White noise machines come with a variety of sound options from a simple fan noise to waves and music. If you’re searching for a machine that you can move easily from room to room, or one that’s convenient for travel, you’ll want to consider smaller, more portable, and possibly battery operated options. Features like timers for automatic (or remote) shut-off, app-enabled controls, and parental locks are also worth considering. When reviewing white noise machines, we evaluated them for sound, portability, and features. These are the best white noise machines available today. 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 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 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 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 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 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. Price at time of publication: N/A 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 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. Price at time of publication: N/A Price at time of publication: $45 Price at time of publication: $35 Thanks to its small size (weighing less than a pound), you can take it anywhere you want, like grandma’s house or on a family trip. There is also a timer for when you want the machine to turn off after a designated amount of time. Price at time of publication: $40
Portability
If you plan to take your noise machine along while you travel or move it between rooms frequently, you may want a small, portable version. Also, consider how much it weighs and whether it requires electricity or runs on batteries.
Features
Some white noise machines simply offer basic sounds, but others have tons of options to let you control and customize how you use your machine. From night lights to automatic shutoffs and parental locks, there are several advanced features you might find useful. Some models have physical buttons, some are controlled via remote, and others use your voice or phone. Decide which features are important for your specific needs.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina is a parent herself and loves a white noise machine that’s portable and battery-powered. If the power ever goes out, you’ll still have a machine to rely on.
