2023's Best Sound Machines and White Noise Machines
White noise devices can be a lifeline for parents of babies who have trouble sleeping. However, determining which will work best can be difficult with many alternatives.
We’ve tried machines that sounded tinny or had high-pitched sounds in the background that irritated our ears — and some of them can even harm our hearing. We’ve also been annoyed by some devices’ lack of portability and poor functionality. Your white noise machine should help you relax rather than increase your stress levels.
So, no matter where you are, we’ve aimed to identify the most incredible baby sound machines that will help you all relax and sleep better.
We investigated and evaluated all top-rated items to bring you this list of baby sound machines for every occasion. We’ve included portable, plug-in, stuffed animal, and combo baby sound machines so you can pick the right one to help your baby sleep better.
Quick Picks: 2023's Best Sound Machines and White Noise Machines
What Makes Sound Machines Go?
Some people believe that babies are encased in silence when in the womb. While the noises of our surroundings may be muffled, your baby is not growing in silence.
The womb can be rather noisy. Your baby hears your stomach gurgling and heartbeat.
Because they are accustomed to the constant commotion, placing your baby to sleep in an unusually calm setting may make them feel frightened or out of place.
Your infant is in a strange environment and can hear even the slightest noises, which can shock them. After waking up, younger newborns have difficulty settling back to sleep independently. The noise machine comes in helpful at this point.
The most incredible baby sound machines will make a soothing noise familiar to your infant. It will also assist in shutting out any background sounds that might frighten them.
Types of Sound Machines
The features of different types of infant sound machines vary. Here’s what you need to know about each type to choose the one that best suits your needs.
1. Portable
If your infant naps in various locations, a portable sound machine is a great solution. It might be challenging to get your infant to sleep if you are constantly on the go, and dragging a good machine around can be difficult.
A battery-powered portable sound machine can be used in almost any place. With an electrical outlet, you’re not limited by space. Simply make sure you have some additional batteries on hand.
2. Plug-In
You can plug a music machine into a wall outlet works. If you’re searching for a stationary sound machine for your baby’s nursery, this is the one to get.
This type has the advantage of not requiring power conservation or battery replacement. Because this type of machine is powered by electricity, it frequently has additional functions. You should always be kept out of your baby’s reach because the cable can strangle them.
3. Animal Stuffed
A stuffed animal with a small sound machine inside is what this type of sound machine is. These are useful since your youngster may develop a bond with the plush animal. On the other hand, stuffed animals should never be placed in your baby’s cot because they are not a safe sleep item for babies. However, once your baby is old enough to sleep with other things in their bed, they can snuggle up to these soft sound machines to sleep.
Stuffed animal sound machines typically operate by pressing a button, and babies quickly learn how to use them. They’re also portable to take them in the vehicle, daycare, or other people’s houses.
4. Combination
Combination sound machines combine multiple baby necessities, eliminating the need to buy two separate devices.
A sound machine with an alarm clock, baby monitor, humidifier, radio, night light, or ceiling projection is ubiquitous.
How to Select the Most Effective Baby Sound Machines
When selecting the most incredible baby sound machine for your child, consider the following factors:
Source of power: Batteries are more portable, but a plug-in may be more convenient in the nursery.
Remote control: The ability to remotely manage your baby’s sound machine eliminates the need to enter the room and wake your infant every time the excellent machine starts or stops.
Sleep timer: Most portable sound machines have a timer to save battery life. However, suppose you want a sound machine to play with all night. In that case, the timer can be inconvenient because some models can only play before shutting off for a set amount of time.
Types of sounds: White noise, nursery songs, heartbeat, animal sounds, and nature noises. The heartbeat and white noise are preferred by most newborn newborns, although they will eventually drift toward the other sounds.
Appearance: There are a variety of designs available, some of which are charming and others which are awful. You must determine which aspects are essential to you and whether the features take precedence over the appearance.
The Best Sound Machines of 2023
Here are some of our favorite baby sound devices.
Best Sound Machine Night Light Combo
If you are looking for a sound machine with many features, this is one of the best. This music machine is very customizable and will grow with your child.
It was created using scientifically proven light hues that encourage healthy circadian rhythms and melatonin production, and white noise to aid sleep. It is entirely adjustable, programmable, and smartphone-controlled.
As your child develops from a bassinet to a big kid bed, it responds to your requirements. Giving gentle light for diaper changes, midnight breastfeeding, and reassuring your toddler it’s okay to get up. It allows you to reimagine bedtime so that your family may receive a better night’s sleep.
Choose from various colors and sounds to create the optimal sleeping environment for your child’s specific sleep demands. The night light feature reassures children of their safety. In addition, you have the choice to keep the light on all night while it remains cool to the touch.
Pros
Cons
Best Sound Machine with Projector
The VTech soother projector projects soothing colored stars into the ceiling, thereby calming children.
The sound machine plays various children’s songs, white noise, music, and other sounds. The soothing music should induce relaxation in your youngster before bedtime, allowing them to fast asleep.
A voice-activated sensor will trigger the machine to play music to reset their mood and soothe them back to deep sleep if your child awakens.
It has a volume control that allows you to adjust the volume to your liking. Remember to keep the volume low to safeguard your infant’s hearing.
The star projection and music can be manually activated by pressing a button.
Pros
Cons
Best Sound Machine With App
When you start at a young age, it is possible to sleep soundly. LectroFan Kinder can help your child obtain the best sleep, improve their bedtime routine, and give you peace of mind.
Connect it to any regular outlet, download the app, and use your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet to manage the experience. It makes it an excellent option for IT enthusiasts.
We appreciate being able to alter the white noise from outside the bedroom without causing a nuisance. We have often awakened our infants by tiptoeing into their room at night, resulting in extended settling times.
Using the app, you can control from a distance which sounds or songs play and in what order, the volume, the brightness and color of the multicolored night light, and how long the sounds and light stay on.
This baby sound machine plays more than seventy-five high-quality sounds and lullabies, offering you a large variety for your child.
Pros
Cons
Best Baby Shusher
The Baby Shusher prevents weeping by stimulating your baby’s natural calming instinct. It employs a parenting technique popularized by Dr. Harvey Karp in his book “The Happiest Baby on the Block.”
The fourth “S” of the “Five S’s” is silencing. Utilizing loud, rhythmic shushing sounds, it employs ancient, time-tested methods.
The doctor recommended an extensively tested approach to stop a baby’s crying spell and activate their natural calming reflex.
The repetitive shushing sound reminds your kid of being in the womb. They were constantly bombarded by blood flow and other in utero sounds. What initially sounds harsh might be soothing to a baby.
Babies cry everywhere, and the Baby Shusher is small, portable, and simple to clean. We enjoy using it in the car, visiting friends and family, and performing essential daily tasks like grocery shopping and keeping up with friends.
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Best White Noise Machine
The Homedics White Noise sound machine includes white noise, thunder, ocean, rain, summer night, and brook among its six nature sounds.
It has an adjustable volume level, allowing your infant to effortlessly relax or fall asleep despite the presence of distracting background sounds.
This model can be powered by the provided wall adapter or four AA batteries, which are not included.
It also includes an auto-off function. The timer can be set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes. Or, if you choose, you can keep it on all night.
In addition to white noise, this product includes five other natural noises that are excellent for relaxing your infant. The repetitive tones induce a sense of security that lulls individuals of all ages to sleep.
Pros
Cons
Best Portable Noise Machine
MyBaby SoundSpa is travel-friendly. White noise, ocean, lullaby sounds, and heartbeat are high quality. These soothing sounds conceal ambient noises to help your baby sleep.
A 15-minute, 30-minute, or 45-minute optional sleep timer allows you to conserve battery life and limit your baby’s exposure to noise.
The incorporated clip allows for attachment to strollers and car seats, making the design portable and ideal for travel. And you are not restricted to using this sound device while traveling. It is also convenient and easy to transport from room to room.
Pros
Cons
Best Plush Toy Noise Machine
The owl soothing soft toy is a charming plush toy with voice-activated noises that helps relax and soothe your newborn baby. There are ten musical tunes and ten nature sounds available for selection.
This cuddly toy wakes your baby. When quiet is detected, a calming tone plays. It erases your doubt.
It is not the ideal option if you are looking for a baby sound machine that can operate all night. It is perfect for parents who simply wish to deliver soothing sounds to their children when they are angry.
Suppose you are concerned about your baby becoming reliant on the machine as a sleep aid. In that case, this sound machine plush toy only activates when it hears your baby scream and then shuts off when your baby is silent is ideal. Additionally, it conserves battery life by not operating continuously.
Pros
Cons
Best Humidifier Combo
The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier combines calming humidity and soothing noises to help your infant sleep through the night.
The one-gallon tank provides up to twenty-four hours of run time for each filling. Its conveniently accessible, water-absorbing component helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the tank and air. The optional night light illuminates the room softly. The calming noises shut off distractions and soothe your baby to sleep.
One of the many features is an energy-saving auto-off timer. It is an excellent option for infant naps.
We appreciate the versatility of this machine. It assisted our infants in falling asleep and quelled their fussiness.
This device can assist more than simply infants. Adults can also use it to block out distractions and improve concentration when studying or working. It can be utilized to clean the air in any nursery, bedroom, dorm, apartment, or office.
Pros
Cons
Best Heartbeat Sound Machine
This beautiful sound machine helps to drown out home noises. It encourages more peaceful sleep, bringing a sense of tranquility to your baby’s nursery.
Each of the six sound settings was chosen with your baby in mind to help you create the perfect atmosphere for naptime and bedtime.
The sound of the heartbeat is an excellent technique to calm babies. This device can also play lullaby, ocean, rain, fan, and white noise noises.
The inbuilt quality speakers provide superb volume control, allowing you to adjust the volume to a comfortable level for your infant.
Pros
Cons
Best Baby Sound Machines
Best Baby White Noise Machine: Yoga Sleep Dohm Classic Natural Sound Machine
Best Sound Machine With Battery & A.C. Power: HomeMedics MyBaby SoundSpa
Best Baby Sound Machine With a Night Light: Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
Best Portable Sound Machine for Baby: HoMedics MyBaby SoundSpa On-the-Go Sound Machine
Best Smart Home Sound Machine: Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker With Alexa
Best Natural Shushing Sound: Baby Shusher
Best Affordable Sound Machine for Baby: Big Red Rooster 6 Sound White Noise Machine
While your tendency may be to make the baby’s nursery as quiet as possible while he sleeps in her cot, a little sound — provided it’s the right sound — can help him fall and stay asleep.
Think about it: Your baby’s cozy home inside the womb was relatively noisy. As he developed, he started regularly hearing your heartbeat, voice, and external music. It can be difficult for some babies to transition into a silent nursery, which is why baby sound machines are such a popular registry item.
Why Use a Baby Sound Machine?
Chances are, your little one’s nursery isn’t soundproof. Everything from cars honking outside to your phone ringing in the next room to a noisy older sibling can disturb his sleep. Babies can be startled quite easily by sudden noises. Still, a sound machine can help drown out disturbances to keep your little one sleeping peacefully.
“White noise machines can be beneficial in assisting babies with falling and staying asleep,” says Miami-based pediatrician Gary Kramer, M.D. And with sleep being so crucial, especially in those early days, a sound machine can be a lifesaver. (They can also help you get some much-needed winks yourself).
How Do Baby Sound Machines Work?
By playing constant, repetitive white noise, sound machines help lull babies to sleep and keep them asleep. The noise also helps drown out other sounds in the household that could potentially wake your baby up. “The concept is, they emit soothing sounds which block out other background noises in the household that could be disruptive,” Dr. Kramer says.
Some baby sound machines also project lights, animal shapes, or stars on the ceiling or walls. Give the baby something soothing to watch as his lids grow heavier and heavier.
Types of Baby Sound Machines
There are a few different types of sound machines on the market, and all of them can be useful. Picking the right one comes down to deciding on the features you want and whether you plan to use the machine at home or on the go.
All-purpose white noise machines: These standard white noise machines are designed to be used in any setting. Where a person seeks to drown out outside sounds, including adult or child bedrooms, they usually come with multiple sound and volume settings and may have a timer. However, they do not provide features explicitly tailored to newborns or children (like a heartbeat sound, projector lights, or a cute design).
Sound machines for babies or toddlers: These work in the same way as traditional white noise machines but in more kid-friendly packaging. The machines might have sounds specifically designed to mimic what a baby may have heard in the womb or offer soothing lights that project onto your baby’s wall or ceiling. Some might have features you can take advantage of as your child grows. Signal to a toddler or preschooler to get out of bed using a nightlight or color-changing light.
Smart noise machines: Smart machines can be synched up to your phone so that you can control them remotely. They can be a good option for changing the machine’s sound or volume settings without having to creep into your baby’s nursery while he’s sleeping.
Portable noise machines: these battery-powered machines may help your baby fall asleep in the car or stroller when needed.
What to Look for in a Baby Sound Machine
Sound machines can have a variety of settings. Some play gentle songs or nature sounds, while others emit simple white noise. All have the goal of gently lulling the baby to sleep. Essential features to look for include:
- Sound selection
- Timer
- Automatic shutoff
- Portability
- Continuous play
- Night light
- Adjustable volume
- A.C. adapter/battery power
- Ability to sync with your phone, if desired
Where to Place a Baby Sound Machine in the Nursery
Sound machines are great for helping baby sleep, but you also want to ensure you aren’t damaging your little one’s ears. “Some studies have shown that sound machines can if misused, harm hearing and speech development,” Dr. Kramer says. A 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics. They found that specific sound machines were geared toward infants. It can be as loud as 85 decibels when placed a foot away from babies — which can damage hearing even in the short term.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a machine no louder than 50 decibels. You’ll want to place the sound machine at least 7 feet away from the baby’s crib and use a low volume setting. Use a free app like the NIOSH Sound Level Meter from the Centers for Disease Control to check that your noise level is below 50 decibels. This app lets you measure noise levels on your phone.
You’ll also want to ensure that the machine is out of your child’s reach and any cords are safely tucked away.
How to Find a Good White Noise Machine Sound
All white noise isn’t the same, so you should consider what kind of noise a machine makes, how loud it is, and how you can adjust the volume. Some machines play more than just white noise. They also play lullabies, nature sounds, and other sounds.
Portability
You may want a small, portable model if you plan to travel with your noise machine or move it from room to room often. Consider also how much it weighs and whether it runs on electricity or batteries.
Features
Some white noise machines only have basic sounds, but others have many options that let you control and change how you use the machine. There are some advanced features that you might find helpful, like night lights, automatic shutoffs, and parental locks. Some models can be controlled with buttons, others with a remote, and others with your voice or phone. Choose the features that are most important to you.
Conclusion
The Hatch Baby Night Light and Sound Machine is our top recommendation for the most delicate baby sound machine.
We believe it is a worthwhile purchase, despite its high price, because it offers characteristics that allow it to grow with your child. You can begin utilizing this sound machine with your baby and continue to use it until your child is no longer a toddler.
The ability to remotely control this sound machine is a significant advantage. You have various color and sound options to select from, easily accessible.
Learn more: Gear to Help Your Baby—and You—Sleep BetterFrequently Asked Questions About Best Sound Machines & White Noise Machines
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