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White noise has helped countless people with sleep disorders, tinnitus, or problems with noisy neighbors or colleagues.

There are several ways to create white noise. You can use apps, YouTube videos or even a normal fan.

However, the best option is to use a sound machine built specifically for this purpose as most of them have better white noise and sound quality.

In addition, they usually have a selection of different sounds and useful features such as a timer or alarm.

In this article, you will find the proper “White Noise Machine Buying Guide” and some information about white noise, tips on choosing the right white noise device, and an overview of some of the best devices on the market.

White Noise Machine Buying Guide 2023

At first the…

Top 6 Best White Noise Machine 2023 List:

Marpac Dohm	Get This
LectroFan Fidelity	Get This
Sound+Sleep High	Get This
Cloud b Soothing	Get This
Homedics Sleep	Get This
Marpac Zohne	Get This

What is White Noise?

This is a unique kind of serial noise that contains all the different audio frequencies that a person can hear.

A reliable analogy for this would be white light, in which all colors are combined together.

That’s why it’s so effective at masking unwanted sounds. White noise creates background noise that contains different tones and occurs equally at all frequencies so that the human brain can no longer distinguish between disturbing inconsistent sounds such as footsteps, TV or barking.

Therefore, it is most often used to promote healthy sleep by drowning out sounds that can keep you awake or wake you up in the middle of the night.

Sometimes the term “white noise” is commonly used to refer to any form of constant, unchanging noise. It has become a broad term for various kinds of sounds, such as machine noise, nature noise, and ambient soundscapes.

Some people like to listen to these sounds when they want to sleep rather than the annoying sounds of pure white noise.

Different Colors of Sound

There are many types of color noise such as pink, brown, black, green, gray and blue. Each of these colors describes a specific noise spectral density, and they are used in various fields of engineering, acoustics, and physics.

Pink noise is slightly more pleasing to the human ear and is therefore more commonly used in sound machines than true white noise, which sounds rather harsh.

Pink noise also contains all audible frequencies, but the power between them is not equally divided: as the frequency decreases, the power increases, making it sound lower than white noise to humans.

While the latter sounds like TV static, pink noise is more like the sound of heavy rain.

Brown noise has even more power at low frequencies and has a much deeper sound than white or pink noise.

It is also called red noise to describe the power spectrum of sound, while the name brown noise actually refers to Brownian motion.

Several white noise machines include a brown noise option that is more effective at masking low frequency sounds such as doors slamming or footsteps coming from above.

Black noise is the most mystical “color” of noise and has many definitions, but it is most commonly referred to as the sound of silence.

Who Can Benefit From White Noise?

(a) Anyone who has trouble falling asleep

If you suffer from insomnia, stress or tinnitus, or have to deal with noisy neighbors, white noise can help you fall asleep better and faster.

It generates a soothing constant background noise that relaxes the mind and body for quality sleep. It helps to stop the running of thoughts and, most importantly, masks external noises as well as ringing in the ears and other symptoms of tinnitus.

(b) Light sleepers

If you’re the kind of person who wakes up at the slightest noise, you can easily achieve better, healthier sleep by adding a white noise generator to your sleeping environment.

It generates a background sound of several frequencies combined together, which distracts the brain and thus prevents it from paying attention to unwanted external noises. And you will no longer wake up in the middle of the night!

(c) Night workers

I know from experience how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep if you work shifts or night shifts.

It’s hard enough to try to fall asleep immediately after coming home from work because even if you feel very tired, your body and brain are still active.

In addition, it is simply unnatural for us to sleep during the day when it is light outside. Also, everyone else is getting ready for a (noisy) day, and it may not be possible to get some rest if you live in an apartment building, near heavy traffic, or if you don’t live alone.

In the end, I was afraid to even try to relax and sleep, because even if it was quiet at first, I knew that something was about to happen: someone would come home slamming the door, my neighbor’s dog would go crazy or, according to at least one of my neighbors decided that today is a good day to rearrange the furniture.

And then I got a white noise machine and it really helped me. My mind focused on the constant sound of the fan and after a while I fell asleep easily.

It also helped me psychologically: I knew it would put me to sleep and block out outside noises so I could relax more quickly and not worry about the possibility of a violent awakening.

(d) Parents of a newborn

White noise also has a calming effect on children, which is why it is quite popular with parents. Using white noise is a quick way to put your baby to sleep and keep them awake.

There is a wide variety of white noise machines designed specifically for children. Most also include a heartbeat sound that soothes babies by mimicking the sounds they heard in the womb.

Studies have not shown harmful effects of white noise on children, but care should be taken not to turn it on too loudly, as this can damage a child’s hearing.

People often forget that what is too quiet for us is not too quiet for newborns, even if the environment they were born into was quite noisy.

(e) Open-office workers

Most people find it difficult to focus on working in an open office. If this is your problem, then you can solve it by simply taking a white noise generator with you to your workplace.

It generates constant background noise so that your brain no longer pays attention to conversations, phone calls and constantly slamming doors, relieving stress and allowing you to be more productive.

If you place it between yourself and a source of distracting sounds, it can drown them out quite effectively. White noise can also help you concentrate better if you’re working from home.

(f) Students

Several studies have shown that white noise and ambient sounds from nature, such as the ocean or rain, improve concentration and memory by masking disturbing outside noises.

Birdsong seems to be the most recommended soundscape for mental work and study as it soothes us physically while our minds remain alert.

Birdsong also tends to vary a bit, so it doesn’t have a short, repetitive monotone pattern that makes you sleepy rather than harsh.

A white noise machine can also relieve you of stress if you have to study in a dorm or some other noisy place.

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How to Choose the Best White Noise Machine?

If this is your first white noise generator, be aware that it may take a couple of days to get used to the sound.

When I first turned on white noise at night, it didn’t calm me down at all! But it blocked the noise coming from my upstairs neighbors and after a while I started to like the sound.

There are a few things you should consider when buying a white noise or sound machine in addition to obvious factors such as price, design, and warranty period.

(i) How many sounds do you need?

If you need a sound machine to solve any problem like tinnitus or loud neighbors, then a pure white noise machine will do the job.

There are several types, some generate noise naturally with the help of a fan, while others play pre-recorded sounds.

Some of the machines also have many different white noise sounds to choose from, including pink and brown noise, and have customizable tone and frequency.

However, if you are struggling with stress or just enjoy listening to relaxing nature sounds, a sound machine that has both nature tracks and a white noise option is your best bet.

(ii) Where are you going to use it?

If you only plan on using it in your bedroom for better sleep, then any type of machine will probably do.

However, if you travel a lot or are going to transport your car between home and office, for example, you need a compact, lightweight and portable device.

You may also want it to have a battery backup option that would allow you to place it anywhere.

In addition, it can save you a night when you travel to a country where the sockets are of a different type.

Some white noise machines, such as the Lectrofan, come with a USB cable in addition to the normal adapter and can be connected to a computer.

There are also sound machines with a headphone jack and no headphone or speaker cushion option.

Therefore, if you are planning to turn on white noise in a place where it may disturb other people, you should check for a headphone jack before purchasing.

(iii) Should there be a timer?

You can find sound machines that can play for a certain amount of time with a timer and run continuously.

However, some machines don’t have a timer and only stop when you turn them off, while others can be set to run for up to an hour and can’t run all night.

(iv) What about the fancy extras?

A large selection of sound machines are equipped with additional features such as a clock, FM radio or an alarm clock.

Some of them also have a night light function, and there are even sound machines with an aromatherapy option.

Best White Noise Machine 2023 – Top Picks

Marpac Dohm has been around since the 60s and is still one of the most popular white noise machines.

Marpac Yogasleep Dohm Classic White Noise Machine has a wide range of applications: it is equally good for masking sounds during private conversations, studying, sleeping, working or lulling a baby.

It’s also compact and small enough to take with you when you travel. This is a quality product that is strong and durable, but it also comes with a 1 year warranty.

It generates a constant sound of rushing air with a built-in fan rather than playing a pre-recorded sound of white noise.

Thus, there are no noticeable loops, which seems to be a problem with many digital audio machines.

The white noise that the MMarpac Yogasleep Dohm creates is very effective at masking unwanted sounds and the machine is very easy to use.

You can choose between two speeds that allow you to customize the tone of the sound that Dohm produces.

For example, a lower speed creates a deeper sound that is better for blocking low frequency sounds.

You can further customize the sound by turning the machine’s lid, and the small sound holes on the side allow you to set your desired sound volume when you turn the machine’s collar.

So, although it is a simple machine, it can help you solve any unwanted noise problem.

However, it doesn’t have extra features like a timer or a headphone jack, and it’s a pure white noise generator without any extra sounds.

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If you are a fan of white noise or have problems with disturbing sounds, then this is the perfect device for you.

This Lectrofan machine has 20 sound options: 10 white noise settings that range from low to high pitch, and 10 different fan options!

It has something for every taste and every situation, and there are no disturbing sounds this machine can’t mask, making it the best sleep aid if you have noisy neighbors.

Lektrofan drowns out conversations, television, household noises, snoring, traffic, barking and footsteps, and also masks sounds in the ears such as ringing or clicking.

It can also be used successfully to improve concentration at work and to calm a child or even a pet.

In addition to the best selection of white noise, the machine stands out for its excellent sound quality, wide volume control options, and no noticeable loops.

Lektrofan has a 60 minute timer. Each time you press the timer button, another 60 minutes are added, so if you don’t want the machine to run continuously, it’s easy to turn it on for just two or three hours.

Another great thing about this sound machine is that it comes with a USB cable so you can plug it into your computer or use it in the car to soothe your baby.

The USB option, along with the small size and weight of the Lectrofan, allows you to use it if you travel a lot, but there is also a travel machine version that includes a selection of different AC adapters for international use.

Lectrofan also has a white noise generator designed specifically for babies and children.

It has 6 fan sounds and 6 white noise sounds as well as 18 lullabies that can be played individually or randomly. You can purchase the Junior machine in three colors: white, blue and pink.

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Sound+Sleep is one of the best sound machines you can get and it doesn’t even come in the highest price range of sound machines.

Firstly, it has an adaptive sound function: the car changes its volume depending on the volume of external noises!

For example, if your neighbor’s dog starts barking, the volume of the car will increase. When the barking stops and becomes quieter again, the volume returns to the level you set.

This makes it an ideal sleep machine, especially during daytime when there are many opportunities for disturbing noises such as traffic, garbage trucks, and other people such as your family members, roommates, or neighbors.

And, of course, you can disable adaptive mode if you prefer a constant volume level.

The choice of different sound profiles is also impressive. Sound + Sleep has 10 main tracks to choose from: Ocean, Fireplace, Waterfall, Train, Meadow, City, Stream, Meditation, Downpour and of course White Noise.

All recordings are natural, realistic and enjoyable, with no noticeable repetitive cycles.

Plus, you can add richness and layers to the main sounds, making a total of 30 different sounds on this machine! It has a large speaker and the sound quality is also one of the best among white noise and sound machines.

The volume is adjustable, and if necessary, the machine can operate very loudly. This sound machine has white, brown and pink noise options so it can mask different types of sounds like traffic, snoring or footsteps.

Sound+Sleep comes with several additional features. If you don’t want your chosen sound to play all night, you can set the timer to 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.

It also has a headphone jack and 1 year warranty. Despite the many settings, the sound machine is really easy to use.

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Babies seem to love this adorable sleeping sheep and as such, it has long been one of the most popular white noise machines for kids.

The sheep is very soft, so it can be used as a toy as well as a white noise generator.

You can easily remove the sound box and give the sheep to your child as a soft toy. It is easy to wash and take care of it.

The great thing about this white noise generator is that it is battery operated, so you can take it with you when you visit or go for a walk.

It also has a Velcro strap that makes it easy to attach the sheep to a crib or stroller.

Sleep Sheep has 4 different white noise sounds to choose from: whale song, rain, ocean and mother’s heartbeat.

It also comes with 4 melodies that can be used while breastfeeding or while playing: Rockabye Baby, Twinkle Twinkle, Classical Lullaby and Tranquil Melody.

There are 4 buttons on the back of the sheep to select different sound options, and the volume is also adjustable. There is a timer that can be set to 23 or 45 minutes.

Unfortunately, the Sleep Sheep can’t produce continuous white noise, but it’s still the perfect sound machine for putting your baby to bed or quickly soothing your little one away from home.

Cloud B also has a Sleep Sheep version made specifically for travel. It’s called Sleep Sheep On The Go and is even smaller and more compact than a full-sized machine.

Due to its smaller size, it is easier to attach it to the stroller, but there are fewer sounds to choose from: only 4 basic sounds and no lullabies.

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This Homedics Sound Spa is one of the cheapest sound machines in the online bestseller.

Obviously you can’t expect exactly the same sound quality as the highest price range from such a cheap machine, but it’s the best choice at this price and it does the job well.

It comes with a lot of sounds and a few extra features so it’s a great sleep aid as well as a sound machine for relaxing, studying or working. It is small and light, so you can take it with you when you travel.

Homedics SS-2000G has 6 different sounds: white noise and 5 nature sounds: summer night, rain, ocean, thunder and stream. The sounds of nature are natural and rich, the white noise setting is pleasant and successfully drowns out extraneous noise.

The track “Summer Night” is great for masking tinnitus, as it includes several high-pitched sounds.

The great thing about this product is that it can run on batteries if needed, so you can place it anywhere in the house or even take it outside.

It also has a timer that automatically turns off the machine after 15, 30 or 60 minutes, but you can also leave it running all night.

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I know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep while traveling. Most hotels are not exactly the place to find peace and quiet.

People are slamming doors all night and there is always a party going on in some room. In addition, hotels are usually located in an area with high traffic or active nightlife.

Even if you are lucky with accommodation, you can still find it difficult to sleep due to the difference in time zones. That’s why it’s always a good idea to take a white noise generator with you when you travel.

As the name suggests, the Marsona Travel Sound Conditioner was designed specifically for travel. It is much smaller than most sound machines and therefore does not take up much space in a suitcase.

It is also very compact and weighs only about 1 lb. It comes with a travel kit that includes 4 different adapters to connect the device to a wall in Europe, the US, Australia or the UK.

It also comes with a dual voltage transformer and a small nylon travel pouch. The power cord is detachable, which makes packing even more convenient.

Marsona TSCI-330 has a choice of different white noise settings: rain, waterfall, surf and static white noise. You can also adjust the tone by mixing sounds together.

The sound quality is surprisingly good for such a small machine, and the volume is very high, making it suitable for masking all sorts of disturbing sounds.

Like all Marpac sound devices, this travel sound device is a high quality product. It is really durable so you can use it both at home and when traveling. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty.

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Is White Noise Machine Harmful?

So far, there are no extensive studies on the negative effects of white noise, and studies conducted with white noise have only yielded positive results.

However, as with any audio device, prolonged use at high volumes can damage your hearing, especially if you use headphones.

White noise for babies

Young children usually start with an untrained sleep-wake cycle. In the first few months after birth, babies begin to naturally adjust to daytime and nighttime routines. The main problem is to put the child to sleep all night.

However, babies are very different, they all react differently. In this case, many mothers use white noise as a solution to the problem of children’s sleep.

Even before birth, the baby is already accustomed to loud sounds. In case you didn’t know, the uterus is a very noisy environment.

However, the infant’s nervous system is not yet mature, and this makes him nervous and flinch when exposed to loud noise or lack of support.

Swaddling can help reduce the physical impact of this reflex. However, if your sleep problem persists, white noise can help a lot.

The best thing about white noise is that it doesn’t make offensive sounds, but rather masks other sounds that might scare your child.

Babies are very sensitive when it comes to hearing, so keeping the volume at conversational level is recommended.

In addition, it is wise to reduce the child’s exposure to white noise.

A child’s brain requires stimulation to develop properly, and excessive use of white noise can reduce the range of sounds a child hears.

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