Philips DECT Monitor
The DECT monitor tops this list by far. What makes it a winner? Mostly, it's because it uses a new 1.9 GHz frequency and continuously scans 60 channels -- meaning a great connection. The company even guarantees that signals won't get crossed. Add the other super-cool features (like being able to talk to your child through the receiver, remotely activated lights and music, and a handy room temperature reading), and you won't even remember the hefty price tag. $160*, Amazon

Evenflo Whisper Connect
This is another with a fun (and functional) walkie-talkie feature, which comes in handy both for parent conversation and for soothing your child. The sound is clear and the parent units beep if connection is lost, so there's no worry of missing out on baby coos and whimpers. The two receivers mean both parents can listen in -- or that there's a spare if the rechargeable batteries run out in one unit. (Bonus: If one unit gets lost under piles of toys or laundry you can page it with the other.) $30, DiaperBags

Fisher Price Private Connection with Dual Monitors
A step up from heir Sounds 'N Lights version, Fisher Price gave the Private Connection monitor 10 channel options for a more, well, private connection. The 800-ft. range gives you the freedom to roam, and the specially designed power cord keeps the unit from sucking up unnecessary energy when it's switched off. Even better, there are great little lights that let you "see" baby's cries over vacuums or dishwashers (or blenders when Mommy needs a margarita). $60, Fisher Price

MobiCam Ultra
If you'd like to keep an eye on baby (and not just an ear), the MobiCam Ultra can give you a peek at your snoozing baby to ease your mind. The picture is full-color, and there's night vision too, so baby's image is right beside you anytime you want. If more than one parent wants to do some nursery spying, unlimited receivers can be added, as well as an additional camera. $160, giggle

Fisher Price Sounds 'N Lights
Fisher Price is an old fave of families seeking good function and good value. The Sounds 'N Lights Monitor doesn't have many frills, but it's especially handy for parents who'd like to be alerted of baby's cries without all the ruckus. Just turn down the volume, and the five lights will let you know when (and how much) sound is coming from the nursery. $38, Fisher Price

Graco imonitor Multi-Child Digital Baby Monitor
An awesome analog option, the BabyCall has wiped out one of the most annoying monitor pet peeves: background noise. Of course you want to hear if your little one whimpers at 3 a.m., but do you really want to hear his gas (not to mention that weird, alien-invasion noise that tends to come through on inactive monitors)? A voice-activation mode on the BabyCall filters out the constant noises -- even background music -- and saves the alerts for real baby sounds. The receivers are water-resistant, and there are 27 channels to help you avoid hearing your neighbor's home shopping calls. $130, Right Start

Sony 900 MHz BabyCall Nursery Monitor
An awesome analog option, the BabyCall has wiped out one of the most annoying monitor pet peeves: background noise. Of course you want to hear if your little one whimpers at 3 a.m., but do you really want to hear his gas (not to mention that weird, alien-invasion noise that tends to come through on inactive monitors)? A voice-activation mode on the BabyCall filters out the constant noises -- even background music -- and saves the alerts for real baby sounds. The receivers are water-resistant, and there are 27 channels to help you avoid hearing your neighbor's home shopping calls. $70, SonyStyle

Summer Infant: Baby's Quiet Sounds Video Monitor
Summer Infant covered all the major bases with this video and audio monitor. It's lightweight, has decent range, night vision to keep baby visible in the dark, and the screen shuts off after three minutes when unplugged, saving battery power. (When you want to take a peek, you can switch it back on with the press of a button.) You can add up to two more cameras for extra kids or additional monitoring. $170, Amazon

Graco imonitor Vibe
The imonitor has the widest range out there, as far as we've seen. There's also a great vibrating feature that means you don't have to worry about watching for sound lights when you're doing something noisy -- just stick the parent unit in your pocket and it'll buzz your thigh when baby is stirring. It's digital, which means less interference (they guarantee none with home wireless networks, microwave ovens or cordless 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz phones). For parents looking for even more portability, there's a mini vibrating imonitor coming out soon. $99 Right Start

Summer Infant: Secure Sounds
This contemporary design from Summer Infant looks more like an ultra-modern phone than baby gear. Baby device it is, though -- all set up to track baby's every sound (without spoiling your decor). It's digital, meaning less interference and eavesdropping, and it automatically scans for the clearest channel. With monitors, function always comes before form, but it sure doesn't hurt that you can choose a color to suit your style. $59, Land of Nod