Snuza Hero SE Review

Snuza has been creating baby movement monitors since 2007, using bio-sensory technology. The Snuza brand monitors aim to alert parents of incidents where the movement has stopped indicating breathing has also likely stopped. They are the first baby tech operation to market a genuinely portable movement-style monitor and a portable infant breathing monitor. Snuza is comprised of individuals to create products that can speak for babies when they are alone in their crib and unable to breathe. Snuza monitors are manufactured by Biosentronics cc., based in South Africa, and are the largest-selling mobile baby movement monitor globally.

Performance Comparison

Expected Reliability

In our testing and research, wearable monitors are more reliable than mattress sensor pads. This unit has one of the highest expected reliabilities in the test group, and we think the vibration features help negate any downside to an in-nursery alarm. In our testing, the Snuza did not have any false alarms. From our research, there are few reports of reliability concerns.

In our research, false alarms were minimal with children under six months of age. Incidents increase once babies start moving and rolling as the sensor can be displaced from the abdomen causing false alarms. A one-piece sleeper with the sensor in direct contact with the abdomen can reduce false alarms, but it makes the monitor more challenging to turn on or off, covers the indicator lights, and muffles the alarm sound. The Hero has an audible "tick" with every movement, which is designed to provide peace of mind to parents (if you can't see the indicator light).

Set Up

This monitor comes ready for use with the battery installed, though many remark that the batteries were dead in their new monitors. The monitor has no setup required and works simply by turning it on and attaching it to your baby's diaper.

Ease of Use

Thanks to the vibration stimulus feature, it has a slightly more complicated interface. While it isn't hard to attach to your baby's diaper, it can be hard to do with a sleeping baby. You'll need to make it part of your routine to clip it on before your baby falls asleep.

The Hero is small enough to be stashed in the diaper bag and has a hard case to protect the sensor. You can use it in any stationary location where it is safe for the baby to nap with no modification necessary, making it an excellent choice for parents who travel or babies who spend a significant amount of time away from home.

Monitoring Capabilities

The Snuza only monitors movement that indicates breathing. It does not offer position monitoring or other features like sound or video. While this might not meet the needs of all parents, others may be looking for a straightforward movement monitor for the first 6-9 months of babyhood to pair with their favorite or chosen video or sound monitor.

Alerts

The Hero has a vibration stimulus feature that emits a gentle vibration when 15 seconds without movement is detected. The vibration is designed to stimulate little ones out of deeper sleep and encourage movement/breathing without fully awakening them or causing crying from a loud in-nursery alarm. If the monitor detects movement following the vibration, the alarm will not sound. If three vibration stimulus incidents occur, a "rouse warning" (one beep every 2 seconds) will sound to alert the parent. The rouse warning only works in its preset programmed mode, but you can turn it off. This functionality is similar to the other diaper clip in this review.

Electro Magnetic Field (EMF)

In our tests, the Hero didn't emit any EMF (Volts/meter) over the ambient room EMF. This EMF makes it a preferable wearable monitor to much of the other wearable competition, some of which have excessive EMF readings (in our opinion).

Should You Buy the Snuza Hero?

The Hero is a great portable option because of the unique vibration feature that helps stimulate little ones into moving before the audible alarm sounds. We love this feature as it can help prevent unnecessarily upsetting little ones deep in sleep with a loud alarm. If you want to avoid loud false alarms, this is the one for you. Pair it with a video or sound monitor from our best baby monitor review to see and hear more of the in-nursery action.

What Other Movement Monitor Should You Consider?

The Levana Oma Sense is a similar device with a slightly lower score in testing. It has a similar vibration feature to the Snuza but generally a lower price. Alternatively, if portability is less of a concern and you want a longer lifespan or more functionality and a one-and-done product, the Nanit Pro Complete Set Monitoring System. The Nanit is a video/sound/movement monitor with a wearable breathing band. It provides more information and alerts than most parents need, but it is one to consider if you want to monitor it all.

Manufacturer Video