VTech Audio Baby Monitor Comparison Review

VTech DM111 Upgraded Audio Monitor

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Other VTech Audio Monitors

The VTech DM1211 Digital Audio Baby Monitor seems to be the upgraded version of the DM221. It also has features such as a nightlight and two-way audio, but has upgraded range, boasting up to 1500 feet.

The VTech DM112-2 Upgraded Audio Baby Monitor seems to be a newer version of the DM111. It is simple and similar in style but also includes two baby units.

The VTech DM1411 Audio Baby Monitor & Portable Soother Dual-Unit is a great portable option. It includes a small, monkey shaped soother unit for baby that offers a nightlight and lullabies to sooth baby. This small, travel-friendly monitor is a great option for on the go.

How it Compares:

Testing and Research

VTech DM221 and VTech DM111 audio baby monitors are two of sixteen monitors we purchased and tested to determine which was the best. We tested each unit on its battery capabilities, features, sound quality, video (where applicable), and usability.

The VTech DM221 had excellent battery life, range and sound qualities. Its features were pretty good and it was pretty easy to use.

The VTech DM111 is a more basic unit. It also had great range, but its battery life was just so-so, it really didn’t have any additional features, and its sound quality and usability were average.

Common Complaints

We read the critical reviews for each of our monitors to figure out what some of the top complaints were and compare them to our experience while testing. Here are some of the common complaints for the VTech DM221 Monitor:

Customer Complaint	Our Experience
Poor Battery Life	The DM221 had the longest battery life of the sixteen monitors we tested
Safety Message Loud	We did find the safety message loud and irritating each time we turned on the monitor
No Mute Feature	We were able to turn the volume all the way down to mute the sound
Poor Range	We didn’t have any issues with the monitor’s range
Screen Display Hard to Read	Agreed, the display only lights up when a button is pushed. It’s hard to see the screen and battery life otherwise
Requires Special Batteries	There is a specific type of rechargeable battery pack that the unit requires

And here are some of the common complaints for the VTech DM111 Monitor:

Customer Complaint	Our Experience
Battery Light Indicator Stays Red	There is no indicator to show when the battery has charged
Trouble Turning off Parent Unit	We agree that the on/off button would stick
Battery Doesn’t Last Long	It didn’t have the longest battery life of those we tested, but the battery life was okay
Constant Static Noise	We didn’t think there was excessive static
No Two-Way Conversation	Agreed, this was a feature we wish was included
Poor Range	We were impressed with the monitor’s range

Related Reading: VTech Video Monitor Review

Features

Neither of the baby monitors boasted a lot of features, largely in part because they are audio only and do not have video capabilities. However, the VTech DM221 did have more included features than the VTech DM111 Upgraded.

Feature	VTech DM221	VTech DM111
Two-Way Audio	Yes	No
Mute	Yes	Yes
Night Light	Yes	No
Lullabies	No	No
VOX Mode	Yes	No

The night light on the DM221 baby unit was one of our favorite features. Many monitors do not offer the option, so this was a nice addition to a fairly simply-styled monitor.

The DM221 was also the only of the two monitors that offered a VOX mode to help filter out excessive or background noises so you can focus on your little one.

Both monitors had fairly low EMF emissions. Though we are not aware of any formal guidelines related to electromagnetic radiation, there has been some research done on the matter.

Here’s how the VTech DM221 scored in EMF emissions:

And here is how the VTech DM111 scored in EMF emissions:

Usability

Both monitors were pretty easy to get set up, each taking only around 2 1/2 minutes to unbox and pair.

The units are easy to navigate. The DM111 really doesn’t even have a menu or controls outside of volume control, so its functions are very easy.

We wish the DM221 had an option to keep the parent unit’s screen illuminated. It only lights up if a button is pushed, making it hard to check the battery or ensure that the monitor is linked by sight only, especially at night.

Neither of the baby units have mounting options, but since the monitor is sound only, you can easily place the unit on a flat surface. The parent units of both monitors have belt clips so you can carry the monitor with you while working around the house.

Here’s how the VTech DM221 scored in the usability category:

And here’s how the VTech DM111 scored in the usability category:

There were some complaints that the DM111 was too lightweight, causing it to easily tip over. We do agree that the unit was a little lightweight and can easily get knocked down. You’ll want to keep an eye on this so the unit doesn’t tumble and disconnect from the power source. The baby unit does not stay on with battery only and has to stay plugged in.

We felt that the overall quality of the DM221 was higher than the DM111:

Range

Both monitors boast a 1000 foot range, and we were pleased that they both performed very well in our testing.

A general complaint we found about monitors was that the parent unit could not be taken outside. If a parent wanted to do some yardwork or sit outdoors while their little one was napping inside, the monitor did not have the signal strength. However, both the DM221 and the DM111 kept strong signal when we took the parent units outside, ranging from an upstairs bedroom to the end of the driveway at ground level.

The indoor range was equally strong. We placed the baby unit in an upstairs bedroom and took the parent unit to a nearby upstairs bedroom, a room at ground level, and to the basement. In each location and with both monitors, the signal remained strong and we didn’t notice any glitching.

Here’s where the VTech Audio Monitors ranked among others for indoor range capabilities:

Here’s where the VTech Audio Monitors ranked among others for indoor to outdoor range capabilities:

Sound

The DM221 fared better in our sound testing than the DM111, largely because of its included sound features, like two-way audio and VOX (voice activation alert).

The DM221 did have a bit more static than the DM111, but it wasn’t excessive. Overall they both had fairly clear sound.

Both monitors did very well at allowing for background noise (such as lullabies) to be heard while still being able to clearly hear a little one over the noise. We never felt that the background noise blocked out baby.

We were also pleased with the decibel capabilities of both monitors.

Here are the max decibels the monitors hit in our high volume static sound testing:

And here are the max decibels the monitors hit in our low volume static sound testing:

The two-way audio of the DM221 was a little fuzzy, but we could still hear and understand everything that we needed to.

We do wish that either of the monitors had a lullaby option as an additional feature. That was a favorite extra in other monitors.

Here you can see how the monitors compared with others overall in the sound category:

Battery Life

The DM111 had a decent battery, lasting over 11 hours in each of our battery tests. We were disappointed that there is no indicator for when the battery has reached a full charge. We expected the battery charging light to change from red to green once the monitor reached a full charge, but it never did. This was a complaint we noted from others as well in our critical review research.

We also did not notice much indication of battery deterioration for the monitor in our battery testing.

Here are the results for the results for how long the battery of the DM111 lasted in each test:

Test 1	11 hours, 2 minutes
Test 2	11 hours, 37 minutes
Test 3	11 hours, 57 minutes

Here is how the DM111 scored in battery deterioration compared to the other tested monitors:

Though the DM111 had decent battery capabilities, the DM221 outshined it. The DM221 was easily the best for battery life of all the monitors we tested. Though it took around 8 1/2 hours to reach a full charge from a dead battery, it averaged around 22 hours in battery life from a full charge.

Here are the results for the results for how long the battery lasted in each test:

Test 1	19 hours, 11 minutes
Test 2	22 hours, 8 minutes
Test 3	21 hours, 59 minutes

The DM221 did not show signs of deterioration over our testing period. In fact, the second and third battery tests lasted even longer than the first.

Here is how the DM221 scored in battery deterioration compared to the other tested monitors:

The three VTech monitors that we tested were the top three in battery life. The VTech Video Model VM819 Baby Monitor averaged around 18 1/2 hours in battery life during our testing.

Baby Monitor Security

VTech values your security and baby’s safety. Both the DM111 and the DM221 monitors are equipped to ensure security. Neither of the monitors requires WiFi and they both have encrypted signal to protect against hacking or accidental connection to other monitors outside your personal monitor network. We overall prefer the monitors that do not need WiFi to function. This makes them not only harder to hack, but much easier to set up and run.

Audio Vs. Video: Are Audio-Only Monitors Worth It?

Based on the variety of video monitors on the market, many people seem to favor video monitors over audio only monitors these days. However, we think that audio only monitors still have merit, especially for travel or infrequent use (a grandparent’s house, for example).

Video monitors are by nature going to be equipped with more features and benefits than an audio-only model. It is nice to be able to visually monitor your child’s movements and keep them in your sight at all times. However, it is not always necessary. If you have an older child or you only plan to be a short distance from your child while they are resting, an audio monitor can sufficiently cover your needs.

An obvious benefit of an audio-only monitor is that they tend to come at a lower cost than a video monitor. Both the DM111 and the DM221 are very affordable pieces of baby gear, and, even if you don’t plan on using an audio-only as your main baby monitor, they still make a great registry item or baby shower gift for on the go use.

Which Audio Monitor is Better?

Both the DM111 and DM221 audio monitors are solid pieces of baby gear. However, we personally preferred the DM221. Though the DM111 is cheaper, there is not too significant a price difference between the two monitors. For a slightly higher price, the DM221 offers some nice extras, such as two-way audio, a nightlight, and VOX settings, while the DM111 is literally just one-way sound.

Though we prefer the DM221, both baby monitors will get the job done and help you ensure that your baby is safe and quiet while you are not in the room with them.