White noise machines are becoming more popular in the market, and for a good reason. They provide a steady sound to tune out the noisy ambient sounds while we sleep at night.
Just like having a TV on in the background, white noise helps you sleep better by giving your ears a subtle hum in the background, minimizing distractions, and being woken up by loud noises.
You can use sound machines, fan sounds, or even a white noise app on your cell phone.
Fans are a great, cheap household item that produces white noise, but during winter, it will circulate the cold air in the room, making it uncomfortable for sleep.
Imagine falling asleep to the sound of ocean waves
Those who prefer listening to nature sounds, such as ocean waves, ambient sounds, birds chirping while they sleep, can opt for a white noise sound machine instead.
These machines have a sound library of different sleep sounds and are ideal for people who have trouble with insomnia and find it difficult to sleep at night.
Many sound machines come with various sounds such as soothing nature sounds or more artificial sleep sounds such as white noise or even pink noise (a type of low-frequency sound used in audio engineering).
Let’s begin our review of the best white noise machine on the market today.
What are white noise machines used for?
A white noise machine can be used for many reasons. Some include sleeping, relaxation, studying, working in a noisy environment, and helping babies sleep.
One of the best uses for a white noise machine is that it can help you sleep better at night. This is because it blocks out all other sounds that may keep you awake and instead produces a sound that’s soothing to your ears.
White noise machines produce a constant sound that you can focus on and drown out the other distractions that may keep you from sleeping. This is why it’s best to use white noise machines in your bedroom when sleeping or near where you’ll be sleeping if outside of the room.
Not only can a white noise machine help you get quality sleep at night, but they’re also beneficial for babies and toddlers who are trying to fall asleep on their own without any parents nearby.
The sounds produced by these machines mimic some of the noises made by parents and provides a calm, soothing environment for the child.
Do I need a white noise machine?
It depends. White noise machines are great for light sleepers who tend to wake up easily. A white noise machine can help drown out outside noises and provide a more restful sleep with the soothing sounds of waves, rain, or wind.
If you live in an apartment complex where there is always something going on outside your window (like living beside a busy road), then yes! You may want to consider getting one of the best white noise machines so that you can get better sleep at night.
If you prefer not to spend money, you can use a regular fan for a low-cost white noise machine, as the sound of the fan is also a type of white noise. Aside from that, many phone apps that can play white-noise, absolutely free!
A white noise machine is good because you will be able to use it at your bedside, with a variety of sounds you can use to provide an instant, calming environment.
Important features we look for when buying a white noise machine
Sound options
White noise machines typically have a variety of pre-recorded sounds that you can choose from, including white noise, pink noise, brown noise, ocean waves. Having a variety will ensure you never get bored of the sounds playing from your sound machine.
Size & Portability
The best white noise machine should be small enough to fit next to your bed or beside where ever else in your home/apartment that’s most convenient for you to use them. This will allow you to bring the machine around across rooms with ease.
Timer
Having a turn-off timer will ensure that you don’t have to wake up to turn it off in the middle of the night.
Timers are simple but important features when buying white noise machines.
Best White Noise Machine Reviewed – Best Overall
1. Yogasleep Dohm Classic White Noise Machine
It is the white noise machine that has been around since 1962, which means it’s had an awful lot of time to perfect its product. It also comes with a 101-night refund guaranteed trial!
This Yogasleep Dohm sound machine comes with an easy-to-control button that goes on ‘High’ or ‘Low’ settings. Even when on ‘High’ settings, this white noise machine does not vibrate heavily while using.
Nevertheless, you can adjust its volume to make sure you don’t end up disturbing anyone else around!
With its adjustable tone and volume, this white noise machine is good for tinnitus sufferers and for people who have snoring partners. It’s a great product all around!
This white noise machine also comes in multiple colors, so you can choose the one that suits your bedroom best.
- Trusted company since 1962
- Risk-free 101-night trial
- Customizable sound options
- Doesn’t vibrate much while operating
- Max volume could be louder
2. LectroFan Evo White Noise Sound Machine
The LectroFan Evo white noise machine has 22 unique, non-looping sounds to choose from, including 10 fans and white noise!
The volume is customizable, so you can find the right white noise for your environment.
This sound machine also comes with a sleep timer so you can set it off automatically after a certain amount of time, with options to choose whether you want it powered by AC or USB.
If you’re looking for some white noise for your home, this white noise machine is perfect – all at an affordable price!
- Great for noisy neighbors
- 22 unique sounds to choose from
- Customizable volume
- Auto-off sleep timer
- Fan sounds are not realistic
Best Affordable White Noise Machines
3. Big Red Rooster 6 Sound White Noise Machine
Being a fairly small and compact machine, it is a portable sound machine for traveling. It comes with 6 soothing sounds, including Rain, Brook, Ocean, Thunder, White Noise, Summer Night.
This white noise machine is powered with an AC adapter but can be used with standalone battery operations. The built-in auto-off timer intervals are set at 15, 30, or 60 minutes intervals.
With the 12 second sound loops, you won’t get bored with a repetitive white noise sound.
This white noise machine is perfect for both travel and the office! Its small size makes it easy to carry and is one of the best value-for-money picks.
- Small and compact
- 6 different sound choice
- Runs on battery or AC
- Auto-off timer with different intervals
- Buttons are kinda loud to press
4. Magicteam Sound Machines White Noise Machine
The Magicteam sound machine comes with 20 non-looping natural sounds that are soothing and do not repeat themselves.
The white noise machine has a memory function that automatically saves your current settings and 32 levels of volume, which means it can be loud although the machine is small in size.
The white noise machine is powered by AC or USB and can be used as a sleep sound timer therapy to help you fall asleep with low sounds of white noise that gradually increase the longer you listen.
It also includes AUTO-OFF settings with five presets ranging from 60 minutes to 300 minutes. This white noise machine has a compact build that makes it suitable for traveling and fits in the palm of your hands.
If white noise machines are too bland or you’ve been looking for a white noise machine with more variety, this white noise machine from Magicteam is certainly worth checking out!
- 20 non-looping natural sounds
- Five auto-off presets from 60 minutes to 300 minutes
- 32 levels of volume
- Powered by AC or USB
- Hard to adjust without an LED screen
Best Portable White Noise Machines
5. HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine
The white noise by HoMedics white sound machine can be used for meditation and relax your mind after a long day
It is one of the most innovative white noise machines with six presets for white noise, including rain, ocean, thunder.
On top of all these features, the white sound machine comes with an auto-off timer that allows you to set how long you want the white noise to come on for.
This time can be set at 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even 60 minutes. It also has a stylish design, so it can fit right in with your room decor.
The small and compact size fits your purse, bags, and luggage, making it very convenient when traveling or camping.
- Portable, can fit inside purse, bags, and luggage
- Great for traveling and camping
- Small and stylish design easy to fit into room decor
- Durable and long-lasting
- Volume resets each time as it's turned on using the volume button
6. Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
This white noise machine has a tone of 3 natural sounds and is soothing and natural sounds for babies.
The small and compact design easily fits into a pocket, so it can be carried around anywhere.
If your pockets are unavailable, this portable white noise machine comes with a baby-safe, flexible clip that allows you to tie the machine onto your stroller or purse.
The white noise machine has a long-lasting battery that can last over 10 hours, and it is rechargeable by connecting it to your computer or phone with a USB cord. On top of that, it comes with a night light so you can read in the night.
- Super compact, can be carried anywhere
- Flexible clip for easy positioning
- Long-lasting USB battery
- Comes with night light
- Could be louder
Best White Noise Machines With Night Light
7. REACHER White Noise Machine and Night Light
The white noise machine includes 100 white noise sounds that can be played at various volumes to suit different requirements.
One of the great features of the white noise machine is that it has an 8 color night light; this feature helps babies get to sleep and provides a calming atmosphere for adults who are suffering from stress or anxiety.
The white sound machines are designed to help people sleep better and therefore help them maintain their psychological functioning during the day.
The white noise machine is great for babies, adults, and everyone in-between; versatile and easy to use, this is one of the best options in the market today!
- Bright LED lights are great as a night light
- 8 different colors to fit what the kid likes
- Material is safe for babies
- Not as durable, be careful not to drop it
8. Anescra White Noise Machine
The Anescra white noise machine is a therapeutic sleeping instrument certified by the CE, FCC, and RoHS, making it non-toxic and suitable for use around children.
This white noise machine comes with 24 high-quality, unique sounds with 7 color options for a night light that is sure to satisfy your children’s desire for a colorful room.
Since this white noise machine is compact and well-designed, you can easily travel with it, use it at home or in your office.
- Great night light saves space on bedside tables
- CE, FCC, RoHS Certified
- Great lighting colors to choose from
- 24 unique sounds
- Mediocre speaker quality
Best White Noise Machines For Aesthetic Bedrooms
9. Douni Sleep Sound Machine
It is also quite small in size, which means that you can take it with you wherever you go! The white noise machine includes 24 soothing sounds for sleeping and relaxation.
With the 60-days guarantee, as well as 12 months warranty, you can get the white noise machine with peace of mind.
This white noise machine supports a timer and memory function. It also has an adjustable volume, which means that you can set the white noise machine to your preferred sound level.
- Aesthetic wood grain look
- Small in size, portable
- 60-days guarantee and 12 months warranty
- 24 unique sounds
- No light, making it hard to see the buttons at night
Best White Noise Machine and Sunrise Alarm Clock – Honorable Mention
10. Hatch Restore Sound Machine & Sunrise Alarm Clock
Although the price tag is a little on the high end, the quality of this product is worth it, as the adjustable volume has a superb sound quality.
The Hatch Restore sound machine also acts as a bedside reading light, smart light and provides you with a personal sleep routine with its phone app.
The sound quality is really good as well! The Hatch Restore sound machine has an adjustable volume, so you can set it to whatever level of white noise you prefer.
You can read more on our review of the Hatch Restore machine as a sunrise alarm clock.
- Multipurpose white noise machine, with plenty other features
- Can use a phone app to track sleeping patterns
- Great sound quality
- Slightly pricey
Conclusion
Today, most white noise machines can provide you with soothing ambient sounds and mask unwanted outside noise, giving you less trouble falling asleep.
If these sleep sound machines are still out of your budget, check out our affordable white noise machine pick – the Big Red Rooster 6 Sound White Noise Machine. This sound machine can help you create a better bedtime routine by tuning out unwanted noise in your environment while you are sleeping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which white noise is best for sleeping?
There’s no one white noise that is “best,” but a few, in particular, stand out as being pretty effective at blocking outside noises and getting you to sleep.
In general, the most soothing white noises would be nature sounds from natural sources such as flowing water and chirping birds rather than man-made ones.
Since most of us do not have the luxury of living in the forest every day, we would have to resort to white noises from machines such as fan sound, white noise apps, air purifiers, humidifiers, etc.
Pink and brown noise is one of the sound options in most white noise machines. You can experiment with different ambient noises to see what gives you a good night’s sleep.
Does white noise really work?
Sound machines produce a background noise continuously over a large frequency range, which can mask some sounds and make it more difficult to hear those that aren’t masked.
This is why white noise has been found to improve sleep for people; by acting as a barrier against potential distractions from outside stimuli.
Do white noise machines help light sleepers?
Yes, white noise machines can help with light sleepers, especially when sleeping in areas with noise pollution, such as having loud neighbors, barking dogs, or unwanted outside noises while sleeping.
For a very light sleeper, distracting sounds from partners can stop them from getting a good night’s rest. Using a white noise machine will mask these unwanted noises will allow you to replace ambient noise with ambient and soothing sound options.
