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The best white noise machines, tried and tested with advice from a neuroscientist
There are some things in life that money can’t buy – but a good night’s sleep isn’t necessarily one of them. When sirens, traffic and loud neighbours disrupt your bedtime peace, the best white noise machines can block out the racket with a steady sound of their own. From the fuzz of a de-tuned radio to the replicated drone of an industrial fan, these little gadgets emit white noise sounds to help you drift off to dreamland.
“White noise contains all frequencies of sound at the same volume, like static,” explains Dr Lindsay Browning, a chartered psychologist and neuroscientist at Trouble Sleeping and author of Navigating Sleeplessness with a doctorate in insomnia from the University of Oxford. “It can be quite unpleasant to listen to, so there are other options including green, brown and pink noise that have quieter high frequencies.”
You can read more about the different types of white noise, along with expert advice from Dr Browning, in the FAQ section below. First though, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best white noise machines: At a glance
How to choose the best white noise machine
Noise machines vary from little portable powerhouses that throw out a handful of fan sounds to complex and expensive wired “companions” that connect to your phone and train you in sleep-related habits, like meditation and mindfulness. As a result, they range greatly in price too. Some are aimed specifically at calming children, with long battery life and baby-proof clips for cots. Others are good for adults, thanks to more sophisticated designs and diverse audio options. Ultimately, you need to pick one which suits your specific circumstances.
For those with snoring partners, busy houses, noisy neighbours or who are disturbed by traffic and street commotion, white noise machines can work brilliantly to help you get to sleep. However, Dr Browning says it’s important to address why you’re struggling to sleep before you commit to buying a machine. She says, “I also help people with insomnia. For someone who can’t sleep because of stress, anxiety a busy brain or an overactive mind, a white noise machine is not at the top of the list of things I’d recommend.”