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Returning a baby monitor shouldn't feel like a gamble. If you're wondering about Nanit's return policy, here's the short version: you get 30 days from delivery, but that 15% restocking fee on opened items catches a lot of parents off guard. The policy is clear once you know the rules, but the details matter more than you'd think.
One key data point: as of 2026, Nanit deducts $8 to $15 for return shipping when you send back an opened camera. That's on top of the restocking fee. Small surprise, big hit to your refund.
Let's break down exactly what you need to know before you ship anything back.
Quick Answer
Nanit offers a 30-day return window from delivery. Unopened items get a full refund with free return shipping. Opened items face a 15% restocking fee plus return shipping costs.
Defective products qualify for a free replacement under the one-year warranty. Refunds take 5 to 10 business days after Nanit receives the item.
Why Getting the Return Right Actually Matters
A simple mistake can cost you real money. Open that box to check the camera and you just triggered a 15% deduction. Forget to include the power cable and the return gets rejected.
Miss the 30-day cutoff and you own the monitor, period.
Our research shows that most parents who call customer support are confused about one thing: whether they opened the box. Nanit defines "opened" as breaking the factory seal on the camera packaging. If you peek inside the shipping box but don't open the camera's inner box, you're still fine.
That distinction saves you the restocking fee.
The real risk here is financial. With Nanit cameras running $200 to $400, a 15% fee is $30 to $60. Throw in return shipping and you're down $45 to $75 for a product you decided not to keep.
That's not pocket change. Understanding the policy ahead of time keeps that money in your wallet.
The 30-Day Rule — Your Main Return Window
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The countdown starts on the delivery date. Not the day you ordered it. Not the day you unboxed it.
The day the carrier dropped it on your porch.
What counts as day one? Nanit uses the carrier's delivery timestamp. If FedEx marks it delivered at 2:00 PM on March 10, your 30 days end at 11:59 PM on April 9. That's standard retail practice, but it means you lose a day if the package arrives late in the day.
Holiday extensions. During November and December, Nanit extends the window to 60 days. That's a courtesy, not a guarantee. Check the returns page when you order for current seasonal terms.
What if the package is stolen? Nanit doesn't count that as a delivery issue for returns. You'd need to file a claim with the carrier. Your 30-day clock still ticks.
Best advice: track the package and bring it inside quickly.
Proof of purchase. You need your order number or the email receipt. If you can't find it, check your Nanit account order history. Returns without any proof get a lot harder, sometimes impossible.
What Triggers the 15% Restocking Fee
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Opened items cost you. Here is exactly what counts as opened and what does not.
Not opened, safe from the fee:
- You opened the shipping box from Amazon or Nanit.
- You removed the camera's outer cardboard sleeve.
- You looked at the instruction manual.
Opened, fee applies:
- You broke the plastic seal on the camera's retail box.
- You took the camera out of its molded insert.
- You attached the mount or plugged in the power adapter.
- You removed the plastic film from the lens.
How the fee works. Nanit deducts 15% of the product price. If you bought the Nanit Pro Bundle for $379, the fee is $56.85. Plus you pay return shipping or they deduct it from your refund.
The fee applies only to the returned item, not to accessories that remain sealed.
What if the packaging is damaged? That also counts as opened. If the box arrived crushed and you had to cut the seal, you are not at fault. Contact support first.
They may waive the fee for shipping damage.
Can you avoid the fee entirely? Yes. Stay completely inside the box. Decide before you break any seals.
If you are unsure about the product, watch unboxing videos online to see the camera without opening your own.
What Happens Inside the Return Process
The process is simple but has several steps. Here is exactly how it works from start to refund.
Initiating the Return
Go to the Nanit returns portal at returns.nanit.com. Enter your order number and email address. Select the items you want to return and choose a reason from the dropdown.
Common options: "Changed my mind," "Found a better price," "Received wrong item," "Defective," "Other."
Once you submit, Nanit emails you a prepaid return label within a few hours. For unopened items, shipping is free. For opened items, the label still arrives prepaid, but the cost gets deducted from your refund.
Packing and Shipping Requirements
Nanit requires the original box and all original accessories. That includes:
- The camera unit
- The power adapter and cable
- The wall mount or stand (if included)
- The adhesive mounting strips
- The user manual
- Any promotional inserts
Missing even one item can delay the refund or reduce the amount. If you lost the manual, no problem. But if you lost the power adapter, expect a deduction.
Pack the item securely. Use the original foam or cardboard inserts if you still have them. Tape the box well.
Attach the label to the outside. Drop off at any UPS or FedEx location, whichever the label specifies.
Inspection and Refund Timing
Once Nanit receives your return, they inspect it within 2 to 3 business days. They check for physical damage, missing parts, and signs of use. If everything passes, your refund is processed.
Refunds go back to the original payment method. Credit cards and PayPal both work. The refund typically shows up in 5 to 10 business days after the inspection.
If you paid with a gift card, the refund returns to the same card.
What delays a refund? Common issues include: missing accessories, damaged packaging (if the camera was opened), unclear return reason, or a mismatch between the item and the order. Contact support if you haven't seen the refund after two weeks.
Defective vs. Change of Mind — Two Very Different Paths
Image source: Wikimedia Commons / National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. 2/17/1973
Here is where the policy splits. Your rights and costs depend entirely on why you are returning the product.
Change of mind. You decided you don't want the camera. Maybe the baby hated the room, or you found a cheaper option. That is a standard return. 30-day window applies.
Opened items get the 15% restocking fee plus return shipping. Unopened items get a full refund with free shipping.
Defective product. The camera does not power on. The night vision flickers. The app won't connect.
That is a warranty claim. You get a free replacement. No restocking fee.
Nanit covers return shipping. And you have up to one year from the purchase date.
How to prove a defect. Nanit may ask for a video or photo showing the issue. A short video of the camera not turning on or the feed failing is enough. If the problem is intermittent, document it happening.
Most defects are approved without hassle.
What if you are within 30 days and the product is defective? You can choose either path. The warranty path is better because it costs you nothing and gets you a working unit faster. The standard return path would still apply the restocking fee if opened, so do not choose that.
Advanced replacement. For defects, Nanit often ships the replacement before you return the old unit. They put a temporary hold on your credit card equal to the product price. Once they receive the defective unit and confirm it, the hold releases.
This is common practice and safe.
Not covered under warranty. Physical damage from drops, liquid spills, or pets. Normal wear and tear. Issues caused by using a non-Nanit power adapter.
The warranty covers manufacturing defects only. If you dropped the camera and it cracked, that is a change-of-mind return situation.
One last thing. If you bought from a third-party retailer like Amazon or Target, you must return through them. Nanit will not accept a direct return for a product purchased elsewhere. Check the retailer's return policy instead.
It may have different fees and windows.
Mistakes That Cost You Money
Most return problems aren't caused by Nanit being difficult. They happen because of small mistakes you can avoid.
Throwing away the original packaging. This is the number one error. Without the original box and inserts, Nanit may reject the return or charge an additional fee. Keep the box until you are certain you are keeping the camera.
That means after the 30-day window passes.
Missing the deadline by a day or two. The 30-day window is strict. A late return gets denied, and you own the camera. Set a calendar reminder for day 25.
That gives you a buffer for shipping time.
Assuming "opened" means something different. Some buyers think opening the shipping box is what counts. It is not. The factory seal on the camera's retail box is the trigger.
If you break that seal, you pay the restocking fee.
Returning to the wrong retailer. If you bought from Amazon, Target, or Best Buy, you cannot return to Nanit. You must use the retailer's return portal. Their policies differ.
Amazon gives 30 days for most electronics. Best Buy gives 15 days for standard members, 30 for Plus. Target gives 90 days for many items.
Not including all accessories. Forgetting the power adapter or the mount means the return is incomplete. Nanit will contact you, but the process stalls. Your refund gets delayed by days or weeks.
What You Can't Return
Some items are final sale. Know these before you buy.
Clearance or marked-down items. If the product page says "final sale" or "no returns," that is legally binding. Check before you add to cart. Nanit typically flags these in the product description.
Mattresses and bedding with a broken hygiene seal. Nanit sells a crib mattress and sheets. If the plastic seal is broken, the item cannot be returned for hygiene reasons. This is standard across the industry.
Gift cards. Nanit gift cards are non-refundable. Once purchased, the value stays on the card until spent. You can use it on any product, but you cannot cash it out.
Subscription plans after 30 days. Nanit Insights subscriptions are refundable within the first 30 days on a prorated basis. After that, they are non-refundable. If you cancel mid-year, you keep access until the end of the billing period.
No refund for unused months.
Opened items past 30 days. Even if the product is in perfect condition, if you are past the return window, you cannot return it. The warranty covers defects only. Your only option is reselling.
Custom or engraved products. Nanit offers limited customization on some accessories. Custom items are non-returnable unless they arrive defective.
How to Handle a Third-Party Purchase
You bought your Nanit from Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, or Best Buy. Now you want to return it. Where do you go?
Go back to the original seller. Nanit will not accept a return for a product purchased through a third party. Their system ties returns to orders placed directly on nanit.com or through authorized accounts.
Check the retailer's return policy first. Each store has different rules.
- Amazon: 30-day return window for most baby monitors. Restocking fees vary by seller. Some third-party sellers on Amazon charge their own restocking fee up to 20%. Read the listing carefully.
- Target: 90-day return window for electronics. Items must be in original packaging. No restocking fee for most products. Opened items are accepted.
- Best Buy: 15-day return window for standard members. 30 days for My Best Buy Plus or Total members. Restocking fee of 15% applies to opened items like cameras.
Start the process online or in store. Many retailers allow in-store returns for online purchases. That saves shipping time. Just bring the item, the original packaging, and the order confirmation.
What if the retailer won't accept it? If you are outside their window, try contacting Nanit support. They may offer a courtesy replacement or discount. No guarantee, but it is worth asking.
They have been known to help in edge cases.
The One-Year Warranty — Your Safety Net
The standard return policy covers change of mind. The warranty covers defects. They are different paths, and you can use either within the first 30 days.
What the warranty covers. Manufacturing defects. A camera that stops connecting. Night vision that fails.
Audio that cuts out. Power port that does not work. These are covered.
What the warranty does not cover. Physical damage from drops or liquid. Damage from using a non-Nanit charger. Normal wear and tear.
Accidental damage from pets or children. For those, you need a separate protection plan or home insurance.
How to file a claim. Contact Nanit support via phone, email, or live chat. Provide your order number and a description of the problem. They may ask for a short video or photo.
Approval is usually quick, within one business day.
Advanced replacement. Nanit ships the replacement camera first. They place a temporary hold on your credit card for the full price. Once they receive the defective unit and confirm the issue, the hold releases.
This takes 5 to 7 business days after they receive the return.
Shipping is free for warranty claims. Nanit provides a prepaid return label. No restocking fee. No deduction for shipping.
This is the best path if the product is defective.
What if the warranty expires? After one year, you have no coverage. Some credit cards offer extended warranty protection. Check your card benefits.
Some extend manufacturer warranties by one additional year.
When to Contact Customer Support
Most returns go smoothly without speaking to anyone. But some situations need a human.
You missed the return window by a few days. Call or chat. Explain the situation. Nanit sometimes grants an exception for a day or two.
No guarantees, but it costs nothing to ask.
The product arrived damaged. If the box was crushed or the camera has visible damage, contact support immediately. Do not start a standard return. They will process it as a defect, waive fees, and send a replacement.
Your refund is delayed beyond 10 business days. After inspection, refunds normally take 5 to 10 days. If it has been two weeks and nothing shows up, contact support. Provide your return tracking number.
They can investigate.
You lost your original packaging. Nanit may still accept the return with a deduction. Call first. They will tell you what they need.
Sometimes they accept the camera alone if it is in good condition.
You need help with a third-party return. If you bought from Amazon and the seller is unhelpful, Nanit support may offer guidance. They cannot process the return, but they can tell you what documentation you need.
Contact details. Phone: (929) 291-2500. Hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 7 PM ET, Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM ET, Sunday closed. Email: support@nanit.com.
Live chat on the website during business hours. Returns portal: returns.nanit.com for initiating returns yourself.
Contact Info
Need help with a return or warranty? Here are the direct ways to reach Nanit.
Phone: (929) 291-2500. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 7 PM ET, Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM ET. Sunday closed.
Call for urgent issues like a delayed refund or a damaged on-arrival unit.
Email: support@nanit.com. Response time is usually one business day. Include your order number and a brief description.
For defects, attach a short video or photo.
Live chat: Available on the Nanit website during business hours. This is the fastest option for simple questions about return eligibility or the restocking fee.
Returns portal: returns.nanit.com. Use this to initiate a return yourself without speaking to anyone. You'll need your order number and email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return a Nanit camera if I opened the box?
Yes, but you will pay a 15% restocking fee and return shipping costs. The camera must be in like-new condition with all original accessories. Unopened items avoid the fee entirely.
How long do I have to return a Nanit?
30 days from the delivery date. During November and December, the window extends to 60 days. After that, standard returns are not accepted unless the product is defective under warranty.
Does Nanit charge a restocking fee?
Yes, for opened items. The fee is 15% of the product price. Unopened items in their factory-sealed packaging have no restocking fee and get free return shipping.
What if my Nanit is defective?
Contact Nanit support for a warranty claim. The one-year warranty covers manufacturing defects. You get a free replacement with no restocking fee and free return shipping.
Advanced replacement is available with a temporary credit card hold.
Can I return a Nanit bought on Amazon to Nanit directly?
No. Third-party purchases must go through the original seller. Check Amazon's return policy for your specific order.
Nanit only handles returns for orders placed on nanit.com.
How long does a refund take after returning a Nanit?
Once Nanit receives and inspects the item, refunds process in 5 to 10 business days. The money goes back to your original payment method. Contact support if it takes longer than two weeks.
Final Take — Your Quick Decision Guide
Here is a simple checklist based on your situation.
If the box is still factory-sealed:
Return within 30 days. Free label. Full refund.
Easy. Do it.
If you opened the box and changed your mind:
Return within 30 days. Expect the 15% restocking fee. Pack everything.
Ship it. The fee beats owning a monitor you won't use.
If the product is defective:
File a warranty claim. No fees. Free replacement.
Do not use the standard return process or you will pay the restocking fee.
If you are past 30 days:
You cannot return for a refund unless it is defective under warranty. Your only option is to resell or keep it.
If you bought from a third-party retailer:
Return to that retailer. Do not contact Nanit directly. Check their policy first.
Follow those branches and you will save time, money, and frustration. Nanit's return policy is fair when you know the rules. The key is knowing which path applies to you before you act.