According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborn babies need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep daily for proper growth and development. A way for new parents to help ensure their baby gets enough sleep is with a baby sound machine. This device produces white noise, which calms and relaxes babies, helping them drift off to sleep.
If you’re in the market for a new baby sound machine, you’re likely overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. In this guide we’ll help break down your choices so you can pick the best baby sound machine for your family.
What Is a Baby Sound Machine?
A baby sound machine, or white noise machine, is a device that produces calming sounds to help babies sleep. These sounds come from fans in the machine or pre-recorded audio played through the speakers.
White noise machines also block out other noises like loud street traffic and barking dogs so your baby can rest without disturbance.
How To Choose the Perfect Baby Sound Machine
If you’re having trouble picking out a noise machine for your bundle of joy, here are a couple of tips and tricks to help you out:
Check the Type of White Noise the Machine Produces
There are two main types of white noise:
- Digitally produced: This is a medley of tonal noises which the machine plays through speakers.
- Mechanically produced: These sounds are produced by fans to create a steady drone of noise.
While most parents find mechanically produced noise more effective for their baby’s sleep, some babies can be sensitive to it. On the other hand, digitally produced white noise usually has more variety than mechanical options, so you can try different noises out.
Think About Battery Life & Volume Control
If you’re planning on using the baby sound machine while out and about, battery life and volume control are two important factors you should consider in your decision-making process.
Look for machines that offer adjustable volume levels so you can keep it low when sleeping or crank it up a notch when you need to. Additionally, look for battery-powered devices with good battery life, so you don’t have to worry about charging them constantly.
Consider the Machine’s Portability
One of the great things about baby sound machines is that they come in various sizes and shapes. Some are lightweight and portable, while others are bigger and have more features.
Think about where you’ll use the machine most often before making your purchase. Opt for a light, portable model if you plan on taking it with you on adventures with your little one.
Look for App Compatibility
If you’re tech-savvy and like to have the latest gadgets, look for baby sound machines that are compatible with mobile apps. This will give you complete control over the noise machine from your phone or tablet. App control will also allow you to:
- Adjust the volume
- Select a sleep timer
- Choose different types of white noise
Top Picks for Baby Sound Machines
If you’re still unsure of which sound machine to get for your baby, here are some of our top picks:
Choose Your Noise With the Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine
The Hatch Rest Smart Sound Machine is a lightweight, portable white noise machine perfect for home use and travel. It has 11 pre-recorded white noise sounds including:
- Lullabies
- Rainforest noises
- Ocean waves
In addition, you can even control the noise machine from your phone with the Hatch Rest app. It also comes with a night light with adjustable colors.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Adjustable night light with 10 colors
- Smartphone compatibility
- Programmable
Cons
- It’s the most expensive on our list
- It doesn’t let you play your own music
Yoga Sleep’s Dohm Natural Sound Machine Cancels Outside Noise
The Yoga Sleep Dohm Natural Baby Sound Machine is a mechanical white noise machine. This device only produces white noise that mimics a fan, but you can adjust the tone and volume to find the perfect sound level for your baby.
This baby sound machine also comes with a sleep timer, allowing you to set it to turn off after a certain amount of time.
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Low price point
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- No app compatibility
- Lack of sound variety
Hear the Sounds of Nature on the HomeMedics MyBaby SoundSpa Portable
The HomeMedics MyBaby SoundSpa Portable is a simple yet powerful white noise machine. It features six soothing sounds and you can adjust the volume of this baby sound machine to suit your environment. The machine also comes with an auto-off timer, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off after your baby has fallen asleep.
The machine plays the following sounds:
- Heartbeat
- White noise
- Ocean
- Summer night
- Cradle
- Brook
Pros
- Affordable
- Good sound quality
- Auto-off timer for convenience
- Portable
Cons
- Fewer sound options than other machines
- No app compatibility or smartphone control
Get the Best Baby Sound Machine for Your Family
Investing in a baby sound machine is a great way to help your baby get quality sleep. Hopefully now you know what to look for in a white noise machine so that your little one will drift off to the land of nod in no time.
