In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Miku Pro Review

An aesthetic option that functions as way more than a baby monitor, but beware that app updates come unexpectedly
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Miku Pro Review
Credit: Miku
Price:  $400 List
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Manufacturer:   Miku
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Research Analyst  ⋅  Oct 11, 2022
69
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 12
  • Range - 20% 10.0
  • Sound Clarity - 20% 6.0
  • Video Quality - 30% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 5.0
  • Battery life - 10% 10.0
  • Features - 5% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Miku Pro wants to be the only monitor you'll ever need. This innovative monitoring system is WiFi connected, uses an app on your smartphone or another device, and has all the bells and whistles, including sound, video, and movement capabilities. This unit attempts to be your one-stop shop for monitoring your little one, seemingly justifying its higher price tag by convincing you it is easy and best to have one device meet all your needs with features you didn't even know you needed. While we agree the hardware and quality of this unit are great and we like the idea of a one-and-done solution, this monitor struggles in the software department, and we had more frustration with the Miku app than any other app we've used for monitors. With constant updates and interruptions, or just failing to connect and dropping the connection while monitoring, it doesn't feel like the best solution for constant monitoring. It will also suck the battery of your device in quick order, so if you go this route, you should consider using something other than your primary phone for everyday viewing. While we get the appeal of a “does it all” monitor, there are better options with less frustrating apps in this review that will also save you some money.
REASONS TO BUY
Can be a sleep monitor
Sleek appearance
Hassle-free mounting
Can pair to multiple cameras
Infinite viewers
Low EMF
REASONS TO AVOID
Some connectivity issues
Unexpected updates make the app frequently not usable
Expensive
Pay for Service
Miku has recently updated its monitoring service with monthly pay for subscriptions. Many features that were once free now cost money. If you don't want a subscription monitoring service, you should read more about our favorite monitors in our best baby monitor review.

Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 11, 2023, with new information on the subscription service.

Compare to Similar Products

 
miku pro
This Product
Miku Pro
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Baby-Specific Features
Top Pick Award
Great for Long-term Use
Editors' Choice Award
Best WiFi Baby Monitor
Best Value Award
Best Video Monitor on a Budget
Price $400 List$220 List
$149.95 at Amazon
$100 List
$94.37 at Amazon
$300 List
$239.99 at Amazon
$36 List
$35.86 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A hard-to-use app makes this nicer monitor a hard one to navigate even if it does it allThe video quality and plethora of baby-specific features make this a favorite, even if the lack of camera precision and delay is annoyingIf you value video and sound over baby-centric features, the Nest Cam is a good choice for youA WiFi option that is easy to use with loads of features and low EMF, but sub-par sound and a higher price tagThis wallet-friendly WiFi option offers great video even if lacks baby-centric features
Rating Categories Miku Pro iBaby M8 2K Smart Baby Google Nest Cam 2nd... Nanit Pro Wyze Cam V3
Range (20%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Sound Clarity (20%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
Video Quality (30%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Ease of Use (15%)
5.0
6.0
5.0
9.0
8.0
Battery life (10%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Features (5%)
8.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Miku Pro iBaby M8 2K Smart Baby Google Nest Cam 2nd... Nanit Pro Wyze Cam V3
Communication Technology 2.4 / 5 Ghz 2.4/5GHz 2.4 / 5 Ghz 2.4GHz and 5GHz 2.4 GHz
Indoor Range Test Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Open Field Range Test It's an app-based monitor compatible with two different types of connectivity, but both are expected to be functional anywhere you have connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*buyer beware!) Doesn't list exact numbers but states that choosing 2.4 Ghz will have increased range but slower speeds Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity Anywhere You Have Connectivity
Max Sound 100db @ ~1ft 85 db @ ~1ft 110 db @ ~1ft 89 db @ ~1ft 100db @ ~1ft
Screen Size n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Max # of Cameras Not Listed (Unlimited?) Not Listed (Unlimited?) Not Listed (Unlimited?) Up to 5. If you plan to use more than 5 cameras contact customer support 5
Temperature Yes Yes No Yes No
Movement Detection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sound Activation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Talk-to-Baby Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pan/Tilt/ Zoom Zoom Pan/Tilt/Zoom Zoom None Zoom
Battery Life n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
EMF @ 6 Feet from Camera 0.24 V/m 0.23 V/m 0.6 V/m 0.37 V/m 1.47 V/m
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Miku's singular focus on baby monitoring using a camera and algorithm to monitor a baby's breathing while providing video and sound with features parents want. Miku is comprised of parents and engineers who worked together to create something they hope creates a “safer world for babies.

General Tips for WiFi Cameras
  • Check your monitor when you purchase it to ensure you have adequate internet. Most retailers have a window for returns, and delaying setup could mean being stuck with a monitor you can't use.
  • Use a secondary device for monitoring. This can help you avoid losing connection for monitoring.
  • Change the default password! Keeping the default password is a hacker's dream.

Performance Comparison



miku pro - the miku pro is a wifi monitor that can monitor sleep and breathing...
The Miku Pro is a WiFi monitor that can monitor sleep and breathing without any kind o wearable or mattress setup.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Range


As a WiFi-connected monitor, the Miku should have connectivity anywhere, but the box makes claims that by using 2.4 Ghz it will have increased range but slower speeds. If your home is larger or has more than 4-5 walls between the nursery and parent device, you might need a WiFi monitor as a dedicated option may not work.

miku pro - the video on the miku pro is disappointing with the look of fog in...
The video on the Miku Pro is disappointing with the look of fog in the nursery that is not there in real life.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Audio / Visual


For a camera this expensive you like have expectations of excellent sound and video. Along with the previous model, this Miku had trouble keeping up wit the competition in either metric.

While none of the video monitors offered impressive sound, the Miku was disappointing compared to much of the competition, with a score just below the average. The vocals are relatively crisp, with occasional faint echo and metallic sounds. The sound seems to go in and out like the Miku is being moved in the room when it is stationary. There is quiet fuzz most of the time. When we tested with the white noise machine in the nursery, you can't hear it on the parent device, which is nice if that kind of sound might keep you awake.

The Miku Pro's daytime images are fairly good and better than most...
The Miku Pro's daytime images are fairly good and better than most dedicated monitors, but it struggles to keep up with most of the WiFi competition.
Zooming in on the Pro is fairly clear, but it doesn't offer the same...
Zooming in on the Pro is fairly clear, but it doesn't offer the same level of detail as the rest of the WiFi competition, including a less than a hundred dollar camera.

The daytime images for the Pro have a fairly decent crispness and clarity with a broad range of colors. However, the video is very bright with little contrast, and the shadows and main visuals are brighter than in real life. While it has a huge field of view, the image isn't as true to life as we expected or as the other WiFi competition.

The hot spot/fog look of the Miku Pro almost prevented us from being...
The hot spot/fog look of the Miku Pro almost prevented us from being able to see the baby in the crib.
During Miku Pro testing, the baby had no facial features when using...
During Miku Pro testing, the baby had no facial features when using the digital zoom. If your hope was to determine if your baby was awake or asleep, you'd be at a loss.

The night video is even less impressive than the day videos. Overall, it is a blown-out image with a major hot spot that prevents clarity of images in the center of the field of view. It is so bright in the middle that seeing details n our baby was difficult. Outside of the bright bubble, it was better, but you'd have to do some trial and error finagling to put the camera off center to see your little one's face. Our camera disconnected during testing for night images, creating frustration in monitoring that made us feel uncomfortable that the baby is really being monitored.

miku pro - during our testing, the miku pro had frequent and unexpected updates...
During our testing, the Miku Pro had frequent and unexpected updates that lasted over 10 minutes and prevented any monitoring from occurring.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


With all these bells and whistles, the menu interface and setup are a little more convoluted than a straightforward monitor. This Miku is harder to use than its predecessor, and given the price tag, this feels like an extra bummer to us.

miku pro - the packaging and presentation of the miku pro are on par with fancy...
The packaging and presentation of the Miku Pro are on par with fancy electronics and expensive smart phones.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The packaging and marketing for this monitor are slick, and you do feel like you've bought something special that is worth the money. If they had invested as much in their app as their packaging, it would have been a better move as it is barebones and requires a little tooling around to navigate comfortably. You can monitor while on a call, which is nice. The user interface includes tabs for general settings, setup, device settings, shared users, notifications, monitor, analytics, Care+ (a preview page), activity, and settings (whew). If the camera is unplugged (or if the Wifi goes down), it sends an email update to notify you that it went offline. This feels really unhelpful as you aren't checking your email in the middle of the night.

We had difficulty getting and maintaining connectivity with our Miku...
We had difficulty getting and maintaining connectivity with our Miku Pro during testing.
It was not uncommon during testing to get these kinds of messages...
It was not uncommon during testing to get these kinds of messages, and it meant no monitoring was happening.

During testing, the Miku app updated itself; it took over and disrupted monitoring and our ability to use it at all. This update took over 13 minutes and prevented any monitoring at a less-than-ideal time. Two hours later, it did another update! Also, using the app for the first time in each monitoring session was a hassle in our tests, and connectivity is not ensured. We experienced dropped signals and waiting for the app to load (after downloading and setup). The monitor lost points for ease of use because the updates are not controllable, last too long for useful monitoring, and each time we turned on the app to monitor, we had connectivity issues. As a sleepy parent who just wants to go to bed, it can be hugely frustrating to be messing with an app and camera that just won't work properly.

Battery Life


The Miku relies on a smart device of your own to pair for monitoring. We recommend using a device that is not your primary phone so you don't have problems with competing calls and apps and potential battery draining that can happen with constant monitoring. The Miku scores well for battery life, but only based on the assumption that you will use a phone or tablet that is not your primary phone, and it will be used only for monitoring to limit battery use.

miku pro - the miku offers all kinds of features, including movement detection...
The Miku offers all kinds of features, including movement detection and breathing patterns.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


The Miku Pro is full of features, and it is hard to say they could cram any other features in it. If you want a baby-centric monitor and think all of this information is useful, then the Miku Pro has much to offer.

miku pro - the menu on the miku pro is full of sub-menus and features, making...
The menu on the Miku Pro is full of sub-menus and features, making it harder to navigate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

  • 2-way talk to baby
  • Temperature/humidity sensor
  • Track breathing/Movement detection
  • Sound activation
  • Zoom
  • Movement detection that indicates breathing
  • Sleep reports
  • Music and "sleep sounds"
  • Installation kit

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Levels


The Miku has lower EMF readings than most of the competition, with an average reading of 0.24 V/m when tested 6ft from the camera. Given that the high for the group is closer to 1.8, this is good in comparison.


Security/Privacy Concerns


Using a WiFi camera connected to the internet has more opportunities and potential for hacking than a dedicated monitor. While we did not find any information on hacking concerning the Miku, there are other cases of hacking with other WiFI cameras, and parents need to make a decision based on their personal comfort level with privacy and security. Miku provides slightly more transparency on security than much of the competition. On the Miku website, they say:

Miku houses a high-security Crypto Chip, so data remains secure, a feature unique to Miku.
AES 256-bit
Crypto Chip Security
TLS/SSL

Keeping Safe
  • Update the firmware frequently as the company offers it
  • Change the passwords regularly
  • Passwords should be 8-10+ characters (upper and lower case letters, special characters, and numbers)
  • Limit the camera's field of view
  • Unplug your monitor when not in use to avoid control from a remote hacker turning it on

Should You Buy the Miku Pro?


We can see the appeal of this one-and-done monitor that offers everything from sound and video to movement monitoring of infants. And while it does some things well, it fails at other things, like the troubling app that underwent multiple updates at random times, disrupting monitoring. So should you buy it? It is not one we'd recommend, but it is better than other monitors that try to do it all. However, if you can afford this monitor, we think you may be better off purchasing a video monitor that is better rated and a separate wearable movement monitor if you feel you need one, which is likely to save you some money and frustration.

What Other Video Monitor Should You Consider?


We think choosing a great WiFi video monitor is fairly straightforward if you aren't looking for a jack-of-all-trades option. The Google Nest Cam 2nd Gen and the Wyze Cam V3 are both simple cameras that can get the job done for less money and have a simpler interface because they lack all the bells and whistles. If you think you simply must have all the bells, the Nanit Pro is a better baby-centric option that does it all and scored higher in our tests, making it the one-and-done we'd choose over the Miku Pro.

Manufacturer Video



Wendy Schmitz