A little ambient noise can help you (or your little one) drift off to sleep. Here are the best white noise machines for adults and kids, from a no-frills fan to high-tech smart gadgets.
You might be surprised to learn that you probably already have a sound machine in your home—any Amazon Echo speaker or Echo Show smart display can do double duty as a sound machine. There are a wealth of sounds available in Alexa’s skills library; one of the best sources is Sleep Jar. Just say, “Alexa, open ocean sounds,” or “Alexa, open rain sounds” for a sampling.
For some people, an Alexa-powered smart speaker might be the only sound machine they need. But if you want a more powerful sleep machine that can be controlled by Alexa, don’t forget that Hatch sound machines have Alexa support as well.In this category, personal preference rules. Fortunately, the wide variety of white noise machines on the market offer sounds to match anyone’s needs, from whirring fans to soothing nature sounds.
Beyond straightforward, consistent noises, some sound machines include special content such as meditations, sleep stories and lullabies for when you’re not in the singing mood.Most people will probably be perfectly happy with a selection of a few types of sound. However, if you’re seeking more versatility, consider the