What are the differences between VTech DM221 vs VTech DM111 vs VTech DM1111? You may have been searching for the best sound-only baby monitor to buy and narrowed down your options to these three models. Since they are all rated as the best sound-only monitor by many authoritative parenting blogs, the question is which one is the best for you?
Comparing to video baby monitors, audio-only baby monitors are hacking-free, inexpensive, and keep you from staring at your baby all the time and going insane. The goal of this article is to show you the similarities between VTech DM221 vs VTech DM111 vs VTech DM1111. After which we will review each model and give you our recommendations.
Our Final Verdict
VTech DM221
The Best overall audio baby monitor for parents who want to talk back to their babies
VTech DM111
The most inexpensive audio baby monitor for parents who like to carry the parent unit around
VTech DM1111
The best audio baby monitor for parents who need to use the parent unit outdoors
How to Compare Audio Baby Monitors?
The top factors to take into consideration when comparing baby monitors are:
- Walkie-talkie function– Does the baby monitor allow 2-way communication? This is important if you need to talk to your kid. It’s a critical feature to have if you are using the baby monitor for a toddler. That way, your kid can speak with you through the monitor without your taking a hike to his room.
- Display – Does the baby monitor have a screen? If so, what information is displayed on the screen? If not, are there any indicators or setting buttons on the monitor or the receiver? This is important because it determines how many features the video baby monitor has, as well as how intuitive it is to use.
- Transmission range – How far can the monitor and receiver be away from each other. This is important for parents who have a big house, as well as parents who like to use a baby monitor while they are working in the backyard or the basement.
- Power – Does the baby monitor use battery or AC power? Does it have a rechargeable battery? How long is the battery life? This is important if you want to carry the parent unit in your pocket and move around.
Comparison of VTech DM221 vs DM111 vs DM1111
In this section, we will show you the similarities and differences between VTech DM221 vs DM111 vs DM111 against the most critical aspects for a sound-only baby monitor.
1. Two-Way Communication
Similarities
Neither VTech DM111 and DM1111 have a talkback intercom feature. That means you can hear sounds from your baby’s room but not talk to her.
Differences
The number one difference between VTech DM221 and VTech DM111 is that DM221 has a 2-way communication feature. It functions like a walkie-talkie. All you need to do is to hold a button and speak to the receiver. Your sound will play through the speaker on the monitor.
2. Display Screen
Similarities
Neither VTech DM111 and DM1111 have a digital screen. They both have a power button on the baby unit as well as power and volume buttons on the parent unit.
Differences
The second biggest difference between VTech DM221 and VTech DM111 is that DM221 has a LED digital screen. The screen shows you the connection status, a sound activates on-screen alert, battery status, volume status, and vibration alert status. Both DM111 and DM1111 only have sound-level indicating lights.
3. Transmission Range
Similarities
The outdoor operating range for both VTech DM221 and VTech DM111 is up to 1,000 feet (300 meters). The indoor operating range for all units is up to 160 feet (50 meters) indoors.
Differences
Comparing to DM221 and DM111, the biggest advantage of VTech DM1111 is its super long transmission range of 1,500 feet (450 meters) outdoors. It’s the best choice for those who need to be outdoors for an extended period of time because it provides 50% more connection coverage when used outside.
4. Power Source
Similarities
The baby unit of all three models VTech DM221 vs VTech DM111 vs VTech DM1111 is powered by an AC power adapter and must be plugged in all the time. Additionally, the parent unit for all models also can be powered by either a charging cord or rechargeable batteries.
Differences
Comparing to VTech DM111 and DM1111, VTech DM221 comes with a rechargeable battery. For both DM111 and DM1111, you need to purchase AAA batteries separately.
Product Reviews
In the above section, we have compared VTech DM221 vs DM111 vs DM1111 from a specifications standpoint. But the same specs don’t always translate into the same performance. That’s why in this section, we will review the real-life performance of each model based on our tests.
VTech DM221 Review
What do we like?
The biggest advantage of VTech DM221 is its ability to broadcast messages from the parent unit to the baby unit. If you have multiple parent units, you can also talk to the other receiver. Not only that, all parent units can also talk to the baby unit at the same time. So let’s say for example you are in the backyard and your husband is in the home office, and you both hear your toddler’s cry, then you two can both talk to your kid simultaneously. To do so, you press and hold the “Talk” button on the side of the parent unit, and talk to the microphone on the parent unit.
The other thing we love is the 3.5″ LCD display panel on DM221. On this screen, you can see a sound alert when the monitor detects your baby’s cry, even if your monitor is on mute. Not only that, but you can also easily check the connection status to make sure the parent unit is in range. In addition, you can see the battery level in case your unit is low in battery. The screen also has a night light so that you can see it clearly in the dark.
The sound quality is also great and there is minimal static. The volume also goes loud enough even at the border of the 1,000 feet range. For those who like to carry the parent unit around, the battery lasts about five to seven hours.
What are we concerned about?
The slight concern we have is that the connection status alert. The parent unit will trigger a sound alert when the baby unit is not plugged in, and the beep won’t stop until you fix it. The alert can get very loud and annoying.
Who is it best for?
VTech DM221 baby monitor is ideal for parents who will be using the monitor for toddlers because you can talk back to your child. But overall, DM221 is the best among all three and suitable for most parents.
Product Specifications:
- Display Type: 3.5″ LED
- Weight: 12.8 ounce
- Technology: DECT6.0 digital technology
- Talkback: Yes
VTech DM111 Review
What do we like?
There are two things that stand out the most for VTech DM111: the design and the price.
Let’s talk about the design first. DM111 followed a minimalism design principle – the baby unit only has a power indicator and a power button, and the parent unit only has three buttons and three indicators. It’s straightforward and easy-to-use.
Even though DM111 doesn’t have a digital screen, it still has the sound activation indicator. This indicator has five levels. The green lights indicate a moderate sound level while the red lights indicate a higher sound level.
The price of DM111 is also attractive. Priced at below $20, it is much cheaper than VTech 211. That makes it an affordable option for budget-conscious parents.
What are we concerned about?
The lack of a 2-way intercom feature is the biggest limit of Vtech DM211. If you are using the monitor for a baby, it’s not a big deal since your child won’t understand you anyway. However, once your baby grows into a toddler, the ability to talk to him right through the monitor will be a huge bonus. Of course, it won’t be a big issue if you live in an apartment or small house since you can walk to your child quickly.
Another small issue is that the monitor doesn’t come with AAA alkaline batteries. Remember to get at least two to make the receiver portable.
Who is it best for?
VTech DM111 baby monitor is ideal for parents who are on a tight budget and those who like to keep it simple.
Product Specifications:
- Display type: No LED screen
- Weight: 15.2 ounce
- Technology: DECT6.0 digital technology
- Talk back: No
VTech DM1111 Review
What do we like?
Comparing to VTech DM111, DM1111 is an upgraded version with a better range. It has an amazing outdoor transmission range of 1,500 feet, which is exceptional among all audio baby monitors on the market today. So if you live in the suburbs and need to stay outdoors for farm work, garden work, or play sports, then DM1111 is the best option for you.
Another thing we love is that the sound volume is very high even when used outside the house. This is important because it’s more difficult to hear electronic devices when you are outdoors.
In addition, DM1111 is slightly lighter (2.4 ounces) than DM111.
What are we concerned about?
Being a close cousin to VTech DM111, DM1111 also shares the disadvantage of not having a talk-back feature and needing to purchase separate batteries for the parent unit.
Who is it best for?
VTech DM1111 baby monitor is ideal for parents who need to stay in the backyard or on the deck for house works, farm works, or sports.
Product Specifications:
- Display type: No LED screen
- Weight: 12.8 ounce
- Technology: DECT6.0 digital technology
- Talk back: No
FAQs about Video Baby Monitors
Where to Position An Audio Baby Monitor?
An audio baby monitor should always be placed outside your child’s reach. If the baby monitor has connected to a cable, make sure your child won’t be able to grab it. Additionally, always place the parent unit 3 feet (1 meter) away from the baby unit for hearing protection purposes. If you have a high pitched sound, move the parent unit further away from the baby monitor.
Are Audio Baby Monitors Safe?
Comparing to video baby monitors, sound-only baby monitors are much safer. It is less prone to hacking, smaller in size, and has a reduced risk for privacy concerns. However, the drawback is that audio monitors use transmission channels to communicate, so if the parent unit and baby unit are too close to each other, you will hear an unpleasant noise. This noise can hurt your baby’s hearing if it gets too loud.
Final Conclusion
After the comparison of VTech DM221 vs DM111 vs DM111, our final analysis and research show that VTech DM221 Baby Monitor is the best overall audio-baby monitor for most parents. It’s a multi-functional monitor that won’t outgrow your child. Of course, if you are on a budget, Vtech DM111 Baby Monitor is a decent choice. Additionally, if you need to stay outside the house while using the monitor, then VTech DM1111 Baby Monitor provides the best operating range that you will need.
Cecilia Yeung is a successful entrepreneur and product researcher. She has a background in psychology and children’s education. As a working mother of two, she loves to write about children’s education and development.
