How To Use Echo Show as a Baby Monitor [2024 Update]

In this post, I’ll explore three simple ways how to use Echo Show as a baby monitor.

To summarize, you basically have three options:

• Option #1: Drop in Using the Alexa App
• Option #2: Use an Indoor Security Camera
• Option #3: Use Two Echo Shows

You can click on any link in the list above to read more about that option or continue on to read my cute little intro.

So Simple A Baby Could Do It

Last week, I had a friend who has a new baby and is also new to Alexa devices ask me whether she could use Echo Show as a baby monitor. I told her yes, and recommended that she pair up a Wi-Fi security camera with her Echo Show.

But this got me thinking about all the potentially different ways to do this.

There are three basic options for how to use Echo Show as a baby monitor.

First, you can drop in on your baby using the Alexa app.

The second way is to pair an Echo Show with a Wi-Fi security camera like the Wyze Cam or Ring Stickup Cam.

The third way is to simply use two Echo Shows one as the camera and the other as monitor.

The 2nd way is the best for a number of reasons.

But let’s review each in more detail.

Option #1: Drop in Using the Alexa App

This first method is probably the easiest and least expensive of the three options here. However, the lack of night vision could make the image quality in the dark hard to see the baby.

With the help of the Alexa app, you can remotely view, hear, and talk to your baby with ease. This feature, known as “Drop In,” enables you to check on your little one from anywhere, at any time via the app.

No need to worry about getting out of bed in the middle of the night to check on your baby, with the Alexa app, you can do it all from the comfort of your own bed. Here are the step-by-step instructions on using the “Drop In” feature in the Alexa app:

1. Make sure your smartphone has the latest version of the Alexa app installed.
2. Open the Alexa app, and click the Communicate icon at the bottom.
3. Select the Echo Show you want to view the baby and tap Drop In.
   Note: You may need to enable this in your main Alexa app settings if not already set up.

4. Ensure that the Echo Show is placed within earshot of your baby and has a clear view of the crib.
5. When you’re ready to use the baby monitor, simply open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet, go to the Device and tap Drop In.

You will now be able to see and hear your baby through the Echo Show, right on your phone. To talk to your baby, speak into your smartphone just like you would a walkie-talkie.

Pro Tip: Make sure you mute the microphone on your end so you won’t run the risk of waking baby with any noises on your end.

With this setup, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your baby using the Alexa app, without having to physically go into the room. The Amazon Echo Show’s camera also has a privacy shutter that you can use to cover the lens when not in use. So, you can be sure that your baby’s privacy is protected while still keeping a close watch over them.

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Option #2: Use an Indoor Security Camera [Recommended]

The best way to use the Echo Show as a baby monitor is by pairing it with a smart security camera.

These cameras have come a long way and have great features like a live video feed, night vision, and two-way audio. You can use them over your existing internet connection to project to your smart display.

The prices of many brands of these smart cameras have come down so much to the point where this is a good option. Many of these cameras are mountable so you can also get an optimal view of the baby. Many also have a field of view that could easily display most or all of a baby’s nursery or toddler’s bedroom.

DIY Baby Monitor Basic Steps

1. Choose an Echo Show that is right for you.
2. Choose an Echo Show-compatible security camera.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to pair the camera with your Echo Show.
4. Mount or position the camera in an optimal way to view the baby.
5. Say “Alexa, show me the baby’s nursery“ or whatever the equivalent voice command is for the camera you bought.

I go into a ton of detail comparing some of the most popular cameras that work with the Echo Show, if you want to learn more. I will also provide a couple of recommendations below for cameras I own.

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Option #3: Use Two Echo Shows

The first way is the most expensive. For this reason, it might be more prudent for a toddler monitor than a baby monitor for two-way communication. Since the Echo Show’s are among some of the more expensive devices, this may not be the most practical, especially for a newborn or infant you just want to check up on.

However, if you have a toddler you would like to communicate back and forth via the smart screen, this could work great.

Another way this might not be the most practical is that the baby will need to be in the field of view of the camera on the 2nd-Gen Echo Show. This would require positioning it so the camera’s live feed is trained on the baby or toddler. This is doable, especially using a stand or mount. However, it could get a little tricky if you want a solid view of a baby in a crib or bassinet.

Basic Steps

1. Choose one Echo Show for the baby’s room and another as a monitor.
2. Position the baby’s Echo Show so the baby is in the camera’s field of view.
3. Use drop-in or video-calling from Show A to Show B to monitor the baby.

📚 Related: Echo Show 8 2021 Vs 2019

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Which Wi-Fi Cameras Work Best As Baby Monitors?

Great Budget Choice: Wyze Cam + Echo Show 8

If you are looking for more of a budget option, the Wyze Cam is also another great choice. It has fewer frills than some of the other cameras listed above, but it delivers a crisp video image, and it is super inexpensive. The latest version has color night vision, so you can check up on the baby in color.

It also comes with mounting tape making it a super-inexpensive way to monitor baby using your Echo Show.

Reed over at Smart Home Solver has a nice review of the Wyze Cam out on YouTube. I’ll embed it below for your convenience.

👶 Amazon has a great deal on the new Wyze Cam with color night vision.

Premium Pick: Ring Stick Up Cam:

While I haven’t tested it out yet, Amazon’s new Ring Stick Up Cam with battery backup and two-way talk is getting rave reviews from industry experts and critics alike.

This was introduced by Amazon at their new hardware event in September. The best thing about this camera is that it offers flexibility between battery-operated, plug-in, and solar options. For use as a baby monitor, the plug-in model is probably the best way to go, but it is nice to know other options are available.

It is easily mountable and comes with screws and wall anchors if you want to position it pointing a baby’s crib.

It will display an ultra-sharp 1080p video to your Echo device, and it also works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT. Additional features include motion detection and a built-in siren. But you may not want to blare that around the baby’s sensitive ears.

It even has two-way talk. So you can trade goo-goo and gaa-gaas with baby from another room or perhaps even help soothe baby to sleep with your voice.

👶 You can read what customers say about Ring Stick Up Cam at Amazon.

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Which Echo Show is Best for a Baby Monitor?

With the new Echo Show 15 and retirement of some of the older devices, you now four newer generation Amazon Echo devices with screens from which new parents can choose.

• Echo Show 5
• Echo Show 8
• Echo Show 10
• Echo Show 15

All of these will work to display footage from wi-fi security cameras, but the larger devices will make it easier for you to monitor baby. You can also project the monitor’s footage to an Amazon Fire TV device or use the compatible camera mobile apps if you so choose.

I still really like the Amazon Echo Show 10 for this purpose. You can read my post comparing the Echo Show 10 vs 15 if you are interested in learning more.

I also recenty did an unboxing of the Echo Show 10 (updated model) over on my YouTube channel.

Note: The 8″ inch show is very similar to the 5″ model; however, you do get the larger screen. Both make a good baby monitor for a bedside table, but these will be harder to see than with the Show 10 screen especially in a larger room.

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Benefits of Using Echo Show as a Baby Monitor

There are several benefits to using the Echo Show as a way to keep a watchful eye on the baby. Here are five I can think of off the top of my head:

#1 – Alexa for Voice Control

You can use Alexa for voice control and even issue custom commands like “Alexa, Show me little Timmy’s room“ or “Alexa, drop in on the baby’s room.”

#2 – Affordability

Nearly all major indoor home security cameras are compatible with Echo Show, giving you a broad range of features for just about any budget. The latest smaller Echo Show devices are priced more affordably too.

#3 – Reliability

All you need is an available outlet and decent wi-fi connection in both locations, and the Echo Show and compatible video camera make for a super reliable baby monitor. Batteries aren’t required.

#4 – Versatility

Not only do you get a great baby monitor but you also get all of the benefits of an Echo device with a screen, including the ability to do video calls, get weather reports, set alarms and timers, view guided recipes, stream music with song lyrics and much more.

#5 – Variety

With several screened Alexa devices from which you can choose, you are sure to find the perfect-sized device for your bedside table, kitchen, living or any other room in the house from where you want to watch your baby sleep or stir.

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Safety Concerns and Reliability

Setting up an Echo Show as your baby monitor is perfectly safe—just so long as you exercise a little common sense. You do not want to position or mount the camera or Echo Show in any way that risks falling into the crib and harming the baby.

Also, both the Echo device and the camera require an active internet Wi-Fi network connection to work. So, make sure you have a reliable connection and a solid connection in the baby’s room as well as the room that contains the Show. The idea here is to have a solid, reliable camera feed.

Third, if you live in an area with frequent power loss, you might want to consider a power generator and potentially a wi-fi hotspot connection on your mobile device if 100% uptime is a concern. You should also make sure that other family members in the household exercise the same caution.

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How To Use Echo Show as a Baby Monitor – Your Turn

I hope I put the question “how to use Echo Show as a baby monitor” to bed. See what I did there?

Are you a new parent and considering using Echo Show as a way to peek in at the baby?

Do you own one or more Amazon Echo smart speakers with a screen? How about a home security camera? If so, which one(s) and what do you like /dislike about them? What do you think of these new smart home devices?

Please leave a comment below and let me know. Even though the blog is growing and it might take me more than a day, I still reply to every comment I receive. I hope to hear from you and wish you all a good night’s sleep.

Up Next: Cradlewise vs SNOO: Which Smart Crib Is Best?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.