Shorter Days Can Be Tough. Get Better Sleep With These White Noise Machines

I have chronic insomnia. I need a white noise machine, a sleep mask , a pitch-black room, and maybe some light tranquilizers just to fall asleep. (I'm joking, sort of.) If I'm traveling and forget my sound machine, I have to play white noise from my perpetually dying phone . Whether you're shopping for your kiddo or yourself, a white noise machine can help everyone sleep better at night.

These devices are simple, even as companies keep adding bells and whistles. They now come in all shapes and sizes, with options for playing different noise frequencies and soothing nature sounds—whether you need one at home or a portable model for life on the go. And they’re not just for kids or babies; if, like me, you want to quiet your inner monologue and finally drift off, this guide is for you.

We've tested everything: the best sleep trackers , sunrise alarm clocks , mattresses , and extreme alarm clocks . Check out all of the WIRED Reviews team's sleep coverage for our recommendations.

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.

“ Colors” of noise are measured similarly to light. Pure white noise is a mix of all the frequencies humans can hear, so while these machines are often called “white noise" machines, white noise itself isn't always a relaxing sound (think of the static on your TV). Pink and brown noise are at the lower end of the spectrum, 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 bundled into one 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. The fun thing about using a sound machine for sleep is that you get to experiment with these noise frequencies to find what works best for you.

The Snooz white noise machine focuses on one thing and one thing only: white noise. Its sound is generated by a real fan, not just fan sounds. There's no need to push extra buttons or fidget 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 increase or decrease the volume. It's also meant to be placed away from the bed, in a more central position in the bedroom, rather than on a nightstand. This helps project the sound more evenly. — Julia Forbes

WIRED’s resident wearable tester, Boutayna Chokrane , tested this clock for her sleep trackers guide . (Read her full review here .) This brand-new white noise machine also doubles as a sunrise alarm clock and a passive sleep tracker. It uses motion-based tracking to monitor your sleep from your nightstand. The data focuses on the essentials—sleep duration and stages—and appears in interactive visuals. There are no cameras or microphones monitoring you as you sleep, and best of all, your data isn’t locked behind a Hatch+ membership. The machine also features adjustable volume, fade-out timers, customizable full-color light scenes, a gradual sunrise light to wake you gently, and a sunset wind-down light to help you prepare for bed. For sleep-inducing sounds, it offers white noise, nature sounds, sleep stories, and guided meditations. With a Hatch+ subscription , you'll also get access to more than 2,500 sounds, stories, and meditations to help lull you to sleep. Although it's the priciest option in this guide, it's a triple threat: a sunrise clock, a dimmable bedside light, and a sound machine.

Hatch (With 3 Month Hatch+ Subscription)

As Hatch phases out the older Hatch Rest, this kids' sound machine takes its place with a fresh look and an updated app interface, making it easier than ever to create routines for your kids. Reviewer Nena Farrell uses it with her son, who loves it—especially the easy-to-use nightlight button he can press himself. Unlike other Hatch sunrise clock models , this one doesn't offer gradual sunrises, but it does glow in fun colors and play music. You'll also get a three-month subscription to Hatch+ content .

This compact, portable sound machine is specifically designed for parents to take on the go. One side is the speaker, and the other is a night light. The night light isn't super bright, but it will help you navigate around a sleeping baby rather than using your phone’s flashlight. During testing, former WIRED reviewer Julia Forbes found that the included clip isn't the most flexible, but it allows for attachment to a stroller strap, diaper bag, purse, or backpack. You can choose from several options beyond white noise, and the sound is surprisingly strong and crisp for such a small machine. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can also stream your child's preferred sounds.

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. — Medea Giordano

I've had this basic white-noise machine for over a decade, and it still works well. It has a DC power jack, but it can also be used cord-free with four AA batteries for portability. It's pretty basic, but it has everything most people are looking for in a sound machine. There's a knob to control volume and a button for 15-, 30-, or 60-minute timers (after which the machine will turn off). You can also choose between thunder, ocean waves, brook (which sounds like a bubbling river and running water), summer night (which sounds like wind, owl hoots, and chirping), rain, and classic white noise. The volume knob has worn a bit over a decade of use and needs to be set high to sound loud. It can also be finicky when used only on batteries and may suddenly die. However, since this thing is only $25 and has worked well for over a decade, I'm not too mad that it's showing some signs of age.

Can White Noise Machines Typically Run All Night?

If you plan on keeping your white noise machine playing sound on a 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, a desk or box fan can stand in for a white noise machine. It provides steady noise to help you fall asleep and can also keep hot sleepers comfortable. But if you’d rather not cool the room or want a wider range of sounds, a sound machine is the better choice.

How Does WIRED Select Models to Be Reviewed?

WIRED’s product recommendations are chosen to serve readers, based on what's new, popular, and useful on the market. Although we receive a small cut of most sales when readers click to buy recommended products, revenue does not influence our choices. Samples are either provided by 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.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today .

Take Up to 25% Off Custom Prints with VistaPrint Promo Code

Squarespace Promo Code 50% Off Core Plan

Take 10% Off Legal Services with This LegalZoom Promo Code

10% Off Canon Promo Code + Up to 30% Off