The Best White Noise Machine for Every Purpose

White noise can be a powerful tool for helping you fall asleep, but not all devices that produce white noise are built to relax you. I once opened my Spotify Wrapped to learn that my top song for the year was something like “Box Fan White Noise Long Loop.” Devastated by the hijacking of my annual music stats, that I started investigating white noise machines.

While I landed on buying a real box fan (for the dual purpose of generating sound and keeping me cool), there are loads of dedicated white noise machines designed simply to produce consistent background noise. And while white noise can be great for helping you fall asleep, research reveals it can also help you focus during waking hours. Here are some of the best white noise machines available, whatever your motivation for buying one.

The best white noise machines for sleeping

Bedtime is where white noise machines really shine. You can opt for a classic one or one with extra features, so here are some options. 

• A classic white noise machine doesn’t have to be featureless. The Houseby white noise machine ($24.98) has 31 sounds, an auto-off timer, and adjustable volume controls. Reviewers say that in addition to simply looking nice (which is important!), it exceeds expectations by having such a wide variety of sound options. 

• The LC-dolida sleep mask and white noise machine combo ($18.59) is killer for those of us who want to sleep in darkness and peace. The eye mask fits over your eyes, blocking out light, while speakers near your ears deliver eight different white noise sounds. A two-hour charge yields 10 hours of playback time, but it also comes with an auto-off timer that can be set between 30 and 120 minutes from when you fall asleep. Plus, it has Bluetooth connectivity, in case you’d like to listen to something else before bed for a change.

• Falling asleep peacefully is one thing; waking up is another. The Reacher sound machine ($35.99) handles both, since it’s also a sunrise alarm clock. You can pick white noise like rain or nature sounds, then wake up hours later to a gradual increase of light designed to mimic the sunrise before the alarm kicks in. 

Products to consider:

• Houseby white noise machine $24.98

• LC-dolida sleep mask and white noise machine combo $18.59

• Reacher sound machine $35.99

Best white noise machines for focusing

Whether you want to get work done or study, having a white noise machine around to provide steady sounds can really help. 

• Try the mini sound machine from Babelio ($18.99) for a white noise machine you can take on the go. Reviewers say the charge lasts a few days, the machine features a variety of sounds, and it’s super easy to travel with, so you can bring it with you anywhere you need to get work done. 

• The Voraiya light therapy lamp ($89.99) has a white noise machine built in, which makes it a versatile machine. It’s one of those lamps that is supposed to replicate the effects of the sun, boosting your mood, but that brightness is good for studying and working, too—so really, this thing has it all.

• The LectroFan Micro2 ($34.99) features 11 white noise sounds, but also acts as a Bluetooth speaker, which is helpful if you’re toggling between noise and recorded lectures or YouTube videos. It can even act as a speakerphone for your calls, so you stay in the zone on whatever you’re working on without having to pick up your phone at all.

Products to consider:

• mini sound machine from Babelio $18.99

• Voraiya light therapy lamp $89.99

• LectroFan Micro2 $34.99