The Best Sleep Sound Machines for a Better Night's Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping at night? It’s possible that a sleep sound machine could help you achieve that goal. These machines can help you relax and fall asleep faster. There are many different types of sleep sound machines available today. This blog post will help you choose the best sound machine for your needs!
When selecting a sleep sound machine, the first thing to consider is the sort of sound. Some machines offer only one type of sound, while others offer several different types.
We recommend using a machine with nature sounds or white noise if you want to relax and fall asleep quickly. We recommend choosing a machine that plays noises like thunder, rain, or ocean waves if you want to stay asleep all night.
When selecting a sleep sound machine, the size is the next factor to consider. Some machines are compact and can be carried around, while others are larger and must be plugged in. If you want a portable machine, go for one that is light and works on batteries.
We recommend buying a machine with a timer option to leave it plugged in at night. This will allow you to set the machine to turn off after a certain amount of time.
When choosing a sleep sound machine, the last thing you need to consider is its price. Machines range in price from around $20 to $200. If you are looking for a budget-friendly machine, we recommend choosing one that costs less than $50. If you’re searching for a high-end machine, one that costs more than $100 is the way to go.
Quick Picks: The Best Sleep Sound Machines for a Better Night's Sleep
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Top 10 Best Sleep Sound Machines
1. Dreamegg D1
This machine is simple and produces clear sound, ranging from high-pitched babbling brooks to thunderstorms and crashing ocean waves. Classic fan sounds for those who are less nature sound-inclined.
The controls on this machine are easy to learn. You can choose a sound, the light level, the volume level, and the timer. The machine will turn off after 30, 60, or 90 minutes (or you can leave it on all night). If you wake up after the timer goes off, you can touch the power button to start another cycle. The rubber exterior is designed to look and feel high-end.
One small issue is that the power button is small and located on the side of the control panel. The nightlight button is located in the center, which is great for turning on a light during the night.
However, suppose you are trying to start another cycle of sleep sounds after the timer has gone off. In that case, you might mistakenly hit the light and interrupt your slumber even further.
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2. Letsfit White Noise
If you want outstanding sound quality but don’t have a lot of money, the Letsfit White Noise machine is a perfect choice. We were pleasantly surprised with the sound it put out during our testing. It has a life-like and soothing amount of rumble from thunderstorms and ocean waves while bird chirps and fan whir sounds come through sharp and clear.
The grate on the top of the nightlight is touch-sensitive. You can turn the light on by tapping it or pressing longer to restart the sleep soundtrack without fumbling for buttons in the dark. A specific button will announce the available off-timers to you as you scroll through them. The white and gray colors are subtle and work well with most decor.
The Letsfit White Noise machine has fewer sound options than some other machines, but it still has sounds for most people. To adjust the volume, you must press and hold the volume buttons, making it difficult to select the appropriate level. But we think the Letsfit White Noise machine is a great machine that will work well for most people and is affordable.
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3. Sound and Sleep High Fidelity
Suppose you look for great sound quality and adjustability from your sleep soundtrack. In that case, we highly recommend the Sound and Sleep High Fidelity. This product plays everything with a level of clarity and realism that is better than other products. You may also change the volume of each sound. For example, you can make the bird sounds louder or softer depending on what you want.
There is a mode that will adjust the sound of your chosen noise machine based on the noise in your bedroom. This way, the machine will automatically get louder when there is construction outside your window at night.
The Sound and Sleep High Fidelity have some pros and cons. The pros are that it has great sound quality and is adjustable. The cons are that it is twice as large as most comparable devices and often twice as expensive. We think it is worth the extra cost and space because of its great sound quality.
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4. Homedics SoundSpa
A sound machine can be a great asset when away from home. If you want a machine that doesn’t need to be plugged in, we recommend the Homedics SoundSpa. It can be used with batteries, and it’s slim, so it won’t take up much space in your suitcase.
The sound machine has clear babbling brook, rain, and cricket noises that help you fall asleep. It has a simple UI that makes it simple to use. You have control over the soundtrack, volume, and timer. The sound machine also remembers your last settings.
The Homedics SoundSpa offers six different sounds: thunder, ocean, brook, summer nights, rain, and white noise. However, it doesn’t offer as many sounds like some of the other models we tested. Additionally, the body is thin, which gives a bit of an echoey and undefined quality to the lower thunder and ocean noises.
There are some drawbacks to the SoundSpa, but overall we think it is a great choice for a portable ambient noise machine. It will make your nights away feeling like you’re still at home.
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5. Marpac Dohm Classic
Because of the digital environment, many people have difficulties sleeping. Using a digital recorder to help you sleep can feel strange. The Marpac Dohm Classic was designed for people like you, if this is you. It creates white noise using an actual fan instead of a digital recording.
There are two sets of slidable vents that you can use to adjust the pitch and timbre of the noise the fan emits. This way, you can create a completely customized experience. The controls are very simple — just a single switch to select off, low fan speed, or high fan speed.
The Marpac Dohm Classic can often feel more soothing than digital recordings. However, it won’t help you if you’re looking to recreate the calming river or ocean wave noises that lulled you to sleep on your summer vacation.
Additionally, there is no off-timer, so the fan runs uninterrupted all night. Still, if you find the real-world hum of an airplane or buzz of a fan tranquilizing, the Marpac Dohm Classic is the best way we’ve found to bring that sound into your bedroom.
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6. Magic team Sound Machine
The Magic team Sound Machine is a great option if you don’t have a lot of space on your nightstand. It’s small, measuring only 2.7″ x 2.7″. But it still has a clear sound, making it a good choice to block out other distracting noises while you sleep. Plus, it’s cheaper than many other ambient noise machines on the market.
The Magic team device sounds good overall. However, its small size limits its capabilities. The higher-pitched noises (birdsong, rain) can sound a bit wavy and lower-pitched. (thunder, waves) can lack a bit of body and feel slightly less engrossing. As long as you’re not too picky about sound quality, the Magic team Sound Machine will likely help you fall asleep without taking up much space on your nightstand.
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7. Hatch Baby Rest
The Hatch Baby Rest is a sound machine and wake-up light combo perfect for anyone. The accompanying software is simple and allows you to define a wake-up routine. The sound and light will get gradually louder and brighter to gently wake you up.
You can also set sleep routines with different combinations of lights and sounds. If you don’t want to utilize the app, you can turn on your favorite settings with a touch-sensitive ring on the cover.
The Hatch Baby Rest is more expensive than most other ambient noise machines. However, it also can function as a 2-in-1 device. This means that it can be used for both babies and adults. Additionally, the sound quality of ocean waves and thunder isn’t quite as realistic as with some other machines, but it is still good.
Finally, controlling the machine without the app can be difficult because the buttons are on the bottom of the machine and are not very advanced. However, we believe these to be minor concerns for those who want a versatile machine that does more than just make noise.
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8. LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise
The LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise sleep sound machine is a classic ambient noise device. It has 20 different sounds, all realistic, and can calm your brain before bed. It offers a large variety of fan noises for people who prefer the whir of a fan to fill their bedrooms with some simple noise.
The LectroFan interface is spartan and not as easy to use as other machines. There aren’t as many controls on the top of the machine as on the front. This makes it more difficult than machines with controls on the top.
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9. Vanzon White Noise
The Vanson White Noise machine has more sound varieties than most machines. You can use toggle buttons to scroll through all the sounds and set timers. The sound quality is good, but there are a few things to consider.
The biggest complaint with the Vanzon is that it can be a bit echoey, especially when playing lower-pitched sounds. This generally means we avoided using its thunder and ocean noises.
Different sounds also tend to be played at different volume levels, so selecting a new sound generally means you’ll need to make a volume adjustment. However, if you like to have a lot of options, you may like the Vanson.
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10. MyBaby Soundspa On-the-Go
The MyBaby SoundSpa On-the-Go has simple and portable sleep sounds for your baby. The included hook allows it to be easily hung on a stroller or crib. You can use it anywhere you go! It also comes with three AA batteries to enjoy hours of playtime.
The biggest complaint with the MyBaby SoundSpa On-the-Go is its sound quality. People say that it sounds staticky and echoey. Some people also think that the baby-specific design is nice. Still, other battery-powered models sound much better in a similar price range. Despite its shortcomings, this is a decent alternative if all you want is something that matches the rest of your baby’s accoutrements.
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What to Look For When Purchasing A White Noise Machine
Selection of Music
Personal preference reigns supreme in this category. Fortunately, white noise machines come in a wide range of sounds, from spinning fans to relaxing nature sounds, so there’s something for everyone.
Some sound machines feature extra material such as meditations, sleep stories, and lullabies when you’re not in the mood to sing and simple, regular noises.
Customization
Most folks will be quite content with a limited number of sound options. Look at Brookstone’s Sleep Sound Mixer or the Hatch Restore Sound Machine if you want more options. These sound machines let you mix different sounds and lights, helping you get a good night’s sleep.
Lightweight Alternatives
Because nightlights aren’t conventional, one of your first considerations when buying a white noise machine should be whether or not you want one. Some models come in various colors to help you create the perfect atmosphere.
User’s Age
Many sound machines may be used by people of all ages (whether or not they’re advertised), but look for these features before buying. A model with muted sounds, lullabies, and a nightlight, for example, might be appropriate for an infant. Adults may like a machine with nature sounds, meditations, or a sunset-like glow over a rainbow of sherbet colors.
Connected Apps
Companion apps for the most “high-tech” sound machines allow you to manage them remotely and provide extra capabilities. You might want to avoid app-controlled white noisemakers if you can’t put your phone down at night.
Volume
A soothing, quiet box fan sound is best for sound machines.
“Loud, surprising, or highly changeable sounds can pique our interest and disrupt sleep,” Dimitriu explains. “A decent sound machine would ideally generate a soothing backdrop of relatively neutral noise—white noise machines or the sound of a fan can be helpful in this scenario.”
You may choose to use a sound machine with a high volume level for those who have trouble sleeping. While most offer a variety of volumes, you should expect to put your machine through its paces.
Effects Sonores
White noise is a nice middle-ground for sleep machine noises, and many sound machines on the market provide it as a key function. Others provide a diverse range of sounds, including ocean, rain, and forest noises.
“I believe the sound diversity and modifications are the most crucial factors to consider,” Bates explains. Because white noise machines don’t work for everyone, you might want to try different sound and level options to find the best way to get a good night’s sleep.
Lullabies that play repeatedly are common in sound machines for babies. If you have a favorite sound effect, double-check the description before purchasing your sound machine to ensure it includes your favorite noise.
Features Not Included
Some sound machines perform multiple functions in addition to providing sleep-inducing sounds. You get a little more bang for your buck with versions that include alarm clocks and built-in thermometers. Before you buy, look at all of the features that each model has to offer.
White Noise Machines and How They Function
What is white noise? White noise is a sort of noise that sounds like static and contains a noise of all frequencies equally. It is claimed that white noise contains all frequencies. It will mask other sounds, where white noise machines come in.
The workings of white noise. People who use white noise machines can stay asleep instead of being woken up by their noisy neighbors or their partner snoring. This is because white noise machines make constant noise, so you don’t get woken up. A friend might say they can only sleep with a fan. In that case, you’re familiar with white noise: the fan’s continuous sound can conceal other noises. This steady hum may also assist you in falling asleep.
This isn’t for everyone. On the other hand, white noise machines may not suit everyone. Some people find white noise unpleasant, so white noise machines frequently have different sound selections. Also, bear in mind that some people enjoy white noise machines. In contrast, others prefer alternative soundscapes, yet some want complete silence. Experimenting may be necessary to find the perfect noises for you, and it may take some time.
Experiment with different color noises. White noise may irritate some people rather than soothe them. Try different color noises like pink or brown if this is the case, as these have a more subdued tone than white noise. It could take trial and error to determine which color noise works best for you.
Wide range of sounds. If you already know what sound you want to sleep to, you might choose to buy a machine that only has that sound or a few noises. You won’t have to sift through limitless possibilities to choose your favorite sound. Consider purchasing a device with several settings if you’re new to using white noise while sleeping to figure out what works best for you. While white noise is a popular choice, not everyone can sleep with it; instead, try experimenting with alternative soundscapes.
Apps that make white noise. If you’re worried about sleeping with white noise or don’t want to invest in a gadget just yet, apps are a great place to start. Many come with various sounds and are less expensive than white noise devices. Keep in mind that your phone’s speaker limits the sound quality, and you may need to keep your phone charged overnight to avoid battery loss.
How Did We Do Our Research?
We took notes about how each machine was set up, listened to every song, clicked every button, and looked at the overall design. We also tried out extra features and looked at warranties to fully understand each machine’s capabilities. Then, we looked at and compared these traits to find the best of the best.
People always start by setting up. Our goal was to find out how easy or hard it was to get each machine up and running. This includes things like connection management, battery insertion, and app setup.
After the devices were up and running, we went straight to our sound options category. We cared about variety: how many different noises could each sound machine make, and how many different categories? We took note of the sound quality while we listened. Is the sound distorted or crystal clear? And what is the tone range of each device? For example, realistic-sounding bird sounds necessitate a lot of higher pitches, whereas a thunderstorm necessitates deep notes. Finally, the volume control was an important consideration for us. The greater the number of volume possibilities, the better.
A majority of the gadgets we evaluated have other capabilities in addition to sound quality. A snooze timer, which allows you to schedule your gadget to switch off after a certain time, was one of the features we searched for. However, any additional functional features, such as lighting, fans, or headphone ports, were assessed to improve the user experience and raise a device’s score.
Our final categories were design and controls. A sound machine must have easy-to-operate controls, especially if you’ll be tired of a significant portion of its use. Most gadgets have on-unit controls, such as buttons or touch sensors. We examined these controls to see if they were intuitive or cluttered and difficult to grasp, based on where they were positioned, labeled, and how many there were. We didn’t give the design a lot of weight, but we did consider each sound machine’s visual style and scale. We preferred a sleeker, more modern design, which most gadgets met. The real kicker was size: a large, heavy sound machine that won’t fit on your nightstand got fewer points.
Last but not least, we looked into each device’s warranty, whether it was in an accompanying brochure or on the company’s website.
We have tried some other white noise apps.
Headspace
Headspace is a meditation and sleeps app that can help you unwind throughout the day and sleep better at night. It includes many options for both sleep and meditation, so if you appreciate diversity, you won’t be disappointed with this app.
Meditation, sleep, focus, and move, including guided yoga, dance, and aerobic activities, are the four key categories. Music, stories, “sleep casts” (think of sleep music and podcast mixed), and typical soundscapes like a jungle, woodland, and water sounds can all be used to make sleep sounds. Like this one, stars like John Legend can even tell you a bedtime story on a sleep cast.
When we searched for white noise on the app, alternative soundscapes such as “warm engine” and “static with strings” popped up, which feature some white noise but aren’t purely white noise. If you’re looking for a white noise replacement via the app, locating one you like can take a while.
This app is appropriate for someone who will use all of its services, as it costs $69.99 per year or $12.99 per month. It also offers a free seven-day or 14-day trial period, depending on your package, if you’re still unsure. Users of Samsung phones should avoid this software because it did not perform well for us, requiring a long time to buffer each sound on our Samsung Ultra 21. On our iPhone, though, everything worked perfectly.
Noise
The noise app offers the most sound personalization among the apps we reviewed. It includes an eight-noise set, including white noise. Sliding buttons within each sound allow you to customize the sound to your desire. Some soundtracks also allow you to change the frequency and “color” of the music, which might change the pitch of the sound depending on which option you choose. The app also lets you choose from multiple settings for noises like rain, such as “far storm,” “under the porch,” and more.
Additional free sounds are available, and others cost $.99. Some sounds are only available for the $11.99 “bundle-only” option, including all sounds. Unfortunately, we discovered that this software is not as user-friendly or intuitive as others. Furthermore, unlike most apps, swiping out does not shut the app; you must manually halt the music before closing it.
Conclusion
Sleep sound machines can help you get more restful, quality sleep. They can create a calm auditory veil between you and the world’s noise. However, it can be hard to tell the difference between machines if you don’t get to try them out for yourself.
Read more: Why White Noise May Help You Get Your Best Sleep Ever
Frequently Asked Questions about Sleep Sound Machine
Since white noise contains all frequencies simultaneously, it can mask loud sounds that stimulate your brain. That’s why it’s often recommended for sleeping difficulties and sleep disorders like insomnia.
According to most academics and clinicians, sound machines are both safe and beneficial. They can produce high-decibel sounds, but they are not usually a problem if used correctly.
White noise machines can be risky because if they are turned up too loud, they can cause hearing loss in a baby. This is something that parents need to protect their babies from, as hearing loss can make life harder for them.
Background noise, white noise, brown noise, and pink noise can help people sleep better. This is because the noises can cover up other noises that might keep people awake. These noises have been scientifically demonstrated to be beneficial to humans.
White noise machines might assist you in getting a better night’s sleep. If you’re having difficulties sleeping because of the noise, a white noise machine can help. In addition, it can help you fall asleep faster and train your brain to know when it’s time to go to sleep.
