Best Overall
LectroFan Evo Sound Machine
AMAZON
- This compact, stylish, and affordable white noise machine is very easy to use. With a timer, headphone connector, and large range of sounds, you’ll be able to find the right setup for you.
This compact, stylish, and affordable white noise machine is very easy to use. With a timer, headphone connector, and large range of sounds, you’ll be able to find the right setup for you.
- The device isn’t battery-operated, so it’ll need to stay plugged into a power source.
The device isn’t battery-operated, so it’ll need to stay plugged into a power source.
While the LectroFan EVO might not be the most technologically advanced gadget on our list, it still does everything you need it to, and then some, for a very reasonable price. It plays non-repeating digital noise in a range of colors: It has 10 fan sounds, 10 ambient noise sounds—including pink and brown noise—and two ocean soundscapes.
The device is super simple to use, and once you’ve picked your favorite type of noise, it will be saved in the settings, and the machine will auto play that sound each time you turn it on. The speaker produces a clear and crisp sound, and there’s a wide volume range. It also comes with an optional timer you can set between one to eight hours, or play continuously, plus a 3.5mm connector for headphones if your partner isn’t quite as keen on white noise as you are.
It’s compact enough to travel everywhere with you, and as white noise machines go, it looks pretty good, too. It certainly won’t look out of place on your bedside table. You can power the LectroFan EVO via USB or the included A/C adaptor, but it doesn’t have an internal battery, so it does need to be plugged in.
Product Details: Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 inches | Sound options: 22 | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
Best Budget
Homedics SoundSpa Sound Machine
AMAZON
- This super compact and lightweight machine is easy to use.
This super compact and lightweight machine is easy to use.
- It doesn’t offer an attractive design.
It doesn’t offer an attractive design.
If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the HoMedics SoundSpa. This compact machine is super easy to use, with no complicated menus or settings, which is one of its big plus points. It can also run off electricity or four AA batteries, which, when coupled with its lightweight design and small size, makes it a good choice for travelers. While it’s not the prettiest machine out there, we’re willing to sacrifice some style for the affordable price.
The SoundSpa only has six sound options: white noise, thunder, summer night, ocean, brook, and rain. While the speaker does a pretty good job of covering noise overall, and each sound is distinct, you won’t find the same sound quality as a more expensive machine. However, the volume is controllable, and it does have a timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or you can leave it on all night.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 2.25 x 7.5 inches | Sound options: Six | Timer: Yes | Power: Battery
Best Splurge
Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300
AMAZON
- The Lumie has a large range of sounds and the additional functionality is impressive.
The Lumie has a large range of sounds and the additional functionality is impressive.
- It’s very complicated and fiddly to set up and we would like the speaker to be higher quality for the money.
It’s very complicated and fiddly to set up and we would like the speaker to be higher quality for the money.
If you're looking to splurge, we think the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 is worth the cost. This clever device can manage your entire evening and morning routine, which you would expect for the money. The only thing it can’t do is put the kids to bed.
With a range of 15 sleep and wake sounds, including blackbirds, thunderstorms, tree frogs, plus your standard white noise, you should definitely be able to find something that works for you. You can listen to your preferred sound for 15 to 90 minutes on a timer. While the speaker delivers good quality sound, we would expect it to be a little clearer for the price tag.
The Lumie Bodyclock comes with a lot of additional functionality. In fact, the white noise machine aspect is just one feature of many. However, with all those features, including a radio, a low-blue light, tap-control snooze, sundown/sunrise light, and more, comes a lot of settings to adjust. Unless you have a regular routine and like to stick to the same timings and sleep sound, it may be frustrating to continually navigate the many possible settings.
It’s not a small or compact machine, but we think it looks pretty smart with its inviting glow and sculptured, curved shape.
Product Details: Dimensions: 5.1 x 9 x 7.9 inches | Sound options: 15 | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
Best Portable
Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan Micro 2 Sound Machine
AMAZON
- It’s tiny, and the rechargeable battery can last up to 40 hours playing sleep sounds, so it’s perfect for traveling.
It’s tiny, and the rechargeable battery can last up to 40 hours playing sleep sounds, so it’s perfect for traveling.
- It doesn’t have auto-off timers, and the buttons are small.
It doesn’t have auto-off timers, and the buttons are small.
Good things really do come in small packages. The LectroFan Micro2 white noise machine is only 2 inches tall, so it’s the perfect companion for your travels. The only problem is that it’s so small, you might lose it in your bag!
This tiny-but-mighty machine offers 11 digital sounds, including fan noises, white noise and rainfall sounds, which play on a loop. However, the loop isn’t discernible so you won’t be distracted by it. It also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker if you’d prefer to nod off to your favorite audiobook. Chargeable via USB-C, it will last up to 40 hours playing sleep sounds or up to 20 hours if you’re using it as a speaker.
It’s available in several colors—black, white, red, and blue—and resembles a small jar. You can twist the black speaker grille on top for directional audio. The device is easy to operate, with a few buttons, including volume adjustment. The buttons are quite small though, and may prove a little fiddly for some people.
The downsides are that there’s no auto-off timer, so the device will play all night. Plus, the carrying case is sold separately, if you want to keep it protected while out and about.
Product Details: Dimensions: 1.97 x 2.09 x 1.97 inches | Sound options: 11 | Timer: No | Power: Battery
Best Design
Hatch Restore 2
HATCH
- It has lots of additional functionalities to improve your overall sleep routine.
It has lots of additional functionalities to improve your overall sleep routine.
- It’s pricey, and if you want to access all the sleep sounds, sleep stories, and morning stretches, you have to buy an additional $5-per-month subscription.
It’s pricey, and if you want to access all the sleep sounds, sleep stories, and morning stretches, you have to buy an additional $5-per-month subscription.
The Hatch Restore 2 is a white noise machine, sunrise lamp, and smart alarm clock in one seriously smart-looking package. This is one white noise machine that will blend in with most interiors: It comes in three neutral colors, is relatively compact, and looks and feels high quality. It uses a combination of lights and sound to help you with both your evening and morning routines.
Many of Hatch Restore 2’s functions are accessed through an app. There are options if you don’t subscribe, but you’re given access to more sounds, sleep stories, and morning stretches if you pay an additional $5 a month, on top of the device’s initial cost.
There are plenty of white noise options though, which can be used in conjunction with colored light. Under the Sleep tab in the app’s library, there’s everything from white and pink noise, to a vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, and evening crickets. The sound quality is good, and it’s easy to control through your phone, or by using the two big buttons on top of the device. However, due to its size and lack of rechargeable battery, it’s not particularly portable.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.24 x 2.43 x 5.31 inches | Sound options: 37 (with membership) | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
Best for Babies and Kids
Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine
AMAZON
- It’s good value for money, portable, has a decent nightlight, a rechargeable battery, and a range of sounds designed for babies and children.
It’s good value for money, portable, has a decent nightlight, a rechargeable battery, and a range of sounds designed for babies and children.
- Although it has 11 sounds available, there’s only one white noise and one fan option, with no rainfall either.
Although it has 11 sounds available, there’s only one white noise and one fan option, with no rainfall either.
The affordable Dreamegg D11 can definitely be used as a white noise machine by adults, but is geared towards babies and young children. It comes with 11 sound options, including lullaby, shushing, fetal tone, vacuum, music box, and a fairground sound. Unlike most white noise machines that have multiple white noise and fan options, the Dreamegg D11 only has one of each and also doesn’t come with a rainfall sound, which is a popular option.
The sound from the speaker is good quality, with realistic natural sounds, and can be turned up surprisingly loud as well. Although it can be left plugged in, it comes with a rechargeable internal battery so is great for traveling and settling babies on the move. The small rope and plastic loop also means it can easily be attached to cribs and cots.
A warming glow from the nightlight also helps to deliver a soothing sleep. The light is in a spiral design, and can be dimmed, or set to ‘breathing’ mode, where it repeatedly changes from dim to brighter. Even at night, the Dreamegg D11 is easy to use and operate, with clear buttons. And there’s a timer, which can be set to 30, 60, 90 minutes, or play continuously.
Product Details: Dimensions: 5.48 x 4.81 x 3.82 inches | Sound options: 16 | Timer: Yes | Power: Battery
Best with Alarm Clock
Loftie Clock
LOFTIE
- It looks stylish, and includes a variety of sounds, stories, playlists, and meditations.
It looks stylish, and includes a variety of sounds, stories, playlists, and meditations.
- It’s expensive, and despite having an app, the sounds must be selected manually.
It’s expensive, and despite having an app, the sounds must be selected manually.
As well as getting you up in the morning, The Loftie Clock will help you to fall asleep peacefully. The intention of The Loftie Clock is to keep smartphones out of the bedroom, to enable a better night’s sleep. We love how chic and smart it looks, and the fact it wakes you up in two phases, rather than jolting you awake with an unpleasant noise. The first alarm introduces soft sounds, followed by melodic sounds nine minutes later, which apparently mimics a natural wake up. You can switch it into blackout mode if you’re sensitive to light, or there’s a warm night light if you need it. It is recommended you leave The Loftie Clock plugged in, but in case of a power outage, it does have a backup battery which will last a few hours.
Unlike other devices, all the content is available for free on the Loftie app, and doesn’t require an additional subscription. There’s a huge range of content, from white noise, through to pink and brown noise, naturescapes, southbaths, customizable bedtime stories, and loads more. Apparently there are more than 100 sound options in total. The volume settings are also impressive, and you can easily drown out unwanted sounds.
We don’t love how complicated the setup is, and the fact there’s no real use for the app once you’ve gone through the setup process. To choose sounds, you have to click through them on the device itself, which is a bit annoying and would be better to do on the app.
Product Details: Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.75 x 6.5 inches | Sound options: 100+ | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN
Best with Night Light
Reacher R2 White Noise Machine
AMAZON
- It has 31 sounds and doubles as a mood light.
It has 31 sounds and doubles as a mood light.
- It’s not the most robust or expensive-looking white noise machine.
It’s not the most robust or expensive-looking white noise machine.
The Reacher R2 may not be the prettiest white noise machine on our list, or the highest quality, but it offers a large number of sound and light options for a very reasonable price. In total, there are an impressive 31 sounds to choose from, with no additional subscription needed to access them. You can choose from white, brown, or pink noise, seven different fan sounds, plus 17 natural non-looping sounds, including thunderstorms, heartbeats, waves, or crickets, which all sound realistic.
You can set both the sound and light through a timer to automatically switch off in one, two or three hours. The light can be set on white, or switched to red, blue, yellow, pink, green, orange, or purple, so you can find which color works for you. It’s easy to dim so it’s perfect to use as a night light for children or adults. It can be powered by USB or AC, but doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, and is small enough to travel with.
Product Details: Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 x 4 inches | Sound options: 31 | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
Best Sound Library
Sound+Sleep SE Sleep Sound Machine
AMAZON
- It has 64 rich sounds, which appear to be genuinely non-looping. Plus, it has an adaptive volume function.
It has 64 rich sounds, which appear to be genuinely non-looping. Plus, it has an adaptive volume function.
- It’s one of the more expensive machines on our list and isn’t particularly portable.
It’s one of the more expensive machines on our list and isn’t particularly portable.
The Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound+Sleep SE blows other white noise machines out of the water when it comes to the number of sounds it offers. Not only does it have a huge number—64 in total—each sound is high quality, with no discernible loops. On the device, the sounds are split into 16 sections, with four sounds in each section. The categories include rides, crowds, meditation, as well as different types of fans, white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. However you like to enjoy your sound, it’s likely you’ll find your favorite. With the auto timer, you can set it for 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.
The ‘adaptive’ in the machine’s name refers to a clever form of external sound masking. It features an internal microphone that listens out for noise. If the volume of traffic rises, for instance, the Sound+Sleep SE will turn up the volume to drown it out. When the sound reduces, so does the volume. This is an optional feature, and you can set it to one volume if you prefer. If you like to listen to white noise privately, there’s a headphone jack, as well as a 3.5mm audio input so you can use it as a speaker. There are also two USB-A charging ports included.
The teardrop shape is stylish and looks smart. Overall, the device is also easy to use, with clearly labeled buttons.
On the flipside, it’s one of the more expensive white noise machines on our list, and it does need to be plugged in. It’s also not particularly portable due to its larger size, so it wouldn’t suit someone who wants a device to travel with regularly.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 inches | Sound options: 64 | Timer: Yes | Power: Plug-in
Best Battery-Operated
Yogasleep Rohm Portable
AMAZON
- It’s small, portable, lightweight, and masks unwanted sound well.
It’s small, portable, lightweight, and masks unwanted sound well.
- It only comes with three sound options, and the buttons will take a while to get used to.
It only comes with three sound options, and the buttons will take a while to get used to.
The Yogasleep Rohm only comes with three sound options: bright white noise, deep white noise, and gentle surf. But if you know white noise is what helps you to sleep, you likely won’t be looking for a machine with a vast number of fancy sound options. The available sounds are good quality with no obvious looping, so you won’t be distracted, and the volume can be turned up pretty high to mask any unwanted sound.
You can charge the Rohm via USB. It takes four hours to fully charge, and can run up to eight hours on a full charge, so will need charging every day if you play it all night. It doesn’t come with many bells or whistles and doesn’t have a timer.
It’s super portable: the machine is very lightweight, compact, and also comes with a lanyard so you can hang it on cots, infant car seats, or door handles. In terms of price, it’s not the cheapest, especially when you consider it only offers three sounds, but what it does do, it does very well.
Product Details: Dimensions: 8.15 x 4.25 x 3.84 inches | Sound options: Three | Timer: No | Power: Battery