Finding the perfect sound machine for sleep can be a game-changer for those who struggle with getting a good night's rest. Whether it’s for masking noise, promoting relaxation, or creating a peaceful sleep environment, the right sound machine can significantly improve sleep quality.
Sound machines produce various soothing noises that help block out distractions and create a calm environment. This helps reduce stress, promote relaxation, and assist in falling asleep more quickly. If you’re ready to upgrade your sleep routine, let’s dive into the top sound machines that can help adults sleep better.
What Are Sound Machines and How Do They Work?
Sound machines are devices designed to produce white noise or other soothing sounds that help mask unwanted background noises. These machines work by generating a constant, consistent sound that helps you focus on relaxation and sleep. Common sounds include white noise, nature sounds like rain or ocean waves, and even pink noise, which has a deeper sound frequency.
The consistent nature of these sounds prevents your brain from focusing on disruptive noises in your environment, such as traffic, a barking dog, or conversations. This sound masking effect helps reduce anxiety, quiets the mind, and makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The Best Sound Machines for Adults: Top Picks for Better Sleep
LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine
One of the top choices for many adults, the LectroFan is known for its ability to produce a wide variety of high-quality sounds. It features 10 fan sounds and 10 white noise variations, offering great flexibility to suit your preference. The sound options are loud enough to mask unwanted noises, yet soft enough to be soothing and non-intrusive.
This machine is perfect for light sleepers who need a steady sound to block out distractions. It’s also compact, making it easy to place on a nightstand or pack for travel.
Marpac Dohm Classic White Noise Machine
A long-time favorite, the Marpac Dohm Classic has been a go-to for sound machine lovers for decades. It produces a natural white noise that’s generated by a real fan inside the device, providing a smooth, non-looping sound. This model is known for its simplicity and high-quality noise that’s perfect for drowning out background sounds.
What makes the Marpac Dohm Classic unique is its adjustable tone and volume. With a simple turn of the dial, you can customize the sound to match your needs, making it ideal for a wide range of sleep environments.
Hatch Restore Sound Machine
The Hatch Restore is an all-in-one sleep system that combines a sound machine, night light, and alarm clock. It offers various sound options, including white noise, nature sounds, and gentle lullabies, to create a calming sleep environment. Additionally, the machine can be controlled via an app, allowing for customization of sound, light, and sleep routines.
What makes the Hatch Restore stand out is its integration with smart technology. You can set personalized sleep programs to help wind down and prepare for a restful night’s sleep, making it one of the most advanced options available.
Sound+Sleep SE Sound Machine
Designed to mimic natural environmental sounds, the Sound+Sleep SE offers a broad range of high-quality soundscapes, such as rainfall, ocean waves, and forest sounds. The machine uses adaptive sound technology, which automatically adjusts the volume based on the surrounding noise level, making it ideal for environments with fluctuating noise levels.
If you're someone who lives in a particularly noisy area, the Sound+Sleep SE can adjust to ensure you're getting the best sound experience to help you fall asleep and stay asleep without disruption.
Pure Enrichment Wave Premium Sleep Sound Machine
This affordable yet highly effective sound machine provides a range of soothing sound options, including white noise, fan sounds, and nature sounds. The Pure Enrichment Wave is compact and portable, making it perfect for travel. It also has a built-in timer, allowing you to set it to turn off after a certain period, so you don’t waste energy.
The adjustable volume settings and variety of sounds make this sound machine a great choice for people who need a versatile device to enhance their sleep quality without breaking the bank.
How Loud Should a Sound Machine Be at Night?
The ideal volume for a sound machine is 50–65 decibels—enough to mask noise but still gentle on your ears.
Getting the volume right is critical. I’ve made the mistake of blasting white noise at full volume, thinking louder was better. It wasn’t. It actually made me more tense. Then I tried barely audible settings—only to be woken by every car horn and hallway footstep. The sweet spot is around 50 to 65 decibels, which is about the volume of light rain or a quiet conversation. You want it loud enough to mask background noise, but not so loud that it becomes a new source of distraction. Many machines today include decibel guidance or presets to help you dial in the right level automatically.
Can a Sound Machine Help If You Have Tinnitus?
Tinnitus makes sleep nearly impossible for some people. That high-pitched ringing doesn’t go away, and in a quiet room, it feels louder than ever. I’ve helped customers with this challenge, and many found relief using low-pitched brown noise. It doesn't cure tinnitus, but it helps the brain tune it out. Brown noise has more bass and less sharpness than white noise, making it easier to fall asleep. Some sound machines are even designed with tinnitus-friendly settings, offering longer non-looping sounds and lower frequency options. For many users, using the machine nightly provides the sense of calm that makes sleep possible again.
Should You Use a Sound Machine Every Night?
Many people worry that they’ll “get used to it” and won’t sleep without the machine. But the truth is, your body already uses cues for sleep—like darkness, cool temperature, and silence. Sound machines become another cue, not a crutch. I’ve used one for years, and I can still fall asleep without it, but I sleep better with it. The key is consistency. Using the same sound every night trains your brain to wind down faster. And as long as the volume is safe, there are no negative effects to long-term use. In fact, it may be one of the healthiest sleep habits you can build.
Conclusion
The right sound machine can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. Whether you need white noise to block out loud neighbors or soothing nature sounds to promote relaxation, the options above offer a range of features to suit every preference. By choosing the best sound machine for your needs, you can enjoy a more peaceful night of sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.