10 Best Sleep Sound Machines for Sweeter Dreams, Tested and Reviewed for 2023

FTR: I wouldn't have gotten through my third-trimester insomnia if it weren't for this handy gadget. Mini but mighty, the LectroFan EVO offers a wide range of frequencies and volumes, allowing you to find *just* the right soundtrack for your sleep. Despite its small size, the sound is clear and rich, and it includes several helpful features, like a super-intuitive interface, a highly customizable timer, and a connector for headphones or speakers.

• Sound options: 22 (10 white noises, 10 fan sounds, 2 ocean surf sounds)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: According to one tester, "I have struggled to sleep for years. I’ve tried everything (meds, machines, aromatherapy, meditation). Literally everything. I can’t believe it, but this sound machine is a dream. I have never been able to find a sound machine before that doesn’t annoy the heck out of me. I now can fall asleep so much faster than I ever have."

For something a lil cheaper, try this v intuitive option from Yogasleep (formerly known as Marpac and creators of the "original white noise machine," per the website). Rather than forcing you to toggle through a variety of sounds, this machine has a separate button for each of its 16 noise options, whether you're looking to hear simple white sound or soothing melodies designed to relax your mind. Plus, it's easy to transport and has six- and eight-hour sleep timers.

• Sound options: 16 (2 white noises, 6 fan sounds, 4 natural sounds, 4 sleep songs)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: "This white noise machine is awesome," one buyer raves. "I always used a fan for white noise, but in the winter it's too cold to have a fan running while I sleep. Surprisingly, this little machine blocks out a lot of sound and is easy to fall asleep to. I've mostly been using the 'fan' sounds, but the other relaxing/meditation options are great for stretching or for background noise while I work. Great for travel as well."

Okay, but how cute is this lil egg-shaped device? Boasting a sound library packed with nearly 30 noise options—including white noise, pink noise, brown noise, and other ambient soundtracks—this bb is seriously versatile...and yes, the built-in nightlight and lullaby programs are totally meant for adults just as much as they are for kiddies. It also includes 30-, 60-, and 90-minute sleep timers, as well as an internal battery that allows it to run for 12 hours before needing a charge.

• Sound options: 29 (15 natural sounds, 7 fan sounds, 7 white noises)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? Yes

THE REVIEW: "I really love this and so do my kids," one review reads. "They all fight over who gets to use the 'egg' sound machine. The sound is actually really loud for the size—like, so loud I have to repeatedly ask them to turn it down. I like that it doesn't have to stay plugged in and can be recharged. The cord on the top makes it so you can hang it from something or clip it somewhere, which is convenient for traveling."

You may find cheaper white noise machines than this one, but they probs won't match this bad boy's quality. This device from Dreamegg (which currently has over 12,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, nbd) is such a steal, offering a compact design, easy-push buttons, and over 32 (!!) volume levels. Best of all, the quality of the sounds doesn't diminish as the volume increases, which is rare for a sleep sound machine at this price point. Other perks: the built-in nightlight and the 30-, 60-, and 90-minute sleep timers.

• Sound options: 24 (7 white noises, 7 fan sounds, 7 natural sounds, 3 sleep songs)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: "We purchased this noise machine based on the reviews and price. We were certainly not disappointed!" one tester notes. "It has numerous sounds to choose from...nature sounds, white noise, and fan noise options. We found the one that almost mimicked our air conditioners and we’ve been sleeping great! Also I love how small it is so we can take it with us while traveling! 10/10 in my book!"

If you're someone who's soothed by the whooshing sound of a fan at night, then you'll love this chic lil machine from SNOOZ. Equipped with an internal mechanical fan, this noise machine allows you to adjust the tone and volume by twisting the outer shell (or using the SNOOZ smartphone app!), with 10 settings available for you to peruse. Through the app, you can also set schedules and sleep timers and adjust the brightness of the built-in nightlight.

• Sound options: Real fan sound
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: As one reviewer writes, "This was the first white noise fan I ever purchased. It works great because you can change the way the air flows to adjust both sound and volume, and it also has volume settings (fan speeds) to make it louder or softer, too. I need a loud fan, so this one has been a lifesaver for me—especially when traveling—by replacing traditional, high-power consumption fans that I used to sleep to."

This tiny white-noise machine + my baby's stroller = magic. In addition to being aesthetic AF, the travel-friendly Drift Away from ergoPouch was made for taking on the go with a 48-hour runtime on a single charge and a handy silicone strap. And though it doesn't include a wide variety of sounds, it does feature 25 volume settings, an adjustable LED nightlight, and an incredibly lightweight design.

• Sound options: 7 (1 white noise, 1 fan sound, 5 natural sounds)
• Sleep timer? No
• Rechargeable? Yes

THE REVIEW: "This sound machine is beautifully giftable," writes one buyer. "I love the soft and medium glow settings that emanate light from the back, but I also like that I can turn the light off and only play sound. The sound quality is very good. No distortion. No crackling. No wonky anything. Every sound it plays sounds exactly as it should. The long battery life is also spectacular. I definitely recommend!"

This noise machine may not be compact, but it is seriously smart. The Sound+Sleep SE has 16 distinct sound profiles with four richness levels for each one, giving you a total of 64 unique soundtracks to enjoy (and they're so easy to explore with the twistable knob). Reviewers also love the four sleep timer options, headphone jack, and adaptive mode, which responds to changes in sound and automatically adjusts the volume.

• Sound options: 16 (3 white noises, 2 fan sounds, 11 natural sounds)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: "I am SO glad I decided to splurge on this one!" reads one review. "I purchased one other sleep sound machine that was cheaper, and you can definitely tell the difference in quality, plus this one has so many more sounds/variety of sounds to choose from. I didn't think I would like the adaptive sound feature, but it really is nice—would be great for a baby's room, especially if you have other kids who run around while baby is napping."

Chances are you've seen this ambient wake-up light all over TikTok, and for good reason: It's such a vibe. In addition to having a built-in audio library with 16 programs (including nature sounds, ambient noise, and white noise), the Arkenstone functions as a groovy phone-charging clock lamp, offering 18 color-changing effects that span the full-color spectrum. Basically, for less than $70, you get a sleep sound machine, phone charger, sunrise alarm, and sleep-aid lamp all in one—oh, and it also pairs with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and the Dekala app.

• Sound options: 16 (11 sleep-aid sounds, 5 wake-up sounds)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: As one review reads, "After having a different brand and being disappointed, I bought this sunrise alarm clock to see if it were better. Not only is it a much better clock...everything about it is better. More features, more lighting settings, different soothing sounds to fall asleep or wake up. I was impressed after just one night."

Another next-level alarm clock that doubles as a sleep sound machine: the Loftie Clock. With this one, you don't have to worry about getting bored with your audio library, as the ever-growing catalog of audio tracks ensures you always have new sounds to explore—and those sounds aren't limited to white noise. Loftie also provides breathwork exercises, sound baths, guided meditations, and even bedtime stories, and it's fairly easy to set up your device through the (totally free!) app.

• Sound options: Constantly expanding catalog of white noises, natural sounds, mediations, sound baths, bedtime stories, and more
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? Yes

THE REVIEW: "The variety of sounds available on Loftie has been a game-changer," one tester notes. "The selection covers everything from white noise to nature sounds, sound baths, and guided meditations. No more endless YouTube searches for the perfect bedtime soundtrack or morning routine. Loftie has it all covered."

You simply C-A-N-N-O-T have a white-noise machine round-up without the IG-famous Hatch Restore. This new-and-improved version comes preloaded with even more nature sounds and white noises than the original—and just like with Loftie, you can access unlimited meditations, sleep stories, and soundscapes through the app (though, unfortch, that'll cost you extra). The best part: the sunrise alarm feature, which gently wakes you by simulating a rising sun.

• Sound options: 30+ sleep-aid and wake-up sounds (plus access to the constantly expanding catalog with a paid subscription)
• Sleep timer? Yes
• Rechargeable? No

THE REVIEW: "I was looking for a something that helped me fall asleep easily and wake up peacefully," notes one reviewer. "The worst thing ever is when the alarm on your phone goes off in the morning and startles you out of a deep sleep. The Hatch Restore 2 is a gradual light and sound that wakes you over the time you select. From the select sound and volume, to the color light and the brightness— everything is customizable to my liking. My husband wants his own now!"