REASONS TO BUY
Lower price for dedicated
Better sound
Good video
REASONS TO AVOID
Shorter range
Fewer features
Less vibrant color
Hello Baby HB65 Review
Good dedicated monitor if WiFi is not an option
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Video Baby Monitors
The Skinny
The Hello Baby HB65 is a dedicated video baby monitor that doesn't require the internet. This option has exceptional battery life, better-than-average video quality, and good sound. It is relatively easy to use and has enough features to get the job done without the confusion of more bells and whistles. This monitor is more expensive than some impressive WiFi options, though it is inexpensive for a dedicated-style monitor. It also doesn't offer exceptional video you've likely grown used to on your smart device. However, it does have acceptable visuals. This option is straightforward and basic, but this could be exactly what you want or need depending on your goals, making it one to add to your dedicated best baby monitor shortlist.
Editor's Note: We gave this gear review on update on March 25, 2022, with more details to help you find the best monitor for your needs.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Hello Baby is a younger juvenile product company with a beginning in 2017. Their current focus seems to be on video monitors, accessories, and compatible replacement camera. The website is limited, but the English translation seems to indicate it is a foreign-based company.
Performance Comparison
The range on the Hello Baby is about average for the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Range
The Hello Baby HB65 has an adequate range depending on the size of your home or the distance between the nursery camera and parent monitor. The manufacturer has a claim of a 1000 ft connection between units.
In our tests, we started having connectivity issues closer to 700 feet in an open field test and lost the connection entirely at 800 ft. For the indoor range, the manufacturer lists 165 ft. We were able to keep connectivity up to 65 feet between 4 walls. While not super impressive, it is average for the dedicated-style video monitors in our best video baby monitor tests.
The sound and visual quality of the Hello Baby is better than most of the dedicated options we tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Audio / Visual
The Hello Baby HB65 has better-than-average visuals and audio for a dedicated monitor. While it can't compete with the HD quality of some of the WiFi video monitors, none of the dedicated monitors we've tested do.
The Hello Baby has a maximum decibel level of 76.3 dB. This level is fairly low, but it is pretty clear compared to the competition. Most of the competition earned below-average results for sound, so it is refreshing that this option is better than most. The sound is well-balanced, but there is some background rattle. It has sound activation, noise filtering, and adjustable sensitivity that all work fairly well.
The daytime images of the Hello Baby are clear enough to tell if your baby needs help, but they aren't 100% accurate with the real world.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Hello Baby earned relatively good scores for the dedicated monitors in visual quality. While the WiFi options are often 1080p and HD, the dedicated monitors are less impressive. However, compared to similar options, this one isn't too shabby. Day images a fairly clear, and the colors, while muted, are accurate to the color chart in our tests. Zooming in results in less clarity and loss of detail, but you'll be able to see if your baby is in distress.
Night vision on the Hello loses some clarity and depth with fuzzier images than daytime visuals. The brightness is good, but it doesn't match the details of the WiFi products. This option does offer some of the best visuals in our tests out of the dedicated monitors.
The user interface on the Hello Baby is fairly intuitive and a quick glance at the instructions should give you the information you need to use the monitor.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Hello Baby HB65 has a quick and simple setup that requires plugging the components in and turning them on. They automatically pair and can be used immediately without worrying about downloading apps or setting up accounts. No need to worry about hooking up to the internet or password problems.
The user interface on the Hello is fairly straightforward, with easy-to-access directional buttons and a menu. Camera switching, microphone, and zoom are all on the parent unit without navigating a menu. The menu is a single level, which is better than others, and you can see all of the options on the bottom of the screen.
Battery Life
The HB65 parent unit has an extended battery life that lasted well over 14 hours in our tests under normal use.
The manufacturer claims 6 hours, so more than double the claim in real-world use is a nice change of pace.
The Hello Baby has 2-way talk to baby and zoon features located on the front of the baby unit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Features
The Hello Baby HB65 can be paired with up to 4 cameras for monitoring multiple children or areas of coverage.
It has temperature sensors within one degree of our room thermometer for accuracy. It features 2-way communication with baby and true pan, tilt, and zoom features not found on all cameras in this review. It also features sound activation, screen sleep, and noise filtering.
Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels
The Hello Baby HB65 has an average EMF reading at a distance of 6 ft from the baby camera of 0.89 V/m. This result is better than the average for the group, making it a potential option for parents worried about EMF exposure. Also, placing the camera at the maximum distance away from the baby where it will still work effectively, can decrease the EMF exposure.
Should You Buy the Hello Baby HB65?
If you want a straightforward dedicated video monitor, we think this is the one in our lineup that can do the job the best. This simple unit is easy to use and set up with a video that is good enough to see the details you need. It has a useful range for a dedicated option and a fairly long battery life. While it doesn't have the bells and whistles of the WiFi models, we think it offers the features parents really use and find valuable.
What Other Video Monitor Should You Consider?
If dedicated is your monitor type of choice, we think this is the one. But if you'd like something with more features or WiFi technology, then the iBaby Care M7 WiFi could be the better option for your needs. This monitor has clear video, range wherever there is an internet connection, and allows you to see your little one from work on out on a date night. If you care less about the baby features and more about long-term use or budget, the Nest Cam Indoor WiFi is a better potential choice as it is a top performer and has a reasonable price with excellent video quality.
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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