VTech DM221 Review: The Affordable Audio Baby Monitor For Peace Of Mind

Once your little one has graduated from the bedside bassinet to a crib in their own bedroom (a serious win for exhausted parents who need sleep), it’s natural to want as much connection to them as possible.

As with all baby gear, it can be challenging to sift through all the options. Although we live in a technology-heavy world, this may be one product that doesn't have to be super high tech (or, at least, make a simple product part of your parental monitoring). But is a system this affordable also reliable?

Although I have two different video monitors in my two-year-old daughter’s nursery, I’ve found that a walkie-talkie-style audio baby monitor is just as important. My family has been using the VTech baby monitor for almost two years now. It’s constantly on, so I’m not at the mercy of my phone to hear any noises coming from my daughter’s room. So, allow me to share why it could be the right choice for your setup in my VTech DM221 review.

What is the VTech DM221 audio baby monitor?

The VTech DM221 baby monitor is an audio-only system with a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications Technology (DECT) 6.0, which is standard for short-range communications to provide secure, interference-free audio. It offers two-way communication, so you can hear a baby cry and use the talk feature to comfort them from the other room.

The VTech baby monitor has adjustable volume with five levels to choose from. It features colour-coded light-emitting diode (LED) lights for a visual indication of present noise. There’s also a vibration mode, where the parent unit vibrates to alert the caregiver.

This system works up to a 1,000-foot range, so you can use it on different floors. It comes with a charging cord for the parent unit and has up to 16 hours of battery life for overnight usage.

Unboxing and first impressions

Just as the baby monitor is a no-frills option, the packaging is straightforward. Inside, there’s a parent unit with a rechargeable battery and alternating current (AC) adapter. The baby unit, on the other hand, is expected to stay in one place and doesn’t have a rechargeable battery.

So, it must remain plugged into its AC adapter. When I received the system, I charged the parent unit right away. I recommend following my lead and doing so overnight, as it takes about 12 hours to charge. The battery icon indicates when it’s low, charging, or full.

Once the parent unit was charged and turned on, and the baby unit was plugged in, I connected the two according to the directions, which really was as simple as those steps. The rest was simple enough to figure out without the guide, but I confirmed what I was doing anyway.

There are volume buttons, the talk button, and a couple of others for slightly more advanced settings, like turning on vibration. With just a handful of buttons and a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, even a non-tech-savvy person could figure out these units.

Key features and functionality

Audio clarity and range

Is the VTech DM221 the clearest audio baby monitor in the world? No. But is it effective? Yes.

Even on the lower volume settings, it picks up and delivers the sound of my daughter calling for me. In fact, I can even hear the slight hum of her white noise machine, which is located on the opposite side of the room from the baby unit.

I haven’t experienced a noticeable difference in sound quality whether I have the parent unit in the next room or two floors down, which I consider a win. Keep in mind that the parent unit and baby unit can be up to 1,000 feet from one another, however, they can’t be closer than 3 feet. Otherwise, you’ll get a loud beep from the monitors being too close together.

Two-way talk feature

I don’t often use the two-way talk feature to soothe my daughter, because if she’s at the point where I need to talk to her, it’s a situation where I need to go into her room to comfort her. That’s probably a good thing, though, because my voice comes out pretty loud on the child unit.

The sound is certainly clear, but it’s kind of harsh, so I’d suggest actively using your most soothing voice to make it sound nicer on the other end. An unexpected positive about all of this, though, is that scaring my husband has brought many laughs to me personally (and he’s gotten me a few times, too).

Range and connectivity

In the spirit of putting this audio baby monitor through the ringer, I left the child unit in my daughter’s room and took the parent unit on a little trip. It came with me to the basement, outside, to the garage, and on a walk around the perimeter of my home.

The connection never dropped once, which I was kind of surprised by because—I’m not the best with measurements—but 1,000 feet didn’t seem like an overwhelming amount. And, of course, since the parent unit rarely leaves my bedroom, it does an excellent job without connection issues.

Battery life and power options

The parent unit has a battery life of up to 16 hours, which I found just about right when I tested how long it would last off the charger. However, 99.9 percent of the time, I keep the baby monitor plugged into the charger that’s plugged into the wall. I have it placed on the floor on my side of the bed, and there just isn’t ever a reason to unplug it.

The same goes for the child unit, as it must always stay plugged in. There aren’t any battery-saving or advanced charging settings, so having access to an outlet on both ends is pivotal since it takes about 12 hours for the parent unit to go from dead to full charge.

When our video monitoring system goes through an update and before we got a secondary video monitoring system for our nanny to keep an eye on our daughter, we have had to take the VTech with us in the man cave. Although we were two floors down from the child unit, there has never been a disconnection or spotty sound as a result of the distance.

Real-world testing: How does it perform?

I love my Nanit Pro Camera. It’s incredibly convenient to have eyes on my daughter in the palm of my hand when she’s sleeping. However, a ping on my phone won’t wake me up at 3 a.m. if she randomly wakes up and needs me. That’s why my husband and I opted to get an affordable secondary system in the VTech DM221.

We typically keep the volume on level two, which is plenty to wake us up, even though I’d consider myself somewhat of a heavy sleeper. If my daughter is sick and we expect her to need us in the middle of the night, we’ll turn the volume up to three out of an abundance of caution.

The volume can get loud, especially when your child wakes up from a nap in tears. I’ve never felt the need to turn it up to levels four or five, but it’s nice to know that the option is there. By no means do I struggle to hear my daughter during the day or night. But I also appreciate the LED indicators, which have reminded me to turn the volume back on if I had turned it off during the day for some reason.

I haven’t had a reason to travel with the VTech audio baby monitor, but I picture it being very easy to do so. It’s just a matter of unplugging the parent unit and the baby unit and keeping their respective AC adapters connected. The units weigh under 1 pound, so they were practically made to be portable, especially since the parent unit has a belt clip.

I’m a more tech-savvy person, however, I appreciate the simplicity of this baby monitor. It is not complicated and doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s reliable at delivering the sound on the other side, and there isn’t a whole lot more to it.

Safety and durability

VTech says that, in general, DECT 6.0 is immune to interference from other domestic radio signals. And the VTech DM221 should still operate clearly when in the presence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, other baby monitors, etc. In the two years I’ve had the audio monitor, I haven’t had any interference issues. The parent unit and baby unit have randomly disconnected a few times, resulting in beeping on the parent side, but nothing that a quick on and off switch couldn’t fix.

For being super affordable, this VTech system feels rather sturdy. Each unit is small and compact. Although I don’t toss it around, I almost want to compare it to classic flip phones. Remember those things? They felt pretty indestructible and like even a few major falls wouldn’t break them.

That’s sort of how this baby monitor feels, probably partly because there isn’t a video screen to worry about. Plus, since it has classic buttons and no touchscreen capability, you can wipe down the units if you need to without worry.

Who is the VTech DM221 audio baby monitor best for?

Not every parent wants a high-tech baby monitor, and a no-frills option works just fine. And some, like me, need something to supplement their already more tech-driven unit. Or maybe you’re spending the weekend at the grandparents’ house, or you’re travelling and need an easy-to-pack system.

These situations are where the VTech DM221 comes in handy. If having a video monitor isn’t super important to you, and you prioritize an affordable, reliable audio monitor that has a strong connection, even in large homes, this is a worthy pick.

Pros

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Adjustable volume and light indicators
• Vibration setting
• Works up to a 1,000-foot range
• 16 hours of battery life

Cons

• No video monitor
• No smart features

Final verdict

The VTech DM221 baby monitor is a budget-friendly, reliable choice for parents who want clear sound without extra bells and whistles. It makes sense for parents who don’t need video monitoring or prefer a simple, easy-to-use option. Those looking for Wi-Fi connectivity, video streaming, or extra smart features may want to consider more advanced monitors.