The best noise machines for sleeping more soundly this summer
Getting a good night's sleep is essential if you want to stay healthy, but it can be a challenge with all the distractions of everyday life. That's where a noise machine can help. Noise machines play sounds to help block disruptive noises and help you fall asleep. They're like noise-canceling headphones, except the whole point is to make noise that helps lull you into a deep slumber.
The soothing audio ranges from white noise to nature sounds, or ambient music. You can get machines that loop audio, or those that deliver a variety all night, so you're always hearing something new, which keeps you from being jarred away by awkward sound stitching. Sure, you could use a smartphone app for the same purpose, but the speakers on these devices are usually louder, crisper, and more convenient for long-term use.
The best sound machines offer immersive sound and tons of audio choices that drown out background noise. Models with more sounds to choose from make it easier to find the right sounds that work for you, too. Below, find some of our picks for the best noise machines of 2024. Sweet dreams!
The best noise machines of 2024
- Best overall noise machine: Sound+Sleep SE Special Edition
- Best noise machine for fan sounds: LectroFan
- Best noise machine with alarm: Hatch Restore 2
- Best noise machine for babies: Raptbaby Smarter Sleep
- Best budget noise machine: Magicteam sound machine
Best overall noise machine: Sound+Sleep SE Special Edition
If you need a variety of sounds to help you get to sleep, this machine is the way to go. Its adaptive listening tech actively monitors your environment and adjusts its volume and sound to neutralize background noise.
It has an expansive catalog of 64 non-looping nature and ambient audio tracks across 16 categories. Choose from rainfall, ocean waves, bubbling brooks, cityscapes, white noise, fans and more. With four adjustable levels per sound, you can find the right choice that works for you depending on what kind of sleeper you are.
It even has an optional timer lets you program it to play for 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes before gently fading out. Dual USB ports make it easy to charge your devices overnight too if you're traveling with it as well, while the 3.5mm headphone jacks let you listen privately.
This is the perfect option for just about any kind of sleeper who needs some noise at night for quality shut-eye.
Best noise machine for fan sounds: LectroFan
Some people need a fan in their room to fall asleep faster. If that sounds like you, the LectroFan can help. It generates 10 fan sounds and 10 white noise variations, including pink and brown noise for a total of 20 non-looping tracks.
The LectroFan lets you customize audio as well as volume and intensity to match your environment and block other loud noises that aren't so peaceful. Instead of just playing a recorded sound that loops, it dynamically generates sounds for you to fall asleep to.
If you do get the LectroFan and it stops working, it comes with a 1,000-day satisfaction guarantee, so you can bring it into your home, and try it out for several nights to know if it's going to be a long-term solution. That's pretty generous, so you'll have tons of time to figure out if the fan noise is really helping you get to sleep or if there's an issue.
Best noise machine with alarm: Hatch Restore 2
Need more out of your noise machine? This all-in-one device can make soothing sleep sounds like white, pink and brown noise to help you get to sleep, ad then wake you up with its sunrise alarm. It's meant to gently wake you with sunlight instead of jarring you awake with a loud alarm.
Designed to use on your nightstand, the Restore 2 has dimmable clock face to keep rooms dark. Just tap to check the time. You can start routines or snooze alarms with a few taps, which is perfect for sleepy hands. It even has an app so you can further customize your schedule the way you want it.
You can find plenty of nature sounds and white noise options on the unit as it comes, but if you want more variety, you can subscribe to the paid Hatch+ Membership for asleep meditations, bedtime stories, soundscapes and more. If you need more out of your noise machine, go with this model.
Best noise machine for babies: Raptbaby Smarter Sleep
Getting your little one to sleep can be a challenge. The Raptbaby Smarter Sleep Sound Machine is designed to help babies sleep better, which means you'll sleep better. This sleep enhancer has pleny of calming soundtracks, including lullabies and womb noises, to help bring on drowsiness and cover up loud noises. Each track has acoustic cues to help support brain development, too.
With eight options, like Brahms' "Lullaby," you can find the best audio that works for your baby's nursery. The device is small but mighty, with a high-fidelity speaker for great sound quality. It's super portable too, with a rechargeable battery for on-the-go use.
Touch controls and a timer make operation easy, and the sounds are so soothing, you might find yourself stealing it out of your baby's room to use in yours.
Best budget noise machine: Magicteam sound machine
Don't want to spend an arm and a leg for a decent noise machine? You definitely don't have to. This affordable budget machine makes it easy to drift off. It has 20 non-looping sleep sounds like white, brown and pink noise plus fan sounds, ocean waves, rainfall and more to help you relax.
It offers 32 volume levels and a timer to play for 1-5 hours before shutting off automatically. Plus, its compact size makes it easy to transport for home, office, or travel use. It's very much a no-frills machine, but it works so well you don't really need much more than that.
If you want a portable and inexpensive noise machine with a range of natura sounds to help you unwind, this is a great budget option.
