In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

VTech DM221 Review

A great sounding monitor with loads of features that is an excellent choice for most families
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VTech DM221 Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $40 List
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Manufacturer:   Vtech
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Sep 29, 2023
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 6
  • Sound Clarity - 30% 9.5
  • Ease of Use - 25% 5.5
  • Range - 20% 5.5
  • Battery Life - 15% 10.0
  • Features - 10% 8.7

Our Verdict

The VTech DM221 is an affordable top-ranked baby monitor from our best sound monitor review. It comes packed with various features compared to others in the same price range. One of its standout strengths is sound quality, boasting some of the loudest and clearest audio in the group. This monitor has sound activation and two-way talk to baby, the two most sought-after features in monitors. If that isn't enough to sway you, it has a remotely controlled night light functionality, a belt clip for portability, and mute features. Due to the menu options and programming, this monitor might be a little more complicated to use. Still, it's a solid choice for families looking for better sound clarity at an economical price.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent sound clarity
Lots of features
Long battery life
Price
REASONS TO AVOID
Harder to use
Shorter range
Editor's Note: As of September 29, 2023, this gear review received an update to ensure it reflects how this particular product performed against the baby monitor competition, especially as new products were added.

Compare to Similar Products

 
vtech dm221
This Product
VTech DM221
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Sound Baby Monitor
Best Value Award
Best Budget-Friendly Option
  
Price $40 List
$38.95 at Amazon
Check Price at Amazon$36 List
$32.99 at Amazon
$30 List
$29.99 at Amazon
$30 List
$15.69 at Amazon
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Bottom Line Awesome sound with lots of features that is a winning choice for almost any familyA well-rounded sound monitor that comes with two parent unitsAn adorable, inexpensive sound monitorA sound monitor with a performance that falls shortPriced nicely for the tightest budgets and gets the job done without added features
Rating Categories VTech DM221 VTech DM1211 TimeFlys QQ Portable Motorola AM24 VTech DM111
Sound Clarity (30%)
9.5
8.0
7.5
7.3
6.8
Ease of Use (25%)
5.5
9.1
9.1
6.1
10.0
Range (20%)
5.5
8.8
5.3
6.0
7.3
Battery Life (15%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
1
Features (10%)
8.7
8.7
10.0
6.2
3.3
Specs VTech DM221 VTech DM1211 TimeFlys QQ Portable Motorola AM24 VTech DM111
Indoor Range Test (Walls & Feet) 5 Walls
90 Feet
7 Walls
170+ Feet
7 Walls
115 Feet
7 Walls
110 Feet
7 Walls
98 Feet
Open Field Range Test 1325 Feet 1180 Feet 575 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 103 dB 93 dB 92 dB 87 dB 104 dB
Temperature No No Yes Yes No
Battery Type Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable Rechargable AAA
Nursery Unit Battery Backup No No Yes No No
EMF @ 6 Feet Nursery Unit 3.11 V/m 1.07 V/m 1.38 V/m 1.01 V/m 2.63 V/m
Night Light Yes Yes Yes No No
Lullaby Music No No Yes 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

Founded in Hong Kong in 1976, VTech has grown to become a global presence, reaching more than ten regions worldwide. The company's mission encompasses designing economical, innovative, and high-quality electronic products. VTech's North American operation has become one of the top three producers of cordless phones. VTech also manufactures a variety of monitors for babies.

Performance Comparison


vtech dm221 - the vtech dm221 offers top-of-the-line sound clarity.
The VTech DM221 offers top-of-the-line sound clarity.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sound Clarity


Compared to top-ranked sound monitors, DM221 has one of the highest scores for sound clarity.


With a maximum volume of 103.4 dB, the DM221 is one of the loudest parent units in our review. Even at this high volume, the audio is clear, though bright. Parents will have no trouble hearing what is happening in the baby's room, and deep sleepers are sure to wake when the baby cries. At a lower volume setting, 82.8 dB, the audio remains clear but slightly shifts between sounding somewhat muted and then clearer. It's worth highlighting that both the sound filtering and voice activation work well, and this monitor is silent when the baby is silent. When it comes to sound from the baby's unit with two-way communication, it's remarkably good and not distorted or robotic sounding, so your baby will hear your voice and nothing else.

vtech dm221 - with many features, the vtech dm221 is more complicated to operate...
With many features, the VTech DM221 is more complicated to operate. While you can use it without setting up features in the menu, it will work better if you take the time at least once to set some preferences.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The DM221 is average for ease of use. The inclusion of multiple features often results in products being harder to use. This doesn't mean they are challenging, just that they are more complicated than their bare-bones counterparts.


Setting up this monitor is a breeze; plug it in and turn it on to get started. Since it offers more features than some simplistic rivals, it can be a bit more complex to operate. However, the real problem is the button layout, as most of the controls are clustered together on the front of the parent unit. This arrangement might lead to accidental late-night button fumbling, especially in a sleep-deprived haze. The front interface includes the power, menu, select, and volume buttons. Inside the menu, you can set the sound sensitivity, sound alert, vibrations, night light, language, and other default settings. On the bright side, navigating the menu is easy. But, compared to bare-bones options, the DM221 is more advanced, and it might take a bit more effort initially to get everything programmed just right.

vtech dm221 - the range on the dm221 isn't the best in the group, but it may work...
The range on the DM221 isn't the best in the group, but it may work for many families as the distance and number of walls is fairly good for the average size house.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Range


The DM221 offers an average distance range between the baby and parent units.


According to the manufacturer, this monitor should have a range of 1000 feet when in a line of sight. This distance isn't that useful, given you are unlikely to place a baby in a field, but it came close to our test results of 1325 feet. This monitor started beeping out of range at about 1000 feet, but the sound was still fine. The connection got choppy around 1200 feet, and the connection was lost entirely at 1325 feet.

The indoor range stated in the manual is 160 feet. We couldn't get this far from the baby monitor, but we managed about 90 feet through 5 walls. We still had a connection at 6 walls, but the parent unit started to beep that it was out of range. We lost the signal completely after the 8th wall. Ninety feet is probably enough for many homes, and this unit would work for most families as long as their home isn't too big.

vtech dm221 - the battery life of the vtech dm221 is long, going 46 hours between...
The battery life of the Vtech DM221 is long, going 46 hours between charges. However, we recommend plugging it in whenever possible to save battery life for unforeseen moments when you might need it fully charged.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Battery Life


The DM221 excels in this particular metric thanks to its rechargeable battery, a component we prefer.


The DM221 has a rechargeable battery in the parent unit and no battery backup in the baby monitor. The manufacturer claims a run time of 18 hours before recharging, but our tests indicated an average run time of 46 hours! Which is far longer than any parent should need, even if they monitor all day and night. Of course, we recommend plugging in the unit when possible so you don't lose connection in the middle of the night, but it is good to know it can last so long if necessary.

vtech dm221 - the vtech dm221 has sound activation so you only hear the baby unit...
The Vtech DM221 has sound activation so you only hear the baby unit when your baby is making noise.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


The DM221 offers popular features desired by parents.


The DM221 has adjustable microphone sensitivity and sound activation; both features work well and help a monitor stay relatively silent when the baby is silent. These features can translate to an easier time falling asleep and staying asleep as long as the baby does. We think this is really important, and sound activation is one of the features BabyGearLab believes should be at the top of the list for parents who have trouble sleeping.

vtech dm221 - talking to your baby with the dm211 is quick and easy with a single...
Talking to your baby with the DM211 is quick and easy with a single side button that is easily found in the middle of the night when you need it most.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This monitor also has two-way communication with the baby, so you can talk to the baby from another room. Talking to your baby could mean you don't need to go to the baby's room. Many parents feel this feature is mandatory, though we would consider it a “nice to have.”

vtech dm221 - the parent unit on the dm221 has a belt clip for hands-free carrying...
The parent unit on the DM221 has a belt clip for hands-free carrying or a loop on the top that can connect to a lanyard or similar for hanging or carrying.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This product also has the following features:

  • Remote-controlled night light
  • Out-of-range alarm
  • Sound level meter
  • Vibration alarm
  • Belt clip
  • Low battery indicator
  • Sleep mode
  • Mute
  • Parent unit paging abilities

EMF


The VTech has an average EMF reading of 3.11 V/m at 6 ft from the unit. This reading is one of the highest in the group.


However, keep in mind that the further you get from the monitor, the less EMF you are exposed to. Placing the baby unit for this product as far from your baby as possible will decrease EMF, and the monitor should still pick up every little noise you are hoping to hear.

Should You Buy the VTech DM 221?


Considering all the best baby monitors, we think the VTech DM221 is sure to please almost any family, boasting exceptional sound clarity that stands out in the group. This monitor strikes a reasonable price point for most and has the features you need instead of all the bells and whistles you will probably forget. We think it is an excellent choice as a primary baby monitor but can also work well as a backup to a favorite movement monitor.

What Other Sound Monitor Should You Consider?


The VTech DM1211 is a trusty monitor, delivering a well-rounded performance that includes two parent units for added convenience. For tech-savvy parents who appreciate all the bells and whistles, the Hatch Rest+ is compelling. It works via WiFi and offers unique, extra functions beyond sound monitoring. If you're watching your budget, the TimeFlys QQ Portable gets the job done. It's an affordable option that doesn't skimp on performance.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz