The importance of a good night’s sleep is hardly a secret. It’s vital to a fit and healthy lifestyle. Good sleep can help to keep your immune system strong, improve your memory, maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress levels. However, knowing that doesn’t make achieving it any easier. What does make it easier, though, is one of the best white noise machines.
These effective sound machines can give you what you need for a good night’s rest night after night. And, all this happens without the sleeper developing any kind of dependence on the device.
How Do White Noise Machines Work?
The best white noise machines work by creating a consistent sleeping environment through the production of a “white noise” sound. This soothing hum is capable of masking potentially sleep-disturbing noises, such as car horns, snoring partners and busy traffic. This handy sleep hack makes these machines a great option for every kind of sleeper. However, white noise machines are particularly effective and beneficial for:
- Light sleepers
- Busy minds
- ICU patients
- New-born babies
- Homes in busy traffic/particularly noisy areas
Below you’ll find 10 of the best white noise and sound machines available online. Our list includes devices for all budget levels as well as options for both home and travel use.
1. Letsfit White Noise Machine
BEST OVERALL
The Letsfit White Noise Machine is a great choice for the whole family. Both adults and babies alike will find the 14 available sound options beneficial to their sleep. Sounds, including everything from white noise and bird song to crickets and fan noise, make this versatile device great for non-sleep occasions, like yoga workouts and meditation, too. Furthermore, the compact device includes a built-in warm light and comes in a number of different color options, allowing you to match yours to your bedside table.
Related Stories
2. Homedics White Noise Sound Machine
BEST BUDGET
With over 14,500 five-star reviews, the Homedics White Noise Sound Machine is the top reviewed device on our list. Users love its compact and user-friendly design. Each of the six available noises is accompanied by a specific button, making it quick and easy to switch between them, depending on how you’re feeling. You’ll also find the volume dial and three-option timer particularly handy, too. For further ease of use, the device can be either powered by its cord or a battery for remote use.
3. Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
BEST FOR TRAVEL
If you travel regularly or have a sleep-averse baby to look after, you’re going to want a sound machine made to move around. The Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine sports a compact design with a built-in hanging loop and a baby-safe flexible clip for easy mounting wherever you are. The USB-rechargeable device is capable of creating three different sounds for better sleep. These are a bright white noise, a deep white noise and gentle surf. Additionally, the design includes an amber LED nightlight to further aid a good night’s sleep.
4. Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine
BEST FOR OFFICE
The Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine has a traditional, boxy appearance and houses a front-facing speaker to complete the look. It sports individual, top-mounted buttons that control the six available sounds, while the front bar controls volume, power and the timer. Sound options include thunder, brook, white noise and rain. The device also boasts an impressive 12,500 five-star reviews from Amazon customers and can be powered either by batteries or plugged into a power socket.
5. Dreamegg White Noise Machine
BEST SOUNDS
With 24 built-in sounds, the Dreamegg White Noise Machine is a great option for sleepers who crave a little variety in their lives. The built-in, high-fidelity speaker delivers quality sound which can either be natural, fan-related or simple white noise. The cylindrical device also includes a soft night light which is great for babies or partially lighting your room when the lights are off. Additionally, because of its compact size, this noise machine is ideal for users wanting to use it both at home and during travel.
6. Douni Sleep Sound Machine
MOST STYLISH
If your device’s aesthetic appearance is as important as its function, you may want to consider the Douni Sleep Sound Machine. This device sports an attractive wooden exterior to give it a little bit of extra style. Functionally, the sound machine offers 24 different options, including nature, fan and white noise sounds. It also includes a timer function and sports a headphone jack should you wish to listen to the noise without disturbing other sleepers nearby.
7. Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine
BEST FOR BABIES
It’s not just adults who deserve a good night’s rest, which is why having this Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine when you’ve got a baby around the house is a smart idea. Not only will it benefit your baby’s sleep, in turn, but it’ll also benefit yours. The egg-shaped device has 14 soothing sounds built-in as well as an adjustable night light. It can also be powered by batteries or by a USB cable, depending on your needs.
8. Marpac Original White Noise Machine
BEST REAL NOISE
While many options on this list use recorded sounds and audio playback to create white noise for a good night’s sleep, the Marpac Original White Noise Machine doesn’t. Instead, this easy-to-adjust device uses an internal spinning fan blade to create the sleep-protecting sound. The device also sports a smart design that lets you twist, turn and flick different elements to control the noise level and tone. In addition to the bedroom, this machine is great for general noise blocking and helping with privacy and concentration in office situations.
9. REACHER R2 White Noise Machine
BEST LIGHT
While the average white noise machine only produces noise to induce pleasant sleep, the REACHER R2 White Noise Machine adds another dimension by producing accompanying light. This versatile device lets you choose between just the light, just sound or both together. You’ll also have the choice of eight different colored lights as well as 31 soothing sounds, which include white noises, fans and nature sounds.
10. Adaptive Sound Technologies White Noise Machine
BEST SPLURGE
The Adaptive Sound Technologies White Noise Machine sports a heptagonal design, making it an attractive addition to any bedside table or office desk. The central speaker is upward-facing to produce high-quality, high-fidelity sound for better sleep. The device’s compact size also means it won’t hog table space, while the simple, three-button face makes it easy to switch the device on and off, adjust the volume and rotate between the 20 available noises.
Turn Off the Day and Catch Some Serious ZZZ’s With These Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids