White Noise Generator: How It Helps With Sleep

Do you often struggle with good-quality sleep? If it seems impossible for you to sleep through the night without waking up, perhaps a white noise generator could help. A white noise generator contains sleep sounds that you can play at night to mask noise and get better sleep.

In this article, we will explore what a white noise generator is, its benefits, and 5 white noise generator options for you to choose from. Keep reading below!

What is a White Noise Generator?

A white noise generator, sometimes referred to as a white noise machine, is a type of device that produces continuous pure white noise sounds.

The primary purpose of a white noise generator is to mask background noise and help people relax and fall asleep. It can be used in a noisy office, bedroom, or therapy session to create a calming atmosphere for focusing or sleeping.

What is White Noise?

White noise is a type of sound that combines all the frequencies within the human audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Besides being of consistent sound quality, white noise may sound like ocean waves crashing, the rain, the air conditioner, the fan, or the static television [1].

Benefits of Using A White Noise Generator

Besides masking noise or annoying sounds that can disturb you, a white noise generator can bring a few key benefits.

These benefits are:

1. Improve sleep quality: Using white noise at 50 to 70 dB levels has been shown to have positive effects on the sleep-wake cycle. For both infants and adults, it can lead to good sleep and reduce frequent awakenings.
2. Eases tinnitus symptoms: One of the benefits of using white noise is that it can effectively mask unwanted noise (e.g. ringing or buzzing sounds). This provides a sense of relief to the person [2], [3].
3. Used as white noise therapy: White noise is suggested to be useful in treating dementia, stress, anxiety, and pain [1].
4. Helps babies sleep: For infants, white noise makes it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer. It mimics the sounds of a womb which is often comforting for them.

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5 Best White Noise Generators in 2024

1. Elesories S3 White Noise Machine

Elesories S3 White Noise Machine is a generator that is designed to block out bothersome noise from the external noise. It provides a frequency of 20Hz-20KHz which can cover a whole range of sounds so that those with insomnia or stress can sleep better. With 24 types of sounds, it gives you the flexibility to choose between using it for sleep, for privacy or to help your baby calm down and settle for the night.

User Ratings: 4.4/5 Stars

Colors: Black, White, Wood

Key Features:

• 24 soothing sounds ( white noise, fan sounds, nature sounds, unique lullabies)
• built-in 52mm Hi-Fi speaker
• Timer function with 30, 60, or 90 minutes option
• Adjustable volume
• Memory function
• Headphone jack

Price: $29.99

2. Magicteam White Noise Machine

This white noise generator is a personal machine that focuses on improving your sleep. With features like no-looping sound and over 20 sounds to choose from, it is suitable for everyone of all ages (babies, children, and adults). Use it to soothe a crying baby, reduce anxiety, or during travels— these are some of the possible scenarios that this machine can be used for.

User Ratings: 4.5/5 Stars

Colors: Black

Key Features:

• 20 non-looping sounds
• 32 levels of adjustable volume
• Auto-off timer settings
• Memory function
• Adaptive sound technology
• Portable

Price: $50

3. Hatch Baby: Hatch Rest Go

Hatch Baby’s Hatch Rest Go is an on-the-go sound machine designed to help your baby fall asleep anytime and anywhere. It is a small, lightweight, and convenient solution. All you need to do is clip it onto your stroller, bag, or travel crib and let it play while traveling. It is one of the best options for busy parents who need to get to places but want to spend time with their little ones.

User Ratings: 4.6/5 Stars

Colors: Mint, Peach, Putty, Honey, Slate

Key Features:

• 10 sleep sounds
• Portable design
• 3 buttons for quick control
• Clip anywhere design
• Drop-proof and drool-friendly
• Rechargeable battery— no need for wifi, app or Bluetooth

Price: $39.99

4. LUMI Original White Noise Machine

LUMI’s Original White Noise Machine is designed to reduce sleepless nights and create a relaxing atmosphere for sleep. With a continuous sound feature, it can play all night and block out any other sounds from the external environment so that you can sleep better. It is suitable for parents, adults, children or babies.

User Ratings: 4.4/5 Stars

Colors: Iridescent Gem

Key Features:

• 24 Sleep sounds (white noise, fan sounds or natural sounds)
• Safe volume levels
• Colored night light with 5 brightness levels or 7 color options
• Sleep timer function (set timer for 30, 60 or 90 minutes)
• Portable
• Rechargeable with USB

Price: $52.48

5. SNOOZ White Noise Machine

The SNOOZ White Noise Machine is by far one of the best on this list alongside the Hatch Baby’s Hatch Rest Go. It ranks quite high in terms of user ratings, suggesting that many people seem to find this sound machine effective and of good quality. It is made to reduce disturbances in your sleep environment so that you can fall asleep and stay asleep faster and for longer.

It can be used to drown out loud neighbors, and street noises or provide office privacy. It may also be used for tinnitus or snoring.

User Ratings: 4.6/5 Stars

Colors: Charcoal, Cloud

Key Features:

• Peaceful, non-looping fan white noise sounds
• 10 adjustable volume settings
• Travel-friendly, portable design
• Pair it with an optional SNOOZ app with a remote control, timer night light, and nursery calibration

Price: $99.99

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Key Features to Look Out For

When choosing a white noise generator, it should be able to meet your needs and individual preferences. Some features to look out for when picking out a sound generator include:

• Sound Options: If you prefer versatility, look for a generator that offers a variety of sound options, including different types of white noise (pink noise, brown noise, etc.) and other soothing sounds like rain or fan noise. This variety can help you to find what works best.
• Volume Control: Ensure that the device also allows you to adjust the volume to your preferred level. This will ensure that it is not too loud or too quiet for effective use.
• Timer Function: A timer feature is also useful for those who do not prefer to leave it playing throughout the night. Having this feature allows you to set a period for it to turn off automatically, preventing disruptions to your sleep cycle.
• Portability: Consider whether it is portable for it to be used anywhere and everywhere. It should be compact, lightweight, and convenient for travel.
• Sound Quality: You should also ensure that the device produces high-quality and clear sounds. Poor sound quality is more distracting rather than therapeutic so if you want a good sleep experience, this is something to note.

Besides this, some other features that are worth considering are whether it has a night light feature and a continuous play mode. This could be useful for those who may be afraid of the dark or need some kind of sound for comfort.

Tips for Using White Noise Generator For Good Sleep

When using a white noise generator for a good night’s sleep, you want to ensure that you are using it properly. This is so that you reduce the risk of hearing damage and that you will not have your sleep disrupted in the middle of the night.

Here are some tips for using a white noise generator:

1. Adjust volume levels: Adjust and keep at a comfortable and safe volume between 50 to 70 dB. It should be loud to mask disruptive noises but not too loud that it disrupts sleep or cause hearing damage.
2. Find the right sound: Experiment with different sounds to find what suits you best. If you require flexible options, opt for a generator that offers more sound options (e.g. color noises such as pink noise, brown noise, green noise, nature sounds, etc.)
3. Place it at a safe distance: When using a white noise generator, ensure that it is placed at a distance of at least 2m away from your bed. Avoid placing it too near as it might lead to excessive sound exposure.
4. Set a Timer: If you do not wish to have it playing all night, you can opt for devices with a timer function. That way, you can set the machine to automatically turn off, once you are asleep. It also helps to conserve battery.
5. Combine it with good sleep hygiene: White noise also works best if you practice good sleep hygiene. This means ensuring that your bedroom is quiet, dark, and comfortable, avoiding screen time before bed, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

By following these tips, you can use your white noise generator effectively to create a soothing sleep environment and improve your overall rest.

Conclusion

A white noise generator can be a useful sleep tool for improving sleep quality, and focus as well as easing symptoms of tinnitus. If you are looking to create a personalized sound experience, it’s important to look out for key features such as sound options, portability, and adjustable volumes that will best suit your needs.

Alternatively, if you don’t wish to get a device, you can always opt to use a white noise app that works just as great! ShutEye® app is a great example of a white noise app that has a wide variety of customizable white noise sounds, ambient sounds, nature sounds, lullabies, and more. Try it now!

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