We bought a monitor - nothing fancy though - & it has hardly been used. It worked when I was pregnant then after DS was born we got nothing but static. We have a small place & DSs room is right next to ours. I don't have a problem hearing him. He was also quite strong at birth - he was able to lift his head in the hospital - so we weren't too concerned about sids or anything. I thought the video & sensors were a bit of overkill personally, but maybe worth it if you have a premmie or sick bub. That's just my opinion though.