These Sound Machines Help You Doze Off Fast and Sleep Through the Night

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There’s a reason you feel amazing after a deep, full night of sleep. Not only is your body resting, but proper sleep also promotes brain health, helps your ability to fight infections, and leads to improved mood and better performance the next day, according to Jay Guevarra, M.D., assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

With that in mind, you’d likely do anything to get a better night’s sleep. Some turn to natural sleep aids, while others might consider investing in one of the best sound machines. Along with avoiding stimulating activities and screens before bed and creating a dark, cool, quiet environment for sleep, sound is also a part of good sleep hygiene.

Sound machines, which may play digitally recorded noises or rely on an internal fan to create a whirring sound, help drown out other noises that can keep you up at night (or simply be an alternative to total silence). Not only do they help some people sleep soundly, they can also help you decrease the time it takes to fall asleep when used in a nighttime routine regularly, Dr. Guevarra notes.

Our top picks

There are many different types of sleep machines to choose from, including affordable, basic options and high-tech gadgets with dozens of sounds and extra features. Ahead, check out the best sound machines for better sleep, based on expert advice.

Restore 2

Hatch’s Restore 2 is a multifunctional sleep aid with a slightly different design and a few more bells and whistles than the original Restore. It features 21 new sleep sounds to help you fall and stay asleep. Plus, it acts as a sunrise alarm clock, waking you with subtle light and sound pairings. It even as a morning feature designed to help you feel inspired first thing before you get out of bed.

The sound machine comes in three neutral colors and is made with soft linen, which gives the sunrise alarm light a diffused effect. To display or hide the clock feature, simply tap the device. It also has large, easy-to-use buttons to activate sleep or wake modes and a simple switch for toggling your alarm on and off.

“It’s a sunrise alarm clock and sound machine in one, and it’s been a game changer for me,” says Madeleine Haase, Prevention’s assistant editor. “I personally love the thunderstorm option, which is very effective at tuning out my partner’s snoring.”

Dohm Classic

When it comes to sound machines, the Yogasleep Dohm Classic is a long-time favorite among many. Created in 1962, the device has clearly stood the test of time. Today, it still features the same fan-based natural white noise. This is ideal for those who like the sound of a fan whirring without the actual airflow.

It has two speed options giving you a bit of variation in tone and volume to mask nearby sounds or simply help you fall asleep if you don’t enjoy total silence. It operates with a switch and is powered by a seven-foot cord.

“It’s pretty bare bones in terms of sounds (only offers white noise) but it is So. Good,” according to Prevention’s senior editor, Emily Goldman. “It’s a great, no-frills option that truly changed my sleep.”

Sound Soother Revo

With six soothing sounds, this compact machine is travel-friendly and comes at a great value for the price. Choose from nature-inspired sounds, like rain, forest, and ocean, or classic white noise and other relaxing sounds. It also has a sleep timer that gradually decreases the volume of your selected noise after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. That way, you won’t wake up to noise in the middle of the night.

It’s a great basic option for those looking for a variety of sounds and a sleep timer. However, it doesn’t function as an alarm clock like some other options on this list.

“I can’t fall asleep without white noise anymore, so I like this convenient machine that’s small enough to bring with me wherever I go,” says Isabella Cavallo, an editorial assistant at Prevention. “The volume is loud enough to block out any loud noises while I’m asleep, and there’s even options for rain, ocean, and calming sound effects!”

Evo

Despite its name, this sound machine doesn’t actually include a fan. Instead, it’s a digital device that can play 22 unique fan variations, white noise, brown noise, pink noise, and ocean sounds. You can keep the noises going all night long, or set a timer to ensure the sounds stop once you’ve fallen asleep.

While it doesn’t come with an alarm clock, it does have buttons for volume control, a timer, and a headphone jack, so you can enjoy your relaxing sounds without disturbing others around you. With 5,400 five-star ratings on Amazon, the sound machine has won over many users.

“This little machine is so loud and so perfect that I slept through my alarm,” said one reviewer. “I actually slept six hours straight without waking up once; I think the last time that happened I was probably in third grade.”

Clock

For those looking for a stylish sound machine that doubles as a sleek alarm clock, this option is for you. Sure, it’s pricier than other options on this list, but it comes with the features and design to back it up.

Meant to reduce phone use in the bedroom, it doesn’t rely on an app to set up. It has simple, large buttons that allow you to queue up white noise, nature sounds, and stories to help you fall asleep. It even comes with breathwork, meditations, and sound baths.

When it’s time to wake up, you’ll rise with help from a two-phase alarm: Phase one uses soft sounds to start the wake-up process before fading after 30 seconds. Phase two kicks in with energizing sounds nine minutes later. The clock also doubles as a bluetooth speaker, so you can put on your own curated playlist anytime.

White Noise Machine

A modern fan-operated white noise machine, Tuft & Needle’s device has a minimalist design. The round gadget houses a nylon fan inside its plastic shell that’s hidden beneath a layer of knit material fitting for a cozy bedroom. It provides a natural sound with no moving air or looping. While it has buttons for operating the device by hand, you can also program its volume, light, and timer features with an app on your smartphone.

“Soothing noise that works ‘falling fast asleep’ magic for all ages. The high quality and cool design of the machine is worth every penny,” according to one shopper.

SoundSleep

This sound machine plays six digitally recorded white noise and nature sounds, including rain, ocean, and thunder. It has easy-to-use buttons to select your favorite sound, control the volume, and set a 15-, 30-, or 60-minute timer. Plus, it’s small and light enough to bring with you while traveling.

More than 8,000 Amazon shoppers have left it a five-star review. “I use this white noise machine at home and when I travel,” said one. It “smooths out any irritating noises, so I can sleep peacefully.”

Sound+Sleep

This sleep machine sets itself apart from others on this list because it has adaptive sound technology. Depending on the sounds in your environment, the sound machine instantly adjusts its volume and mix to what’s appropriate for the existing noise level around you.

It also has 30 unique sounds, including white noise and other cozy audio options, like waterfalls and a crackling fireplace. You can set a timer to turn off the sounds after 30 to 120 minutes, or let it play all night. There’s even a headphone jack, so you don’t have to disturb others when the machine is in use.

“This has great sound quality, and the variety of options is great! What I really like about this one over more basic ones is definitely the layering of sounds,” wrote an Amazon shopper. “With this one, you can add in more complexity such that you can’t tell when the sound is looping at all.”

Hushh+

Ready to play white noise, nature sounds, and lullabies, this wireless sound machine is ideal for those with little ones, whether you use it at home in the nursery or for on-the-go naps. Choose from 20 sounds, taking advantage of the device’s long-lasting battery, volume control, and optional timer. It even has a dimmable amber light, which you can adjust, and is attached to a strap you can easily clip to a stroller, crib, or playpen.

“I wish I had gotten on the whole white noise bandwagon a long time ago,” said an Amazon reviewer. “This is a lifesaver for letting our baby know it’s sleepy time, for transferring from car to house or stroller, for loud guests, all of it.”

How to choose the best sound machine

✔️ Look for volume control. “One of the most important things is the ability to adjust the volume and the tone,” says Dr. Guevarra. That way, you can lull yourself to sleep with a sound that’s comfortable and safe. Not all sound machines come with a sound gauge, but there are many smartphone apps you can use for that, according to Dr. Guevarra.

✔️ Pay attention to noise type. The ideal noise for sleep could be different for everyone. There’s white noise, brown noise, rainfall, ocean waves, and so many more. If you know which you prefer, you’ll want to make sure the sound machine you buy offers your favorite. And if you don’t know what sound is best for you, go for a machine with options.

✔️ Keep additional features in mind. Not all sound machines come with the same features. Some include alarm clocks, timers, and wake up features, while others only produce sounds for sleeping.

Is it okay to play white noise all night?

The short answer is maybe. “While several studies have shown the noise is safe to sleep [with] throughout the night, some research has shown contrary results where white noise disrupts sleep and potentially induces hearing loss, especially when set at exceedingly high volume,” says Dr. Guevarra. Keep in mind that these studies were done with small sample sizes, so more research is needed to make a formal conclusion, adds the expert.

What decibel is best for a sound machine?

A sound machine should offer a sound level of about 50 decibels (dB), according to Dr. Guevarra. That’s a little less than the level of a normal conversation.

“If one lives in a particularly noisy neighborhood with a lot of ambient noise (highway, city streets), it should be fine to increase between 55-60 dB,” Dr. Guevarra says. However, “anything above 70 dB can be damaging to the ears.”

Benefits of sleeping with a sound machine

A quiet environment is important for a good night’s sleep, but it’s not always easy to achieve, especially if you live in a city or share a home with people who have different sleeping schedules than you do. That’s where sound machines come into play.

“A sound machine can be used to mask other noises that can be disruptive to sleep,” says Dr. Guevarra. “They reduce our perceived loudness of other noisy events while we sleep, resulting in fewer awakenings.” What’s more, they may also shorten the time it takes to fall asleep (aka sleep latency) when added to your nighttime routine.

How we chose the best sound machines

We consulted Jay Guevarra, M.D., assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to learn more about what to look for when shopping for a sleep machine. We also tapped Prevention editors for products they have personal experience with and analyzed countless customer reviews and product specs to find the best sound machines available right now.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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