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Best white noise machines for babies: top devices for a peaceful night's sleep
Get a peaceful night's sleep for your baby and the whole family with our pick of the best white noise machines. Our tried-and-tested list will help soothe your little one, giving everyone a better night's sleep.
By Becca Heyes | Last updated Jun 24, 2024
When you become a parent, you soon learn that, unfortunately, not all babies actually sleep ‘like a baby.’ Even once you've spent time and money choosing the best crib and making sure it's comfy, helping your baby learn to sleep well can be one of the biggest struggles for new parents, and it���s an issue that can linger through their toddler years and beyond.
Luckily, there are some tools that you can use to help improve your baby’s sleep. With the evenings getting lighter and spring on the way, many parents swear by white noise machines to help their little ones nod off. Parents often find that the best white noise machines can not only help their little ones to fall asleep more quickly, but actually help them sleep through the night. What's more, their soothing sounds don't interfere with baby monitors and will help make your little one's travel cot feel more familiar when you're away from home.
Sleep deprivation can have a real impact on a person’s physical and mental health, so it’s important for both you and your baby to sleep well. There are various types of white noise machines on the market, from basic sound boxes to cuddly, noise-emitting comforters and sleep aids. We've trawled through the web and the Mumsnet forums - the biggest online network of UK parents - to find which ones come with glowing references and which aren't worth the bother. We also consulted consumer reviews and expert opinions to find the best white noise machines for babies currently available.
Here are the best white noise machines for babies.
The best white noise machines for babies: at a glance
11 different sound options, including white noise, nature sounds, and lullabies
Small and portable – can clip onto cot, pushchair or car seat
Attractive design
Adjustable night light (which can be turned off if not needed)
Not mains-powered, so needs to be charged most days if used all night long
Price: £40 | Type: Rechargeable (built-in battery) | Number of sounds: 11
One of the best selling points of the Dreamegg white noise machine is the level of control you have over its features. There are 11 different sound options to choose from (including white noise, nature sounds, and lullabies), 32 different volume levels, and an adjustable night light.
If you’re looking for a portable white noise machine that can be used both at home and on the go, the Dreamegg D11 is a really versatile option. Most of the time, it can be kept at home and clipped to your baby’s cot. There’s a child lock that prevents it from being accidentally turned off. Or you can grab it to use out and about, clipped onto the pushchair or your baby car seat.
The Dreamegg is a wireless white noise machine, so there are no hazardous cables to worry about. It’s not mains powered, but don’t worry – you won’t need to add batteries to your weekly shopping list as you can simply plug the machine in via a USB cable to recharge it during the day. You can set the timer to play for 30, 60 or 90 minutes, or just leave it to play continuously. Whatever your baby needs, the Dreamegg can manage it.
Cheap and portable
Four sound options which play in cycles of 15, 30 or 45 minutes (longer than some premium brands of white noise machines)
Fewer sound choices than some other machines
Price: £15 | Type: Battery-powered (three AAA) | Number of sounds: 4
The majority of white noise machines for babies seem to retail around the £30 to £50 mark, but the SoundSpa costs just £15 – a considerable saving if you’re on a tight budget.
The lower price means that you don’t get quite as much control over this white noise machine as with other devices – there are only four different noises to choose from, for example, compared to the Dreamegg’s 11. However, once you find a noise you like, chances are you’ll only ever use that one, so this shouldn’t be an issue in practice.
The SoundSpa white noise machine can be used at home or on the go and you can choose between 15, 30 and 45 minute noise cycles, which is longer than a lot of the premium white noise machine brands.
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Separate small comfort blanket included
Sound box is removable, so can be used without the bear if needed
Plays real womb sounds
Cry sensor that automatically restarts the white noise if the baby stirs
Only one sound option
Only plays noise for five minutes at a time
Price: £28 | Type: Battery-powered (four AAA) | Number of sounds: 1
Just like Ollie the Owl, the Slumber Bear contains a cry sensor that will restart the noise when the baby begins to stir. The noise only plays for five minutes each time, but it will reactivate as many times as needed.
Rather than playing artificial white noise, the Prince Lionheart Slumber Bear plays real sounds recorded from a mother’s womb shortly before giving birth. In theory, it’s the exact sound your newborn baby will be used to hearing, and therefore the sound that should help to soothe them most effectively.
The sound box is inserted into the tummy of a soft teddy bear. It can also be removed if you’d prefer to use the two separately. The sound box itself is very small and compact, so could easily be attached to a pushchair or car seat via its Velcro strap.
Read next: The best swaddles for newborn naps
Soft night light in the sheep’s tummy to mimic the womb
Each sound is accompanied by a real recording of a resting heartbeat, which can be comforting to a small baby
Only four sounds to choose from
No continuous white noise setting
No cry sensor, so once the timer runs out, it’s off unless you manually restart it
Gets through batteries quite quickly
Price: £28 | Type: Battery-powered (three AA) | Number of sounds: 4
Parents up and down the country swear by Ewan to send their babies and toddlers off to sleep. Ewan the Dream Sheep is perhaps one of the most well-known white noise machines for babies, with its cute and cuddly sheep design. Its features are fairly basic, with just four different sounds to choose from (including white noise and lullaby music), which are each accompanied by the sound of a resting heartbeat.
Ewan comes with loud and quiet modes, and a soft pink night light in the sheep’s tummy, which is designed to mimic the pink glow of the womb. Each feature is activated by pressing on one of Ewan’s limbs. Ewan can provide a great comfort for small babies – just remember it’s recommended to keep soft toys out of reach of the cot until the baby is 12 months old.
The main drawback of Ewan the Dream Sheep is that the white noise only plays for 20 minutes, with no option to play for longer (unless you manually restart the noise every 20 minutes), and no continuous play setting.
Some parents find that their baby settles quickly when Ewan is playing the white noise, but will stir again 20 minutes later when the noise stops. Ewan can be a lifesaver if your baby tends to sleep well once they’ve managed to drop off to sleep, but if you find your baby needs more support to sleep reliably throughout the night, you may find a white noise machine with a continuous setting is better for you.
ergoPouch Driftaway White Noise Machine
Looks great
High quality sound
Rounded and soft
Silicone loop
7 sounds
Nightlight with 3 brightness levels
Impressive battery life
Adjustable volume
Pricey
Buttons are hard to get to grips with in the dark
Price: £50 | Type: Rechargeable battery | Number of sounds: 7
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full ergoPouch Drift Away White Noise Machine review
With 7 sounds to choose from and adjustable volume, there’s bound to be a sound that’s soothing for your little one (or yourself!) on the Drift Away. It has a much less tinny sound than white noise apps you can play from your phone, and has the advantage of being ridiculously good looking - just as appealing for adults as it is for little ones.
The controls take a bit of getting used to, especially if you’re operating them in the dark. But once you’ve located the right button, it’s easy to navigate between sounds, volume levels and the nightlight’s three brightness settings.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing white noise machine you can take anywhere, the ErgoPouch DriftAway is a pleasure to use.
Comes with adaptor plugs for the US, EU and UK use
20 different sounds to choose from
Sounds are non-repeating
Can be turned up to a high volume
Sound does not fade out but cuts off suddenly
Pricey
Price: £60 | Type: USB-powered | Number of sounds: 20
With no less than 10 different fan sounds, including industrial, vent, box and oscillating, the LectroFan also produces 10 non-repeating white, pink and brown noises and blends. The volume can be turned up quite loud, capable of drawing out traffic and heavy-footed upstairs neighbours.
If you are looking for a soothing sound machine with different frequency options, then the LectroFan is the one for you. Brown noise is growing in popularity as a low-frequency alternative to white noise for relaxation or sleep. Brown noise is known to be soothing, with relatively rougher, stronger sounds (think a gentle storm or fast flowing currents versus white noise’s waterfall sounds) to aid relaxation, meditation and rest.
It’s not the prettiest, or indeed the cheapest, white noise machine on the market, but those who have used the LectroFan say this gadget has proved a real saviour.
If you are looking for a white noise machine to take on holiday with you then the LectroFan is a great choice as it comes with adaptor plugs for the US and EU. So you can continue to enjoy restful nights throughout your vacation (fingers crossed).
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Cry sensor that automatically restarts the white noise if the baby stirs
Soft night light in the owl’s tummy
Portable – can be strapped to cot, pushchair or car seat
Soft toys are not recommended for sleeping until a baby is 12 months old, so Ollie the Owl should be kept out of reach until then
No continuous white noise setting
Gets through batteries quite quickly
Price: £28 | Type: Battery powered (four AA) | Number of sounds: 6
Ollie’s finest talent has to be his CrySensor, which detects when your baby is unsettled to then restart the white noise function, which helps them go back to sleep.
The Tommee Tippee Ollie the Owl has a dual function. Not only does it serve as a white noise machine, but also as a soft toy for your child to cuddle with.
Soft toys aren’t recommended in a cot until a baby is at least 12 months old, so Ollie will need to be kept out of reach of your sleeping baby until they reach their first birthday, but it can still be played with during the day.
Much more than just a cute toy, Ollie the Owl offers a range of features, including soft lighting. He can be attached to your baby’s cot with a handy velcro strap and can emit sounds including a heartbeat, rainfall, white noise and Brahms’ Lullaby, all with adjustable volume levels.
One downside is that Ollie munches batteries like they’re going out of fashion because he’s always on standby, so it would be wise to get rechargeable batteries so that he always stays charged.
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Are white noise machines good for babies?
Many parents swear by white noise as an easy way to help their baby fall asleep at bedtime. It can also help them to sleep more reliably throughout the night, as it can make it easier for them to self-settle when they stir.
White noise works for several reasons. Firstly, it can block out any background noise that could disturb your baby, like TV noise or doors closing. The fact that white noise is reminiscent of the noises your baby heard in the womb can also be really soothing for them. Plus, if you use it every night, turning on your baby’s white noise machine will become part of their bedtime routine. This can provide a brilliant sleep cue, to help them to understand that it’s time for them to go to sleep.
White noise isn’t a magic solution that will fix all of your baby’s sleep issues, but it can prove to be an incredibly useful tool in helping your baby to develop a good sleep schedule, and ensuring that the whole family is well rested.
What to look for in a white noise machine
Some white noise machines boast huge numbers of different sounds, including various tones of white noise, as well as nature sounds and more. While it can be useful to have several different noises to choose from, most people will only end up using one sound on a regular basis, so this is not always the most important feature of a white noise machine.
When choosing a white noise machine, often the practicalities of each machine will outweigh any gimmicky features. For example, you will want to consider whether or not you want your white noise machine to be battery-powered or mains-powered. Battery-powered white noise machines are handy for taking out and about, but need regular charging or replacing of batteries.
On the other hand, while mains-powered white noise machines aren’t as easy to move around, they can be plugged in and left to play all night long without worrying about batteries. Your preference will depend on how you’re planning to use your white noise machine.
Where should I place my white noise machine?
White noise machines that plug into the wall obviously need to be kept out of reach of your baby’s cot, due to the hazardous wires. Usually, this isn’t a problem – as long as the white noise machine has an adjustable volume, you can even place it across the room and it can still help your baby to sleep.
Other white noise machines, particularly those that are designed to also function as a cuddly toy, are able to be placed directly into your baby’s cot. Just remember that soft toys are not recommended for use in a baby’s cot until they are at least 12 months old, so soft white noise machines like Ewan the Dream Sheep should not be placed in the cot until this age. Instead, they can be placed next to the cot or strapped securely to the side. Handheld devices - such as the Grohush Baby Calmer white noise machine - are designed to be held next to the baby's head and therefore should not be left unattended.
Is it OK to leave a white noise machine on all night for baby?
Some white noise machines for babies, particularly those that are designed to be cuddled in the cot, stop the noise after a designated amount of time (anything from five minutes up to an hour or two). While this can work well to soothe some babies to sleep, others may wake up when the noise is turned off. Therefore, a white noise machine that can play continuously through the night may be more effective for some babies.
As with everything, what’s true for one baby isn’t always true for another, so you may need to experiment a little to find the solution that works best for your baby. Therefore, choosing a white noise machine with both a timer and a continuous setting is probably a sensible idea.
Which white noise sound is best for baby?
White noise, pink noise or brown noise - what are the differences and which is best for getting babies to sleep? Well, it really does come down to preference.
White noise, which sounds like radio static or a humming air conditioning unit, covers all frequencies that humans can hear and is great for masking background noise and helping babies to sleep soundly. Pink noise is softer with lower frequencies than white noise, which makes it less ear-piercing. The sound of falling rain would be a real-life example of pink noise. Brown noise is similar to pink noise, but has an even deeper sound, with more bass in the lower frequencies (think less rain, more waves or a gentle storm). Pink and brown noise are great for calming a restless baby and settling them down for a deep sleep.
What age is white noise appropriate for?
Babies, children and adults of all ages use white noise to help them get a restful night's sleep. However babies can become reliant on them which may prove problematic if you end up staying away from home overnight.
Can white noise machines damage a baby's hearing?
White noise machines are safe for babies, as long as you don’t exceed recommended noise limits for babies, which is 50 decibels.
Based on a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that white noise machines are placed at least seven feet away from the cot or bed and should always be used below the maximum volume setting.
Which is the best white noise machine for babies?
After researching dozens of different machines to compile this list of the 10 best white noise machines for babies, our conclusion is that the Dreamegg D11 is the best white noise machine there is.
We love how it can be used at home, plugged into the wall to play continuously. But if you want to take it out and about, it’s neat and compact, and can run off its battery. It has a cute design, with a useful night light that can also be turned off if you prefer. And with 11 different sounds to choose from, there’s sure to be one that your baby enjoys.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from real parents, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which white noise machines discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their children. We compiled a list of the machines they recommended for being the most effective at helping their babies sleep.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which baby white noise machines had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers reviews said about them. We also looked at safe sleep guidelines from the NHS, to ensure all of our recommendations comply with the latest safety guidance.
Having collated all that information, we picked the white noise machines we thought would make the best buys in several categories.
Recommendations from real parents
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations.
We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
Before we recommend new products, we always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are more than 7 million each month. That’s a lot of honest, impartial advice.
Expert guidance
We always ensure our information represents the latest recommendations from experts so you can rely on it, and we research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny. Here we consulted reputable sources such as consumer watchdogs Which?, as well as the NHS and The Lullaby Trust and took note of what they looked for in a white noise machine for babies and which ones they were recommending to their readers.
Consumer feedback
We also scour the internet, leaving no stone unturned to check out real reviews from customers who have bought the products themselves and given both positive and negative feedback.
Celebrated best products
Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best white noise machines for babies that have won the most accolades and recommendations across the board to bring you a selection of the best ones at various price points. We think there’s something here for everyone.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
Main image credit: Dreamegg