Our Favorite Tried and True White Noise Machines (And a Few We’d Skip) From a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Mom of 4
If you’ve been around Heaven Sent Sleep for any length of time, you know I’m a big believer in using simple, supportive tools to help your baby (and you!) sleep better. One of my top go-to tools? White noise machines.
I’m going to get on my soapbox a bit in this blog because this is my personal list, shaped by years of real-world sleep coaching with thousands of families, plus what’s worked for my own kids. Some links below are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. I only ever share what I genuinely recommend.
Why Use White Noise for Baby Sleep?
Let’s start here because I always get asked: “Do I really need a white noise machine?” Short answer: probably yes. Evidence shows that consistent, soothing background noise can help babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. A well-known study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that 80% of newborns exposed to white noise fell asleep within five minutes, compared to just 25% of babies without it.
Why? Because babies are used to a loud, whooshy world in the womb; your heartbeat, digestion, and blood flow are surprisingly noisy. White noise mimics that constant backdrop, which helps block out sudden household sounds that could wake your baby just as they’re drifting into a deep sleep.
If you want to dig more into the science, check out my post on How to Create a “Sleepy” Nursery where I talk about the sleep environment piece.
My Tried-and-True Favorite White Noise Machines
Alright, here’s what we’ve personally used and loved, many for years!
This is the OG, our ride or die. I bought our LectroFan Classic for Noah over 10 years ago and it’s still going strong. It’s simple, durable, and has great volume range which is key for blocking out the neighbor’s dog or a loud garbage truck at 5am. I recommend this one for nurseries or your own bedroom if you need consistent sound.
We have several of these scattered around our house (and always one in the diaper bag). The Micro is portable, rechargeable, and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. I love how tiny it is; perfect for travel, hotel rooms, or naps at Grandma’s. Not the loudest on the market, but totally fine for close proximity to your baby’s sleep space.
A parent favorite for good reason. This one clips onto the stroller or car seat and has adjustable volume. It’s super lightweight but surprisingly durable. Families I work with say it’s a lifesaver for on-the-go naps.
4. Frida Baby Portable White Noise Machine
Frida Baby is always clever with their baby gadgets and this little white noise machine is no different. It’s cute, charges via USB, and the battery lasts a decent amount of time. It’s not as customizable as the LectroFan, but it’s reliable for quick naps out and about.
The “Okay but Not My Favorite” List of Sound Machines
I’m all about honesty, so here’s what’s just “meh” for me:
This one is handy because it’s small and portable, but it’s not a super loud option if you need serious sound to block out household noise or street traffic. The sounds themselves are fine, nothing too harsh, but I’ve found the battery doesn’t last quite as long as some others, which can be frustrating for overnight sleep or long naps on the go. It’s fine in a pinch, but not my top choice for consistent daily use.
It’s customizable, which sounds good on paper, but I find the sound options a little artificial. Not my top pick, but it’s a great budget friendly option.
I know I’ll get some side eyes for this, but I have to say it: the Hatch is super popular, but there isn’t a single sound that doesn’t grate on my nerves after a while. I do like the “okay to wake” feature for toddlers, that’s handy, but I’d pair it with a better white noise machine for actual sleep.
Evidence-Based Recommendations for using White Noise
Remember, white noise should be used safely. White noise is also a tool, not a magic fix. If your baby is still struggling with frequent wake-ups, it’s worth looking at other factors like sleep associations, schedule, and environment. If you need help with that, check out my 4 Steps to Stop Night Wakings — it’s one of our most downloaded freebies!
Real Parent Results
I can talk about my own kids and clients all day, but here’s a quick snippet from a Heaven Sent Sleep family:
The white noise alone didn’t solve our sleep issues, but paired with your response-based plan, it made the biggest difference. We’re all sleeping through the night now, and our house is finally peaceful again! — Mama K.
Final Thoughts
White noise isn’t a trendy add-on, it’s a tried-and-true sleep support tool when used wisely. So if you’ve been hesitant to try it, or you’re wondering if your old one needs an upgrade, I hope this roundup gives you a clear starting point.
You can find all my favorite machines linked above, these are the exact ones I use with my own kids and recommend to clients every single week.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share what I truly love and use myself. Thank you for supporting my small business!
