Anyone experiencing difficulty falling asleep — or staying asleep — has likely tried several tools and tricks to get better rest. Several items can support good sleep, including cooling sheets and anti-snoring devices. One gadget that experts often recommend: white noise machines. We asked six sleep experts about the benefits of white noise and the features to look for. They helped us pick the LectroFan Evo as our favorite white noise machine.
“If someone has difficulty sleeping because of various sounds, whether those environmental sounds are constant or sporadic, then a white noise machine may help to smooth out that noise,” explains Dr. Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science at Sleep Cycle, a sleep tracking app. In addition to helping with sleep, a white noise machine can also be used to drown out distracting noise while working on trying to concentrate.
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How we picked the best white noise machines
Beyond just playing white noise, sleep experts say there are a few other specifications you should look for when shopping.
- Volume control: The experts we spoke with agreed that a volume knob is an important component to look for. “The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that environmental noise should be below 40 dB between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” says Gradisar. “Sleep science shows that if sounds are loud, but not loud enough to wake you up, they may affect your deep sleep during the night.” All the options on our list can control the volume or play white noise at under 40 dB.
- Bonus features: In addition to playing white noise, many machines also have additional functions that can be helpful for sleep — like the ability to play other soothing sounds, a clock or a light that gently turns on to mimic sunrise to wake you. Gradisar also recommends looking for a portable white noise machine…
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