To find the best white noise machines, we thoroughly researched the various models available and considered factors like size, sound settings, and portability when coming up with our recommendations. We also spoke to Dr. Lindsay Browning, neuroscientist, psychologist, and sleep expert, for tips on how to pick a sound machine that suits your needs. One of the most important things you should look for in a good white noise machine is the ability to control the volume. “Essentially, white noise machines need to be able to mask outside noise,” says Dr. Browning. “If it’s too loud, the machine itself can end up disturbing your sleep.” She suggests white noise machines for people who live in loud areas (like big cities), and softer brown or pink noise for anyone who lives in a relatively quiet area but enjoys falling asleep to soothing sounds. Many white noise machines on the market (including some on our list below) can play brown and pink noise, too. Our top pick is the HoMedics SoundSpa as it’s one of the easiest devices to use, and it’s extremely reasonably priced. We like that it has a simple interface with six separate buttons for each sound, as well as adjustable volume. Here are the best white noise machines.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall White Noise Machine: HoMedics SoundSpa Sound Machine Best Budget White Noise Machine: Sharper Image Sleep Therapy White Noise Machine Best Splurge White Noise Machine: Snooz White Noise Machine Best Portable White Noise Machine: Dreamegg D11 Portable White Noise Machine Best White Noise Machine for Office: Yogasleep Dohm Connect Sound Machine Best White Noise Machine for Bedroom: Hatch Restore Best White Noise Machine for Baby: Jack & Rose White Noise Machine Best Customizable White Noise Machine: LectroFan Evo Sleep Sound Machine
Who it’s for: People who want an easy-to-use sound machine with helpful features. Who it isn’t for: People who want something that doubles as an alarm clock or night light. With six clearly labeled buttons, the HoMedics SoundSpa is one of the easiest-to-use white noise machines that we’ve seen. There are six distinct sound options to choose from: thunder, ocean, brook, summer night, rain, and white noise. Like Dr. Browning highly recommends, this white noise machine has adjustable volume controls that allow you to keep the noise at a safe level. There’s also a timer button, which gives you the option to set the machine to shut off automatically after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. This compact sound machine can be used as a battery-powered device, but it also comes with an adapter that you can plug into an outlet. And at only half a pound, this pick is extremely lightweight—making it portable enough to pop in your weekend bag. Although it’s a pretty basic unit, it has all the necessary functions and sounds to drown out external noise for a good night’s sleep. You can even use it while working to enhance your concentration.
Power: Electric or AA batteries (not included)Size: 6.5 x 6 x 2 inchesWeight: 0.5 poundsSounds: SixFeatures: Auto-off timer, volume control
Who it’s for: People who want the benefits of a white noise machine but who don’t want to shell out a lot of money. Who it isn’t for: People who want a machine with all the bells and whistles. This sleek sound machine from Sharper Image is incredibly affordable, so it’s a great choice for people who are looking for a bargain. It has six soothing sounds including basic white noise and more natural sounds like ocean, stream, and rain, which will make you feel like you’re glamping. All the controls on this easy-to-use device, including the sound buttons, are clearly and individually labeled so there’s no learning curve required at all. It’s also only four inches in diameter and works on batteries or a USB cable, so you can take it with you while on the go. Just note that it can’t be plugged directly into an electrical outlet, so you’ll need an adapter. There aren’t many bonus features on this inexpensive sound machine, but it does have the must-haves like adjustable volume and a timer that can turn the machine off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. It will also gradually fade out the music before shutting off so it won’t stop abruptly and disrupt your sleep. We think this is a great starter sound machine for anyone who would like to try it out and see if it’s helpful for them. It also makes a perfect backup machine to use while traveling.
Power: USB cable or AA batteriesSize: 4 x 4 x 2 inchesWeight: 1.01 poundSounds: SixFeatures: Three auto-off timer settings with gradual fade, volume control
Who it’s for: People who want to be able to control their white noise machine from their phone. Who it isn’t for: People who want to have multiple sound options. Even though its price might seem a little steep for a sound machine, the Snooz White Noise Machine is worth splurging on if there’s room for it in your budget. It has a real fan sound that is non-looping, and the speed and tone are adjustable so you can get the exact noise that you’re looking for. Fans are among the most effective white noise sounds, and having a fan-mimicking machine (as opposed to a real cooling fan) is better in many ways. The machine can cover more noise frequencies than a fan and can be set louder, which can have more sound-blocking efficiency if your outside environment is disturbing your sleep. The Snooz can be controlled via your phone or tablet from its app, and it’s also programmable, so you can set up a sleep schedule for it to automatically turn on and off. The smart device also features a night light and can be used at an ideal volume for a child’s room.
Power: Corded electricSize: 5.65 x 5.65 x 3.15 inchesWeight: 1.1 poundsSounds: OneFeatures: 10 volume settings, tone adjustment, app control, night light
Who it isn’t for: People who prefer a larger, corded electric unit to live on their nightstand. If you are dependent on white noise in order to sleep soundly, you’ll likely appreciate a portable and lightweight device like the Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine. It’s compact enough that you can take it everywhere with you, whether that’s a weekend trip or a week-long vacation. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and weighs less than half a pound. Plus, it’s rechargeable via USB and comes with a handy little clip to attach it to your bag or your bed. There are 11 soothing sounds, including white noise, nature, fan, and lullaby music—there’s even a vacuum cleaner sound for people who find that relaxing. The machine’s small shape and night light make it particularly appealing to children (especially if you opt for the brighter orange version), but there’s a helpful child lock so that little hands don’t mess up the settings.
Power: Cordless USB rechargeableSize: 3.35 x 3.35 x 1.77 inchesWeight: 0.36 poundsSounds: 11Features: Night light, child lock, hook, 32 volume levels
Who it’s for: People who want the added touch of being able to control their device via their phone. Who it isn’t for: People who want more than one type of sound. Invented in 1962, the Dohm—marketed as a sleep-inducing sound producer—is one of the most well-known white noise machines. (You may have seen it from a company called Marpac before, which has since rebranded to Yogasleep.) The Dohm sound machine is a hit with many people as it covers up disruptive noises with its breezy swooshing sounds. Keeping a lot of its original aesthetic and its relaxing noise from a real fan (but without the wind), this sound machine has evolved to include features like fan speed and tone adjustment. We also like that this version can be controlled and programmed via an app from your phone. There are simple buttons on top of the unit to turn the power on and off, as well as adjust the volume. To fine-tune the tone, all you have to do is manually turn the outer part of the machine, which rotates effortlessly. The sound is non-looping so you won’t be bothered by any repetition and the maximum volume is still safe at 78.5 decibels. The company also provides a one-year limited warranty.
Power: Corded electricSize: 6.7 x 4.8 x 7.9 inchesWeight: 1.8 poundsSounds: OneFeatures: App control, timer, 10 speeds, and volume controls
Who it’s for: People who want something that functions as a white noise machine and a sunrise alarm clock. Who it isn’t for: People who are fine using their phone as an alarm clock. The Hatch Restore is so much more than just a white noise machine. Though priced slightly higher than some of its competitors, this clever sound machine is also an alarm clock that wakes you up with sunrise-simulating light. Designed to gradually expose your senses to light and sound in the morning, the Hatch Restore also allows you to end the day with a choice of 31 sounds and 22 soothing colors. There are even guided meditations—just note that some features require a paid subscription, but the device comes with a one-month free trial. If you’re initially not quite sure what the best settings are, the machine comes pre-programmed with a default sleep and wake-up routine. The device is both touch and app-controlled and, though it can work without internet, you will need WiFi or Bluetooth access to make any changes to the settings.
Power: Corded electricSize: 7.5 x 2.75 x 5.75 inchesWeight: 2 poundsSounds: 31Features: Sunrise alarm clock, reading light, app control, volume and brightness control, 22 light options, guided meditations
Who it isn’t for: Anyone who doesn’t need to fall asleep to the sound of lullabies. While other options only have auto-off timers for up to an hour, this white noise machine from Jack & Rose has two additional timer settings for 90 and 120 minutes. This is particularly ideal when babies and toddlers, as it might take little ones a bit more time to nod off. Many parents praise this white noise machine for its ability to mask annoying outdoor sounds like car alarms, beeping horns, speeding motorbikes, and barking dogs. This sound machine has 16 noise settings including white noise, fans, crickets, birds, thunderstorms, and ocean waves. There are also four lullabies to help soothe your kids to sleep. The machine comes in a selection of four colors and also serves as a night light, with seven dimmable ambient lights to choose from. While it is a corded electric model, the device is small enough to take with you on the go if the kids are spending the night with their grandparents.
Power: Corded electricSize: 4.65 x 4.65 x 2.46 inchesWeight: 0.95 poundsSounds: 16Features: Five auto-off timer settings, volume control, seven night light colors
Who it’s for: People who can’t sleep without a fan on, even in the winter. Who it isn’t for: People who want more than one type of sound. Similar to the Snooz model above, the LectroFan Evo is another quality white noise machine that provides the soothing sound of a fan to drown out external disturbances. The only difference with this model is that it doesn’t have a real internal fan, and it also has a library of 22 realistic sounds, which include two calming ocean soundtracks. Plus, all the noise settings are non-repeating. The device is available in white and black, and it also has an audio connector if you want to use it with headphones. This feature is great for when you have a partner who does not want to sleep with a sound machine, even though you do. In addition to providing white noise, the LectroFan Evo offers pink and brown noise settings, too. Many people find pink noise to be even more soothing than white noise, and brown noise can be helpful while focusing during work—the latter can even help you fall asleep when you listen to it at night.
Power: Corded electric or USB cableSize: 4.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 inchesWeight: 0.8 poundsSounds: 22Features: Headphone jack, timer, volume control, non-looping sounds, pink noise, brown noise
How to Shop for White Noise Machines Like a Pro
Power
White noise machines can come in either corded electric or cordless options. The cordless units can be powered by your typical AAA or AA batteries, but some can also be powered and recharged via USB just like your phone. Other models conveniently work both ways, giving you the option to plug them into an electrical outlet or use batteries while on the go.
Features
As Dr. Browning points out, controllable volume is the most important feature to look for in a white noise machine because it protects your hearing. From there on, some cool extras that might be nice to have include a selection of various noise settings, an auto-off timer, and non-looping sounds to avoid repetition. Higher-end white noise machines might double as nightlights and alarm clocks, and some are even app-controlled. “You might want to look for machines that offer pink and brown noise, too,” Dr. Browning says. Instead of the more artificially produced noises like static or fans, pink and brown noise can help mask outside commotion with more natural sounds, “like standing next to a large waterfall or listening to heavy rainfall or ocean waves,” says Dr. Browning. “Some people find brown and pink noise more pleasant as these are higher on the lower tones while white noise contains all of the different frequencies of sound available and plays them at the same time at equal volume.”
Size
White noise machines aren’t typically very big, and they’re roughly the size of a digital alarm clock. They range from around 4 to 8 inches, but some of the more portable machines can be even smaller than that. These small and lightweight devices usually only weigh a couple of pounds at max, with most ringing in at half a pound.
Questions You Might Ask
What are the benefits of white noise?
For those who find environmental noises disturbing and are unable to sleep well or even concentrate enough to adequately work or study, white noise can be particularly beneficial. While it doesn’t initially seem like the most pleasant sound to listen to (since it’s not melodic like music), white noise does an excellent job of masking outside commotions, satisfying sensory input cravings, and helping people unwind and relax. Many parents of restless babies have also found that white noise machines help their children sleep better by masking outside and household noise. Even if you don’t live in a noisy area, a sound machine can be good to keep on hand for occasional use when at hotels or hospitals, since it can drown out unfamiliar noises and beeping machinery that may affect your sleep.
Are white noise machines safe?
While there are many benefits of white noise machines (some people can’t sleep without them), it’s good to be aware of the possible drawbacks, too, notes Dr. Browning. Since they’re designed to drown out outside noise, if you live in a relatively quiet area, a white noise machine could potentially add disruption to your sleep. Likewise, if you don’t have sleep issues, you could end up getting them if you add a sound machine into your nightly routine. For those who do want to mask outside sounds, you have to make sure that your white noise machine isn’t too loud, which could prevent you from hearing sounds that you need to hear, like the fire alarm or the kids waking up. If you’re using a white noise machine in a child’s room, make sure you use it as instructed, which could mean keeping it on low volume and placing it far away from their bed or crib.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat researched multiple white noise machines and considered factors such as usage, features, and size. She also consulted Dr. Lindsay Browning, neuroscientist, psychologist, and sleep expert.
