What we like about it: The Dream Duo 2 includes the Owlet Smart HD monitor and the Owlet Dream Sock, which was FDA-cleared in 2023. The Dream Sock is the first and only over-the-counter medical pulse oximetry solution for infants. The package came with four different-sized socks that are meant to fit healthy infants weighing 6 pounds to 30 pounds. The socks contain a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which is similar to what hospitals use to test your heart rate. The sock has velcro straps so you can easily adjust it around your child's foot.
One thing I liked about this camera is that the cord was the longest of all the monitors, and its magnetic base made it the most adjustable, so you get the best camera angle possible. This was super helpful since the area where I have my son's pack 'n play requires a tricky angle to get the whole view. This baby monitor is powered through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and connects to the Owlet app (available on iOS and Android). The app is free and there is no paid subscription.
The readings show you the baby's pulse rate, oxygen levels if it detects movement, the noise in the room, the room temperature and predicts their next nap based on their wake windows and when the baby wakes up. After the baby rises, you receive a full report of the sleep session that tells you how long the baby slept and their average heart rate and oxygen levels. One of the things that surprised me was how the sock was able to tell when and for how long my son was awake and when he was in a light or deep sleep.
Who it’s best for: This tool can be helpful for parents with newborns and babies because the data can be shown to their pediatrician if their baby is experiencing a sleep regression or if they're having a hard time figuring out their wake windows and establishing a sleep schedule. If your goal is to get a better understanding of your child's sleep patterns, the Owlet Dream Duo 2 could be a good choice for your family. Please note: The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using direct-to-consumer heart rate and pulse oximetry monitoring devices to prevent sudden infant death syndrome or other sleep-related deaths. The AAP warns that there is not enough evidence to support that these types of devices can prevent these deaths from occurring and give parents a false sense of security. Owlet states on its website that the Dream Sock is intended for tracking your child's well-being by monitoring sleep patterns, quality and duration of sleep. As long as you use the Dream Sock correctly, you can reap the benefits.
I found the setup for the sock to be easier than the camera, but using the sock on my son took some trial and error. That’s because he didn’t like keeping it on, so it’s something to keep in mind if your child doesn’t like wearing shoes or socks.
Who should avoid it: If you’re someone who is overly anxious with extra data, this baby monitor may not be the right fit for you. As previously stated, the Owlet sock is only meant to be used as a way to track your baby’s sleep patterns and not as a medical device. You will need to keep the sock on the charging base when it's not in use for it to remain charged. If you don't place it back on the base, the battery will drain and it won't work correctly. Sometimes I'd have to troubleshoot getting the sock and camera to work from the app if they lost connection. The base itself lights up different colors and each one has a different meaning:
Green light: A blinking green light means it's capturing the heart rate and oxygen readings. Once established and everything seems in range, the blinking becomes more steady.
Red light: If the base starts blinking red, this means oxygen levels or heart rate levels are out of range.
Blue light: This means the base is unable to detect the sock via Bluetooth and it will also play the lullaby "Hush Little Baby" to notify you.
Yellow light: This indicates that the sock is unable to find a reading on your baby's foot.
If the Dream Sock seems a bit much, the camera is also sold separately and offers a clear picture of your child as well as two-way audio, temperature check and cry notifications.