REASONS TO BUY
Loads of features
Battery backup
Budget-friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
Subpar range
Some feedback
No online manual
TimeFlys QQ Portable Review
A budget-friendly sound monitor that's adorable
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: Best Audio Baby Monitors
The Skinny
The TimeFlys QQ Portable is a budget-friendly option from our best sound monitor review. It brings a dose of charm to the nursery. Packed with many features, it offers a range of functions that many parents appreciate, like sound filtering, battery backup, vibration alert, night light functionality, room temperature sensor and alert, and more. In our experience, it's easy to operate, including navigating its menu. However, it's not a slam dunk on all fronts. It doesn't deliver the best range, but we think it's a suitable choice for most needs. We also noticed some sound clarity issues. But, all things considered, the TimeFlys QQ Portable delivers a decent performance for its affordable price. We think it's one to consider for monitoring your baby.
Editor's Note: The TimeFlys QQ Portable review was launched on September 29, 2023, as part of new product testing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
TimeFlys QQ Portable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $36 List $35.99 at Amazon | $60 List $59.99 at Amazon | $40 List $38.95 at Amazon | $30 List | $30 List $19.49 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An adorable, inexpensive sound monitor | A well-rounded sound monitor that comes with two parent units | Awesome sound with lots of features that is a winning choice for almost any family | A sound monitor with a performance that falls short | Priced nicely for the tightest budgets and gets the job done without added features |
| Rating Categories | TimeFlys QQ Portable | VTech DM1211 | VTech DM221 | Motorola AM24 | VTech DM111 |
| Sound Clarity (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Range (20%) | |||||
| Battery Life (15%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | TimeFlys QQ Portable | VTech DM1211 | VTech DM221 | Motorola AM24 | VTech DM111 |
| Indoor Range Test (Walls & Feet) | 7 Walls 115 Feet |
7 Walls 170+ Feet |
5 Walls 90 Feet |
7 Walls 110 Feet |
7 Walls 98 Feet |
| Open Field Range Test | 575 Feet | 1180 Feet | 1325 Feet | 750 Feet | 1350 Feet |
| Manufacturer's Claimed Range (*Buyer Beware!) | 1000 Feet | 1500 Feet | 1000 Feet | 1000 Feet | Not Listed |
| Communication Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology | DECT 6.0 Digital Technology |
| Sound Activation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Adjustable Mic Sensitivity | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Sound Filtering Test Results | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Average | Very Poor |
| Two-Way Talk | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Max Sound | 92 dB | 93 dB | 103 dB | 87 dB | 104 dB |
| Temperature | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Battery Type | Rechargable | Rechargable | Rechargable | Rechargable | AAA |
| Nursery Unit Battery Backup | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| EMF @ 6 Feet Nursery Unit | 1.38 V/m | 1.07 V/m | 3.11 V/m | 1.01 V/m | 2.63 V/m |
| Night Light | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Lullaby Music | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Out Of Range Alert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vibrate Alert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 Year | 1 year | 1 Year |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Information regarding the company TimeFlys is limited at this time. However, the little details we do know include that it was founded in 2002 by a single father named Jack, taking care of 2 children.
Performance Comparison
The TimeFlys comes with USB cables, a USB adaptor, and rechargeable batteries.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sound Clarity
The goal for any top-ranked baby monitor is to select one that delivers true-to-life sound. That way, you can tell what is going on in the nursery. While this monitor does not provide crystal clear sound transmission, we think it's good enough to recognize familiar sounds.
The sound clarity metric involves a handful of tests, such as checking the parent unit's maximum volume, sound clarity, noise reduction ability, and more. The TimeFlys produces a maximum volume of 92.1 dB, which is every-so-slightly below average compared to other monitors, and we noticed some sound distortion but nothing significant to interfere with sound interpretation. Next, we listened through the parent unit with music playing in the nursery at a lower sound level (85 dB). The sound transmission is similar to a speaker-in-a-box, sort of like an echo effect, and the high-frequency sounds in the music were distorted. But, with that said, it's not the worst option among the competition. We also appreciate that it offers sound filtering. This means while you will hear ambient noises in the nursery, such as a white noise machine or fan, it will eventually go quiet until a noise is detected.
We encountered no problems navigating the TimeFlys's user interface and menu.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The TimeFlys has better than average ease of use test results.
Once you unbox this product, the setup is a simple "plug in and go" affair. Some features may require some fiddling, but overall, this monitor has a user-friendly design, and the buttons are clear. Even in a sleep-deprived state, we think it's easy to navigate. Also, some products offer user manuals online, but TimeFlys does not. Therefore, we suggest saving the product's user manual if you need to reference it.
We record the distance and number of walls through which each monitor is effectively transmitted for our range tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Range
The TimeFlys QQ Portable struggles in the range department. In our tests, this product delivers a subpar performance compared to others.
This contender encountered challenges in our open field range test. We noticed sound interruptions beginning at 350 feet, and it transmitted sound until approximately 575 feet. This result falls short of the manufacturer's 1000-foot range claim. For indoor coverage, TimeFlys did better. It worked up to 115 feet and through 7 walls, a performance that doesn't stray too far from the average benchmarks set by the competition.
Battery Life
We prefer sound monitors with rechargeable batteries, and the TimeFlys meets this criteria. It also comes with USB cables to recharge the units.
We appreciate that the parent unit's user interface displays the battery life for the parent and baby unit so that you can keep tabs on the charge levels. If you live in a place where the power frequently goes out, you may appreciate that this product has a battery backup. However, we suggest having realistic expectations regarding its battery life as it may not last for long on one charge.
The TimeFlys includes several features that parents may appreciate.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Features
When choosing a sound monitor, it's important to consider what features align with your specific goals. The TimeFlys QQ Portable offers several features to elevate your monitoring experience.
This device includes the following features:
- Night light and remote activation of this feature
- Temperature sensor and an alarm feature will indicate low or high
- Lullaby music
- Vibration alert
- Two-way talk
- Low battery and out-of-range alarm
- Battery backup in the nursery unit
- Belt clip
- Mute
- Sleep mode
- Sound level activation
- Two-way talk
- Option to select either low or high voice sensitivity level
It's worth mentioning that we did not test the room temperature sensor for accuracy, but it may come in handy.
EMF
The TimeFlys has a slightly below-average EMF reading compared to the sound monitor competition.
When we place the EMF reader 6 feet from the baby unit, the average EMF reading is 1.38 V/m, which puts TimeFlys somewhere in the middle of the pack. Considering that the average reading for the test group is 1.61 V/m, this is decent but not impressive.
The TimeFlys came with a storage case.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the TimeFlys QQ Portable?
The TimeFlys QQ Portable balances performance and affordability when compared to top-notch sound monitors. With rechargeable batteries, it won't be tethered to an outlet unless it's charging. This portability feature might appeal to some parents, including those who don't always have access to an outlet. When it comes to monitoring your slumbering baby, TimeFlys provides peace of mind without breaking the bank or compromising on valuable features.
What Other Sound Monitor Should You Consider?
There are a handful of compelling monitors to consider, such as the VTech DM1211. This option offers an impressive range and is user-friendly, even for those who might not be tech-savvy. For an added perk, it includes two parent units. If you're looking for a device that goes beyond the basics, consider the Hatch Rest+. It's a multifunctional device with unique features, and since it uses WiFi connectivity and app control, you can operate it remotely.
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & Molly Bradac
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