Top 5 White Noise Machines to Soothe Your Baby to Sleep
As a parent, I know firsthand how crucial a good night’s sleep is – not just for your baby, but for the whole family. White noise machines create a soothing environment that helps lull your little one into dreamland.
Here are the top picks for the best white noise machines for babies, starting with our number one recommendation.
Quick Picks: Best White Noise Machines for Babies in 2025
- Editor’s Pick: Dreamzy Serenity
- Best Portable: Hatch Go
- Best for Naps: Dreamegg (D1)
- Best Plug-in Option: LectroFan Kinder
- Best Projector + Soother: Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Best White Noise Machines for Babies in 2025
1. Editor’s Pick – Dreamzy Serenity
The Dreamzy Serenity is an effective white noise machine designed with infants’ sleep needs in mind.
The device offers multiple sound options, including white noise, lullabies, and nature sounds, giving parents flexibility to find what works best for their child. Sound quality is clear and natural without the tinny playback common in budget baby sleep machines.
Key Features
- Adaptive volume control – Gradually reduces sound as your baby falls asleep, working better than a single volume level all night
- Soft night light – Provides gentle illumination for late-night feedings without fully waking your baby
- Simple nighttime controls – Easy to adjust in the dark during middle of the night wake-ups
- Compact, portable design – Travels easily to maintain consistent sleep routines away from home
- 12-hour battery life – Covers overnight use with room to spare
- Auto-off timer – Easily set the device to run for 30, 60 or 90 minutes to preserve battery
I love the Dreamzy Serenity because I know it means fewer night wakings, faster settling, and more predictable naps. The sound quality doesn’t grate on you after the hundredth listen, and features like adaptive volume and the night light solve real problems during those long nights.
For parents wanting a dependable sleep solution beyond basic white noise, the Dreamzy Serenity does its job well.
2. Best Portable – Hatch Go
The Hatch Go is a portable white noise machine built for parents on the move. With 10 sound options and a 15-hour battery life, it handles naps at grandma’s house, car rides, and hotel stays without missing a beat.
The device includes 10 sounds—white noise, ocean, rain, heartbeat, fan, and more—covering the essentials babies respond to. The clip-on design attaches to strollers, diaper bags, or cribs, and the compact size fits anywhere.
Key Features:
- No app required – Three simple buttons control power, sound selection, and volume. No WiFi or Bluetooth needed
- 15-hour battery – Runs all day on a single charge and keeps playing while plugged in at night
- 12 volume levels – Adjust to match your environment, from quiet hotel rooms to noisy restaurants
- Quick charging – Full charge in 2 hours
- Eco-friendly materials – Outer shell made from 99% recycled post-consumer plastics
- 5 color options – Mint, Peach, Putty, Honey, or Greige to match your style
The Trade-Off: The Hatch Go keeps things simple, which means no remote control or customization features. You can’t adjust it from another room or create complex routines. If you want smartphone control or programmable settings, the Hatch Rest+ offers those capabilities.
For parents who want grab-and-go simplicity without app setup or connectivity issues, this works well. It’s an affordable backup machine or primary option for families who prefer portability over smart features.
3. Best for Naps – Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine
The Dreamegg D1 is a compact sound machine designed for home use. With 24 high-fidelity sounds and reliable performance, it’s built for parents who need consistent noise masking night after night.
The device offers 24 non-looping sounds—7 white noise variations, 7 fan sounds, and 10 nature/relaxation options including sea waves, rain, lullabies, and fetal tone. Sound quality stays clear even at higher volumes, which matters when you need to drown out barking dogs or street traffic.
Key Features:
- Wide volume range – Gets loud enough to mask significant external noise, but adjustable down to quiet levels
- Warm night light – Provides gentle yellow illumination for nighttime feedings and diaper changes
- Timer options – Set for 30, 60, 90 minutes, or run continuously all night
- Memory function – Remembers your last sound, volume, timer, and light settings
- Compact design – 4.3 x 4.3 x 2.7 inches, small footprint on nightstands
- Dual power options – Includes both AC adapter and USB cable
The Trade-Off: The Dreamegg D1 requires constant power as there’s no battery option so it has to stay plugged in. You can travel with it if you have outlet access, but it won’t work for car rides or outdoor naps like portable models do.
The night light is bright with only three settings: off, on, or pulsating. There’s no dimmer, so if you want minimal light, you’ll need to turn it off completely.
For stationary use at home or in hotel rooms, this machine handles the job well. Parents consistently report using the same unit for years without issues, which speaks to its durability.
4. Best Plug-in Option – LectroFan Kinder
The LectroFan Kinder is a customizable sound machine with app-based controls. Its standout feature is the ability to create custom playlists and record your own voice for stories or lullabies—something most competitors don’t offer.
The white noise machine boasts an impressive array of sounds, ranging from white noise, fan sounds, nature noises, and lullabies.
You can also record your own voice reading a story or singing a lullaby. This personal touch can be incredibly comforting for babies, helping them feel close to you even when you’re not in the room. Sound quality is clear, crisp, and masks background noise effectively across the volume range.
Key Features:
- Custom playlists – Mix and match sounds to create sequences that work for your baby’s routine
- Voice recording – Record your own stories or lullabies for a personal touch
- App control – Adjust volume, sounds, and sleep timers through the smartphone app
- Color-changing night light – Choose a specific color or let it cycle through multiple hues
- All-night battery – Runs through the night on a single charge
- Auto-off timer – Conserves battery and gradually reduces stimulation as baby sleeps deeper
The Trade-Off: One potential drawback of the LectroFan Kinder is its reliance on a smartphone app for full functionality. While this allows for extensive control and customization, it might be cumbersome for middle-of-the-night adjustments, especially for parents trying to avoid screen time before bed.
Basic controls exist on the device, but you’ll miss out on the playlist and recording features without the app.
The Kinder is great for parents who want personalized sleep routines and don’t mind app-based controls, as this is something not a lot of competitors offer. If you prefer simple button controls without your phone, simpler models work better.
5. Best Projector + Soother – Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies
The Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies is an owl-shaped sound machine that projects stars onto the ceiling while playing audio. It works as both a sleep aid and nursery decoration.
The device includes four nature sounds (heartbeat, waves, rain, forest) and four melodies. Sound quality is decent but doesn’t match specialized white noise machines. The selection covers basics without overwhelming you with options.
Key Features:
- Star projection – Projects a starry pattern on the ceiling for visual comfort
- Soft belly glow – Acts as a gentle night light for check-ins and feedings
- Auto-off timer – Set for 15, 30, or 60 minutes to gradually reduce stimulation
- Dual power options – Runs on batteries or AC adapter (included) for flexible placement
- Simple controls – Easy-to-use buttons for sound, volume, and light adjustment
- Portable design – Move between rooms or pack for trips
The Trade-Off: The star projection may be too stimulating for some babies, particularly young infants who need complete darkness to sleep well. You can turn off the projection and use just the sound, but that removes one of the device’s main selling points.
Sound quality is acceptable but not exceptional. If you need powerful white noise to mask street traffic or barking dogs, more specialized machines perform better.
If you want a device that pulls double duty as nursery decor and provides basic sound and light features, the Skip Hop works well. Just know the projection feature might not suit every baby’s sleep needs.
Choosing the Best White Noise Machine for Your Baby
Finding the right white noise machine for your baby can transform sleep for the entire family. Whether you need portable convenience with the Hatch Go, customizable features from the LectroFan Kinder, or the reliable performance of the Dreamzy Serenity, there’s a solution that fits your needs and budget.
Consider where you’ll use the machine most—at home, while traveling, or both—and which features matter for your baby’s sleep patterns. The best white noise machine is one you’ll actually use consistently, so choose based on your lifestyle rather than the longest feature list.
Better sleep starts with the right tools. Pick the machine that works for your family and stick with it long enough to see results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is white noise and how does it help babies sleep?
White noise is a consistent sound that contains all frequencies at equal intensity. It helps babies sleep by masking sudden noises that might startle them awake and by creating a soothing, womb-like environment.
The steady sound can be calming and help signal to babies that it’s time to sleep.
Are white noise machines safe for babies?
When used correctly, white noise machines are generally safe for babies. It’s important to keep the volume at a safe level (around 50 decibels or lower) and place the machine at least 7 feet away from the baby’s sleeping area.
Always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
How long should I use a white noise machine for my baby?
You can use a white noise machine for as long as it helps your baby sleep. Some parents use them through infancy and toddlerhood, while others gradually phase them out as the child gets older.
There’s no set rule, it depends on your baby’s needs and your family’s preferences.
Can white noise machines cause hearing problems?
If used at very high volumes, white noise machines could potentially cause hearing problems. However, when used at a moderate volume (50 decibels or lower), they are safe for babies’ hearing.
Always err on the side of caution and keep the volume low.
What’s the difference between white noise and other sleep sounds?
White noise contains all frequencies at equal intensity, while other sleep sounds might focus on specific frequencies or mimic natural sounds. For example, pink noise has more power in lower frequencies and can sound gentler, while nature sounds like rain or ocean waves have varying patterns.
Can I use a white noise app instead of a dedicated machine?
While white noise apps can be effective, dedicated machines often provide better sound quality and volume control. They’re also designed to run all night without draining your phone’s battery or being interrupted by notifications.
At what age can I start using a white noise machine for my baby?
You can start using a white noise machine from birth. In fact, many newborns find white noise soothing because it mimics the sounds they heard in the womb.
Should the white noise play all night long?
It’s generally fine to play white noise all night long, especially for younger babies. As your child gets older, you might consider using a timer to gradually reduce the duration, helping them transition to sleeping without constant background noise.
Can white noise become addictive for babies?
While babies can become accustomed to white noise, it’s not considered addictive in the clinical sense. However, some children may have difficulty sleeping without it if they’re used to it.
Gradually reducing reliance on white noise as the child grows can help prevent this.
How loud should the white noise machine be?
The white noise should be loud enough to be heard over other ambient noises but not so loud that it’s uncomfortable. A good rule of thumb is to keep it around 50 decibels or lower, which is about the volume of a quiet conversation.