REASONS TO BUY
Alert color-coded base station
Decent reliability
WiFi connectivity
Parent unit alerts
Positioning information
REASONS TO AVOID
Range issues
Some false alarms
Requires a smartphone
Only pairs to one phone
Sense-U Baby v3 Review
A button wearable that is a WiFi connection and pairs with your smart device and base station, but only pairs with one phone
The Sensu-U Baby v3 is a button-style wearable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Movement Monitors
Our Verdict
The Sense-U Baby v3 is a button-style wearable movement device that tracks movement that indicates breathing, and offers baby position alerts. This button pairs with a single smartphone and connects to the base via Bluetooth and the smart device via WiFi. The app is easy to use and is relatively reliable and straightforward. While we like the simplicity of this wearable and how easy it is to use, it does have higher EMF (equivalent to a Fitbit we tested), which could make it a dealbreaker for some caregivers. Overall, we think it is a good solution for parents who want movement monitoring when babies are young and already have plans for [best monitor | a sound or video monitor] for more details on what is happening in the nursery.
Editor's Note: The Sense-U review received an update on February 6, 2022, as a new product in the best movement monitor review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Sense-U Baby v3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Impressive App-enabled Wearable |  Best Overall Monitor | Best Multi-purpose Monitor | ||
| Price | $200 List $179.99 at Amazon | $138 List $129.99 at Amazon | $380 List $279.99 at Amazon | $100 List $79.00 at Amazon | $130 List $127.50 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This simple wearable is easy to use and connects via WiFi, but it does have some false alarms and only pairs with one smart device | Highly portable, clip-style wearable with vibration stimulates baby without upsetting loud alarm | WiFi monitor that offers all kinds of monitoring for an expensive price and possible long-term subscription expense | Portable wearable with vibration rousing and in-nursery alarm that is easy to use and often on sale | Easy to use mattress style sensors with 2 sensor pads but no parent unit or adjustability |
| Rating Categories | Sense-U Baby v3 | Snuza Hero SE | Nanit Pro Complete... | Levana Oma Sense | Babysense 7 |
| Expected Reliability (25%) | |||||
| Set-up (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Monitoring Cababilities (20%) | |||||
| Alerts (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Sense-U Baby v3 | Snuza Hero SE | Nanit Pro Complete... | Levana Oma Sense | Babysense 7 |
| Sensor Type | Wearable | Wearable | Wearable | Wearable | Sensor Pad |
| Parent Unit | Smartphone | No | Smartphone | No | No |
| Monitoring Type | Movement, Position, Activity | Movement | Movement, Sound, Video, Activity | Movement | Movement |
| EMF (at baby) | 2.5 | No increase above ambient | n/a | .2 (lower than ambient) | 1.1 |
| Recommended Age | roll-over alarm is for babies up to 6 months | Not Listed | Breathing Monitor: 0-24 mo Swaddle: 6mo and under Breathing Band is size dependant and comes in 2 sizes - S (0 to 3mo) or L (3 - 24mo) |
0-6mo | 0-12mo |
| Adjustable Sensitivity | No | No | No | No | No |
| Wireless Mobility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baby Alert | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 year Limited | 1 Year | 1 Year |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley in the United States, Sense-U is a high-tech startup company committed to developing innovative products.
Performance Comparison
The Sense-U is a clip-on style movement monitor that works well and had no false alarms during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Expected Reliability
The Sense-U managed a better-than-average performance for expected reliability. This metric has a convoluted testing and research process. It is difficult to say with certainty how accurate this kind of monitor is as it will vary depending on the baby, circumstance, and user error.
During testing, we didn't experience false alarms for non-breathing, but we saw a report of this online in our research. Our unit occasionally reported that our baby was on his belly when he wasn't, but it didn't falsely report breathing activity. We had good connectivity with the base and sensor even when leaving the building, and both the base station and paired smartphone went off simultaneously when our little tester did roll over onto his tummy (a position associated with an increased risk of potential SIDS in infants). We enjoyed having the base station, and like that it allows monitoring in the house even if the paired smart device isn't present.
Set up for the Sense-U was easy and straightforward using both Bluetooth and WiFi and includes downloading an app and starting an account.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Set Up
Setting up the Sense-U is easy, with only an app to download and a base station to plug in. It is easy to clip to clothing, and the sensor connects to the phone via Bluetooth, so you can use it without the internet.
The base station can be plugged in anywhere and connects to the device via WiFi.
The Sense-U base station is a nice addition that provides additional alarm coverage in the home using WiFi.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Only works on one smart device
Unlike other app-linked devices that offer multi-device access, this monitor operates exclusively with the device it has been paired with via Bluetooth. This design necessitates that both parents will have to use the same device for monitoring, which could be problematic if one is home alone without access to the paired device. WiFi connects the sensor to the base station.
Unlike other app-linked devices that offer multi-device access, this monitor operates exclusively with the device it has been paired with via Bluetooth. This design necessitates that both parents will have to use the same device for monitoring, which could be problematic if one is home alone without access to the paired device. WiFi connects the sensor to the base station.
Attaching the Sense-U to clothing is easy and our tester wasn't bothered by the unit or able to remove it.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Sense-U is easy to use and performed well in this metric. It has a straightforward design, and the app is relatively intuitive, with cartoon positions showing your baby's position.
The initial screen interface includes connectivity information, the baby's breathing rate, “feeling temperature,” and room temperature. The menu on the right consists of adding devices, managing devices, sharing, help, and other basic controls. The base station offers color-coded alerts.
It is very portable and suitable for travel and only requires internet and an outlet if you choose to use the base station.
The monitoring features of the Sense-U all appear on the main screen when you open the app.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Monitoring Cababilities
This monitor does a little more than motion which indicates breathing, but it doesn't include sound or video. It doesn't lose points for this, but it is worth mentioning if your goal was a one-and-done product.
The Sense_u can show your what position your baby is in to help you avoid stomach and side sleeping. It also monitors temperature and breathing rates. It has some adjustability for how much time it takes, with no indications of breathing before an alarm will sound. You can also connect it to a Sense-U video monitor for video and sound monitoring or smart sheets for growth tracking. Sleep tracking and growth monitoring are accomplished by accessing stored data which requires a monthly subscription.
The app for the Sense-U shows the baby's position with an easy-to-understand cartoon visual.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Alerts
This sensor and app had a reasonably good range in our tests for Bluetooth. We could leave the building where testing took place and remain connected. Alerts include a vibration and sound alert on the smartphone and an audible and light alert on the base station. The non-breathing alarm has some adjustability on when it will alert.
There is no in-nursery alarm and no vibration on the sensor itself to stimulate the baby into breathing. The alarm will repeat if not silenced and is stopped when you hit the okay button. You need to adjust your phone volume accordingly, and we recommend the highest volume when monitoring. With the volume off, it did vibrate, but this is unlikely to rouse a parent at night. With the volume up, it was about 60dB on the phone and 55 dB on the base station.
The Sense-U has lovely packaging but a higher EMF reading at the baby unit than much of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electro Magnetic Field (EMF)
The Sense-U had higher EMF readings during testing than much of the competition in this review. While the level is similar to our tests of wearable fitness trackers, it could be a concern for some parents as this unit sits directly on your baby.
While the jury is still out on the possible health effects of EMF, we think it is good to err on the side of caution without being paranoid. Only you can decide for your child how much is okay with you.
Should You Buy the Sense-U v3?
Depending on your monitoring goals, the Sense-U can be a great addition to your monitoring lineup. It is a straightforward, wearable button that is easy to set up and use that monitors movement that indicates breathing and if your little one has rolled over. While this monitor will require WiFi and an app download for your smart device, we think most tech-savvy parents will be up and running fairly quickly.
What Other Movement Monitor Should You Consider?
If you want a simple wearable monitor to alert you if your baby has stopped breathing but isn't worried about other tracking or you don't want to use your smartphone, the Sense-U might be more than you need. The Levana Oma Sense is a clip-on wearable that does nothing but alert to the lack of movement that indicates breathing. It is budget-friendly and easy to set up and use.
Manufacturer Video
—
Wendy Schmitz
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