The Best White Noise Machine in 2026
The best sound machines offer a variety of noises to help you fall asleep. We tested top white noise machines to find the best combination of features, user-friendliness, and value.
- We chose the Hatch Restore 3 as our Best White Noise Machine Overall. It has a large sound library, wind-down routines, and phone-free operation after setup.
- The sound machines we tested cost $66–$250. The LectroFan Evo is the lowest-priced of the three models on this list.
- A white noise machine can block out distracting sounds while you're trying to fall asleep. This can be especially helpful if you live somewhere loud or have a condition like tinnitus.
- The white noise machines on this list have bonus features like clocks, lights, and decibel-based volume control.
NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent more than 100 hours researching and testing white noise machines to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best white noise machines, we:
- Consulted with sleep specialists like doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists for guidance on choosing the best sound machines
- Put more than 10 models through a series of 8 different tests at our in-house lab
- Mystery-shopped more than 10 brands
- Surveyed more than 2,000 older adults on their sleep quality
- Interviewed experts on the importance of good sleep for older adults
- Worked with older adult testers to evaluate white noise machines and get their opinion
- Read hundreds of verified customer reviews
We’re constantly testing new white noise machines and sleep technology to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our sleep accessories review methodology.
Healthy sleep can help regulate your immune system, mood, and even your hormones. There are many ways to improve your sleep. You can adjust your habits, like adding a consistent bedtime routine or reducing screen time. Or you can reduce distractions with tools like an eye mask or a white noise machine. White noise machines are especially helpful if your sleep surroundings are loud, or if you have a condition like tinnitus.
The best white noise machines offer a variety of sounds and are simple to use. To help you find the best sound machine for your money, we asked our older adult testers to try several top models. Our testers evaluated white noise machines based on user-friendliness, cost, and sound selection.
Best Overall
Hatch Restore 3
A sunrise alarm with great sound quality
Best for Adults
Loftie Clock
Multifunctional and sleek
Best for Tinnitus
LectroFan Evo
Fan and white noise combo
Best white noise machines in 2026
- Hatch Restore 3: Best Overall
- Loftie Clock: Best White Noise Machine for Adults
- LectroFan Evo: Best White Noise Machine for Tinnitus
The best white noise machines of 2026 compared
| Comparison Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Score (out of 10)* | 9.3 |
8.5 |
9.9 |
| Best for | Overall |
Adults |
Tinnitus |
| Number of non-subscription sounds | 46 |
100+ |
24 |
| Number of sounds with a subscription | 100+ |
N/A |
N/A |
| Auto-off functionality? | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Maximum decibels (dB) during testing | 87.3 |
94.1 |
100.1 |
*Ratings reflect a brand's overall offering; the best overall pick doesn't necessarily have the highest score
How we tested to find the best white noise machines
Hatch Restore 3: Best White Noise Machine Overall
The Hatch Restore 3’s massive sound library is one reason we named it our Best Overall. It also earned the highest sound-clarity score on this list and offers unique features.
- Richest sound clarity of all the machines we tested
- FSA/HSA-eligible
- Large knobs and buttons may be easier to operate
- Clarity of sound: 5/5
- User-friendliness: 4/5
- Number of sounds: 46 included; over 100 with optional subscription
- Sleep timer: 1 hour
Pros
- Combines sunrise simulator with white noise
- Durable
- Has a sleep timer
- Free shipping
Cons
- One of the more expensive white noise machines we tested
- $6 per month subscription fee for extended audio options
- Sleep timer lasts only 60 minutes
- App may feel complicated to use
Loftie Clock: Best White Noise Machine for Adults
We chose the Loftie Clock as the Best White Noise Machine for Adults. Our testers were impressed by its extensive audio library and sleek, functional design. The Loftie has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. This lets you choose from the device's sound library or play your own sounds through the clock's speaker.
- Large sound library you can access through the app
- Doesn’t need the app after initial setup
- Clock face responds to changes in room lighting
- Clarity of sound: 4/5
- User-friendliness: 2.5/5
- Number of sounds: 100+ included
- Sleep timer: 15 minutes to 3 hours
Pros
- Uses universal USB-C power cord
- Portable
- Can use without app
- Lighting features are simple to control
Cons
- Complicated to set up
- Small buttons may be difficult for those with dexterity concerns
- More expensive than our other options
LectroFan Evo: Best for Tinnitus
The LectroFan Evo earned our pick as the Best White Noise Machine for Tinnitus. It has the highest decibel level and can stay on for up to eight hours before automatically shutting off. This makes it easier to mask ringing sounds all night and customize your sleep timer length. The LectroFan Evo is also the only machine on this list that lets you increase the volume decibel by decibel. So you can truly customize your sound experience.
- Most user-friendly white noise machine we tested
- Can control the volume one decibel at a time
- Optional fan noises
- Clarity of sound: 4/5
- User-friendliness: 5/5
- Number of sounds: 24 sounds included
- Sleep timer: Up to 8 hours
Pros
- Most affordable white noise machine on this list
- Earned a 5/5 for user-friendliness
- Longest sleep timer of all the machines we tested
- No need for an app
Cons
- Limited sound library
- No meditation option
- No clock face
- Doesn’t transform into a Bluetooth speaker
What are the benefits of a white noise machine?
White noise can mask distracting sounds, and its benefits are well-studied. One study found that participants in noisy environments who used a white noise machine slept significantly better.2 Another study found that white noise can help people rest better in unfamiliar locations, such as hospitals or hotels.3 The American Tinnitus Association recommends sound therapy, such as white noise, to relieve symptoms.
“Many people feel it is easier to relax or fall asleep with some sound in the environment,” said Sarah Lundstrom, an audiologist for Hear Care Audiology in Sarasota, Florida. “Those who have tinnitus, especially, need to avoid silence. Using a noise machine is a good way to help fill the silence, but there is a right way to use it.”
The goal of white noise is to help us fall asleep. Lundstrom recommends “sounds with movement to them” like ocean waves. Or binaural beats, which take two frequencies and form a third frequency.
Who should consider a white noise machine?
A white noise machine may help people who sleep in a loud or constantly changing environment. Those with tinnitus may also enjoy a sound machine to block out the constant ringing in their ears.
Other people who may benefit from a white noise machine include:
- Light sleepers
- Frequent travelers
- People who have difficulty falling asleep
- People with noisy neighbors
What to look for when choosing a white noise machine
When considering the best white noise machines for older adults, we looked at volume, sound library, timers, and ease of use. We also wanted to ensure each sound machine supported good sleep hygiene. So we chose adjustable, user-friendly options. While some may need a smartphone for setup, we prefer models that don't require an app to operate.
Sound library
White noise is a type of background noise, like a fan or TV static. The best white noise machines have access to multiple different sounds. Some sounds might even be classified as pink noise or brown noise. This just means those sounds are on different frequencies than white noise.
The Hatch Restore 3 has an extensive sound library of more than 100 sounds if you pay for the subscription. Otherwise, the Restore 3 includes 46 sounds. The Loftie Clock has more than 100 sounds that you don’t need a subscription to access. The LectroFan Evo comes with 22 sounds and two bonus fan noises.
White noise is just one of many noise options. You can choose from a variety of ‘colors’ such as pink, red, or brown noise. Each color of noise is a different frequency.”
– Sarah Lundstrom, audiologist
Sound level
To avoid hearing damage from your white noise machine, keep the volume below 60 dB. “White noise machines should be at a lower target of 50–60 dB, measured at your pillow, because of the difference in the length of time you will likely be exposed,” said Ross Cushing, AuD, audiologist and CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance in Germantown, Maryland. “Just because you are sleeping doesn’t mean your ears get a break, even though you may not be conscious of the sound.”
Our testers found that sound quality often goes down as some white noise machines increase in volume. But if you have tinnitus and higher volume is your goal, the LectroFan Evo can deliver.
Timers and auto-off functionality
If you need white noise to fall asleep, but not to stay asleep, you might want an auto-timer. While all of the best sound machines on this list have a timer, there are some caveats.
The Hatch Restore 3’s timer goes up to one hour only. If you want timed white noise longer than that, you’ll need to build a routine in the Hatch app that connects three hour-long routine blocks. The Loftie Clock’s timer goes up to three hours. The LectroFan Evo’s timer runs up to eight hours. There's also a 60-minute button for shorter increments.
User-friendliness
Both the Hatch Restore 3 and the Loftie require apps for setup. But both sound machines can be used without the app afterward. Of the two, the Hatch Restore 3 has a higher user-friendliness score of 4/5. The Loftie Clock earned a 2.5/5 because it was difficult to join networks and took a long time to download the sound library and “wake up.”
“I accidentally put the Wi-Fi password in wrong, and it totally messed up everything instead of just letting me re-enter the password,” one tester said of Loftie. “I had to wait for the device to update and then manually forget the Wi-Fi network in the device.” Another tester reported a similar experience. If you can set aside an hour for updates, Loftie does continue to work without Wi-Fi after that—even if you change internet routers. The Hatch Restore 3 requires Wi-Fi to operate.
If you'd rather not use an app to set up your white noise machine, you might appreciate the LectroFan Evo. The moment you plug the LectroFan Evo in, it’s ready for use. No lengthy setup required.
Portability
If you want a sound machine that travels with you, two things are important: size and connectivity. None of our best white noise machines are as compact as a phone or Apple AirPods case. But some are more portable than others.
The Hatch Restore 3 takes up about as much space as a football. The Loftie is about the size of a video game controller. The LectroFan Evo is the most compact of the three. And it doesn’t need to connect to Wi-Fi to work.
We don’t recommend the Loftie Clock for travel. Connecting to new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in a new location may take an hour you don’t want to waste while traveling.
Night lights and backlighting
Balancing visibility with excessive brightness can be a challenge. To sleep without interruption, you want a clock face that isn’t super bright at night.
Both Loftie and the Hatch Restore 3 offer dimming. The Hatch's smart knob lets you control lamp brightness and clock visibility. With Loftie, you can set the clock to auto-brightness, so the clock face dims when you turn your lights off. If that’s still too bright, hold down the big button on top of the clock. This turns the clock face off entirely. With a quick press instead of a long press, you can activate the soft lighting on the Loftie base to help you see at night.
The LectroFan Evo is a pure white noise machine. It has no lighting capabilities, so there's nothing to dim.
How much do the best white noise machines cost?
The best white noise machines cost between $66–$250. Subscriptions can also raise the price. All of the best white noise machines on this list can work without a subscription. But subscriptions also give you access to a wider white-noise library, podcasts, and bedtime stories.
The fewer bells and whistles, the less expensive a sound machine will be. But some bonus features, like sunrise simulation alarms, may benefit your health. A recent study shows that sunlight exposure helps regulate sleep and sleep quality.4 This suggests that sound machines with sunrise simulators may wake us more gently than a blaring alarm.
Loftie and Hatch both offer refurbished white noise models at a lower price. If you check out your Hatch or Loftie purchase using Shop Pay, you can break the $100+ cost into installments. You can finance a LectroFan Evo purchase through Affirm.
Hatch and LectroFan are both eligible for purchase using flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds.
| Comparison Features | Hatch Restore 3 |
Loftie Clock |
LectroFan Evo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device cost | $170 |
$250 |
$66 |
| Annual subscription cost | $60 |
$50 |
N/A |
| Warranty length | 1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
| Trial period (nights) | 30 |
30 |
30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to sleep with white noise every night?
As long as you keep the volume below 60 dB, you can sleep with white noise every night, according to audiologist Ross Cushing. The audiologists we spoke to recommended using a sleep timer if you're concerned about too much white noise.
What noises should I avoid for sleep?
Avoid noises that are too loud. For prolonged white-noise exposure during sleep, Cushing recommended a target of 50–60 dB. Beyond volume, the noises to avoid depend on personal preference or tinnitus, which may need to be masked by louder or more specific noises.
Are there downsides to white noise?
One potential downside is excessive volume. Anything over 60 dB could possibly damage your hearing. Otherwise, the audiologists we spoke with called white noise “neutral to helpful." They said that when played at an appropriate volume, white noise machines are “helpful and don’t harm your hearing.”
What’s the difference between white noise and pink noise?
Each color of noise has a different frequency, according to audiologist Sarah Lundstrom. Some frequencies may sound more pleasant than others.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
