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Your kiddo’s restless nights aren’t making it easy for anyone in the house to get much sleep. But this doesn’t mean you have to give up and accept that bedtime is a bust. Sound machines are the sleep-time buddies that can hush, shush, and lull little ones off to dreamland – minus the need for mom and dad to spend half the night trying to calm their crying kiddo down.
Today’s sound machine is more than just white noise. While most models will have a traditional whushing or whirring background sound, many also feature nature noises, calming music, and some even include bedtime stories for older infants and toddlers to enjoy! This means there are plenty of choices with benefits galore.
If you’re not sure whether your cry-it-out-all-night child needs a straightforward white noise machine, something with added sounds for extra evening ambiance, or could benefit from an auto shut-off timer, app-side volume controls, or a nightlight combo, don’t stress. Here are some of our favorites to help get you started!
What is a sound machine and is it worth it?
A sound machine is exactly what the name implies – a machine that makes sounds. But this must-have device doesn’t just make any sounds. It makes noises that can help your kiddo to fall asleep.
The sound of silence is simply not enough for many infants and young children to fall asleep. Instead, some littles need extra help in the snooze department. This is where a sound machine comes in. It plays a pre-recorded noise that has a calming effect on children (and adults too!). These sounds include everything from white noise to a trickling stream to a favorite classic lullaby.
While there’s no 100 percent guarantee that a sound machine will effectively help your child drift off the moment you turn it on, the minimal amount of money you will need to invest in this device is often worth it. With an under-$100 price range, sound machines are one of the least expensive “baby gear” items you’ll buy. And, if there’s any chance that it can give you back even a few minutes of sleep, this purchase is well worth the money you’ll spend.
What to look for in a sound machine
Your kiddo simply will not sleep. So, you’ve decided to try out a sound machine. While you’re ready to buy, you’re also not exactly sure which option is the best choice for your needs. There are several features that can help your baby to fall asleep quicker, keep them from waking in the middle of the night, calm your crying child, or make your life easier. These include an array of high and low-tech options, various weights, and more!
One of the top features parents want is WiFi connectivity. A WiFi-enabled sound machine allows you to quickly and easily connect with the device, program it from another room, and make changes to the sound and volume settings without the risk of waking a sleeping baby. If you do choose one of these higher-tech options, make sure that it has an easy-to-use connected app. This will make handheld changes a breeze. And, what parent doesn’t need to make their life easier?
If you’re not into techy gadgets, a basic sound machine that doesn’t connect to an app is the way to go. But basic doesn’t necessarily equal zero features. Even the most simple sound machines often come with auto shut-off timers to make additional trips into the nursery a non-issue, programmable volume controls, and multiple sound settings.
Of course, one of the most important aspects of the sound machine is…well, the sounds that it can play. The choice between plain white noise, nature sounds, music, or stories comes down to your baby’s personal preference. A machine that offers several different sound options can help you to explore and experiment with what does/doesn’t work for your tot.
Along with these sought-after features, the weight and portability of the sound machine are important aspects to investigate before you buy. Parents who are constantly on-the-go or travel often may want a portable machine that doesn’t require a dedicated electric cord/plug. Some smaller sound devices have a handy carry strap that allows mom or dad to attach the device to a stroller, interior car grip, or almost anywhere else.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
Best WiFi-Enabled Sound Machine
The highly-rated Hatch Rest sound machine connects to your smartphone, has a dimmable clock, includes a variety of soothing sounds, glows as a crib-side nightlight, and comes with the optional Hatch Sleep Membership — a library of music and bedtime stories.
- Brand
- Hatch
- Connectivity
- WiFi-enabled
- Integrations
- App connectivity
- Power Supply
- Corded electric
- Timers
- Time-to-rise
- WifFi connectivity
- Programmable colors and sounds for bed and wake times
- Library of music and stories available to use
- Must use the app to program and control the machine
Techy parents rejoice! The Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine is a WiFi-enabled device that pairs with an app for easy use. Not only is this sound machine high-tech, it includes an awesome array of sounds, such as traditional white noise, rain, a heartbeat, and even lullabies. Parents who want to add extra options can choose the Hatch Sleep Membership. This library gives you an expanded selection of music and bedtime stories for your older kiddos. While the membership is an additional fee, a free trial is included to start you off.
Along with sounds, this machine also includes a smart night light with custom colors and a time-to rise/time-for-bed room option. This feature allows parents to pre-program sounds and colors that alert little ones of when to go to sleep and when to wake up. And if you’re wondering whether your tot could actually wait to wake based on a sound machine’s light, one well-rested mom explains, “He woke the first few days a little earlier, and I would just tell him through the baby monitor talk function that his light wasn’t green, and I kid you not— he laid down and went back to sleep until the light came on. Now if he wakes a few minutes early, he just plays in his crib and waits for the light. I can’t believe that this worked, but it did.”
Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine
Best Portable Sound Mchine
$27 $30 Save $3
The Yogasleep Hushh is a portable sound machine that fits just about anywhere. The value-priced machine uses the sound of rushing air to lull baby back to sleep and features a night light.
- Number of Sound Options
- 3
- Light Function
- Night light
- Brand
- Yogasleep
- Portable
- Compact design
- Has an LED nightlight
- Requires charging for use
Baby’s sleep machine won’t always need to stay in the nursery. Whether you’re traveling out of town or just want a way to help your kiddo nap on-the-go, the Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Sound Machine can help! As the name implies, this device is portable. The compact design is easy to carry and the six-hour (or more) charge help baby rest for most of the day or night. When you do need to recharge this unit, the Yogasleep Hushh comes with an easy-to-use USB cable. Yes, the battery really does hold a charge for an above-average amount of time,, as one parent points out, “Love that it’s portable and has such a long battery life, wish I would’ve gotten it from the newborn stage.”
The tiny design is only 3.5-inches and comes with a clip to attach the machine for safe keeping. And with three different sounds and a nightlight, you can help your child to sleep almost anywhere. Don’t worry about waking your baby to check on this device. It comes with an amber LED light that gives off just enough glow for you to see – but not enough light to keep your little dreamer awake.
Homedics SoundSleep White Noise Sound Machine
Best Value
$22 $24 Save $2
With a price at the lower end of the sound machine spectrum, the Homedics SoundSleep has everything parents need – minus a high cost. This machine features six digitally recorded sounds, is portable, and has an auto-off timer.
- Number of Sound Options
- 6
- Light Function
- None
- Brand
- Homedics
- Auto-shut-off timer and volume controls
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Batteries required and not included
Price is a sticking point for many parents. If you’re looking for a value, the Homedics SoundSleep White Noise Sound Machine is an option to seriously explore. This sleek silver sound machine has six different sounds (summer night, rain, ocean, thunder, and white noise), a compact design, an auto shut-off timer that features 15, 30, or 60 minute sessions, and volume controls for added versatility.
The small size makes this top pick easy to pack for a quick trip or your full extended family vacation, “This is small enough to take with, and also works well at home. The volume control is easy to adjust.” Unlike other baby products, the price tag won’t make you do a double-take. This device gives you benefits for your bucks.
Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine
Most Versatile
$36 $50 Save $14
The 24 sounds of the Dreamegg D1 provide parents with plenty of options to hush and lull baby to sleep. A nightlight, auto shut-off timer, and volume memory make this pick a top choice.
- Number of Sound Options
- 24
- Light Function
- Night light
- Brand
- Dreamegg
- Auto shut-off
- 24 different sounds
- Nightlight feature
- Must plug in the AC cable to power the machine
How many sounds does it take to lull your little one to sleep? Whether this is your first experience with a sound machine or you just haven’t found the right night-time noise, the Dreamegg D1 Sound Machine can help! This device features 24 high-fidelity sounds, including seven different white noise options, fan sounds, birds, crickets, rain, thunderstorms, sea waves, a babbling brook, a fetal heartbeat, and lullabies.
Not only does this top pick have plenty of noise options, it has a variety of volume settings for parents to choose from, “This sound machine is so loud, it blocks out the train whistle outside our window and more. My 2 month old baby is almost sleeping through the night with this. Highly recommend.”
The Dreamegg D1 also offers parents a convenient warm nightlight glow to make middle of the night feedings and changes less stressful for baby. This means you won’t need to turn on the overhead light or a harsh lamp to check on your little one. And, don’t worry about turning off this device. It comes with a 30, 60, or 0- minutes shut-off timer.
Baby Shusher
Best Battery Powered Sound Machine
The Baby Shusher uses a real human voice to create a gentle, lulling sound. Key features include battery-powered portability, a 15 to 30-minute timer, and adjustable volume controls.
- Number of Sound Options
- 1
- Light Function
- None
- Brand
- Baby Shusher
- Battery powered (no cords)
- Portable
- Uses a human voice
- Turns off after half an hour
It’s all in the name with this sound machine. As you might expect from the moniker, the Baby Shusher shushes your baby to sleep. The real human voice recording can calm and comfort baby, helping them to drift off to dreamland without your help. So, if your mouth is tired from the near-constant naptime shushes take it from an IRL Baby Shusher user, “We usually shhsh her on our own but there are times we’re busy and need to put her down for a quick nap so this thing works wonders. It’s loud enough but not too loud and it turns itself off so you don’t have to worry about the batteries dying. If you need to calm your child when laying them down, definitely check this out!”
Unlike some of the other sound machines on the market, the Baby Shusher is cord-free. This battery-operated device is easy to use and easy to move – from room to room or almost anywhere else. With a 15 to 30-minute timer, you can set the machine and let it do its job. After your kiddo falls asleep, the Shusher magically turns off.
Made from BPA-free plastic, this machine is durable, easy for parents to keep clean, and doesn’t contain a questionable chemical (a.k.a. no bisphenol A).
Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine
Best Sound Machine for Active Parents
The portable Hatch Rest Go easily attached to a stroller handle for easy traveling. This machine has 15 hours of rechargeable battery time, features 10 sounds, is drop-proof, and comes in five designer colors.
- Number of Sound Options
- 10
- Light Function
- None
- Brand
- Hatch
The Hatch Rest Go Portable Sound Machine is a traveling device that easily attaches to your jogging stroller, travel system, baby bag, or just about anything else you’ll need as an active parent. This highly rated sound machine is compact, has 10 sounds to soothe baby to sleep, is drop-proof, and has a rechargeable battery for 15 hours of on-the-go use.
If you have any questions about the actual in-real-life battery, “The battery life is impressive – I can’t recall the last time I charged it but it has been going steady for several hours as I forgot to turn it off this morning,” notes a pleased-with-this-machine parent.
This small-sized sound machine combines form and function, with five stylish color options. And bonus, the included USB-C charging cable coordinates in a color-friendly fashion with the device.
MyBaby Sound Machine
Best Cord-Free Design
This battery-powered sound machine from MyBaby is portable, comes with an auto shut-off, made from BPA-free plastic, and easily attaches to a stroller handle.
- Number of Sound Options
- 4
- Light Function
- None
- Brand
- MyBaby
- Auto shut-off timer
- Lightweight
- Travels easily
- Batteries aren?t included
Cords are a hassle for some parents. And if you’re one of the many moms or dads who wants to go cord-free, the MyBaby Sound Machine is a top pick. This pint-sized device is easy to take on-the-go, has an auto shut-off, and is powered by three AAA batteries, instead of a rechargeable (corded) source.
What happens if you find yourself suddenly in need of a sound machine? Even though this isn’t a situation you ever thought you’d find yourself in, check out what happened IRL for one parent, “The daycare asked if I had a portable sound machine because it was so noisy and she wasn’t napping, just happened to have it in my diaper bag and boom! Baby naps at daycare now.” That’s right! This MyBaby machine is small enough to fit inside of a bag too.
The durable, lightweight design quickly clips to stroller handles or baby bags, giving busy parents an easy option that meets their out-of-the-home nap-time shushing needs. Along with the convenience of a cordless design, this compact device features four different relaxing sounds to calm your kiddo and a BPA-free plastic exterior!
Magicteam Sound Machine
Best Setting Versatility
$22 $30 Save $8
The Magicteam sound machine comes with 20 mon-looping sleep sounds, 32 volume levels, and one, two, three, four, or five hour timers.
- Number of Sound Options
- 20
- Light Function
- None
- Brand
- Magicteam
- 20 sounds
- Multiple timer settings
- Sleek design
- Need to use an AC adapter or USB cable for power
The Magicteam Sound Machine is a sleek, modern-looking device that features 20 non-looping natural sounds (including pink noise, white noise, bonfire, brook, rain, ocean, and birds) to soothe your baby back to sleep. Along with the sound variety, the versatile machine also comes with 32 volume levels to choose from and five different timer settings. This makes it easy to customize a sound/noise level/time combo to your kiddo’s needs.
Don’t stress about remembering what your child’s perfect noise combo is with this device. The Magicteam Sound Machine has a memory function that automatically restores your preferred pick.
Even though this top pick may seem small, “This is a little powerhouse. We were using a box fan but it broke so we looked into a sound machine. This thing is perfect. It’s got many different sounds including 3 fan sounds. The ability to control the volume is great,” according to one well-rested user.
The ABCs of safe sleep
Your baby doesn’t just need to sleep. They need to sleep safely. While a sound machine can help your little one to drift off, you will still need to make sure that you follow the current safe sleeping recommendations for infants and toddlers.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the top cause of infant injury death in the U.S. is Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID). This includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The best way to reduce the risks of SUID and SIDS is to follow the most up-to-date safe sleep guidelines from experts such as the AAP. These guidelines are recommendations that the AAP reevaluated in 2022, updating them from the previous 2016 version. This means if you haven’t checked out the AAP’s recommendations in a few years, you will need a refresher.
The 2022 guidelines reaffirm the importance of placing infants to sleep on their backs. Not only should your baby go to sleep on their back, they should sleep in their own space – away from other people. Mattresses or sleep surfaces should have less than a 10 degree incline. Make sure the crib, play yard, or bassinet you choose has a flat, firm mattress and conforms to the June 2021 CPSC rule for federal safety standards. Never place pillows, loose blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals, or other toys in the crib or other sleep area with your baby.
Even though the AAP recommends that your baby have their own space, the guidelines do note that it is safer to sleep in the parent or caregiver’s room for the first six months. This means you should have a crib, bassinet, or other safe sleeping area for your little one nearby in your room — but don’t allow baby to share your bed. For more information on safe sleep and to read the AAP’s full updated guidelines, click here!
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