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Does the noise at home, noise from traffic, or noise from your neighbors keep you up at night? If you find yourself in this situation and always have to use a pillow or your hands to keep the noise out, maybe it’s time to consider getting a white noise machine.
A white noise machine can be used to play relaxing sounds to drown out the noises and help you fall asleep. Continue reading to find out how it helps and some good quality ones in the market right now.
What is a White Noise Machine?
A white noise machine is a type of sound machine or noise machine that produces white noise— a constant, soothing sound to mask background noise so that you may relax and fall asleep faster.
With the ability to mask noise, it creates a consistent sleep environment that is ideal for improving sleep quality.
Types of White Noise Machine
There are commonly two types of white noise machines used for adults or babies to get better sleep. The first is a portable sound machine design while the other is a plug-in sound machine design.
A portable machine is usually compact and light. It comes with a rechargeable battery that can be easily charged with a USB charger, making it a good on-the-go solution for travel.
A plug-in machine, on the other hand, is a more traditional form of sound machine. It is often larger with more features but not very convenient. You would need to plug it into a wall plug to charge and operate the machine.
How Does It Help With Sleep?
A lot of white noise sound machines these days come with a variety of soothing sounds to help you get a great sleep. You can expect to find machines that offer noise options ranging from rain sounds, fan sounds, and nature sounds to other colored noises (e.g. pink noise, brown noise, green noise).
Each of these sounds creates a consistent background noise that drowns out noise in your surrounding environment, such as traffic, loud neighbors, or even household noises. This external cue also impacts your brain by tuning out other distractions so that you can relax and fall into a deep sleep [1].
White noise, in particular, works by combining all the audible sound frequencies, which can have a calming effect on the mind. It differs from other colored noises, like pink and brown noise, which some may find to be more soothing.
How To Use a White Noise Machine
Using a white noise machine can help to promote a deeper and more restorative sleep for yourself or your child by creating a peaceful atmosphere. It can also build healthy sleep cues and habits.
Using It for Sleep
When using it for sleep, it is important to ensure that it is placed on a flat surface, at least 2m away from your ears or your baby’s ears. Never place it next to your ear as it can be too loud and lead to hearing loss.
There should also be a power button to turn the machine on or off and other buttons to change the soundtrack, change the volume setting, or adjust the volume level. Ensure that you are using it as a background sound in a low-volume setting.
Note: For newborn babies, you are recommended not to use it too often to avoid dependency on the machine for sleep [2].
Using It for Privacy
If you are planning to use a white noise machine for your office or just general privacy so that no one overhears your private conversations, you will need to be aware of proper placement.
Ideally, you should place the machine between your ears and the source of noise. This means placing it somewhere near the doors or windows, to effectively reduce the incoming noise.
You can also place them in the hallways of your office or hotel room to prevent eavesdropping or hearing other people’s loud conversations [3].
5 Best White Noise Machines of 2024
Speaking about white noise machines, you might probably wonder what is the best white noise machine with so many options on the market. This is why we have compiled a list of the 5 best white noise machines of 2024 based on product features, user ratings, and price.
1. DreamEgg Sleep Lite D11 Max
This DreamEgg Sleep Lite D11 Max is a portable white noise sound machine, created to help babies get better sleep anytime and anywhere. With up to 21 sounds, you can adjust and find a sound that will be just right for your baby. The sounds available are made to imitate the sounds from a mother’s womb, such as your heartbeat and digestive noises, helping your baby to find comfort and sleep easily.
Product Features:
- 30 hours of continuous sound looping
- Portable and compact
- Baby-safe child lock
- 21 soothing sounds (e.g. white noise, natural sounds, and lullabies)
- 32 volume levels
- Timer with 30, 60 and 90 minutes interval
- USB C or Rechargeable Battery
User Ratings: 4.9/5 Stars
Color: White, Light Blue, Light Khaki, Sakura Pink and Mint Green
Price: $49.99
2. ErgoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine
ErgoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine is yet another option that best suits newborns up to 12 months of age. Winning bronze in the ‘Made for Mums Award 2024’, it’s clear that this product is of good quality. Additionally, it has a long playback time which is great for tired mums who need to catch some rest from constantly looking after their baby.
Product Features:
- 48-hour playback time
- 7 relaxing sounds
- Lightweight and compact
- Rechargeable battery
- Soft LED light with 3 different settings
User Ratings: 4.3/5 Stars
Color: Taupe
Price: $54.95
3. LectroFan Evo
LectroFan Evo is a sleep sound machine that generates very realistic fan sounds, white noise, and ocean sounds to help you relax, focus, and fall asleep naturally. It can be used for sleep, work, study, or privacy. Not only that, you can also use it in your baby’s or toddler’s room to help create a peaceful sleeping environment for them.
Product Features:
- 22 non-looping sounds including fan sounds, white noise or ocean sounds
- Precision volume control
- Lightweight and compact
- Optional sleep timer feature
User Ratings: 4.5/5 Stars
Color: Charcoal, White
Price: $49.95
4. MomCozy Smart Baby Sound Machine
MomCozy Smart Baby Sound Machine is another option that offers a huge variety of white noise sounds. This is good if you need more versatility in a product. Additionally, it also comes with an adjustable LED lamp in 7 colors so that you don’t have to worry about sleeping in complete darkness. With MomCozy, you can expect to experience more relaxing nights and wake up more refreshed.
Product Features:
- 34 sounds including white noise, lullabies, and nature sounds
- Adjustable LED lamp
- App for remote control
- Touch control for manual adjustments
- Customizable settings for color, brightness, sound, and volume
- Wifi-compatible
User Ratings: 4.7/5 Stars
Color: LED color
Price: $59.99
5. YogaSleep Dohm Classic Sound Machine
The YogaSleep Dohm Classic Sound Machine is known as the original sound machine. First invented in 1962, it used to be called Sleep-Mate and has since been a sleep tool used by many generations. Featuring the signature fan white noise, it is useful for all ages. It can be used for babies, kids and even adults. The only downside is that it is not portable at the moment and requires plugging in the cable to turn it on.
Product Features:
- Fan-based natural white noise sound
- 2-speed adjustments
- Adjustable tone and volume
- 7 foot 120V AC power cable (included)
User Ratings: 4.6/5 Stars
Color: White, Gray, Black, Tan, Pink
Price: $49.99
Key Features To Look Out For
When choosing a suitable white noise machine to use for sleep, study, or for privacy concerns, you have to take into account your personal preference. Some may prefer a machine that has more sound options while some others may not.
Here are some key features you should consider before making a purchase:
- Sound quality: You should always ensure that the machines produce high-quality and clear sounds. A low-quality sound machine will only prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
- Volume control: Ideally, the white noise machine should come with adjustable volume control. This is so that you can prevent it from being too loud or too soft for your own comfort.
- Types of sounds: Some machines may offer more variety of sounds than others. If you prefer something more versatile, opt for a machine that offers more soundscapes to switch it up.
- Night light feature: Some white noise machines come with a built-in night light. This is great for those who may be afraid of complete darkness and need some light to sleep well, without disrupting your sleep cycle.
Overall, these are the main aspects that you should pay more attention to. Some other features to consider are also whether it is within your budget, convenience, and playback time.
3 Tips for Traveling with a White Noise Machine
Planning to go on a travel soon? If you are planning to take your first trip with a white noise machine, here are 3 essential tips to help you make the most of it while on the go:
- Ensure that you choose a portable design: Always opt for a lightweight and compact model that can fit in your luggage or carry-on. A plug-in design could also work but it will be more of a hassle to find a suitable power outlet and to carry all the cables along.
- Get a sound machine with multi-sound options: When traveling, there’s a possibility that you might encounter different noise levels. Having a variety of sounds to choose from will allow you to find the best one for the environment you are in.
- Use a timer or sleep mode: Having a machine with a timer or sleep mode will ensure that it doesn’t play throughout the night. This saves battery and prevents you from waking up to unwanted noise.
Conclusion
All in all, a white noise machine is a good sleep aid that can help you improve your sleep quality. It can help you to mask annoying sounds and also help with privacy concerns.
Apart from this, apps like ShutEye® that come with an extensive collection of sleep sounds can also do the trick. It is also way more convenient to have an app than a sound machine. So, try it now for free!
