Baby monitors have come a long way since the audio-only devices that were put in a baby nursery to track our bundles of joy. Now, smart technology has revolutionized how baby monitors work, providing a much better idea of what our babies are up to when we are not in the same room with them. The Cubo Ai Baby Monitor is one of the most technologically advanced, so I thought I would put it to the test with our littlest one. Here’s my review.
About Cubo
Joanna Lin started Cubo after she could not find solace from the six different baby cameras she used to monitor her baby. A medical consultant/pediatrician, as well as technology experts, helped design the baby monitor.
How it Works — Features and Functionality
The first standout feature of this smart WiFi baby monitor is the covered face alert. The camera continually tracks your baby’s face. It will alert you if they get buried under pillows, blankets, or other items like stuffed animals. The danger zone alert is another essential feature. It lets you draw an area on the video from the app. That way, if your baby crosses that area, you get an alert.
Other features include infrared night vision, night light, camera zoom, and two-way talk. You can also record video as well as track room temperature and humidity. It does not offer features that other smart baby monitors may have, like playing lullabies or tracking baby’s health.
Many baby monitors are easy to hack. However, Cubo encrypts all data and communications with a 256-bit symmetric-key encryption that is only accessible through your authenticated mobile device.
Video and Audio Quality
Cubo Ai has a 1080p wide-angle lens that is made by Sony. The picture is excellent during the day and night. Video streaming and sound quality also are superior to other baby monitors that we’ve tried.
You’ll get a smooth video streaming experience as long as your Wifi connection is reliable. The remote function also provides welcome relief when you are away from home because you can still get a good quality video and zoom in from your phone.
Phone App
The phone app is also one of the best features, offering a way to control the baby monitor from either an Android or iOS device. The app is easy to set-up, including a fast registration process. There is also a family sharing account that can be set up so that more than one smartphone can sign in to the baby monitor.
The Cubo Ai has a VOX mode, which means that the baby monitor works even if your screen is off. The app will run in the background and notify you if there is a relevant alert. It’s also possible to turn your screen off and just have the audio portion play. Otherwise, if you had to endure a continuous live video stream, your phone battery would die very quickly.
Pros and Cons
There are many things to like about the Cubo Ai Baby Monitor. At the top of my pro list, the baby monitor delivers excellent video quality and zoom capability. It also has a high-performing app with customizable notifications and live video stream with only the slightest of delays. The baby monitor is really cute. Its design is the perfect fit for a nursery or child’s room because it resembles a toy rather than the typical baby monitor, which looks utilitarian.
Another plus was the three options for mounting the baby monitor, including floor or mobile stand as well as crib mount. Other useful aspects of the Cubo include the covered face/rollover detection, which I could not find as a feature on other smart baby monitors.
In terms of improvements, it could be easier to set up the baby monitor physically. However, it did feel sturdy once in place. There isn’t perfect packaging or presentation for storing the other two mounts that are not in use. It would be good if there were a storage case included. The app needs to be organized to make it easier to use.
In the Box
When you buy a Cubo Ai Baby monitor, you get the camera unit and two USB wall plugs. The box also contains the three mounting options, including the u-shaped camera holder (for putting it on a shelf), a mobile stand, a floor stand with base, and a critical stand.
Where to Buy
The Cubo Ai Baby Monitor is available on Cubo’s website as well as through retailers like Amazon. It’s available for $249 on Cubo’s website and offers free two-day and standard shipping. Their website also connects you with a financing option, but they also accept credit cards and PayPal.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I would recommend the Cubo Ai Baby Monitor over the other baby monitors I’ve researched and used. Although this baby monitor doesn’t have a feature like the baby’s health vitals, it is still an affordable, versatile option compared to the other smart baby monitors now available. It has provided solid peace of mind about your baby.