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The Best White noise machine isn’t a complex device, even as companies constantly add more bells and whistles. Nowadays, they come in all shapes and sizes, outfitted with the capacity to play other noise frequencies and nature sounds while at home or in a more portable, on-the-go form. They’re not just for kids or babies anymore—if you’re like us, trying to drown out your internal monologue so that you can finally drift off, this is the article for you.
But if you’re building up your arsenal of sleep gadgets, with a white noise machine among them, we’ve tried out everything from the best sleep trackers, best sunrise alarm clocks, the best mattresses, and the best extreme alarm clocks. We’ve got a directory where you can find all of our Sleep content.
Note: If you’re buying for a child, keep sound machines to no more than 50 decibels and farther than 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) from where your baby sleeps.
Updated September 2025: We’ve added new recently tested products from Momcozy, Yogasleep, and Lectrofan.
A Note on “White Noise”
Before we start on this white noise machine review, we need to review what white noise is in association to these sound machines we’ve tested. “White noise machines” and “sound machines” are used pretty interchangeably, but you need to actually dig into the details to know what you’re actually hearing. You may be hearing a different “color” entirely.
The “colors” of noise are measured similarly to light. Pure white noise is a mix of all the frequencies humans can hear, so it can be a little agitating (think of the static on your TV). Pink and brown noise are at the lower end of the spectrum. They aren’t as grating and have been found to help people sleep a little more deeply. If you’ve seen pink noise, brown noise, and green noise amid all the white noise machine chatter, it’s because more often than not, you’ll find those options available to you wrapped up into one little machine. If you think of sound waves as being loosely analogous to light waves, then the different colors of noise refer to different parts of the sound spectrum. And, the fun thing about using a sound machine for sleep is that you get to experiment with noise frequencies.
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Best White Noise Machine
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
LectroFan
High Fidelity White Noise Machine
The Lectrofan Classic is in several WIRED staffers’ homes, divided among children and adults. At 4 inches across and 2 inches tall, it’s small enough to fit on the most crowded nightstand. You can also often find it for cheaper than its $50 price. There are no bird sounds or fireplaces—we have many options for that—but you can choose between fans or a spectrum of colored noise. This includes white noise, brown noise, and pink noise, but also others like coral and chestnut noise. It has a 60-minute timer and cranks up to a whopping 85 decibels, or stays low enough to barely hear it at all. —Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options White noise, brown noise, pink noise, large fan, industrial fan, mellow fan, exhaust fan, attic fan, circular fan, vent fan, box fan, oscillating fan Timer 60 minutes Alarm No Light No Size 4.4 x 4.4 x 2.2 inches Colors Black, white WIRED
- You can crank up the volume to 85 decibels if you really need to drown out surrounding environmental noises
- Built-in timer stays on for an hour, so you can fall asleep without worrying when you’ll turn off the machine
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- Strictly fan or colored noises, so no waterfall sounds here to be soothed by
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Best Fan Machine
Photograph: Julia Forbes
Snooz
Smart White Noise Sound Machine
The Snooz white noise machine focuses on one thing and one thing only: white noise. Its sound is generated by a real fan as opposed to just fan sounds. There’s no pushing extra buttons or fidgeting around when you’d rather be falling asleep. Its design is simple, and there’s no overthinking this device—it’s got ease of use down pat. Simply plug it in, press the power button, then twist the mesh sleeve to either increase or decrease the volume level.
It’s also meant to be placed away from the bed in a more central position in the bedroom as opposed to on a nightstand. This is so that sound is projected more evenly.
Specs Sound options White noise Timer No Alarm No Light No Size 5.6 x 5.6 x 3.2 inches Colors Gray, black WIRED
- Simple and straightforward to use—for sleep-deprived new parents, this may be super helpful
- Fan generates smooth noise; nothing overly choppy
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- Only one sound offered with this device
- Higher price tag, one singular feature
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Best White Noise Machine With Sunrise Clock
We’re always scoping out possible new products to add to our Best Sunrise Alarms guide, and best believe the Hatch 3 made the cut. It expands upon the previous Hatch models (which we also tested and really enjoyed), with added two more buttons for a total of four. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re sleepy and want to make quick changes instead of relying on the app, this comes in clutch.
WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell found that the light wasn’t as bright as previous iterations, and didn’t really uphold the “Sunlight” function of the sound machine. Nevertheless, it still has an extensive sound collection to pick from if you sign up for the subscription. —Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options Extensive sound library via app Timer Yes Alarm Yes Light Yes Size 7.24 x 2.43 x 5.31 inches Colors Rosy, putty, greige, cocoa WIRED
- Has sunrise and sunset options
- Has 58 sounds (!!) and additional sleep content
- Can build multi-step sleep routines
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- Light isn’t as bright as I’d like as a heavy sleeper
- Has a subscription level ($3 a month) to access all content and options
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A Multipurpose Machine
Photograph: Hatch
Hatch
Rest (2nd Generation)
The second-generation Hatch Rest combines a sound machine and night-light with two added features for children: time-to-rest and time-to-rise lights. These are called beacons, and they’re helpful reminders for adults too. This version also includes a dimmable clock, and it’s controllable via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. In the app, you can customize colors, adjust the volume, and pick from the sound library. Tapping the top of the Hatch Rest cycles through sounds and turns it on and off. (There’s a child-lock function to prevent kids from messing with the settings, and it still gives them control of the nightlight button on the back of the machine.)
Like with the Restore 2, you get more options if you choose to subscribe. We’ve also tested and like the Rest Plus for $90, which adds Amazon Alexa support and includes an audio monitor. We don’t recommend the Rest Mini for $40 though, as one tester said it stopped turning on after several months. —Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options Extensive sound library via app Timer Yes Alarm Yes Light Yes Size 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.61 inches Colors Customizable via app WIRED
- Night light and sound machine, all in one
- Kids can control night light function, but parental lock keeps the sound control in your hands
- Syncs with app for easy customization
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- Subscription needed for full use of capabilites of the device
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Best White Noise Machine for Dogs
Babelio
Mini Sound Machine
The Babelio mini sound machine was indeed made for babies, but we’re going to redirect your attention to fur babies. As it would turn out, white noise isn’t just good for humans, but dogs as well. If you too have anxious “Velcro” dogs, having a white noise machine to use when you leave the house or need to create ambient noise can be incredibly helpful.
This machine has 30-, 60-, and 90-minute timers. The noises are non-looping but have a variety of nature sounds, white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. I find that it sounds a bit grainy the higher in volume you go, but it gets the job done for my dogs (and my sanity).
Specs Sound options White noise, brown noise, pink noise, fan, insects, rain, waves, birds, campfire Timer Yes Alarm No Light No Size 1.89 x 1.89 x 1.57 inches Colors White, black, wood grain, cream gray, teal, gray, cyan, purple, pink, midnight blue, pumpkin WIRED
- Portable size
- Different white, brown, and pink noise settings
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- Grainier noise quality
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Best White Noise Machine for the Office
Photograph: Marpac
Yogasleep’s Dohm (originally called the Sleep-Mate) was invented in 1962, and it’s still one of the most reliable white noise sound machines you can buy. At 4 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide, it’s a little larger than the LectroFan, but it’s much simpler. A rotating fan is set within the Dohm’s acoustic housing, and it has just two settings. (The lower one is under 55 decibels.) If you’ve ever been to a therapist’s office, you may have noticed these outside the doors. They conceal the conversation inside without being obtrusive—which could also be helpful for those who work from home.
If you normally sleep with a box fan running but don’t want dust bunnies blown into your face all night, this is the pick for you. Don’t be alarmed if you see “Marpac” on the packaging or Buy page—it’s the same company.—Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options White noise Timer No Alarm No Light No Size 5.75 x 5.75 x 3.25 inches Colors White WIRED
- Fan-powered sound machine
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- Only two settings available decibel-wise
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Best Infant Noise Machine
Momcozy
Portable White Noise Machine with Nightlight
This one is so easy to use, a child could figure it out! And while infants can’t do so quite yet, Momcozy’s portable sound machine will be ready when they are (though there’s also a child lock in case you don’t want that to be the case). As an adult with limited patience and attention span, I can report that it takes little to no time to get this machine up and running. One side is the speaker, and the other is a nightlight. While the nightlight isn’t the brightest, it helps navigate around a sleeping baby, rather than using your phone’s flashlight. The included clip isn’t the most flexible, but it does create a tether option for attaching this to a stroller strap, diaper bag, purse, or backpack.
You can switch among a range of options aside from white noise, and the sound is pretty strong and crisp for such a little machine. Since it also has Bluetooth connectivity, you can stream your child’s preferred noise options as well. Sometimes it can get “stuck” on a sound, so pause between scrolling through your options so the machine can keep up. You have the option to put it on one-, three-, and six-hour timers.
Specs Sound options Three white noise options, three fan noise options, rainforest, crickets, rainfall, wind, heavy rainfall, running stream, ocean waves, campfire, train, Brahms Lullaby, Meditation Music, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baby HeartBeats, Hiss Timer Yes Alarm No Light Yes Size 4.41 x 4.41 x 3.5 inches Colors Gray with mint green accents WIRED
- Tiny machine with triple function as a white noise machine, nightlight, and Bluetooth speaker
- Strong audio quality and sound variance
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- The included clip for portability isn’t the most flexible
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Best Portable White Noise Machine
Photograph: ergoPouch
ergoPouch
Drift Away Portable White Noise Machine
The ErgoPouch costs more than the Dreamegg above, but I think you’d be happy with either, whether you need portability or not. I particularly loved how pretty this one is; its neutral aesthetic reminds me of a pebble at a spa without going full beige. There are seven sound options ranging from colored noise to rain and shushing. A charge should last you a few nights, but I wish there was a timer option to conserve battery. The back has a light with three levels of brightness. I liked to carry this around my house pretending I was holding a candle in an old movie. It’s just very cute. —Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options White noise, nature, rain, ocean, shushing, fan, heartbeat Timer 48 hour playback Alarm No Light Yes Size 4.72 x 4.65 x 2.99 inches Colors White WIRED
- Handle attached for easy carrying
- Soft night light built into underside of device
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- If you’re looking explicitly for pink or brown noise, this machine focuses on white noise and nature sounds
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Most Affordable Sound Machine
Photograph: Medea Giordano
Restnature
Mini Sound Machine
The Restnature sound machine is tiny—it would easily fit into a pocket. Despite its size, this Amazon white noise machine has 16 sound options from birds, fire, and other nature noises to lullabies and different color noises. It gets very loud. Maybe even too loud, because the sound quality starts to suffer at the top. There are 30-, 60-, and 90-minute timer options. The other portable players on this list are nicer, but this is a solid option if you need a machine that’s as small as possible. And if you are an Amazon Prime member, these teeny devices are on sale for $10. —Medea Giordano
Specs Sound options White noise, pink noise, brown noise, ocean, water, shushing, birds, fan sounds, lullabies Timer Yes Alarm No Light No Size 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.9 inches Colors Coconut (white), Grape (purple), Marshmallow (pink), Pine (green), Wood Grain WIRED
- Tiny stature makes it easily portable
- Very affordable with decent performance
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- The louder you go with the volume, the more the quality of the sound is compromised
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If You Already Have a Smart Speaker
Photograph: Google
Google
Nest Mini (2nd Gen)
Do you have a Google smart speaker—or any smart speaker for that matter? Congratulations, you already have a sound machine capable of noise and much more. A simple command like, “Hey, Google, help me relax” will trigger 12 hours of ambient noise (if you don’t stop it). You can also ask for specific sounds like rain, a fireplace, country nights, or a babbling brook. Google speakers let you create a bedtime sleep routine, as well (learn more about routines). These features work on any Google speaker. —Medea Giordano
WIRED
- Small but still stylish with solid audio performance
- Fabric around the top is made from recycled plastic bottles
- Great affordable starting point for a smart home
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- Doesn’t get as loud as we’d like
- Most colors out of stock
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Make Your Alexa a Sound Machine
Photograph: Amazon
Amazon
Echo Dot With Clock (5th Gen)
If you have an Amazon Alexa speaker, you can enable an Alexa skill called Ambient Noise to select sounds ranging from a whale to a dishwasher or washing machine. There are other Alexa sleep sounds, too. Alexa may even suggest some if you ask for white noise or sleep sounds. You can also search for white-noise playlists on Spotify or other music services, like Prime Music. —Medea Giordano
Compare Our Top Picks
More Sound Machines We Like
Photograph: Julia Forbes
Yogasleep Rohm+ Travel White Noise Machine for $50: This is a more refined, adult sound machine option that looks significantly more chic than your standard sound machine (if that matters to you, that is). The timer and white noise options are solid, but for the price and audio quality, Momcozy’s portable option runs circles around the Rohm+.
Baby Brezza Sleep and Soother for $25: This is super light, can run on batteries or be plugged in, and has 18 sleep sounds and three timer options (or it plays continuously). There’s also a night light with three brightness levels. —Medea Giordano
Yogasleep Hushh 2 Portable Sound Machine for $30: The Hushh 2 is another great portable sound machine that you should consider. It has six sounds, three timer options, and a nice night light for softly illuminating your bedside table or guiding your way to the bathroom. The brand says this model is its most durable sound machine. I didn’t fling it down the stairs, but it has held up to falling off my nightstand. —Medea Giordano
Lectrofan Evo for $60: Another solid option from the brand that makes our top pick. The Evo has a few more sound choices (like ocean noises) and looks nicer, but we prefer the buttons on the Classic. They’re better for fiddling with in the dark. This one also jumped in price recently. —Medea Giordano
Dreamegg D1 for $60: This one plays a lot of the same sounds as the D11 portable machine, with a handful more fans and a spectrum of noises. The control panel is matte and soft to the touch, and you can set it to play continuously or for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. I tried the white version, but you can get a few other nice colors on the Dreamegg site. The rim also lights up. —Medea Giordano
Encalife Sound Machine for $46: This little sound machine has a blue light that you can match your breathing to in order to relax. You’ll also likely find it on sale often, which is good because I wouldn’t spend too much on it—there are better options on this list for less. —Medea Giordano
Sound Machines to Avoid
Allway Aqua10 for $120: I love that this looks like a cute Marshall amp and works as a decent-sounding Bluetooth speaker for sleep sounds and anything else you want to listen to the rest of the day. You need the Allway app to access the sounds, which include crackling fires, busy cafes, a spectrum of colored noises, and a wide selection of instrumentals. They’ll play for anywhere from five to 120 minutes. The Aqua10 also has a humidifier function, which looks extremely cool paired with lights that illuminate the vapor like a fire. But I found it to be fussy and leaky, and it seemed to stop even though the reservoir was full. It’s no longer available on Amazon, which might say something about its longevity. —Medea Giordano
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Keep a White Noise Machine on All Night?
If you plan on keeping your white noise machine playing sound on loop all night, make sure first that it has the capacity to do so. Some machines run on 30-, 60-, or 90-minute timers that auto-shut off, while others are continuous.
Does a Fan Make a Good White Noise Machine?
In a pinch, you can use a desk or box fan in place of a white noise machine. It will create consistent noise (as well as temperature control for hot sleepers) to help you fall asleep. However, if you aren’t wanting to keep the room a bit cooler, or want more varied noise options, a sound machine’s the stronger choice.
How Does WIRED Select Models to Be Reviewed?
WIRED’s product recommendations are made in service to readers based on what’s new, popular, and useful on the market. While we do get a small cut of most sales when readers click to buy recommended products, choices are made independent of revenue considerations. Samples are either provided by the companies or purchased and expensed.
What Does WIRED Do With the Sound Machines After Testing Them?
Just like all products we test, including mattresses, pillows, sheets, and more, everything is donated to our local communities when testing is finished.
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