A good night’s sleep is vital for health, happiness and optimum productivity.
But what if you live on a busy road, or have noisy neighbors? Those suffering from insomnia will know how infuriating it can be.
One way to block out unwanted sounds at night is with a white noise machine.
Fortunately, we now have sound machines, which not only help you fall asleep but also block out other annoying sounds – creating a peaceful environment.
After reviewing some great devices on the market, here’s my favorite white noise machine.
My Favorite White Noise Machine:
LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine:
- Design fits into any decor
- Has various ambient sound variations, including white, pink and brown noise
- Blocks out noise effectively
- Great for adults as well as difficult babies
The LectroFan is my top choice and favorite sleep companion.
I’ve been using it for 7 months now and have nothing but praise. It’s small and unobtrusive, fitting easily on my bedside table.
It is simply amazing how a small device like this can block out really loud noises. My personal issue was noisy footsteps from neighbours upstairs at night while trying to sleep.
Problem solved!
Noises & features
So the device comes with 10 different fan and 10 more ambient sounds. But to be honest, they all sound very similar.
It’s easy to set up, and you can power it by AC or USB.
It will probably take you a day or two to get used to the sounds. But one thing you will notice, it really does cut out external sounds.
What other customers are saying
It seems I’m not the only one who claims this noise machine changed their life for the better.
Many people say they sleep much better from being able to block out unwanted noises which were causing anxiety.
Several students also commented that the machine helped them concentrate and study better for longer.
My Second Choice:
Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine:
- Two speeds and dual speed motor
- Soothing sound of rushing air
- Customized sound, fully adjustable
- 1-year limited factory warranty
The Marpac Dohm is also a nice option for a white noise device.
And from the great reviews, it looks like this machine is helping people get a good night’s sleep.
Lots of adults have praised it for cutting out common noises like noisy neighbors, traffic, and other outside disturbances.
Parents also say that soothing sounds help their babies and young children fall asleep faster. One customer says she bought one for each of her children’s rooms!
The look, sound, & features
The machine is also not too big and will fit into any room or décor.It comes in several colors: white, black tan and grey.
The device allows you to set the volume and tone that works best for you. It blocks out offending noises and makes a noise similar to a fan – but without any jarring, motorized rattling.
Best White Noise Machine For a Baby:
Hatch Baby Sound Machine & Night Light:
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The Hatch Baby machine has been designed by parents for parents.
It has the features of a night light, sound machine, in addition to a waking up noise that could be controlled from a smartphone.
The fact that the Hatch Baby has a stylish design with a warm, soft glow helps too.
Helpful for waking up
A nice fact about this particular product is that older children will also still be able to use it due to the time-to-rise setting, which wakes them up at a particular time.
Are white noise machines good for sleeping adults?
White noise machines are surprisingly effective to help adults fall asleep. In fact, many sleep researchers recommend those with sleep issues purchase a white noise machine. The reason why white noise machines work so well may have to do more with the fact that they block out all other noises – like a television, people talking, activity in other rooms, creating a kind of “sound cocoon” says psychiatrist David Neubauer of the John Hopkins Hospital Sleep Disorders Center. One study showed that sound machines worked almost as well as medication in helping people fall asleep.
Is white noise useful for babies?
For mothers with fussy babies, a white noise sound machine can really be a lifesaver. It helps to get baby to calm down and fall asleep. While some experts feel that it could be a bad thing to get your baby to rely too much on the sound machine – and then be unable to sleep without it, many mothers swear by a sound machine to get their baby to go down at nap and bedtime. Health authorities recommend that it is set to a low setting of below 50 decibels.
Baby white noise machines:
Baby Shusher Sleep Miracle Soother:
The really cool thing about the Baby Shusher Sleep Miracle Soother is that it offers more than just sound to calm your baby. There are also 25 minutes of captivating light effects and your baby will be able to reach them by himself if he wakes up during the night. It can be used in the car as well as the crib and can be operated by remote as well.
Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother:
There are quite a number of parents who absolutely love this sound machine. The Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother has 25 minutes of captivating light effects and although it has a remote control, your baby can actually operating it by touching (or kicking) it. With classical music, light effects and the Drift Off feature – during which the light gradually softens, this device is a clear winner.
The Big Red Rooster Sound Machine:
Not only will your baby like this sound machine – but your puppy might too! One customer said his puppy stopped whining at night once they started using it! The Big Red Rooster Sound Machine has 6 sleep sounds: rain, brook, ocean, thunder, white noise and summer night. It is powered by AC adaptor or AA batteries and can be set for 15, 30 or 60 minutes.
Some other great white noise generators for adults:
Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Machine:
This device is quite expensive but on the up side, the customer service department seems to be top notch with many customers saying they received great service. It has 30 different kinds of sounds and an adaptive sound feature that adjusts volume. An optional sleep timer stops the sound after 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes.
SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine:
While also on the more pricey spectrum, a big bonus is the high approval rating customers give it. An extremely impressive number of people absolutely love the SNOOZ, saying it makes a really great white noise with 10 volume settings that is very simple to use. The funky design is a big plus too.
iHome Zenergy Bedside Sleep Therapy Machine:
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This is quite an interesting device, with sound and light features and offering what is called “sleep therapy”. There are 10 specially designed light therapy programs with LED color blending to enhance any mood. Built-in sounds have 10 relaxing sound modes. Works with a smartphone app and is works with WiFi. It also has a clock display as well as USB charger. Pretty nifty!
AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine:
Much cheaper (and more attractive) depending on your tastes of course, the AVANTEK white noise machine is a great option. It can do 20 soothing sounds and has a memory function too. There are six types of white noise, 6 fan noises and 8 nature sounds – including birds, crickets and campfire! The auto-timer can be set to switch off anywhere between 1 to 7 hours.