To dim the chaos of the noisy world, we recommend you use sleeping headphones. But, ever thought about what to listen to them? You can’t just put the headphones on and expect them to magically cut off all distracting sounds.
So, is there a sound that can put you to sleep? Yes, and you get them all in a sleep sound machine… and it’s even better if you get a portable one!
NOTE
We have enlisted our recommended portable sleep sound machine in this guide, here.
Wondering if you need one? Or, are you unsure about which one to buy? C’mon, put on your seat belts and follow the guide…
What is a portable sleep sound machine?
A sleep sound machine produces noise of particular frequencies that calms your nerves and puts you to sleep faster. The sounds might be of nature or pure static.
However, all sleep machines don’t work for everyone. It depends on what you find calming and soothing.
From the name “portable sleep sound machine”, the portable part defines the compactness of the sleep sound machine. It’s small enough to shove in your bags and go on trips.
All you gotta do is switch on a preferable sound and if you’re outside, plug in your headphones.
Wondering which kind of sound is the best for your sleep? Let’s know more here…
Types of noise in sleep sound machine
If you ever listened to ASMR videos, you’ll know how certain sounds calm you while others make you anxious… even though the creators always want to soothe the audience. Similarly, not all kinds of sound are suitable for everyone. So, let’s check your options here…
1. White noise
In white noise, all sounds of audible frequencies have the same intensity. This works best at blocking out external distractions. However, it’s not suitable for everyone because they might get started by high-pitched noise and heavy bass sounds.
Usually, these include the sounds of a whirring fan, vacuum, humming air conditioner, or radio and TV static.
Since these are regular household noises, it helps you get used to your natural habitat even if you use a machine. So, you won’t get dependent on the machine.
2. Pink noise
If white noise doesn’t calm you down, pink noise might work for you. In pink noise, the lower frequencies are loud and the volume of higher frequencies is low.
It relaxes you as it drowns external or unwanted noise which disrupts your sleep. The noise reduces brain waves to induce sleep. It’s something in between white and brown noise.
Pink noise usually includes leaf rustling, steady rain, crashing waves, and heartbeat sounds.
3. Brown noise
This kind of noise usually includes deep and strong sounds from the lower end of the spectrum. It doesn’t include any high-frequency sounds.
This isn’t still popular for sleep machines but the higher portion of bass in it than white noise makes it much more bearable for some.
Since it’s usually popular for concentration purposes, most people apply it for work and studies. But you can also use it for meditation before sleep and promote good sleep.
Some common brown noises include low roars, strong waterfalls, and thunder.
4. Pink + Brown Noise
The combination of pink noise and brown noise is popular for tinnitus patients, i.e., those who experience constant ringing in the ears. White noise aggravates their ear sensitivity, so a balance between pink and brown noises helps them sleep.
5. Other sounds
Some sleep sound machines might also work with relaxing music, deep, soothing, and assuring voices, calls of insects and birds, etc.
Worried if your sleep sound machine will disturb your neighbors, let’s take a walk here…
Can your neighbors hear your sleep sound machine?
Your neighbors hearing your sleep sound machine is always a possibility but it depends on a few factors.
If your apartment walls are thin, you don’t use sleeping headphones, your/your neighbors’ doors and windows aren’t blocked properly, don’t worry… the sound won’t reach them.
Only if you use the machine at high volume, can they hear the sound of blowing wind or rainfall which won’t offend their sleep.
However, if more people live in your place, even if in a different room, they might hear you and even benefit from the machine.
Do you have a baby? Wondering how the machine will impact them? Let’s get an idea here…
Is it suitable for babies?
Just like adults, babies also may not like a particular type of noise. Some may love white noise, others might like pink ones. You can only find your answers through trial and error.
A study showed that 80% of babies dozed off to sleep within 5 minutes when exposed to white noise and only 25% of this 80% fell asleep equally fast without it.
However, a 2013 study shows that pink noise helps in a deeper sleep and improves memory. So, it might be even more beneficial for babies over white noise.
Moreover, for your baby’s comfort and quality rest, follow these tips:
1. Keep the volume of your sleep machine lower than 50dB. This will protect those precious young eardrums.
2. Keep the machine at least 7 feet away from your baby to protect their ears and keep them away from the cords.
3. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 10 baby noise machines on the market are harmful to babies. Always invest in a high-quality machine for your child.
Wondering how else the sleep sound machine helps us? Why don’t you take a look here…
Benefits of sleep sound machine
More often than not, I came across the question “Is it good to sleep with a sound machine?” Well, it’s about time you can rest your curiosity for good as I gathered all the reasons about it being good for you. So, let’s head right in…
1. They promote good sleep
White noise sleep machines evenly distribute a humming sound of equal intensity which drowns other noises and prevents you from getting distracted.
As per a 2021 study, white noise is proven to improve sleep by diminishing environmental noise. A 2017 study showed the connection between deep sleep and pink noise. As per 2012 studies, steady pink noise stabilizes sleep with reduced brain activity.
2. They help you meditate
If you like to meditate but the rowdy outside noise doesn’t let you, sleep sound machines can help you with a relaxation effect.
3. They fight your focus issues
Certain sleep sound machines particularly help your focus problems. Especially, in offices, the dead silence makes workers want to make their own noise, especially by talking.
Sometimes, workers even get distracted by their colleague’s ringing phones. If you run an office, a sleep sound machine can help your workers focus better.
If someone has ADHD (a disorder with concentration issues), it also helps them.
4. They reduce tinnitus symptoms
People that hear a buzzing or ringing sound in their ears (tinnitus patients) can’t sleep properly, especially at night when the ambiance is quieter. Sleep sound machines mask these noises and help them sleep better.
5. It fixes your nighttime routine
If you regularly switch on the sleep sound machine at a particular time, after some time, your brain will get used to a particular schedule and naturally prepare itself to get rest. Especially, if you’re an insomnia patient, the machine will relax your entire body to induce sleep.
If you live with your family, it can help everyone get ready for bed together. So, you’ll struggle less while putting your kids to bed.
6. It masks other noises
If there’s a lot of noise outside, it won’t startle you because of the ongoing sound of the machine. So, even loud and sudden noises won’t disrupt your sleep. This is a great advantage for light sleepers.
7. They calm down your anxiety
Stress will always be a part of your life and sometimes stress leads to anxiety and keeps you up the entire night. Your body can’t deal with continuous sleepless nights and battle induced insomnia.
Sleep sound machines can help you soothe away your anxious thoughts. Moreover, good sleep also helps you think clearly about the issues that make you anxious.
8. They reduce waking up in between your sleep
If you frequently wake up at night, you’ll naturally feel less well-rested. If the sleep interruption is due to outside noise, sleep sound machines promise you a good night’s uninterrupted sleep.
These are vastly used in hospitals to help the patients sleep despite the noises outside.
9. You can stay asleep longer and even during the day
Noisy neighborhoods force you to wake up earlier than you need. Especially, if your schedule isn’t regular, i.e., you work night shifts and mostly sleep after daybreak, it’s hard.
Sleep sound machines can once again help you get the proper rest with their sound masking features.
10. They let you rest better while traveling
Most of us use public transportation to travel whether it’s to our office via the subway or on a business meeting abroad via plane.
However, office workers hardly get enough sleep and try to catch some shut-eye or relaxation while traveling. Plug in your headphones in your sleep sound machines and you can easily get your desired rest.
Ready to grab your sound machine? Whoa there! Because we need to think more here…
Things to consider before buying a sleep sound machine
Since all sound machines aren’t suitable for everyone, you might need to try out more than one to find your perfect fit. However, we can try to lower the chances of trial and error if you can be sure of other details like these…
1. Sound quality
For an online purchase, check the customer reviews about the sound quality. If it’s a white noise machine, you’ll get ones that play a digital white noise recording and ones that mechanically produce white noise sounds.
If you’ll buy the digital recording types, look for terms like “clean loop”. This means you won’t understand when the recording ends and starts replaying.
2. Volume customization
Check for the device’s lowest and highest available volume. Everyone can’t take the same decibels to feel soothed and well-rested. Go for ones with the widest volume range below 50 decibels because beyond that the noise might be harmful.
3. Sleep timer
Most sleep sound machines have some sort of sleep timer in them. Some allow you to stop the sound after the time you want while in others you can only choose from preset timers. Think wisely about what kind of sleep timer you want.
4. Types of sounds
You may not like to hear the same kind of noise every day to fall asleep. If you want more variety, choose a device with multiple sound options.
Try to get a machine that offers all white, pink, and brown noise. If it’s your first time getting one, you need more variety.
5. Special features for kids
If you specifically want the machine for your children, the device might have colorful lights. Make sure that the lights are adjustable for enhanced comfort and that the device can be accessed with the parents’ phones.
6. Neighborhood peace
If you live with flatmates or family, others may dislike your machine… After all, everyone doesn’t like the same kind of sleep sound machine. Even if your neighbors object to the sound (though it’s not usual), follow these…
a. Soundproof your walls with fiberglass panels or foam, add drywall over your wall or get a canvas painting to reduce sound emission between rooms.
b. Seal any gap and crack in your windows with sealant or add acrylic to your windrows to soundproof them. Double-paned windows can also help along with good insulation.
c. Check your door for worn-out weather stripping and replace them. Fill in any gaps and cracks with sealant.
d. To your existing ceiling, add a drop ceiling, acoustic tiles, or acoustic mat. This will protect you from your upstairs neighbor’s noise and prevent your sound from reaching them.
7. Return policies
Whether you buy your required device online or offline, you can’t test whether the product is suitable for you unless you use it for a few weeks. So, check their return policies before you invest in one because it might not suit you.
Wondering if you’re ready to invest in a sleep sound device? Let’s know the answer here…
What is the average cost of a portable sleep sound machine?
Sleep sound machine prices vary depending on the type of noise, the quality, features like volume controls, etc. The average cost varies from as low as $20 to beyond $100.
Remember that if you stick to the lower price products, you might not get the desired results. Moreover, if you have a baby, compromising the price might affect their health.
Ready to invest but can’t figure out the best sound machine for sleep? Let’s have a look here…
What portable sleep sound machine should you buy? – Our Top Recommendations
You might find multiple options when you seek a quality sleep sound machine. However, you can’t be sure about the effect afterward.
Since you’ll know if it’s a good one only after using it for a while, it’s really hard to tell which ones actually keep their promise till the end. So, here are a few that won’t let you down…
1. Dohm Classic Natural Sound Machine
The 1962-invented original sleep sound machine comes with a fan-based white noise and is a favorite among customers for decades. Available in 6 colors.
Why is it on our list?
- 2 speed options: high and low
- Adjustable tone
- Customizable volume
- 8’long power cable
- Child-friendly
- 101-day trial promise
- 1-year limited warranty
2. Hushh Compact Sound Machine
The portable sleep sound machine comes with child-safe locks. It’s suitable for the entire family with a variety of sound options.
Why is it on our list?
- Bright white noise, Deep white noise, and Gentle surf
- Gentle amber LED night light
- USB recharging
- Suitable for children
- 101-day trial promise
- 1-year limited warranty
3. Duet White Noise Machine with Night Light and Wireless Speaker
The sound machine comes with 30 sound options with timers: 45min, 90min, and 8h. This is the best pink noise machine for sleep.
Why is it on our list?
- Offers white noise, pink noise, brown noise, nature sounds, fan sounds, and 8 lullaby songs
- Wireless streaming of any online podcast, sound, or music from your smartphone
- Adjustable amber LED light night
- USB powered, no battery
- User-friendly
- 101-day trial guarantee
- 1-year limited warranty
4. SNOOZ White Noise Machine
This device comes with 10 volume settings in the 46-87dB range. It weighs 1.1lbs, and comes with a 6’ long cord and Type A wall plug. Dimensions: 5.6” 5.6” 3.2”. Available in 2 colors.
Why is it on our list?
- Has a real fan inside but no cold air consumes 98% less energy than regular household fans
- Portable
- Sleep timer and remote controlled
- Special adjustable features for kids
- Controllable from your iOS and Android with SNOOZ app
- 100-night happiness guarantee
- 1-year limited warranty
Final Statement
While you turn on your new device, acknowledge how you feel while going to sleep and while waking up. Journal your experience for 1-2 weeks. Or, check if the device comes with a recommendation of the number of days for noticeable changes.
If the quality of your sleep doesn’t improve even after that, then it might be time to get another model.
Depending on your needs and troubles in sleeping, your quest for a portable sleep sound machine can end within minutes or need months’ worth of scrolling through various products.
However, don’t get disheartened because all good things need time. You might soon find a well-suited quality product, so don’t lose patience.
