Are you looking for a no-fuss way to help you and your family have more restful nights of sleep? A white noise machine could be precisely what you’ve been searching for. White noise machines are devices that are designed to aid sleep by masking household, environmental, and other noises that may disturb sleep. They do so by emitting an equal mix of different sound frequencies to produce what sounds like a calming static sound.
We reviewed dozens of white noise machines to identify the best of the best. In an effort to track down the best ones available, we considered a range of factors including ease-of-use, the variety of sounds offered, aesthetics, portability, and average customer reviews.
After careful evaluation, it became quickly clear that the Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine is the best product on the market. This device not only offers a variety of sounds in addition to providing several white noise options, but it’s also incredibly easy-to-use. To learn more about it, as well as our other recommendations, keep reading.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated White Noise Machines
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best White Noise Machine Overall | Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine | 4.7 |
| Best Portable White Noise Machine | ONSON White Noise Sound Machine | 4.6 |
| Best Budget White Noise Machine | Letsfit White Noise Machine | 4.7 |
| Best App-Controlled White Noise Machine | Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine | 4.5 |
| Best Color-Changing White Noise Machine | REACHER R2 White Noise Machine | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best White Noise Machine Overall: Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine
After reviewing all of the amazing features the Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine offers, it was an easy choice to make it our top recommendation. It’s clearly built to please, as evidenced by the fact that it not only comes with 7 white noise sounds but also 7 fan sounds and 15 relaxing nature sounds. So in one machine, you’ll get 29 unique sounds to choose from!
The Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine is also super lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry wherever and whenever you need it. And you won’t need to worry about finding a power plug when you’re on the go; it has an in-built rechargeable battery (as well as an AC adapter for when you’re at home). You’ll also find that it boasts plenty of other useful features, including adjustable volume control, a timer, and a headphone input.
As you can imagine, this is one of the most well-reviewed white noise machines on the market. It has an incredibly high average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers haven’t held back expressing their gratitude for all of the peaceful nights of sleep the Dreamegg D3 has helped to bring about. Some examples of customer feedback include, “I love this machine. It’s a great size, has great sounds, and is easy to use,” and “I can definitely see this great little sound machine helping some people out there who might have trouble falling asleep at night…” One customer even branded it “A lifesaver”! If you want to see what all the fuss is about, give it a go yourself today!
Dreamegg D3 White Noise Machine Key Features:
- 29 white noise, fan, and natural sounds in total
- 12+ hour playtime
- Compact and portable
- Adjustable volume control
Best Portable White Noise Machine: ONSON White Noise Sound Machine
The ONSON White Noise Sound Machine is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to bring their white noise machine with them, without worrying about it weighing them down. Like our top choice, it’s fully portable. You’ll be surprised by just how much this small but mighty device packs into its compact frame! It offers 7 white noise sounds, 11 fan sounds, and 18 nature sounds, so you will have the variety you need to find the perfect sound to put you or your bub to sleep.
One of its standout features is its convenient timer, which can be set to automatically turn off the machine after 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Another is its LED night light, which offers 8 light modes, including a soft nightlight and colorful ambient light.
This option is also a customer favorite, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 2200 customers. Customers who have used it have overwhelmingly been happy with its performance, commenting that they love its small size, how well-designed it is, and the fact that it’s genuinely helped them fall asleep.
ONSON White Noise Sound Machine Key Features:
- 36 white noise, fan, and nature sounds
- Nightlight with 8 color choices
- Compact design
- Timer function
Best Budget White Noise Machine: Letsfit White Noise Machine
Who says you can’t find a quality white noise machine for $20? The Letsfit White Noise Machine shows that you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot to reap the rewards of a well-made white noise machine. While this option is a top choice for budget-conscious individuals, keep in mind that it doesn’t come with as wide of a selection of sounds, nor does it have some of the handy features found in more expensive options.
Letsfit White Noise Machine comes with 3 white noise sounds, 3 fan sounds, 3 lullabies, and 5 relaxing natural sounds. Despite its low price, it comes with a nightlight and timer. Perhaps the strongest indicator that this product may be worth buying is the fact that it has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 16,000 customers.
Letsfit White Noise Machine Key Features:
- A total of 14 sounds
- Adjustable volume control
- Nightlight
- Easy-to-use design
Best App-Controlled White Noise Machine: Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine
If the Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine sounds familiar, that’s because it’s taken the world (or at least, countless parents!) by storm. Think of this option as what you would get if you gave a futuristic update to the typical white noise machine. This machine even looks ultra-modern, but its good looks are perhaps its least exciting feature as it has so much to offer parents.
Let’s start with perhaps the most eye-catching of all: its app. Unlike most white noise machines that need to be manually controlled, this one can be controlled remotely via an easy-to-use app. On the app, you can access all of the Hatch’s features and functions, from selecting and playing one of its many soothing sounds (which include white noise sounds, relaxing sounds, and lullabies) to setting a color to radiate from the built-in nightlight.
The Hatch is without a doubt one of the most multifunctional options out there, coming with a 2-way baby audio monitor, easy-to-read LED clock and a time-to-rise feature. It has a very solid average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 1600 customers.
Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine Key Features:
- App that gives you the ability to control it remotely
- Time-to-rise setting
- Toddler safety lock
- Nightlight
Best Color-Changing White Noise Machine: REACHER R2 White Noise Machine
If you’re after a white noise machine that offers soothing sounds and a colorful nightlight of equal quality, you’ll be glad you came across the REACHER R2 White Noise Machine. This machine not only features 7 white noise sounds, 7 fan sounds, 17 nature sounds, but also a dimmable nightlight with 8 color choices (red, pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white).
Speaking of choice, this nightlight includes 3 nightlight modes to choose from (color stay, color-changing, or a breathing light). It’s also up to you whether you want to use the sound and light functions at the same time, or one at a time. While this isn’t the flashiest white noise machine, its simplicity and 2-in-1 functionality have quickly made it a hit with customers. It has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from nearly 2000 customers, which is particularly impressive given its relatively low price.
REACHER R2 White Noise Machine Key Features:
- 31 white noise, fan sounds, and nature sounds in total
- 8 nightlight colors
- Dimmable light
- Made with baby-safe materials
Who Should Buy a White Noise Machine
White noise machines help you and/or your child to block out any distracting sounds by acting like a kind of soothing ‘sound blanket’. This means that white noise machines may be a useful purchase for parents of babies and small children who have trouble sleeping, or anyone who’s tried to unsuccessfully block out loud or irritating sounds when they’re trying to fall asleep themselves.
Given that these machines can potentially help fussing children to fall asleep, it’s little wonder that they’ve become particularly popular with parents. Needless to say, results aren’t guaranteed, but there’s a good chance this device will help you and your family get some more quality zzzs.
You’ll also want to bear in mind that the proper ergonomic position will have a dramatic impact on your quality of sleep, and side sleepers can help their body achieve that by finding the right side sleeping pillow. If you’re in the market for a white noise machine for your baby, then you may also want to check out The Best Baby Monitors.
Important Features to Consider
White noise machines should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a white noise machine:
- Type. There are two main types of white noise machines: digital and mechanical. One isn’t objectively better than the other, so you’ll need to decide which one is most suitable based on you and your family’s preferences. Some people prefer the smooth sound quality that a digital white noise machine provides, whereas others lean towards mechanical white noise machines due to their more natural sound quality.
- Range of sounds. Does the white noise machine you’re interested in just feature white noise? Or does it have other sound options, such as fan noises and nature sounds? These are important questions to ask yourself when you’re shopping around for a white noise machine.
- Ease of use. How easy a white noise machine is to use is one of the most important features you should be mindful of. You’ll no doubt want to select an option that’s designed to be intuitive to use, with simple and clearly marked buttons and/or switches that you’ll be able to work even in the dead of night.
- Volume control. Most white noise machines come with adjustable volume control. However, the range of volumes available can differ significantly between devices. For example, some devices only come with a handful of volume choices, while others come with upwards of 30 volume choices.
- Additional functions. Many white noise machines come built-in with one or more additional functions. Some common ones include a nightlight, clock, or aromatherapy diffuser. If you’re after a multifunctional white noise machine, the good news is that you’ll be spoilt for choice. Be sure to check out our recommendations below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do white noise machines really work?
A number of studies have suggested that white noise machines really can help people to fall asleep quicker and to have a more restful sleep. But whether a white noise machine will work for you and/or your family is difficult to say, given that each of us has different sleep preferences as well as biology. The only way to find out is to give one a go!
What sound does a white noise machine make?
A white noise machine on the white noise setting makes a calm static-sounding or whirring sound. Many people mistakenly think that nature sounds, such as the sound of waves or a forest, count as white noise. However, while these sounds can be relaxing to listen to, they’re not technically classed as white noise.
Can white noise be harmful?
White noise in itself isn’t harmful. However, white noise—or any noise for that matter—that is played too loudly over long periods of time can be harmful to your ear health. So how loud is too loud? Experts generally advise that white noise machines should be no louder than 120 decibels for adults. The recommended noise limit for babies is 50 decibels. For this reason, it is recommended that parents keep white noise machines a minimum of 7 feet away from their baby when switched on, and to avoid using the max volume setting.
Is it OK to play white noise all night?
In most cases, it is fine to play white noise all night. However, there are some exceptions. If you or your child isn’t responding positively to white noise, needless to say, it’s probably not a good idea to play it all night. That said, keep in mind that it may take a little while for you or your child to get used to hearing it. Another reason it may not be wise to play white noise all night is the risk that you or your child will become reliant on it. Finally, as we touched on above, white noise machines that exceed recommended sound limits may have an adverse effect on your ear health. So if your white noise machine is too loud, it’s inadvisable to play it all night long.
Other White Noise Machines We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other white noise machines. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best white noise machines list, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Single Function White Noise Machines
Designed to fit seamlessly into your room’s aesthetic, the Douni Sleep Sound Machine features 24 soothing sounds, including 7 white noise sounds, 32 volume levels, as well as a timer and memory function.
Key Features:
- 24 sounds
- 32 volume levels
- Memory function
Cost: $32
Yogasleep Dohm UNO White Noise Machine
When you’re already sleeping, you don’t want to worry about figuring out how to work your white noise machine. This one is as easy-to-use as they come. It features adjustable tone and volume control.
Key Features:
- Single-speed model
- Adjustable tone and volume control
- Assembled in the USA
Cost: $30
Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan White Noise Sound Machine
This heptagon-shaped white noise sound machine features 10 fan sounds in addition to ten ambient noise variations. It doesn’t have any moving parts nor repeating sounds, so you can unwind in complete peace.
Key Features:
- Non-repeating sounds
- No moving parts
- 1000 day satisfaction guarantee
Cost: $31
For only $20, this sound machine from Magicteam will provide you with 20 non-looping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and a timer and memory function.
Key Features:
- 20 non-looping sleep sounds
- 32 volume levels
- Memory function
Cost: $20
Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine
Another $20 bargain, the Big Red Rooster White Noise Machine fits a lot in its compact design. It offers 6 natural sounds and an auto-off timer. It can be operated by the included AC adaptor or batteries.
Key Features:
- 6 sounds
- Auto-off timer
- AC- or battery-operated
Cost: $20
Yogasleep Dohm White Noise Machine
This is the original Yogasleep Dohm, beloved for its minimalist design and natural sound emitted by a real built-in fan.
Key Features:
- Natural sound provided by the built-in fan
- Easy-to-operate
- Minimalist design
Cost: $50
The RENPHO White Noise Machine features 36 sounds, including 7 white noise variations, all in a stylish cube. With multiple charging methods and a 9-hour battery life after a full charge, it’s built for optimal functionality too.
Key Features:
- 36 sounds
- 9-hour battery life after a full charge
- Memory function
Cost: $26
Pure Enrichment White Noise Machine
The Pure Enrichment White Noise Machine lets you enjoy seamless looping of 6 sounds including white noise, fan, and rain sounds. It comes in a choice of black or white.
Key Features:
- 6 sounds
- Built-in USB charger
- Comes in black or white
Cost: $30
SLAOUWO Portable White Noise Machine
Don’t want to lug around a bulky white noise machine when you’re out and about? Consider picking up this super compact and lightweight option from SLAOUWO, which includes 8 white noise sounds.
Key Features:
- 26 sounds
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Built-in rechargeable battery and USB port
Cost: $10
Imagine if you could mix your own relaxing soundscape to your liking. Now you can, with this innovative white noise machine from ANERIMST. You have full creative control to devise more than 250 soothing sounds, including 8 white noise sounds.
Key Features:
- DIY controllable sound
- Create up to 271 different soothing sounds
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cost: $20
This compact white noise machine from mybaby comes with a choice of six sounds, an auto-off timer, and adjustable volume control.
Key Features:
- 6 sounds
- Lightweight
- Adjustable volume control
Cost: $25
Multifunctional White Noise Machines
Adaptive Sound Technologies Sound+Sleep SE Machine
This high-end offering comes with a total of 64 “rich and immersive” non-repeating sound environments. Another amazing feature is its auto-adjusting audio volume, which responds to the environment to provide you with an optimal audio experience. It also includes USB points and large speakers, so you plug your phone in to play any music you wish.
Key Features:
- 64 non-repeating sound environments
- USB ports
- Auto-adjusting audio volume
Cost: $100
Aibaolo White Noise Machine and Nightlight
The Aibaolo White Noise Machine is a 2-in-1 option that conveniently features a choice of 24 sounds as well as a built-in night light that emits a warm light.
Key Features:
- 24 sounds
- Nightlight
- Timer function
Cost: $32
Skip Hop Owl Baby Sound Machine and Nightlight
This oh-so-cute owl-shaped sound machine includes 4 lullabies as well as 4 nature sounds to help coax your bub to sleep. It also comes with a sweet built-in nightlight of the night sky.
Key Features:
- 4 lullabies and 4 nature sounds
- Nightlight
- Auto-off timer
Cost: $38
Skip Hop Elephant Baby Sound Machine and Nightlight
This variation of the owl-shaped sound machine above offers the same great features, except in an elephant-shaped device. More than 5000 customers have given it an average rating of 4.4, so it’s clearly just as effective as it is cute.
Key Features:
- Made out of silicone
- 4 lullabies and 4 nature sounds
- Nightlight
Cost: $40
ArtNaturals Essential Oil Diffuser & Baby White Noise Sound Machine
Another great option for a 2-in-1 essential oil diffuser and white noise machine is this high-quality one from ArtNaturals. It features 6 soothing sounds in a compact pod design.
Key Features:
- 6 sounds
- Built-in essential oil diffuser
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cost: $25
GOLDNILE White Noise Machine and Aromatherapy Diffuser
This sleek-looking choice is ideal for anyone who is looking for both a white noise machine and an aromatherapy diffuser in one. The aromatherapy diffuser has an anti-dry function that will safely switch off the diffuser if liquid levels get too low without interrupting your soothing white noise soundscape.
Key Features:
- 5 sounds
- Aromatherapy diffuser
- Light with a variety of color choices
Cost: $30
TCJJ White Noise Machine and Nightlight
This white noise machine features 20 natural sounds, including a fetal tone sound, to help foster a relaxing and restful atmosphere. It also comes with a built-in nightlight with 4 color choices and an optional unicorn nightlight cover.
Key Features:
- 20 sounds
- Nightlight with 4 color choices
- Includes unicorn nightlight cover
Cost: $26
AngLink White Noise Machine and Nightlight
In addition to offering 20 sound options, this modern-looking white noise machine comes with a warm nightlight.
Key Features:
- 20 sounds
- Warm nightlight
- USB-chargeable
Cost: $20
COCOBELA White Noise Machine, Nightlight, and Clock
Instead of asking which features this product for COCOBELA includes, it’s perhaps easier to ask which ones it excludes. After all, it has a multitude of features including a white noise machine with 27 sounds, nightlight, digital clock, and temperature and humidity sensor.
Key Features:
- 27 sounds
- Nightlight
- Temperature and humidity sensor
Cost: $20
