Our editors tested the most popular noise machines for sleeping, from the Hatch Restore 3 smart alarm clock to the classic Yogasleep Dohm for mechanical sound.
Restore 3 When I asked coworkers which white noise machine they used, almost all of them have, and love, the Hatch. I got this months ago for the alarm clock feature, but have since become obsessed with it for the white noise that quickly lulls me to sleep at night.
I’m partial to ocean sounds, and love the fact that you can change the color to create a soothing hue to go with the noise. I feel like I’m falling asleep by the beach. And, in the morning, not only does the clock mimic the sunrise a few minutes before I get up, but it also plays nature sounds, which is far nicer than any blaring alarm I’ve ever owned.Related: My Honest Review of the Hatch Restore 3 Alarm Clock Alarm Clock with Sound Machine My coworker, Juan Pablo Lopez, commerce partnerships manager, swears by this option because it has a variety of different white noise settings. “As someone who generally gets bad sleep and frequently wakes up throughout the night, the brown noise setting on the Loftie has helped me from being woken up by my noisy neighbors and get more restful sleep,” he says. “Not to mention the added bonus of it looking super sleek on my nightstand!”Related: Loftie vs. Hatch Review: Which Smart Alarm Clock Can Actually Help You Sleep Better? White Noise Machine Drift Away I’ve gotten so hooked on sleeping with a white noise machine that I struggle when I’m away from home. I really love that this simplified one is portable and doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase. This does last for 48 hours on one charge from a USB-C cable, which is great, but sometimes it’s yet another thing to remember to charge before bed.I also like that it has a handle. It can be used on a crib or stroller for kids, but I’ve attached to a lamp in a hotel before so I could have it near my bedside. It has a few simple buttons to control lights, music, and sounds. While I like this option for travel, it’s not one I’d use exclusively as I would prefer more sound options at home. Echo Dot You might already have an Alexa device in your house, but did you know that it has a white noise feature? You can just ask it to play ambient noises, and then select the one that you like best. This was my go-to in my apartment on an older model Echo Dot before I upgraded to the Hatch. However, it is important to note that it is connected to your Amazon Prime account, and sometimes I don’t necessarily want the Echo knowing all of my sleep habits, or listening in my bedroom. Dohm Classic I haven’t personally tested this one yet, but given the more than 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s up next on my list. While a lot of the other white noise machines on this list have extra bells and whistles, this streamlined one just makes a subtle soothing sound, and you can turn the dial to make it louder.This has been around since 1962. It claims the title of the original white noise sound machine, and has a singular fan-like white noise to help tune out traffic or snoring partners. It’s not ideal for people who like a lot of options, but could be perfect for the person who finds nature sounds annoying, but still wants the benefit of white noise to tune out the world. Can you leave a white noise machine on all night long? Short answer? Yes. “For people with a low arousal threshold, meaning they are more likely to wake in response to minor noise disturbances, white noise can mask abrupt sounds, making them less noticeable to the brain,” says Dr. Rohrscheib. “This promotes more stable, uninterrupted sleep by allowing the brain to remain in a sleep state rather than reacting to external stimuli.” But you do need to be cautious when it comes to how loud your machine is. “Volume matters more than people realize,” says Dr. Lu. “Keeping it at a low, background level is key.” Where should I put my white noise machine? Dr. Rohrscheib also warns about potential hearing issues and recommends not putting this right next to your ears. “Keeping your machine far enough away from your head and setting it to moderate volume will reduce this risk,” she advises. Is there any downside to using a white noise machine long term? Yes and no. “The downsides of using white noise is that you may become reliant on it, which means that you might sleep poorly if you don’t have access to your machine,” says Dr. Rohrscheib. She recommends using a machine that has a battery backup if possible. Will a white noice machine fix my sleeping issues for good? Probably not. “New findings suggest that continuous noise may fragment sleep and potentially reduce time spent in REM, which is one of the most restorative stages,” says Dr. Lu. “The theory is that even if the sound feels soothing, it still acts as a constant stimulus your brain has to process. For occasional use or in noisy environments, it can be useful, but it may not be the best first-line solution for improving sleep long-term.” How we chose the best white noise machines For this story, we personally tested a selection of top-rated white noise machines at home as well as asked fellow Prevention editors for their own firsthand experiences. We also consulted William Lu, M.D., medical director and sleep expert at Sunrise and Chelsie Rohrscheib, Ph.D., sleep scientist at Wesper—to help you make informed decisions and pick the best white noise machine for you. Why trust us For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
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