A white noise machine is a simple, low-cost way to help your baby fall asleep and get a good night of rest with minimal disturbances.
They are also great for helping to calm down babies when they are crying too as the white noise creates a familiar and calming environment.
The best white noise machines are easy to use, adjustable and offer a range of sounds.
The reviews and buyer’s guide below will help you find the best option for your baby.
1. Oricom OLS100 (Our Top Pick)
The Oricom OLS100 is a calming, relaxing sound machine and nightlight. You can set it to play the sounds of your choice from white noise, nature sounds and lullabies.
The night light is adjustable with 4 brightness levels and the unit can operate without the light if you’d prefer for it to be off.
There is a built-in timer which can be set for 30 minutes, 60 minutes or turned off.
There is also a small indicator light that lets you know when the timer is set. The adjustment options mean you can set this unit to best suit your little one’s bedtime routine.
The unit has a self-supporting stand for easy positioning.
What We Like:
- Adjustable nightlight
- Sound and light can be used separately
- Built-in timer
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited features
2. Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine
This simple, effective unit from Adaptive Sound Technologies helps to mask disruptive sounds to encourage peaceful sleep.
The white noise machine can be powered by AC or USB and creates unique, non-repeating sounds categorised as either white noise or fan sounds.
There is a total of 20 sounds that play without looping.
The volume control allows you to adjust the noise level to create the most relaxing environment.
You can set the machine to play without a timer or you can set it to play for 60 minutes.
This option is great for reducing the distracting effect of outside noises and can create a relaxing environment for sound sleep.
What We Like:
- Simple to use
- Adjustable volume
- Compact size
What We Don’t Like:
- No battery option
3. Marpac Dohm DS White Noise Machine for Sleeping
The Dohm DS is the original white noise machine, this low tech option produces subtle white noise to block other noise.
Although the design looks a bit outdated, the Dohm classic has been tried and tested by many which is why this model remains a very popular option.
The asymmetrical fan in acoustic housing creates a natural, soothing noise that quickly masks distracting noises.
There are two-speed settings and you can adjust the tone and volume to suit the situation by simply twisting the top of the unit to increase or reduce how many air passages are open.
The dome simply needs to be plugged in and switched on, it doesn’t offer any additional features so is simple to set up and use.
If you are looking for a back-to-basics style white noise machine, this is a good choice.
What We Like:
- Creates a natural white noise
- Simple to use
- Adjustable tone and volume
What We Don’t Like:
- No additional features
4. Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine – White Noise Machine with Baby Night Light
This is a high-quality white noise machine that offers a lot of noise settings to give a personalised experience.
There are 21 soothing sounds to choose from including white noise, fan sounds and relaxing natural sounds.
The device can play the selecting loopless sounds continuously or for a 30, 60 or 90 minute period before automatically turning off. The machine conveniently remembers your last-used settings so you don’t need to set it every time.
The optional night light is perfect for children and will provide an extra sense of safety so they can gently lull back to sleep during the night.
This machine is compact with a smart design and adjustable volume so it will work well anywhere in the house.
What We Like:
- Lots of sound choices
- Memory function
- Optional night light
What We Don’t Like:
- No battery-powered option
5. Marpac Hushh Yogasleep Portable White Noise Machine For Baby
The Marpac Hushh Yogasleep is small, lightweight and portable so you can attach it to the stroller, car seat or on any flat surface to provide relaxing noise wherever you go.
On one charge, the Hushh battery life is around 12 hours on the lowest settings or around 5 hours on the highest settings.
The machine creates white noise for babies so they can enjoy a comforting auditory environment at any time of day.
There are 3 sound options to choose from including bright white noise, deep white noise and gentle surf.
The amber nightlight produces a soft glow and changing the settings is simple.
The Hushh white noise machine is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can be charged via USB cable.
What We Like:
- Compact and portable
- Battery-powered
- Soft nightlight
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users may find this model is less durable than other options
6. FitFirst Portable White Noise Machine
The FitFirst is a portable white noise machine that offers a range of customisable options to give the most soothing experience for the situation.
The machine has 30 soothing sounds in 6 categories including fan, white noise, nature, ocean waves, lullaby and thunderstorm.
The speaker is high quality and the volume can be adjusted between 32 different levels so the sound can be anything from whisper-quiet to a much louder, robust level.
The sound machine can play continuously or can be set to a 30 or 60-minute timer.
The unit is compact and can easily fit into a handbag or backpack so you can take it with you on the go.
For easier use, the last setting is remembered thanks to the memory function.
What We Like:
- Customisable settings
- 32 level volume adjustment
- Portable
What We Don’t Like:
- Needs to be plugged in
7. Mini Deep Sleep Machine White Noise Baby Therapy
The Mini Deep Sleep Machine is a compact and portable unit that is battery-powered and simple to use.
There are 12 high-quality sounds including nature sounds and lullaby options. You can choose the sound and leave it on continuous or set a timer for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
This unit has grippy rubber feet so can be placed securely on any hard surface.
The volume can be adjusted between the 6 options so you can set it to the perfect level for your little one.
The built-in battery means this white noise machine can be used without being plugged in. There is a light indicator that lets you know when the unit is fully charged.
What We Like:
- Compact size
- Optional timer
- Built-in battery
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited sounds
White Noise Machine Buyer’s Guide
White noise machines can make a huge difference in getting your baby to sleep soundly.
They can reduce nighttime disturbances and encourage relaxation by creating an ambient atmosphere.
A baby white noise machine may come with a built-in nightlight and a range of sound options including nature and a lullaby mode.
There is a range of white noise machines available and each one is offering different features and benefits. This buyer’s guide will help you find the right sound machine for your needs.
Types of White Noise Machines
There are a couple of different white noise machines that you may come across in your search, these include:
White noise machine
Some machines offer no other sound options aside from white noise. White noise sounds like a low hum, it’s a continuous noise that works well to lull your baby to sleep. The customisation and adjustment options tend to be minimal on this type of sound machine.
Soothing sounds
Some models offer a range of different sound modes. Some children seem to respond well to nature sounds which are a common option on this type of sound machine. Every child responds differently but this can be a calming option that offers slightly more versatility than a stand-alone white noise machine.
Combination
There is a wide range of sound machines available that offer a combination of white noise sounds and soothing/ nature sounds so you can choose the option that best suits the situation.
This is the best option for babies as you won’t know which sounds they best respond to until you try and the combination sound machines offer lots of variety in one place.
Number of Sounds
Whatever type of white noise machine you choose, find out the number of sounds that are offered.
Typically between 6-30 different sounds are offered on one sound machine.
The product information should list the soundtracks and what type of sound they are (white noise, brown noise, fan sound, nature sound etc).
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Key Factors to Consider
- Power source – the majority of white noise machines need to be plugged into the mains power but there are a few options that are battery-powered. A battery-powered option is best for portability and use on the go.
- Looping – take note of how often the sound loops (repeats), a short loop time is not going to be as effective as a sound machine with a long loop time. You should not be able to hear when the track loops as this can be distracting with the change in noise causing you or your baby to wake up.
- Volume – a sound machine with a lot of volume adjustability is important for it to be effective in noisy and quiet environments. Volume control is essential as white noise machines are safe for babies but they should be kept to low volume levels and should be placed a good distance away from where your baby is resting.
- Sound quality – the sound machine should produce quality audio. If the sound quality is low quality it will impact how well the machine works.
- Timer – a timer is a useful feature as it automatically shuts the sound machine off after a certain amount of time, meaning you don’t need to worry about switching it off. Most timer options are 30, 60 or 90 minutes. The feature will also help to save energy.
- Remote control – a few models also come with a remote control which allows you to turn the white noise machine on and off without having to go into the room and risk disturbing your sleeping baby.
- Nightlight – some machines offer a nightlight that glows while playing ambient noise. This can be a great option for a baby’s nursery.
- Ease of use – no matter which white noise machine you choose to play background noise, make sure it is easy to use.
Is It OK To Play White Noise All Night?
White noise should not be played 24 hours a day but it is generally considered OK to play it at night and during naps. If possible, reduce the volume or switch the sound machine off when your baby falls asleep (this is where a remote control or timer can come in useful).
