Best baby sound machines
Using a white noise machine or sound machine is one of the easiest ways to help your baby sleep well. We analyzed reviews in the BabyCenter Community and combined their reviews with our editors' research and experience to find the best baby white noise machines and sound machines, according to moms and dads. Read on for the best white noise machine for sleep, the best portable sound machine, the best rain white noise machine, and more.
Best baby white noise machine
Hatch Rest Sound Machine
Parents rave about the Rest, which combines a nightlight, sound machine, and time-to-rise feature in one handy gadget you control with your phone or tablet. You can program the Rest to turn on and off on a specific schedule, and control everything remotely via the Hatch Baby Rest app. Parents say that the sound quality is excellent and that they enjoy the 11 sounds and lullabies. They also love the time-to-rise light, which helps train older children to wait until a specific time in the morning before getting up.
Heads up
For an additional $30, you can buy the Hatch Rest+, which includes all the features on the Rest plus an audio baby monitor, clock, backup battery, and Wi-Fi capability.
Parents say
"I love the Hatch Rest. It was well worth the money. You tap it to turn it on or use an app on your phone, which is super helpful. We love the sounds on it; it helps us all sleep. I might need to get a second one when we transition our baby to his room because I don't want to give it up."
Specs
- Nightlight, sound machine, and time-to-rise
- Works with the Hatch Baby Rest app
- 4 x 4 x 6.25 inches
- Plug-in
Best baby sleep sound machine
Yogasleep Dohm Classic
This is the granddaddy of white-noise machines – the Dohm has been around since 1962 and has helped generations of babies (and their parents) sleep. Many parents swear that the Dohm is the best at drowning out background noises that can wake a baby prematurely. The white noise is created by an internal fan that makes a soothing rushing sound but doesn't blow air out. There are two speed options and adjustable tone and volume.
Heads up
The is a basic white-noise machine for people of all ages. Unlike many noise machines specifically for babies, it doesn't have fun features like a nightlight, a light show, or various sound and music options. Note that this sound machine is marketed under the brand name Marpac and Yogasleep.
Parents say
"I got the Dohm for our daughter when she was 4 weeks old and it was a game changer. It's easier to put her down for naps and bedtime, and she sleeps well. Plus, my husband and I sleep better listening to it."
Specs
- Adjustable tone and volume
- Continuous play
- 5.75 x 5.75 x 3.25 inches
- Plug-in
Best baby soothing sound machine
Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System
The coolest aspect of this baby sound machine is the projector, which entertains babies with colorful, slowly rotating scenes of a sea, rainforest, or night sky. (You swap out cartridges to select the scene.) This multiuse machine also includes sounds and lullabies, as well as a color-changing nightlight. You can operate the light, sounds, and projector independently to find the right combination for your little one.
Heads up
Some parents say the projector sometimes makes an annoying clicking sound.
Parents say
"We've used the Munchkin sound system every night since my daughter was 7 months old. We really like it. My daughter's favorite scene is the sea."
Specs
- Adjustable projections, lights, sounds, and music
- Timer and continuous play
- 6 x 5 x 6 inches
- Plug-in
Best nature sound machine
Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother
Skip Hop's nightlight soother has a lot of functionality: It's a sound machine, nightlight, and simple projector in one. The owl's belly glows, and a lens at the top projects a starry sky on the wall or ceiling. There are eight gentle melodies and calming nature sounds to choose from, including waves and a heartbeat. Set the timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or let it play all night.
Heads up
Some parents say the sound quality could be better.
Parents say
"I use the Skip Hop sound machine and have it play continuously for naps and bedtime. It helps my little guy sleep for longer stretches, and he's now sleeping for 11 hours at night. Amazing!"
Specs
- Adjustable light, sound, and music
- Timer or continuous play
- 5.5 x 4.5 x 6 inches
- Plug-in
Best portable sound machine
Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
Hushh is the portable version of the popular Dohm white noise machine. Compact and lightweight, Hushh has three sound options: bright white noise, deep white noise, or gentle surf, with a wide volume range. It uses a lithium ion battery, which can operate up to 10 hours without recharging. The Hushh comes with a handy clip so you can attach it to your stroller, diaper bag, or crib. There's a gentle LED nightlight and a child lock too.
Heads up
Some parents say the Hushh stopped working after a few months and they had to exchange it.
Parents say
"The Hushh portable sound machine plugs in and charges with a regular phone charger and lasts for hours. It's a lifesaver when we're out and about, since our little one is very fussy."
Specs
- Adjustable sound and volume
- Continuous play
- 3.5 inches in diameter
- Battery recharges with an included USB cable
Best sound machine app
Fisher-Price Smart Connect Deluxe Soother
Like the Hatch Rest, the Smart Connect Deluxe Soother is a smart sound machine that you can control and adjust with your smartphone or tablet. It has a variety of songs and sounds, but unlike the Rest it also has a light projector that creates a starry sky on the wall or ceiling. Parents love that they can create a personalized bedtime routine to cue their baby to sleep – starting with lights, music, and projection, and transitioning to dimmer lighting and softer ambient sounds.
Heads up
Some parents say that the buttons on the machine are hard to use. Also, some were disappointed that the projections don't rotate.
Parents say
"Both my girls have the Fisher-Price Smart Connect. It helps settle and soothe my baby, and my almost 2-and-a-half-year-old still loves it. I play it all night long to drown out any noises."
Specs
- Nightlight, projection, music, and sound
- Works with the Smart Connect app
- 5.51 x 5.51 x 6.89 inches
- Plug-in
Best rain white noise machine
Homedics MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby
This small, no-fuss sound machine offers three classic lullabies and three soothing sounds, plus a light projector that shows three cute scenes. You can set the timer to 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, or let the machine run continuously.
Heads up
Parents dislike that to change the sound selection or turn it off, you have to cycle through all of the sound options. Also, the light projections don't move, they are stationary.
Parents say
"We use a Homedics sound machine and it's great. It's super easy to use and has nice sounds. I like the rain and the ocean best."
Specs
- Adjustable projection, sound, and music
- Timer or continuous play
- 4.25 x 4.25 x 4.31 inches
- Plug in
What is a baby sound machine?
A sound machine can work wonders to calm your baby and encourage your little one to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Your little one is used to hearing the muffled pounding of Mom's heart and the whooshing of her blood, and is comforted by white noise and other repetitive sounds and music.
Turning a sound machine on before nap time or bedtime helps to signal to your baby that it's time to settle down for slumber. Many sound machines incorporate other helpful features, like a nightlight, light projector, clock, or time-to-wake signal for older children. You can set them to run for a specified time or leave them on. Smart sound machines allow you to make adjustments to the sound and lights with your phone or tablet – which comes in handy if your little one wakes up early and needs a different sound or song to fall back asleep.
What is white noise?
White noise is low-, medium-, and high-frequency sounds played together at the same intensity level, which can sound like a crackling or whooshing noise, or may remind you of a mechanical or electrical hum. White noise masks other sounds, so it's ideal for covering up street noise or other sounds for babies or adults who are trying to sleep.
When to stop using white noise for your baby
Plenty of adults use white noise or sound machines to help mask sound that can disturb sleep, but many experts recommend weaning your baby off the routine use of white noise at about a year.
Is white noise bad for you?
Some studies have found that prolonged use of white noise can damage hearing and increased the risk of problems with language and speech development. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends setting up white noise machines at least 7 feet away from your baby's sleeping spot, and avoid turning the volume up to maximum.
How loud should white noise be for your baby?
The AAP recommends that white noise be kept at 50 decibels or below. That's about as loud as a normal conversation, and softer than home appliances like a vacuum cleaner or washing machine.
What to look for in a sound machine
When it comes to sound machines, you can go super basic or choose one with all the bells and whistles. Some parents just use a white-noise app on their phone or tablet to soothe their baby to sleep, but that's only convenient if you have a device to spare. If you're looking for a dedicated baby sound machine, here's what to consider:
- Sounds and music: How many options are there? Look for a sound machine with good sound quality and easily adjustable volume.
- Timer and continuous play: Do you want sound on for a limited time, or do you want it to run all night? Either way, you don't want to have to sneak into your baby's room to turn it on or off.
- Portability and size: Can you bring the sound machine with you for naps on the go or pack it easily for a vacation?
- Smart capability: Smart sound machines allow you to control lights and sound remotely with your phone or tablet, and preset a nighttime program for your baby.
- Nightlight: This is handy for late-night feeding sessions and reassuring for your child.
- Projector: Some sound machines project a soothing light show onto the wall or ceiling. This should operate independently from the sound so that you can turn it off if your baby finds it more stimulating than sleep-inducing.
- Power supply: A plug-in AC adapter is key if you're going to use the sound machine every night. You don't want to worry that the battery isn't charged enough to make it through a nap or nighttime. But if you're looking for a portable sound machine, you'll need a battery-powered version.
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