White noise sound machines can be so helpful for baby’s sleep. Here are the 5 best sound machines to help your baby sleep, from a sleep consultant’s point of view.
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As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I’m a BIG fan of white noise.
Here’s why:
- It’s a help sleep association and can cue to your baby’s brain that sleep is coming
- Can help your baby sleep longer stretches at night and for naps
- It’s an integral part of your baby’s bedtime routine
My team has personally tested lots of sound machines and heard plenty of recommendations from the families we have worked with one-on-one.
See our favorite baby sound machines and why these get our stamp of approval.
5 Best Sound Machines for Baby
Best Overall Sound: YogaSleep Dohm Classic Sound Machine
The YogaSleep Dohm Classic Sound Machine is one of my all-time favorite sound machines.
We got the Dohm Classic sound machine when my daughter was born, and used it for 2+ years. Once she was ready for an okay to wake clock, I stole the Dohm sound machine for myself.
The sound emitted from this sound machine is so soothing! It has an actual fan inside, which gives it a natural noise as opposed to the canned noise that some machines offer.
Features:
- Simple design and easy to use
- Compact
- Smooth, calming noise
- Not connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Sound Machine You’ll Use the Longest: Hatch Rest or Rest+
The Hatch Rest sound machine has quickly become one of my favorite sound machines, because of how long you’ll use it with your baby!
This sound machine with nightlight and okay to wake feature is a 3-in-1 and the extra features make it worth the price tag in my opinion.
We’ve been using our Hatch for about 4 years now, so we’ve gotten a lot of use out of it!
The Hatch is so easy to use. You can pre-program your favorite sounds and lights and use the app to make any in-the-moment changes. If you need to adjust a setting you can do so without going in and disturbing your baby!
Features:
- Multiple sound machines options (although I recommend sticking with the wind, white noise, or water sound).
- In the newborn days you can also use the soft colored lamp as a light for those middle of the night feeds.
- As your baby grows you can introduce a nightlight feature with red or orange light.
- Once you transition to a toddler bed, you can also introduce it as an okay to wake clock.
- Portable option depending if you choose the Hatch Rest or Hatch Rest+
Best Portable Sound Machine: Rohm+ Portable Sound Machine
You’re going to want a portable sound machine to help your baby sleep during travel times.
I love my YogaSleep Rohm+ portable sound machine for stroller walks and when traveling! Its light and portable design makes it easy to take on the go. You charge it via USB port and the battery lasts up to 20 hours.
Features:
- Long battery life
- Light and portable
- 20 soothing sounds
- Conveniently recharge wirelessly or via USB
- Lanyard clip
- 20-hour battery life
Best Budget Sound Machine: LectroFan Micro2
The Lectrofan is a bit lesser known than the other two, but is still very popular.
They have multiple models, but the LectroFan Micro2 is one of the more budget friendly options.
There are cheaper sound machines out there, but many of them are looping sounds.
Looping sounds means it plays the same sound for 5–10 minutes, has a break, and then starts over. It can be very distracting!
Features:
- 11 Non-looping sounds
- Bluetooth stereo so you can wirelessly connect your device to the Micro speaker
- Use it at home or on-the-go
- Rechargeable
- Portable and compact
Most Versatile Baby Sound Machine: Echo Dot or Google Home
Plenty of families already have an Echo Dot or Google Home and choose to use that for their baby’s sound machine.
If you go this route, just make sure to ask Alexa to turn the loop on, so that the white noise plays until you ask it to stop.
You can also create routines so the white noise turns on at the same time each night.
Features:
- 15+ sleep sounds
- Control via app or voice
- Set timers or routines
- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
- As your child grows use it to play music, audiobooks, and podcasts
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Sound Machines
Do Pediatricians Recommend Sound Machines?
The AAP doesn’t recommend or warn against using a sound machine to help baby sleep, but they do advise pediatricians to talk to their families about using sound machines safely and within the recommended guidelines.
What are the Recommended Guidelines for White Noise Sound Machines?
The AAP recommends that sound machine use be limited. Meaning, don’t leave the sound machine on 24/7. Use it for sleep and turn it off in the morning or after naps.
They also recommend that white noise be kept to 50 decibels or lower in hospital nurseries.
How Do I Know How Loud My Sound Machine Is?
You can download a decibel-measuring app on your phone, place your phone in your baby’s crib where their head usually is, and then check the volume of your sound machine.
What Sound Machine Noise is Best for Baby?
There is some debate over what sound machine noise is best for baby. A good rule of thumb is that if it is grating or irritating to you, it probably will be for your baby as well.
White noise is one common type of noise that sound machines make, but some will also have pink noise or brown noise options. Really, it comes down to personal preference.
What’s the Difference Between White, Pink, and Brown Noise?
Some people find pink or brown noise more soothing than white noise, others do not. Pink noise is a lower frequency than white noise, and brown noise is at an even lower frequency.
Here’s just a quick example:
- The sound of a fan or air conditioner would be white noise.
- The sound of a light rainfall, wind rustling through trees, or a bubbling brook would be pink noise.
- Brown noise would be a shower, a heavy rain, or crashing waves.
Most sound machines offer several choices, so play around with them and see which is most soothing to you.
Are Sound Machines Recommended for Babies?
Sound machines can be an important tool in your sleep tool box! Babies are used to noise in the womb, but random loud noises like a dog barking or car backfiring or sibling yelling can be disruptive to sleep.
Sound machines help muffle these disruptions by providing a consistent background noise. The sound machine can also act as a sleep cue, with the sound signaling your baby’s brain that it is time to sleep.
Do Sound Machines Reduce SIDS?
There’s not enough research to show if white noise sound machines help reduce the risk of SIDS.
If you have any questions about the best sound machine for baby, leave them in the comments below.
My goal is to help tired parents get sleep, so the whole family can thrive!
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