White Noise Machines: Do They Really Work?

As you get older, getting a good night’s sleep becomes more and more challenging. Gone are the days when you were a teenager, sleeping in until noon and waking up with pillow lines imprinted on your cheeks.

But the good news is that there are certain things you can do to improve your sleep quality so that you wake up feeling well rested. Along with avoiding blue light exposure hours before bed, shortening daily naps, upgrading to a new mattress, and reducing caffeine intake, a white noise machine can help you snooze better.

At Sleepy’s, we understand the power of a good night’s sleep, which is why we provide and suggest products that can improve the quality of your rest. A deep sleep is essential for reducing stress and high blood pressure, avoiding weight gain, and making sure your body has the energy needed to perform daily tasks.

What are White Noise Machines?

A white noise machine, or sound machine, can be very helpful for people who live in busy city areas filled with chatter and vehicle noise. The machines can also be beneficial for those who like to sleep with their window open but don’t wish to hear birds chirping and trees rustling all night long. Over the past few years, many Australians have turned to white noise machines to improve their sleep quality.

A white noise machine produces noises that can drown out the sounds coming from the outside world, calming the listener with the sounds of wind blowing, waves crashing against the shore, and waterfalls. These noises are much nicer than hearing cars honk at the nearby intersection or your neighbors barking dog.

These machines can be especially helpful for families with babies as they can aid in putting the baby to sleep during the day and at night.

How do they Work?

White noise machines are actually quite simple to operate. All you need to do is turn on the sound machine before hopping into your comfortable bed. The machine will either generate its own sound or will play some noises on a continuous loop. This depends on the make and model that you purchase.

The machine will phase out any distracting noises, allowing the listener to peacefully drift off to dreamland. People with tinnitus, who experience ringing sounds in their ears, can also benefit from the use of a white noise machine.

Once someone uses a white noise machine for an extended period of time, even hearing the sounds will start to make them feel sleepy. It becomes ingrained in their sleep routine, which should also include brushing their teeth, having a warm shower or bath, and meditating or performing some breathing experiences.

How can they Improve your Sleep Quality?

While some people don’t have any difficulty falling asleep, they may have trouble staying asleep. Thankfully, a white noise machine can help with that. Several research studies suggest that when using a white noise machine, sleepers wake up less frequently throughout the night as they aren’t bothered by loud surrounding sounds.

Along with reducing the time that it takes people to fall asleep, listening to a white noise machine can certainly help someone stay asleep so that they wake up feeling extra chipper.

If you’re unsure of how your body will react to a white noise machine, there are several sound apps that can be downloaded on your smartphone or computer. Once you’ve determined that white noise improves your sleep quality, investing in an actual machine is a superb idea.

Our Top Picks

Before purchasing a white noise machine, it’s important to consider your budget and exactly what features you’re hoping your machine will have. We’ve compiled four of our favorite white noise machines so that you can replace the time you’d spend researching them with a good old nap.

SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine

This white noise machine is ideal for those who want to hear fan-like sounds throughout the night, instead of nature sounds. The SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine creates white noise through a fan that emits room temperature air and features adjustable tone and volume depending on how loud the sounds are that you’re trying to drown out. This machine is suitable for travel as it’s extremely portable and it even comes with a remote control.

Yogasleep Hushh Compact Sound Machine

While it suggests that this white noise machine works well for babies and children, it also works wonders for adults and the rest of the family. The Yogasleep Hushh Compact Sound Machine features three different sound settings, a night light, and it’s extremely compact so it can be moved from room to room without a struggle. The Hushh machine can effectively cancel out the sounds of teens playing on the street, squawking birds, and your husband while he watches television late into the evening.

LectroFan Evo White Noise Sound Machine

This white noise machine offers sleepers the choice between ten different fan sounds, ten white, pink, and brown noise variations, and two calming ocean tracks. The LectroFan Evo White Noise Sound Machine is perfect for those looking to cancel out environmental sounds at night or for those trying to work in a loud office. The machine is powered by AC or USB and doesn’t repeat sounds, which is ideal for those that are put-off by the prospect of listening to noises on a continuous loop.

Muson Essential Oil Diffuser Sound Machine Combo

Last but certainly not least, we present the Muson Essential Oil Diffuser Sound Machine Combo. There are several essential oils that can promote a restful sleep, like lavender and chamomile, which makes the idea of a 2-in-1 machine especially tempting. Instead of purchasing a white noise machine and an essential diffuser, this machine can do it all. It can play six nature songs, along with general white noise and even a piano track for those who prefer falling asleep to some classical tunes. When it comes to the diffuser aspect of this machine, the essential oil mist can be put on a timer for continuous spray, two hours, or four hours.

Looking for more sleep tips? We have plenty of bedtime reading available, to help you unlock the perfect sleep.