In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

TimeFlys QQ Portable Review

A budget-friendly sound monitor that's adorable
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TimeFlys QQ Portable Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $36 List
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Manufacturer:   TimeFlys
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Molly Bradac  ⋅  Sep 29, 2023
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 6
  • Sound Clarity - 30% 7.5
  • Ease of Use - 25% 9.1
  • Range - 20% 5.3
  • Battery Life - 15% 10.0
  • Features - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

The TimeFlys QQ Portable is a budget-friendly option from our best sound monitor review. It brings a dose of charm to the nursery. Packed with many features, it offers a range of functions that many parents appreciate, like sound filtering, battery backup, vibration alert, night light functionality, room temperature sensor and alert, and more. In our experience, it's easy to operate, including navigating its menu. However, it's not a slam dunk on all fronts. It doesn't deliver the best range, but we think it's a suitable choice for most needs. We also noticed some sound clarity issues. But, all things considered, the TimeFlys QQ Portable delivers a decent performance for its affordable price. We think it's one to consider for monitoring your baby.
REASONS TO BUY
Loads of features
Battery backup
Budget-friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
Subpar range
Some feedback
No online manual
Editor's Note: The TimeFlys QQ Portable review was launched on September 29, 2023, as part of new product testing.

Compare to Similar Products

 
timeflys qq portable
Awards Best Value Award
Best Budget-Friendly Option
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Sound Baby Monitor
   
Price $36 List
$32.99 at Amazon
Check Price at Amazon$40 List
$38.95 at Amazon
$30 List
$29.99 at Amazon
$30 List
$15.69 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line An adorable, inexpensive sound monitorA well-rounded sound monitor that comes with two parent unitsAwesome sound with lots of features that is a winning choice for almost any familyA sound monitor with a performance that falls shortPriced nicely for the tightest budgets and gets the job done without added features
Rating Categories TimeFlys QQ Portable VTech DM1211 VTech DM221 Motorola AM24 VTech DM111
Sound Clarity (30%)
7.5
8.0
9.5
7.3
6.8
Ease of Use (25%)
9.1
9.1
5.5
6.1
10.0
Range (20%)
5.3
8.8
5.5
6.0
7.3
Battery Life (15%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
1
Features (10%)
10.0
8.7
8.7
6.2
3.3
Specs TimeFlys QQ Portable VTech DM1211 VTech DM221 Motorola AM24 VTech DM111
Indoor Range Test (Walls & Feet) 7 Walls
115 Feet
7 Walls
170+ Feet
5 Walls
90 Feet
7 Walls
110 Feet
7 Walls
98 Feet
Open Field Range Test 575 Feet 1180 Feet 1325 Feet 750 Feet 1350 Feet
Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*Buyer Beware!) 1000 Feet 1500 Feet 1000 Feet 1000 Feet Not Listed
Communication Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology DECT 6.0 Digital Technology
Sound Activation Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Adjustable Mic Sensitivity Yes Yes Yes No No
Sound Filtering Test Results Excellent Excellent Excellent Average Very Poor
Two-Way Talk Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Max Sound 92 dB 93 dB 103 dB 87 dB 104 dB
Temperature Yes No No Yes No
Battery Type Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable AAA
Nursery Unit Battery Backup Yes No No No No
EMF @ 6 Feet Nursery Unit 1.38 V/m 1.07 V/m 3.11 V/m 1.01 V/m 2.63 V/m
Night Light Yes Yes Yes No No
Lullaby Music Yes No No No No
Out Of Range Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Vibrate Alert Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Warranty 1 year 1 Year 1 year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Information regarding the company TimeFlys is limited at this time. However, the little details we do know include that it was founded in 2002 by a single father named Jack, taking care of 2 children.

Performance Comparison


timeflys qq portable - the timeflys comes with usb cables, a usb adaptor, and rechargeable...
The TimeFlys comes with USB cables, a USB adaptor, and rechargeable batteries.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sound Clarity


The goal for any top-ranked baby monitor is to select one that delivers true-to-life sound. That way, you can tell what is going on in the nursery. While this monitor does not provide crystal clear sound transmission, we think it's good enough to recognize familiar sounds.


The sound clarity metric involves a handful of tests, such as checking the parent unit's maximum volume, sound clarity, noise reduction ability, and more. The TimeFlys produces a maximum volume of 92.1 dB, which is every-so-slightly below average compared to other monitors, and we noticed some sound distortion but nothing significant to interfere with sound interpretation. Next, we listened through the parent unit with music playing in the nursery at a lower sound level (85 dB). The sound transmission is similar to a speaker-in-a-box, sort of like an echo effect, and the high-frequency sounds in the music were distorted. But, with that said, it's not the worst option among the competition. We also appreciate that it offers sound filtering. This means while you will hear ambient noises in the nursery, such as a white noise machine or fan, it will eventually go quiet until a noise is detected.

timeflys qq portable - we encountered no problems navigating the timeflys's user interface...
We encountered no problems navigating the TimeFlys's user interface and menu.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The TimeFlys has better than average ease of use test results.


Once you unbox this product, the setup is a simple “plug in and go” affair. Some features may require some fiddling, but overall, this monitor has a user-friendly design, and the buttons are clear. Even in a sleep-deprived state, we think it's easy to navigate. Also, some products offer user manuals online, but TimeFlys does not. Therefore, we suggest saving the product's user manual if you need to reference it.

We record the distance and number of walls through which each monitor is effectively transmitted for our range tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Range


The TimeFlys QQ Portable struggles in the range department. In our tests, this product delivers a subpar performance compared to others.


This contender encountered challenges in our open field range test. We noticed sound interruptions beginning at 350 feet, and it transmitted sound until approximately 575 feet. This result falls short of the manufacturer's 1000-foot range claim. For indoor coverage, TimeFlys did better. It worked up to 115 feet and through 7 walls, a performance that doesn't stray too far from the average benchmarks set by the competition.

We appreciate the USB cable to recharge the unit is a more universal...
We appreciate the USB cable to recharge the unit is a more universal cord.
On the TimeFlys, the belt clip moves out of the way to access the...
On the TimeFlys, the belt clip moves out of the way to access the battery compartment.

Battery Life


We prefer sound monitors with rechargeable batteries, and the TimeFlys meets this criteria. It also comes with USB cables to recharge the units.


We appreciate that the parent unit's user interface displays the battery life for the parent and baby unit so that you can keep tabs on the charge levels. If you live in a place where the power frequently goes out, you may appreciate that this product has a battery backup. However, we suggest having realistic expectations regarding its battery life as it may not last for long on one charge.

timeflys qq portable - the timeflys includes several features that parents may appreciate.
The TimeFlys includes several features that parents may appreciate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


When choosing a sound monitor, it's important to consider what features align with your specific goals. The TimeFlys QQ Portable offers several features to elevate your monitoring experience.


This device includes the following features:

  • Night light and remote activation of this feature
  • Temperature sensor and an alarm feature will indicate low or high
  • Lullaby music
  • Vibration alert
  • Two-way talk
  • Low battery and out-of-range alarm
  • Battery backup in the nursery unit
  • Belt clip
  • Mute
  • Sleep mode
  • Sound level activation
  • Two-way talk
  • Option to select either low or high voice sensitivity level

It's worth mentioning that we did not test the room temperature sensor for accuracy, but it may come in handy.

EMF


The TimeFlys has a slightly below-average EMF reading compared to the sound monitor competition.


When we place the EMF reader 6 feet from the baby unit, the average EMF reading is 1.38 V/m, which puts TimeFlys somewhere in the middle of the pack. Considering that the average reading for the test group is 1.61 V/m, this is decent but not impressive.

timeflys qq portable - the timeflys came with a storage case.
The TimeFlys came with a storage case.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the TimeFlys QQ Portable?


The TimeFlys QQ Portable balances performance and affordability when compared to top-notch sound monitors. With rechargeable batteries, it won't be tethered to an outlet unless it's charging. This portability feature might appeal to some parents, including those who don't always have access to an outlet. When it comes to monitoring your slumbering baby, TimeFlys provides peace of mind without breaking the bank or compromising on valuable features.

What Other Sound Monitor Should You Consider?


There are a handful of compelling monitors to consider, such as the VTech DM1211. This option offers an impressive range and is user-friendly, even for those who might not be tech-savvy. For an added perk, it includes two parent units. If you're looking for a device that goes beyond the basics, consider the Hatch Rest+. It's a multifunctional device with unique features, and since it uses WiFi connectivity and app control, you can operate it remotely.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & Molly Bradac