White noise machines might sound like a type of pseudoscience to some but listening to the ‘anti-noise’ all night can help relax the brain and prepare the mind for sleep.
For those of you who are accustomed to listening to the whirs of a fan at night, you may find you struggle to sleep in a silent room. Noise machines play a range of artificial and naturally-created sounds including tropical rainforest, heartbeats or even city traffic), whereas white noise is comprised of a single, drone like sound. While this roundup focuses on white noise machines, some models on this list come with additional sound features.
They are also a great aid for babies learning to sleep through the night. Several machines have been created specifically to soothe little ones and block out any disturbing noises that may cause unnecessary crying.
From bedside machines with tons of sound profiles to tiny portable devices, these white noise machines are the top-notch gadgets to get you to sleep.
HoMedics Deep Sleep White Noise Machine
This easy-to-use machine has four different sounds to help you sleep, ranging from soothe (which is the highest of all the tones) to calm (best recommended for young children). The timer - which can be set for 30, 60 or 90 minutes - is also a handy feature as is the compact size. The HoMemedics Deep Sleep offered the most pleasant whirl with the deep shhhh noise resonating at the perfect, get-me-to-sleep tone.
£39.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Grohush Noise Baby Calmer
Specifically designed for babies, this handheld device can be safely placed on the side of the child’s head. There is a choice of three noise sounds - heartbeat, ocean waves or rain - and the volume is pre-set, meaning no accidental loud blasts into your baby’s ear. It’s also not a battery-waster, switching itself off after ten minutes.
£14.99 | John Lewis | Buy it now
LectroFan Micro Wireless
This nifty gadget features can fit in the palm of your hand and features a swivel speaker that allows you to project sounds wherever you need them. LectroFan houses a variety of sounds (including five fan tones and four white noises) and is small enough to take on your travels. It also doubles up as a traditional speaker and can be connected to phones and other devices via Bluetooth.
£32.95 | Amazon | Buy it now
myHummy Sleepy Head
myHummy’s cutesy portable device can be attached to anything from a cot to car seat. It plays a number of white noises and can last for up to 12 hours if needed. The technology inside detects when a baby cries, playing the sound automatically. Any parent will also love that it’s machine washable.
£39.99 | myHummy | Buy it now
Lifemax Soothing Sounds Dial
One of the simpler products, Lifemax’s machine can easily be used by adults and children. All you have to do is switch the dial to one of the twelve different sound profiles and relax. It can be set to play all night or fade out as you fall asleep. If you suffer from tinnitus, this is probably your best bet.
£19.99 | Argos | Buy it now
Munchkin Portable Sound Machine and Light
Another machine made just for little ones, Munchkin’s device has a selection of three sounds (shushing, heartbeat and white noise) that calm babies at nap time or during the night. It also contains a nightlight that can be timed to match the noise and is small enough to fit in hand luggage when travelling.
£15 | Tesco | Buy it now
Sound Oasis S-100 White Noise Machine
The S-100 white noise machine plays ten variations of white, pink and grey noise and is subtle enough to be left on all day. There is also a headphone jack if you (or your partner) prefer to keep the soothing sounds to yourself.
£53.98 | Amazon | Buy it now
Verdict
HoMedics Deep Sleep White Noise Machine take our top pick as the best all-rounder. With a simple array of white noise sounds, it can help both adults and small children sleep - as well as block out daytime noise. The timer is also particularly handy at night.
