In the womb, babies are surrounded by noise and are familiar with ambient whooshing sounds. Some white noise machines can mimic the sounds babies hear while in the womb. Changing the environment when they are born is a life-changing event for them.
Newborns may wake up in homes that have or are near unfamiliar sounds, such as trains, busy cities, or other environmental noises. While your newborn adjusts to the different noises around them over time, you may notice that they are not sleeping well.
In turn, you also are losing sleep and need coffee just to function. Does this sound like your life and how your newborn is reacting to their new environment? Babies often need to feel secure and tend to sleep better when they are cuddled.
However, you also need to get some sleep so that you can care for them. A white noise machine is an alternative option that plays sounds that may soothe your baby. Familiar sounds relax and reduce anxiety in your baby while making them feel secure.
Are you looking for a solution to help soothe your baby and finally get some sleep yourself? If you answered yes, you’re in luck because you came to the right place.
In this review, you’ll be introduced to five of the top-of-the-line baby white noise machines. We will highlight features of each product, so you’ll have all the information you need to make the right choice for your needs. Read further to find out more.
Best White Noise Machine for Baby Reviews
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise – Best Seller
- Note that new, updated 2nd Gen Wi-Fi version of this product is also available, with additional features.
- Sound Machine. Includes soothing sounds like white noise, ocean, wind, birds and rain.
- Night Light. Fun, bedside lamp with infinite custom color hues. Illuminate the crib and changing table to ease nighttime infant feedings.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine utilizes customizable hues that promote healthy circadian rhythms and melatonin production to help regulate the sleep and wake cycle. White noise has proven to be very valuable in helping toddlers, infants, and newborns to fall asleep.
The Hatch Baby is a comprehensive sleep system combined with sound therapy and light in a device that can be accessed using any Smartphone or IOS device. It allows parents to dim the lights or lower the sound without entering the room. This will help to soothe your baby without disrupting them.
The sound should be turned up no louder than an average conversation (which is about 65dB), so you shouldn’t need to raise your voice to speak over it. The Rest App allows you to program the device for a peaceful naptime, bedtime, and wake time to help train your baby’s sleep routine.
When programmed, the app can turn off the night light while leaving the sound play, giving your newborn an adequate amount of time to fall asleep. Once you have rest times programmed, it will automatically turn on, but can still be adjusted by your phone or manually as needed.
It comes with a unique tabletop unit that is designed to help children sleep as they grow. With custom colors, you can create the perfect sleep environment for your baby’s sleep patterns. The night light feature promotes a secure feeling for your newborn and an adequate amount of light for changing diapers and feedings.
The unit features can stay on all night and still feel cool to the touch. Therefore, giving parents the peace of mind knowing the unit will never overheat or burn their baby if they should touch it.
Features
- Programmable Hatch Baby Rest App for Smartphone and IOS devices
- Time-to-rise alert
- Soft light and white noise option
- Lock feature for settings
- Customizable colors, brightness, and sound
- 1-year warranty
Verdict
With smart technology, modern design, and thoughtful functions, the Hatch Baby Rest has become the best seller in today’s white noise industry. With the 1-year warranty, you’ll have nothing to lose and sleep to gain. It also includes a lock feature, so settings are never changed from your baby’s play.
Pros
- Helps to adjust your baby’s sleep patterns
- Easy and simple to use
- Grows with your baby
- Has safety features that keep the device always cool
Cons
- Bluetooth may disconnect where Wi-Fi drops its signal
Letsfit White Noise Machine with Adjustable Baby Night Light for Sleeping – Top Pick
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Letsfit White Noise Machine has 14 soothing sleep soundtracks that include white noise, lullabies, a fan, and several relaxing natural sounds. These sleep sound rhythms are designed to help your little one drift off to sleep.
Letsfit calming nature sounds are perfect for soothing fussy infants. It’s just the thing to regulate your baby’s sleep routine and help them fall asleep faster and sleep a great deal longer. When the baby sleeps more soundly the r the rest of the family also gets more rest.
The built-in nightlight produces just enough light for late-night diaper changing and feedings without being too bright and waking others in the room. It also will help keep your baby relaxed enough to fall back asleep after their feeding.
You can set the timer to play 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120-minute intervals with the auto-off timer setting. The memory function can remember the last thing that was played, the sound, and volume without having to be reset. This machine is not only great for helping with baby sleep cycles but also ideal for privacy and concentration.
It is ideal to use at an office where confidentiality is a factor like a patient’s room or doctor’s office. The sound machine can cover up conversations that generally travel through thin walls, making it perfect for office privacy. Its portable design is also great for meditation, yoga, and travel.
The design is a low-cost way of blocking out distractions and environmental noises. It comes in three different color schemes wood grain, white, and gray.
Features
- 14 soothing sleep soundtracks
- Adjustable nightlight function
- Timer and memory function
- Auto-off timers setting
- Portable and suitable for multiple environments
Verdict
Letsfit white noise technology has outdone all others, making it the top pick amongst the healthy circadian rhythm machines. It’s perfect to be used anywhere that you wish to have a private conversation or sleep and is suitable for all ages.
Pros
- Blocks out environmental noise
- Calms down fussy babies
- Helps to regulate a good sleep schedule
- Provides privacy and concentration
Cons
- No manual off switch, only auto-off
Homedics White Noise Sound Machine | Portable Sleep Therapy – Best Value
- White Noise Sound Machine: The Homedics White Noise Sound Machine includes 6 digitally recorded relaxing sounds designed to mimic the...
- Compact and Portable: This portable sound machine is lightweight, compact, and easily fits into your purse, bag, or suitcase
- Baby Sleep Aid: Add these rhythmic sounds to your baby’s sleep routine to help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer; it makes...
Homedics White Noise Sound Machine is a compact and portable designed for travel, so you’ll never need to worry about not sleeping while you’re away from home. With its lightweight and small design, you can easily place it in a suitcase, purse, or bag, making it simple to bring your baby’s sleep sounds with you wherever you go.
Homedics design has six soothing sounds that are digitally recorded that include the ocean, brook, white noise, thunder, rain, and summer nights. These relaxing sounds mimic the natural environment to provide the most relaxing experience possible for all ages. The sound goes up to a maximum of 75 decibels.
It’s designed to help your baby sleep and regulate their sleep routine with soundspa’s rhythmic nature noises. This technique helps them fall asleep much faster and stay asleep longer to provide them with a goodnight sleep. White noise maintains the same volume regardless of frequency within the room.
It can drown out distracting noises that generally would keep you or your baby up at night. For instance, if you’re not catching up on sleep during your baby’s nap time, you may want to curl up and watch your favorite show. With this device, your baby will not be distracted from the television noise and will be able to sleep peacefully.
The stylish dark blue color looks appealing to the eye in any room, including the nursery. The auto-off timer feature allows you to program it to run for 15, 30, or 60 minutes at a time. It operates from a wall outlet or when you’re on the go, AA batteries will work too.
Features
- Six soothing sounds
- Compact and portable for travel
- The machine is small and lightweight
- Adds in soundspa’s rhythmic nature noises
- Auto-off timer with three feature option 15, 30, or 60 minutes
- Maximum of 75 decibels
Verdict
Excellent white noise machine for infants, toddlers, and big kids; it’s also great for adults who are having trouble sleeping. We’ve determined that this device is by far the best value on the market with its many features; you can’t go wrong.
Pros
- Helps lull your baby sleep
- Can easily fit into a suitcase
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Has an auto shut-off timer
Cons
- After three years or more of use, the knob may randomly shut off
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine for Baby – Runner Up
- EFFECTIVELY MASKS NOISE: Beloved by generations since 1962, Yogasleep by Marpac is the trusted leader in white noise machines, and created...
- 3 SOOTHING SOUNDS & NIGHT LIGHT: Choose from bright white noise, deep white noise, or gentle surf, then set your volume - anywhere from...
- COMPACT & PORTABLE: At just 3.5" in diameter and 3.8 ounces, Hushh fits easily in a diaper bag or backpack and comes with a baby-safe clip...
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine is just 3.5 inches in diameter and only weighs 3.8 ounces, making it ideal for taking it on the go. It fits easily inside a backpack, diaper bag, or hang it from its baby-safe clip. The Hushh has three soothing sounds that include a deep white noise that resembles a fan.
The bright white noise is similar to the drone of an airplane; the gentle surf option provides the soothing sound of crashing waves. The machine is designed to boast a robust volume of up to 85 dB. This white noise machine is an excellent tool to assist in your infant sleep routine.
The Hushh recreates the sound of the womb through ambient whooshing sounds. Babies love hearing the mimicking sounds of the womb as it makes them feel safe and secure. Complete silence is unnatural to an infant, and the soothing sounds of white noise lull them to sleep.
It helps your baby go to sleep much faster and stay asleep by minimizing environmental distractions. Effectively buffers outside noise disruption from loud trains, barking dogs, city sounds, loud siblings, and noisy neighbors. The machine is ideal for helping 4-month olds through the sleep regression phase and sleep training.
Hushh gentle amber LED nightlight offers just the right amount of light to see without causing wakefulness for baby or parent. After you have set the desired volume and white noise setting, engage the child lock to prevent little hands from adjusting the sound or turning it off during naptime and nighttime.
Features
- Baby-safe clip
- Three soothing sounds
- Amber LED nightlight
- Come with a USB rechargeable cable
- One-year warranty
- Child lock for volume and settings
- Aids in anxiety reduction and relaxation
Verdict
The Hushh is designed with features that has everyone raving about its quality and dependability, which raises the bar to bring this machine as the runner up in the industry. This powerful tool aids in anxiety reduction and relaxation for baby and the whole family.
Pros
- Improves sleep for adults, babies, and children
- Nightlight offers children a secure feeling
- Great for travel, nursery, stroller use, or on-the-go
- Soothes the baby while traveling
Cons
- Unable to download more sounds to the machine
MyBaby Soundspa On-The-Go – Portable White Noise Machine – Also Consider
- Soothing Sounds: Helps to soothe and comfort little ones with 4 relaxing sound options; choose between Heartbeat, White Noise, Ocean, or...
- Auto Shutoff: Designed with safety in mind, the battery-operated SoundSpa is cord-free; auto-off timer conserves energy with 15, 30, or...
- Durable & Portable: Made with durable plastic material (BPA free) to withstand most bumps and tumbles; small and lightweight, it fits...
MyBaby Soundspa has a durable and portable structure made of BPA free plastic material, making it strong enough to withstand most bumps and tumbles. It offers four soothing sounds of a heartbeat, white noise, ocean, or lullaby.
The volume can be easily adjusted to produce the loudness that you want, up to a maximum of 75 decibels. These comforting, familiar sounds will lull your baby to sleep in no time. When you’re attempting to calm your baby, it is vital to always be prepared for anything.
A white noisemaker with auto shut off technology saves battery life when distractions and a busy day get in the way of remembering to shut it off. Don’t be hard on yourself; you have more important things to worry about like taking care of your bundle of joy.
Let MyBaby Soundspa do it for you. The autotimer can be set for 15, 30, or 45-minute intervals to conserve energy and will turn off automatically. The device can be left on for more extended periods during nap times and bedtime. In this case, you will turn it off manually when it’s time for them to get up.
The convenient integrated clip design can attach to the diaper bag, car seat, stroller, and so on. In between use, MyBaby can easily fit into your purse or a small bag as well. Another alternative would be to place it on its built-in-stand at home or in a hotel room.
Features
- Constructed of durable plastic material (BPA free)
- Auto shut off technology
- 15, 30, 45, 60 minute time interval options
- Four relaxing, soothing sounds
- Built-in stand props the unit up for stationary use
- Integrated clip for quick accessibility
- Maximum of 75 decibels
Verdict
We also considered the MyBaby Soundspa for the on the go features and white noise qualities. It works great for babies and toddlers that have difficulty sleeping. For many parents, the four relaxing, soothing sounds of this device has become a lifesaver to them. Reviews on this product, tell interesting facts on how this product has brought sleep back into their lives.
Pros
- Perfect nap time adjustments
- Integrated clip-on stroller, bags, crib, and car seat
- Perfect for car rides, travel, and at-home use
- It helps to subdue sounds
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a long automatic shut-off time
Best White Noise Machine for Baby buying Guide
White noise is a phrase for any type of random sound signal that masks loud background noises. Most of the time, white noise takes the form of soothing natural or ambient sounds. You could say it’s a natural sleep aid that drowns out more disruptive sounds that prevent babies from falling asleep.
Many people rely on white noise to help their baby and toddler fall asleep, and some are geared towards assisting newborns. They are also very popular traveling devices that will help your baby get to sleep while you’re on the go. This guide will explore how white noise works, scientific information, tips, and more.
What to Look for in a White Noise Machine
When looking for a white noise machine for your baby, you’ll want to look at the features. Each feature offers different types of benefits to aid in your baby to ensure them becoming relaxed enough to fall asleep.
Sound – All white noise machines don’t all play the same things, so you’ll want to look at the type of sound it will play. A high-quality device will feature plenty of prerecorded sounds for your convenience. You also should look at the volume of the sound and how it can be controlled. Beyond white noise, some units also play nature sounds, lullabies, and so on. The sound quality is vital for relaying the perfect volume and masking the noise around the nursery.
Portability – If you’re looking to purchase a white noise machine you can take on the go, consider a more portable version. You’ll want one that is lightweight and small enough to put in the diaper bag or other handbag. Also, consider a machine that runs by both batteries and electricity, so you’re always ready on the fly.
Parental Locks – Some white noise machines offer a parental lock to help prevent the settings from being changed. Let’s face it, when these devices get moved around or bumped, the adjustments you make can be altered. Parental locks are also beneficial as your newborn grows and begins playing with objects that they find to be interesting.
Automatic Shut-Off – Having a white noise machine with an automatic shut-off will let you set it to run during naptime and bedtime. This feature also helps to train your child’s sleep cycle around yours. In some cases, you can turn off the unit manually as well.
Built-In Nightlight – Having a built-in nightlight will allow you just the right amount of light to maneuver around the room. It also makes it easy to change diapers and do feedings without waking your baby fully out of their slumbered state, making it easier for them to fall back asleep. Some devices are designed with multiple color schemes and brightness that can be adjusted to your liking. It helps to create the ideal sleep environment for your baby.
Baby Rest App – A baby rest app allows you to control the settings from your phone without disrupting your sleeping baby. The sleep app will enable you to turn it on and off, adjust the volume and light’s brightness from your Smartphone or IOS device. You can even set up a nap or bedtime schedule to ensure better sleep habits.
Ease of Use – Not everybody is tech-savvy, so the easier it is to use, the better. Top brands work hard to design products that are efficient and easy to use. By all means, if your tech-savvy and enjoy the challenge, choose whichever white noise machine you find that works for you. The final decision falls on the user, but we recommend getting one that isn’t complicated to operate.
Noise Masking Capabilities – A white noise machine is not as effective if it doesn’t have noise-masking capabilities. The device works by generating ambient sounds that can mask noises coming from within the nursery and outside of the room. If the machine is strong enough, it can mask noises coming from the outside of the house. When evaluating a white noise machine’s capability to mask noise, look closely at the characteristics like how often the sound repeats itself. This technique is also known as looping. A device that offers a short looping time is not likely to provide excellent results.
The Pros and Cons of Using White Noise to Put Babies to Sleep
Babies tend to fall asleep much faster and sleep longer when listening to white noise in the background. White noise doesn’t block out all household noises but can subdue them enough not to disturb a sleeping baby. Some of the white noise machines have a heartbeat setting that can mimic the mother or ambient sounds, which may be comforting for newborns.
The most obvious benefit of white noise for babies is the ability to lull them to sleep. If your baby is having difficulty getting on a proper sleep cycle, white noise can assist in this dilemma. Believe it or not, noise is familiar to a baby, but loud noises may disrupt their sleep.
Sadly though, some babies don’t all respond well to white noise, and some devices may exceed the recommended noise limits for babies. Unfortunately, babies also can become dependent on a white noise machine to fall asleep.
The Importance of Sleep for Babies
When people think of a lack of sleep, they often envision a non-functional day filled with lots of coffee. However, when an infant doesn’t get the proper rest, it may not be evident to the looking eye. Some notable ways a lack of sleep can be noticed in babies and toddlers include fussiness and extreme behavioral fluctuations.
Other sleepless symptoms may include hyperactivity and frequent disagreeableness. Before we proceed further, let’s talk about how much sleep a baby actually needs. Newborns need about 18 hours of sleep a day around their feeding times.
As your newborn grows, their sleep necessity decreases to around 14 hours a day by the time they turn a year old with several day naps. If your child is not sleeping this much, chances are they lack the proper amount of sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many decibels are too loud for a baby?
Generally, if the white noise is uncomfortable to hear, it’s too loud for your baby. Audiologists recommend the white noise to be no higher than 65 dB, so you shouldn’t have to yell or raise your voice to be heard. If it is turned up higher than 65dB, overtime potential hearing loss may occur.
Are white noise machines safe for babies?
Yes. White machines are safe to use for babies. However, it is recommended to keep the volume at 65dB or lower. If the volume is to loud, it could be harmful to your baby’s ears.
Do white noise machines help babies sleep?
White noise machines are designed to produce sounds that are familiar to newborns. When your baby listens to recognizable sounds, they feel a sense of security and begin to fall asleep. However, some babies don’t all adapt well to white noise.
Does my baby need white noise to sleep?
I wouldn’t say you have to have a white noise machine for your baby. However, it wouldn’t hurt to have one. Babies are surrounded by noise in the womb, so complete quiet isn’t recognizable to them. Your baby would benefit from hearing ambient whooshing sounds being mimicked and other white noise sounds.
Does it matter what kind of white noise machine I use for my baby?
Yes. It does matter as all white noise machines are not made with the same level of quality. They also don’t all have the same white noise sounds and volumes. Some are more geared towards the sound of the mother’s heartbeat or their womb. Others offer soothing nature white noise sounds. In the reviews above, you can choose from the best in the industry.
When is the best time to use a white noise machine for my baby?
The best time to use a white noise machine is during naps, bedtime, and when your baby is crying and upset. Another great time to use a white noise machine is when you’re traveling. The extra noises that come from hotels could keep your baby up at night, but a white noise machine can help to mask those unfamiliar noises.
Does the white noise sounds alternate or can they be adjusted to stay on my baby’s favorite sound all night long?
The sound you set the white noise machine to play will continue until you change it. All white noise devices allow you to adjust it to play one song all night long. However, you may find a few that will enable you to program it to perform certain sounds during different times of the day, such as naptime versus bedtime. All-in-all, you’re the one in control how many is played and when.
Should you play white noise all night for a baby?
As with swaddling, white noise should not be on 24 hours a day. However, you’ll want to play during nighttime sleep, during naps, and crying episodes. The white noise has the ability to calm your baby down and relax them enough to begin falling asleep within a few minutes after hearing the sound.
Can white noise soothe my colic baby?
Babies with colic tend to cry often due to how they are feeling. If you turn on white noise and place it nearby, it can help to soothe and calm them down.
Will my baby become addictive to a white noise machine?
As your baby grows, they can develop a preference for white noise machines, but not an addiction. When your baby reaches an age where they can recognize the noises around them, you can reduce the hours of use. Eventually, you’ll turn the machine off altogether. It’s best to wean your baby gradually so that they can adjust slowly to the change.
How close should a white noise machine be to my newborn?
Pediatricians recommend the machine being at least 7-feet away from their bassinet or crib. Even though it’s tempting, you should never place the white noise machine in the crib with your newborn baby.
Conclusion
That concludes the best white noise buying guide and review. Making sure your baby gets the proper sleep can be challenging when there are other children in the house, loud neighbors, and other distracting noises. With any of these white noise machines listed in the review above, you’ll be able to balance out all of those sounds.
As a result, your baby might sleep more hours through the night and give you the chance to catch on some sleep as well. Be sure to keep all of these factors in mind while selecting the best white noise machine for your baby. Good luck!