The 11 Best White Noise Machines of 2023

Best Overall

Marpac Yogasleep Dohm Classic The Original White Sound Machine

4.9

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The Marpac Yogasleep Dohm Classic White Noise Sound Machine is our top pick because it’s easy to operate, has a simple design, and produces effective white noise.  A fan inside the unit produces the classic ambient sound of moving air that users have come to love. Once plugged in, the machine plays consistently through the night (and day), which is appealing to parents who prefer units that do not shut off automatically.

The machine comes with two volume settings: high and low. The shell of the unit can be adjusted left and right for slight variations in the tone. Many parents say they appreciate the Dohm’s high-quality acoustic sound in comparison to other sound machines’ digitally recorded white noise.

Price at time of publication: $48

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug | Number of Sounds: 2 | Timer Increments: None}

Best for Travel

Marpac Yogasleep Hushh Compact Sound Machine

4.5

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The Marpac Hushh White Noise Sound Machine is a top-rated (and affordable) portable white noise machine. The lightweight machine—just 3.8 ounces, and 3.5 inches across—includes options for bright white noise, deep white noise, and gentle ocean sounds. It can be fastened to a stroller, car seat (perfect for babies who tend to get fussy in the car) or any household surface—and don’t worry, it has a child lock so curious little hands can’t adjust the volume on their own.

Parents call the Marpac Hushh long-lasting and reliable and say the sound is high-quality. They also love that it’s USB rechargeable, so there’s no need to worry about batteries.

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: USB port | Number of Sounds: 3 | Timer Increments: None}

Best Customizable

Hatch Rest Night Light and Smart Sound Machine

4.9

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The Hatch Baby Rest Night Light, Sound Machine, and Time-to-Rise is definitely the best “smart” white noise machine out there. It connects to your smartphone (iPhone or Android) and allows you to coordinate your family’s sleep schedule, combining a night light, soothing sound machine, and time-to-rise phone alert in one system. You can control the light and sounds remotely with a tap of your phone or set automated times for them to turn on, so no more tiptoeing around a sleeping baby!

The soft night light and white noise are best for helping babies get to sleep, while the nightlight alone can still help a toddler drift off to sleep. The light and sound combinations are customizable and selected by sleep experts, so you won’t have to fiddle with them much to make them effective.

Price at time of publication: $70

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug | Number of Sounds: 11 | Timer Increments: Customizable}

Best Budget

Homedics SoundSpa Sound Machine

4.2

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At this price, the HoMedics SoundSpa Sleep Sound Machine is a solid, basic option for a white noise machine. It includes six options for digitally recorded white noise and nature sounds, such as thunder, brook, rain, and ocean. It’s highly portable and lightweight and can be plugged in using an adapter or run on batteries.

Many parents use this to improve their own sleep as well as their baby’s. Because of its low price, the HoMedics SoundSpa Sleep Sound Machine is also a good choice if you’re just looking to try out white noise as a soother for your baby and aren’t yet sure if it will work. Still, the sound quality isn’t ideal, say many parents, so if you’re looking for crystal-clear audio, you may need to pay a little more.

Price at time of publication: $24

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug or Battery | Number of Sounds: 6 | Timer Increments: 15, 30, and 60 minutes}

Best Design

Cloud B Soothing Sounds Ella The Unicorn

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The Cloud B Sleep Sheep is undoubtedly the cutest white noise machine on the market. The sound machine is encased inside an adorable stuffed sheep that attaches to your baby’s crib using Velcro and can be easily removed for machine washing. The Cloud B Sleep Sheep plays nature sounds, lullabies, and “mother’s heartbeat” (perfect for newborns). The volume is adjustable, and even though the machine is inside a stuffed animal, it’s perfectly audible.

The Cloud B Sleep Sheep has two automated timer options: one that shuts off after 23 minutes and another that turns off after 45 minutes. Many parents swear by the Sleep Sheep and say it’s a lifesaver—and a very cute one at that!

Price at time of publication: $30

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Battery | Number of Sounds: 8 | Timer Increments: 23 and 45 minutes}

Best Sound Quality

Big Red Rooster Baby White Noise Machine 6 Sleep Sounds

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Some parents complain about white noise machines having low-quality noise or a shrill, high-pitched, or “tinny” sound. Particularly if you’re specifically looking for white noise and aren’t as concerned about other sounds, the Big Red Rooster Baby Sound Machine is a good option.

Many parents report that the Big Red Rooster’s white noise is especially deep and effectively masks other environmental sounds more than other machines. You can also leave the sound on all night, which is a lifesaver for some parents who don’t want it to shut off after just an hour or so (especially if you’re lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps all night!).

The Big Red Rooster is compact enough for travel and can be charged via outlet or batteries. At this price, it’s a budget-friendly, straightforward option for a sound machine, and, in addition to white noise, offers options for nature sounds and heartbeat rhythms.

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug or Batteries | Number of Sounds: 6 | Timer Increments: 15, 30, or 60 minutes}

Best Versatility

Munchkin Sound Asleep Nursery Projector and Sound Machine with LED Nightlight

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The Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System packs in a lot of bells and whistles, including nine different sound options and three different cartridges that project sky, rainforest, and ocean scenes onto the walls or ceiling (depending on where you rotate the lens) of your baby’s nursery for an overall soothing atmospheric effect. The Munchkin Nursey system can be set up to automatically shut off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or you can have it play continuously for up to 8 hours.

One of the best and most unique features of the Munchkin Nursery Projector is its voice activation system, which responds directly to your baby’s cry, turning on as soon as your little one gets fussy. Some users do say that the projectors aren’t long-lasting, though, and a few have reported theirs breaking (though others say it endured a lot of kicking around from active toddlers), so be forewarned.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug | Number of Sounds: 9 | Timer Increments: 15, 30, 60 minutes or continuous play}

Best for All Ages

AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine

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The AVANTEK Sound Machine is versatile enough that it can help you, your older kids, and your baby sleep soundly. The AVANTEK is infinitely customizable, with 30 possible volume settings and over 20 available sounds, including six different kinds of white noise. It’s great for adults and little ones alike, so it can grow with your family.

If you or an older child needs to use the sound machine while working or trying to nap, you can use the AVANTEK’s built-in headphone jack to listen to the soothing ambient or white noise sounds without disturbing anyone else. This is one of the only sound machines with this feature, making the AVANTEK a popular choice for families where multiple people have sleeping problems or want to work without distraction.

The AVANTEK timer can be set for up to 7 hours, and the volume gradually fades out before the machine shuts off, so if you or your baby is sleeping for longer than that (lucky!), it won’t be jarring.

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: USB port | Number of Sounds: 20 | Timer Increments: 1-7 hours or continuous}

Best Nightlight

Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Baby Soother

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Featuring four sweet lullabies and four soothing nature sounds, this adorable owl will wrap your restless baby up in calming, sleep-inducing melodies. The starry projector and soft glowing nightlight with a controllable dimmer will give your kiddo the perfect amount of bedtime light. You can set the sound machine to automatically shut off after a certain amount of time or let it play all night if your baby is having an especially hard time dozing off.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Plug | Number of Sounds: 8 | Timer Increments: 15, 30, 60 minutes or continuous play}

Best for Strollers

Baby Shusher The Sleep Miracle Sound Machine

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When you're on the go and your little one is extra fussy, this ultra-portable sound machine featuring real human shush sounds can help calm your baby down. With a 15 to 30-minute timer and volume control built-in, your sweetie will be swayed into relaxation before you know it. The removable wrist strap allows you to use it while holding your baby or attach it to your stroller. Save your breath; the Baby Shusher has you covered.

Price at time of publication: $35

^{Key Specs:
Power Source: Batteries | Number of Sounds: 1 | Timer Increments: 15 to 30 minutes}