New parents, here’s a tip: You might not need a baby monitor. A healthy, hungry baby can shriek in tones piercing enough to bend metal, let alone your poor eardrums. Nevertheless, baby monitors can provide high-quality audio and crystal-clear video streams from the camera directly to a separate device like a smartphone or tablet. This means you can move freely around the house while keeping a close eye on the baby as they sleep or play contentedly in their crib. We tested the most intuitive models available online, looking at design, features, and picture and audio quality. These are the best baby monitors that can keep a watchful eye on your bundle of joy.

Be sure to check out our other baby gear guides, including the Best Strollers, Best Breast Pumps, Best Baby Gear, and Best Baby Carriers.

Updated October 2023: We’ve added the Eufy SpaceView Baby Monitor and removed a few discontinued monitors.

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Adrienne So contributed to this guide.