easy (if you like tech)	Plug-and-play
Needs Wi-Fi	Yes	Some don’t
Extra Features	Security tools	Lullabies, temp, breathing
Cost	Medium to high + fee	Varies from low to premium
Storage	Cloud with fee	Local or none

So, What Should You Pick?

If you’re tech-savvy and already own a Ring cam—try it. It’s good for naps and travel. Just add a sound-only monitor for night.
If your baby is young or you want zero fuss, get a regular baby monitor. You’ll get full-time sound and less stress.
What I Use
Daytime → Ring cam for quick checks
Nighttime → Basic sound monitor by the bed

Final Word
Use what works for you. Some parents love apps. Some just want to hear every tiny sigh without unlocking a screen.
There’s no right or wrong—only what fits your life.

Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend Using a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor?

After using the Ring camera as a baby monitor, I’ve got a solid take on it.
For short-term use, like during naps or if you’re in another room, it works well. The video quality is great, and two-way talk is helpful.
But for continuous audio or overnight monitoring, I’d suggest a regular baby monitor.
For older babies or tech-savvy parents, a Ring camera is a good backup. But for younger babies or parents who need sound all night, stick to a dedicated monitor.
Try the Ring Camera if:

You already own one.
You’re tech-savvy.
You just need video and remote access.
Your baby is older.

Invest in a Baby Monitor if:

You need continuous audio.
You want a simple setup.
You have a newborn.
You don’t want to pay for cloud storage.
If you’re still wondering whether using a Ring camera as a baby monitor is right for you, here’s my final take.

Final Word
At the end of the day, it’s all about what fits your lifestyle. Trust your instincts as a parent. Do what works for you and your baby.

Happy parenting!

FAQs

Can I use a Ring camera as a baby monitor full-time?

You can use a Ring camera as a baby monitor, but it’s not ideal for full-time use. It lacks continuous audio and cry detection. It’s best for naps or short checks. Learn more about using Ring for baby monitoring.

Is the Ring indoor cam good enough for night monitoring?

Yes, the Ring camera has excellent night vision. However, it doesn’t provide continuous sound, which makes it less suitable for overnight monitoring. Discover more about night use with Ring.

Does the Ring camera work without Wi-Fi?

No, the Ring camera needs a stable Wi-Fi connection to function properly. A weak signal may cause delays or frozen video. Check your Wi-Fi strength for smoother performance.

Is there a baby monitor with features similar to Ring but safer?

Yes, many baby monitors offer features like continuous sound, cry alerts, and breathing monitors. These are safer for overnight use. Learn more about baby monitor options with advanced features.

Can you hear your baby crying through the Ring app?

No, you can’t hear your baby unless the Ring app is open. It lacks the constant audio feature that baby monitors provide. Explore alternatives for continuous sound during the night.

Here are 4 bonus tips for using a Ring camera with your baby:

Best Placement in the Room
Mount the Ring camera high, facing the crib for the best view. Avoid placing it near bright windows or lights. This ensures clear video and reduces glare.
How to Avoid False Alerts
Turn off “People Only Mode” and adjust the motion zones. Set the alert sensitivity lower to avoid false alarms, especially if your baby moves around in the crib.
How to Use Multiple Cameras
You can add multiple Ring cameras to the app. Place one in the nursery and another in a playroom or living area. This gives you full coverage of your baby’s environment.
App Customization Tips for Better Monitoring Experience
Customize your Ring app alerts by changing the tone for the nursery. This makes it easy to distinguish baby-related alerts from other notifications.

Can You Use a Ring Camera as a Baby Monitor? (2025 Guide + My Experience)