Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.
With Skype compatibility, a full-pan camera and a hefty array of video and audio features, the Lorex Live Sense is one of the best video baby monitors. Thanks to its strong design and large feature list, the Live Sense is one of the best products in our baby video monitor reviews.
The Live Sense comes with a pan-and-tilt camera, and you can have up to four cameras total. It also comes with the parent monitor. The monitor's 3.5-inch screen is comparable to some smartphones in size and can be split into four quadrants for easy simultaneous monitoring. The night-vision mode is automatic, ensuring that you always have a good view of your child.
Though the Live Sense's maximum transmission range is fairly middle-of-the-road at only 450 feet, its Skype compatibility allows you to check in on your little one during those times that you have to leave a secondary caregiver in charge. You can also record the video feed on a micro-SD memory card and watch it later.
With Skype capability, you can interact with your baby through a PC, Mac, iPad or smartphone from anywhere in the world. This is perfect if you have a job that requires you to travel. It's also a way for extended family living in different states or countries to stay close to your baby.
This baby video monitor is fully featured in terms of audio monitoring. The VOX mode allows for voice-activation functionality, and the two-way talk means you can always soothe your child from afar. We were particularly impressed with the Live Sense's built-in lullabies, which you can play by simply pressing a button on the monitor. An audio-only mode allows you to conserve battery life and reduce light pollution while you sleep.
VOX functionality is important because it enhances the device's battery life. Streaming a video feed is a resource-intensive task and can quickly drain a baby video monitor's battery. By letting the device go to sleep and wake itself up when it hears noise in your baby's room, the battery will last much longer. And you don't want the battery to die in the middle of the night.
This video baby monitor has a battery life of only four hours for continuous use. That's considerably lower than some other monitors. It should easily last through the night, though, as the audio-only mode turns the screen and video feed off until you need it. This unit comes with a docking cradle that doubles as a stand, so you can mount the monitor and charge it simultaneously. Out-of-range and low-power indicators let you know when you lose functionality.
Unfortunately, you can't record video or snapshot to an SD card with the Live Sense. While this isn't a critical feature, it can come in handy – especially if your baby or child has medical issues. The Live Sense includes a room thermometer, which will keep you apprised of how comfortable your baby is.
The Live Sense comes with a standard one-year warranty, and the company offers multiple avenues of communication. You can email, call or fill out an online form to contact the company directly, and the video baby monitor's manual is available online. The how-to videos and troubleshooting articles for the camera and wireless signal are also useful.
An array of features and the inclusion of a few bonus and hard-to-find functions, such as the recording capabilities, make the Lorex Live Sense one of the best video baby monitors on the market. The few things it lacks, particularly in the battery life department, are minor shortcomings in an otherwise excellent product.
