- 9.40/10 1. Premium pick: SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine
- 9.20/10 2. Editors choice: Marpac Dohm Classic
- 9.00/10 3. Best value: HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine
- 9.40/10 4. Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
- 9.40/10 5. Letsfit White Noise Machine
- 8.80/10 6. Lectrofan Micro 2 Sleep Sound Machine
- 10.00/10 7. TaoTronics White Noise Machine
Does sound distract or keep you awake? A white noise machine can help.
Many people use noise-canceling headphones to dampen sounds. But there's another option that doesn't require wearing bulky earcups; white noise does the same job. With a nature-emulating soundscape, such as wind blustering through trees or a gently rushing waterfall, white noise is well-suited to various applications.
We're taking a look at the best white noise machines you can buy right now.
The SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine features non-looping sound from a built-in fan. You can adjust the tone of the sound by twisting the outer shell. There are also 10 volume settings to select from.
With the companion smartphone app, you can remotely control the machine, customize an automatic on/off schedule, and control the nightlight. Depending on your preference, you can select from a white or black version of the machine.
- Non-looping white noise from a real fan
- Use smartphone app to control the machine, customize a schedule, control the nightlight, and calibrate for a nursery to protect an infant's ears
- Brand: SNOOZ
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Color: White, Black
- Weight: 5.5 ounces
- Available in black or white
- Adjust the tone with a twist of the outer shell
- No other sound options
The Marpac Dohm Classic is all about white noise. The unit features a real fan and produces a continuous stream of natural-sounding audio. The machine uses a 6-foot long plug for AC power.
There are two different volume levels to select from. The high mode is for more aggressive white noise for loud environments. The lower option is for everything else. You can also adjust the sound and tone by twisting the outside casing to find the environment's best option.
- Uses a real fan for continuous, non-looping sound
- Two different volume levels
- Brand: Marpac
- Color: White
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
- Easy to operate
- Adjust the tone by twisting the outside casing
- No additional sound options
For home or on the go, take a look at the HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine. The device can be powered with the provided AC adapter or with four AA batteries. You can select from six different sounds; white noise, thunder, ocean, summer night, brook, and rain.
While the machine can run all night, the auto-off timer can be set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes to conserve battery power. To better customize the sound, there is also an adjustable volume knob.
- Uses AC power or four AA batteries
- Auto-off timer can shut the machine down to save battery life
- Brand: HoMedics
- Color: White or Silver
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Six different sounds to select from
- Adjustable volume knob
- Noise soundtracks will repeat
4. Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine is made to grow with your child. For an infant, the machine offers a white noise sound machine and nightlight. After a few years, once a toddler, you can set a time-to-rise color, so they'll know when it's time to get up out of bed.
You can control settings, including volume and brightness, with the companion smartphone app, so you won't need to bother your sleeping child.
The app also allows you to set schedules for the light and sound. A toddler lock on the sound machine will help make sure little hands can't change any settings.
- Combines a white noise machine, nightlight, and time-to-rise feature
- Can control the machine with a smartphone app
- Brand: Hatch
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Color: White
- Weight: 1 pound
- Adapts as your child ages
- Toddler lock so settings can't be changed accidentally
- Not designed for adults or older children
5. Letsfit White Noise Machine
The Letsfit White Noise Machine is excellent for your child's room or anywhere else in the home. There are 14 soundtracks to select from, including three different white noise sounds and fan noise.
There are even more unique options like a clothes dryer, crickets, and three lullabies. The machine also features an adjustable nightlight to help bring light to a nursery or other location.
With the built-in timer, the machine can automatically switch off at different intervals. You can select from one of four different colors—white, black, gray, and wood grain—to better match your home's style.
- 14 sounds including three white noise options
- Adjustable nightlight
- Brand: Letsfit
- Color: White, Black, Gray, Wood Grain
- Weight: 14.89 ounces
- Available in four different colors
- Remembers last sound and volume when restarted
- No app-based control
The Lectrofan Micro 2 Sleep Sound Machine is an excellent all-day option. The sound machine features 11 non-looping options, including white noise, brown noise, and ocean sounds. You can rotate the speaker to control the sound.
And during the day, the sound machine can also connect to your smartphone and act as a Bluetooth speaker. There is also a built-in microphone for speakerphone capability.
The machine can last for up to 40 hours in sleep mode or up to 20 hours as a Bluetooth speaker before needing to be recharged. There are four different colors to select from.
- Connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth
- Internal battery provides up to 40 hours
- Brand: Lectrofan
- Integrations: Bluetooth
- Color: Black, Blue, Red, White
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Available in four colors
- Non-looping sound
- No headphone jack
7. TaoTronics White Noise Machine
You'll be able to find the perfect sound with the TaoTronics White Noise Machine. There are 25 different options, including nature, animal, and sleep sounds. The machine also features a nightlight to help you find your way around in low-light conditions.
You can control the nightlight's color and brightness, the sound played and set a timer using the smartphone app. As a nice touch, the machine connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can control the device from anywhere in your home. The app also allows you to customize a program to help a toddler know when to wake up.
- 25 different sounds
- Auto-off timer
- Brand: TaoTronics
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Color: White
- Weight: 9.4 ounces
- Nightlight perfect for nurseries
- Control and customize the machine with a smartphone app
- Expensive compared to other options
FAQ
Q: What Is a White Noise Machine?
A white noise machine is a device that produces sounds with equal intensities but varied frequencies. These random bits of audio form a unified whole that's soothing and mimics naturally occurring sounds such as a waterfall or the wind whistling through trees.
However, there's a bit of a misconception. Some machines don't produce white noise. Instead, they play pink noise or even other colors of noise.
Pink noise differs in that it's more powerful and louder at lower frequencies, whereas white noise maintains equal power. Additionally, many white noise machines include modes that play sounds, such as traffic, rain, and the ocean.
Q: What Is a White Noise Machine Used For?
White noise devices are mostly used as sleep aids. Because of their ambient sounds, these machines can mask outside noises by forming a sort of sonic wall. Essentially, it's like wearing earplugs but without the hassle of shoving anything into your ear.
Similarly, noise-canceling headphones put a damper on the volume of outside noises. But these remove ambient sounds using active or passive noise control through methods like soundproofing.
Q: Other than Sleep, What Else Can a White Noise Machine Be Used For?
Aside from the bedroom, they are superb devices for reducing distractions in general. A white noise machine for an office can help you better focus. Notably, babies may sleep better with white noise machines. Since they're accustomed to ambient sounds in the womb, white noise generators provide a familiar experience. White noise machines are also ideal for sleeping with anxiety or tinnitus.