Few things can zap your productivity or relaxation like unwanted noise in the background. Whether it’s a loud neighborhood, a roommate with lead feet, or a spouse on back-to-back Zoom calls, having some soothing sounds to block them out is certainly helpful.
In this article, we’ll take you through a list of free websites that offer background noise generators to help you get back on track.
1. A Soft Murmur
The creator of A Soft Murmur understands the benefits of ambient noise. To make his enjoyment of working in public spaces more productive, he got to work developing this site.
He continues adding to its library on a mission to help himself and others ignore unwanted background noise, focus, and relax. On A Soft Murmur, you can find a list of ten sounds on a continuous loop. You can play these individually or together to create a mix.
However, the site also offers various pre-made mixes via a button if you simply want to get right to work without choosing a sound. As you flip through these mixes, you’ll notice the names are super accurate to the environment the tracks are trying to create.
Whether it’s focus or relaxation you’re after, it won’t take you long to find or put together something you like. Once you do, you can create an account and save sounds for later.
You’ll also find a list of sound recommendations as you scroll beyond the player that will help you decide which sounds work best for drowning out certain noises.
2. Rainy Mood
Millions of people turn to Rainy Mood to help them find their inner zen. Whether you’re trying to focus, relax, or get some shut-eye, this website is worth checking out.
While a long loop of rain, thunder, and birds may sound basic, the musician behind the track did an excellent job ensuring it feels authentic. The noises fade in and out in a random yet strategic way, creating a feeling of a storm picking up and getting softer as it rolls through your speakers.
The website is free to use, and if you find you like it and want some added variety, a paid app is available to download. The app includes the original track, plus some additional sounds—all of which you can adjust to your liking.
3. myNoise
You won’t find a shortage of information about sound and pre-set tracks on myNoise. It’s likely there’s a soundscape in its library for everyone, from water sounds and chimes to crowds and vehicles.
You’ll even find some fantasy tracks to help you focus and find inspiration in chanting sailors at sea or the ambience of a medieval village.
With each pre-set comes a short explanation of what the track will help you with. You can either browse by category or let your mood guide you and pick a soundscape that works with what you’re trying to achieve.
Stephane, the site’s creator, does his best to record his sounds, some of which he gathers from different parts of the world. MyNoise is free to use; however, you can donate to its Patreon account to become a member and unlock more content.
4. Noizer
Noizer keeps things simple with 20 sounds you can use to make your own background noise. If you don’t feel like making your own, you can click one of the modes at the top of the screen to toggle through pre-set mixes until you find one that works for you.
If you find or create a setting that helps you achieve your desired atmosphere, you can create an account and save it to use another time. You can also share it with a friend who may need some relaxation or focus.
Enabling the sweep feature on Noizer will keep things feeling natural, as the sounds will change volume over time. While the site has a Patreon you can donate to if you wish, you can use it for free and make and vote for new features.
Also, if you want to see if you'd like the effects of a white noise app before buying, Noizer offers the sound among others in its list.
5. Lofi Cafe
This one is quite unique. Lofi Cafe offers chilled background music for sleep, relaxation, focus, and mood.
There, you’ll find plenty of instrumental tracks to shuffle through, in addition to visuals that seem to go almost perfectly with the style of music. These visuals come in the form of various Lofi GIFs you can sift through to match the channel you choose and your environment.
Lofi music has elements of jazz, house music, hip hop, and an emphasis on the imperfect—these pieces work together to give it that unpolished, relaxed feel.
Even if you’re not a fan of those genres, there’s something about it that’s soothing and subtle enough to blend into the background. If you find you're more productive when listening to music, but find vocals distracting, this may be the site for you.
6. Ambient-Mixer
Ambient-Mixer is more than just a website—it’s a community. The focus here is user-generated atmospheres, which you’ll find plenty of. Or, you can make your own and share it with others.
User-generated content means you’ll find atmospheres from everywhere and of almost anything—real or fantasy. However, thanks to its menus, you won’t get lost trying to find one that suits your mood or intentions.
Each atmosphere has the perfect name, so you know what to expect, such as Fire on a Stormy Night or Spring Morning in the Garden. You could easily close your eyes and imagine yourself there.
Plus, if you find a specific noise that stands out too much—like someone placing a howling wolf in their garden—you can view the mixer and turn it down or switch it off.
Relax and Get Focused With Ambient Noises
Whether you’re trying to unwind or be productive, one of these sites is bound to help you get in the right mindset. If you find background noise and music helpful, you can also explore various products and apps to help you create your own atmosphere.