When you’re a parent, you know that there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to help your baby go to sleep quickly and easily. That often means replacing the chaotic noise of your household with the white noise of a baby sound machine. White noise works by creating an even, consistent sound to balance out the contrasting, uneven mix of loud and soft household sounds that can wake up a sleeping child. Baby sound machines provide soothing background sounds to help your baby go to sleep and keep her sleeping peacefully no matter what’s going on around her.
We reviewed dozens of baby sound machines to identify the best of the best. As we were reviewing them, we looked for things that would help keep both parents and babies happy and rested. Among other features, we considered sound machines that had different noise options, light options, and whether or not the machine was portable. We also took into consideration how well-reviewed each sound machine was as part of our research.
Choosing the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine was a quick and easy decision. It had each of the features that we were looking for. It plays different sounds, has a nightlight, and can be portable. It also has the bonus feature of being able to be controlled by an app, something that’s important to an increasing number of parents.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Baby Sound Machines
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Baby Sound Machine Overall | Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine | 4.6 |
| Best Baby Sound Machine with Light | Housbay Glows White Noise Machine | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Baby Sound Machine | MyBaby SoundSpa On-The-Go | 4.2 |
| Best Baby Sound Machine with App | Fisher-Price Connnect Deluxe Soother | 4.4 |
| Best Baby Sound Machine with Projection | MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Baby Sound Machine Overall: Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine is everything you could and should want in a baby sound machine. It’s got sounds and songs, it’s a nightlight, and it’s even got a time-to-rise setting for older kids who need to know what time they should get up. This sound machine is designed to grow with your child over the years, helping her sleep during many different stages of her life. Choose white noise for your newborn or infant, and then try out the other sound options to find one that soothes your toddler.
Parents know that there’s nothing worse than having to sneak into a baby’s room for anything, especially when that baby is close to the sleep. One wrong move and you could be up with a fussy baby for hours. This particular machine can be controlled completely by an app. Adjust which sound it plays, the volume of that sound, the brightness of the light, even the color it projects, all from the phone.
You can choose to use the presets that are already set into the sound machine or you can put the sound machine on whatever setting is best for your baby. The Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine also has a locking feature so your curious toddler or mischievous preschooler won’t be able to change any of the settings after you’ve inputted them. The creators of this machine have really thought of everything, making this sound machine a great investment that will meet your growing baby’s needs for years to come.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine Key Features:
- Adjustable sound, color, volume, brightness
- Requires iOS 11 or higher (Apple) or Lollipop or higher (Android) to operate app
- Locking mechanism so kids can’t change settings
- Ready-to-wake feature for older kids
Best Baby Sound Machine With Light: Housbay Glows White Noise Machine
While the Housabay Glows White Noise Machine does indeed have a white noise setting as its name indicates, it’s also got a remarkable 23 other sounds from which you can choose to soothe your child. White noise often works well for newborns and infants, but as a baby grows, he may respond better to other sounds. This machine has you covered for all of those sound needs.
It also has nightlight built into it and, like it does with sound, this machine offers a variety of colors to choose from – a total of eight in all. You can choose the color that soothes your baby best and also adjust the brightness of the light to make sure it’s not so bright that it keeps her awake. There are three different sleep timer options built into the machine so you can choose when the lights and/or the sound will shut off depending on how long it takes your baby to fall asleep.
Once you’ve found the perfect light/sound combination for your baby, you can preset that into this machine so you can use it every night to soothe your baby. We also love that you can power this machine in two different ways: through a regular plug or a USB port. When it comes to having a variety of options, even with power sources, more is always better when you’re a parent with a fussy baby. The more options you have, the more likely you are to be able to provide your baby with the best sleep environment to help him – and you – get a good night’s sleep.
Housbay Glows White Noise Machine Key Features:
- 24 sounds and eight light options
- High fidelity speaker gives immersive sound experience
- Two different power sources
- One-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee
Best Budget Baby Sound Machine: MyBaby SoundSpa On-The-Go
Baby sound machines can get pretty pricey if you start to add lots of bells and whistles. The MyBaby SoundSpa On-The-Go keeps things simple. It plays the soothing sounds that your child loves and depends on to go to sleep, but it does it at a fraction of the price. It’s a win-win for babies and their parents.
This sound machine lets you choose from four different sound options: white noise, heartbeat, a lullaby, or ocean sounds. You can use the same one over and over or try a different one each night depending on your baby’s mood. It’s got a sleep timer with four settings. You can have it automatically turn off after 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Unlike fancier sound machines, this one is operated exclusively by the buttons on the front of the device, making it easy for parents, grandparents, and babysitters to figure out.
The MyBaby SoundSpa On-The-Go is completely portable. It runs on three AAA batteries and has a clip on it that allows you to put it just about anywhere. It’s small and lightweight, designed to easily go wherever you and your baby go, making it the ideal choice for families that are always on the go. We love that it’s made of BPA-free plastic, ensuring that if your baby is able to get it in her mouth somehow, it won’t be harmful.
My Baby SoundSpa On-The-Go Key Features:
- Four different sounds
- Has clip for travel and stand for setting up in a room
- Made of BPA-free plastic
Best Baby Sound Machine With App: Fisher-Price Connect Deluxe Soother
The Fisher-Price Connect Deluxe Soother takes the concept of a sound machine and steps it up a little bit. It offers a projection of light to go along with the variety of sounds that it plays. There are three different sounds: white noise, nature sounds, and music. There are also three different kinds of projected lights, which you can use on their own or in combination with one another: starlight, animals, and a soft amber color. And all of it can be controlled with your Smartphone.
There are two different ways to control the sounds and light on the machine. The first way is through the app where you can customize the lights and sound. You can also use the app to program the machine to keep the settings that work best for your baby. No more trying to remember each night what you did the night before. You’ll just have it right there at your fingertips. You can also control the machine using the panel of buttons on the back of it that light up when it’s dark. That’s a great feature because if you don’t have your phone nearby to adjust the settings, you don’t have to disturb your baby by turning on the room’s overhead light just to change the settings or turn the device off.
This machine plugs into the wall so you don’t have to worry about having to hunt for batteries while your tired baby cries for her lights and sounds. You can set the automatic timer for it to turn off at a certain if you don’t want to leave it on all night long. The Fisher-Price Connect Deluxe Soother is a great all-around option for your baby.
Fisher-Price Connect Deluxe Soother Key Features:
- Programmable lights, sounds, and sleep timer
- Three different kinds of lights and three different kinds of sounds
- Control everything about this device via the app
Best Baby Sound Machine With Projection: MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby
Sometimes your baby needs something to see and to hear in order to settle down for naptime or bedtime. The MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby gives your baby sounds and images, projected on the ceiling to watch and listen to as she drifts off to sleep, in addition to a few other great features.
There are three different and diverse images built into this machine. You choose the one that your child loves best to show on the ceiling while they’re calming down to sleep. You can also choose to play sounds that go with the image or just show the image. There are three sounds and three lullabies available in this machine. The sounds are waves, a heartbeat, and a soft rain, and the songs include three different lullabies, including Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The volume has a large range of possible settings so you can choose the right level for your child and adjust it based on your surroundings.
This sound and projection machine plugs into the wall for its power source. It has four different auto-sleep timer settings so you have a choice about when the machine shuts the sound down. Regardless of what sleep timer you choose, the projection shuts down after three hours. The machine is compact for easy storage and easy travel.
MyBaby SoundSpa and Projection Key Features:
- Six different sounds: three songs and three soothing sounds
- Three different images for projection
- Projection and sound work together or separately
Who Should Buy a Baby Sound Machine
There are two groups of parents that should definitely purchase a baby sound machine. The first is the parents who have a fussy baby. Most sound machines come with several different sound and music options. This allows you to choose which one is best for your baby. Some will prefer white noise, some will prefer a sound that mimics a heartbeat or nature sounds, and some will prefer soft lullabies. Many machines also have a nightlight or light projection designed to soothe fussiness by keeping babies entertained or just brightening the darkness. Again, you can select a machine that has the right amount of light for your baby’s room.
The second group is those looking to create a solid bedtime routine that will work in any location should definitely buy a baby sound machine. Bedtime routines are very important to help children feel safe at night and help them fall asleep faster. If you travel often with your baby and find yourself in different locales, having a sound machine is a great way to give your baby a bedtime routine no matter where you are. Most machines are portable and many run on batteries, so you can choose one that can go with you and be quickly set up wherever you lay your head for the night. Having the sound machine as part of your bedtime routine will help keep out unwanted sounds like loud hotel guests and help your baby fall quickly to sleep.
If you’re struggling with your baby’s sleep schedule, you may want to check out The Best Co-Sleepers.
Important Features to Consider
A baby sound machine should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a baby sound machine:
- Adjustable volume. There should be a wide range of choices for how loud or soft your baby sound machine is.
- Nightlight or projection. Having some kind of light that emits from the sound machine can be very helpful if you’re looking for a glow to help you check on your baby in an otherwise dark room.
- Adjustable brightness. If your chosen sleep machine has a nightlight or a projection, the amount of light it lets off should be adjustable.
- Sleep timer. Look for a baby sound machine that has a sleep timer that will automatically shut the sound off at a certain point. This keeps parents from having to enter a baby’s room and shut it off, risking waking the child.
- Control options. You might consider purchasing a sound machine with that can be controlled by an app. This obviously eliminates the need to enter a baby’s room in order to adjust the volume or brightness level of the sound machine, which means you won’t disturb your baby as they’re drifting off to sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are baby sound machines safe for babies?
Some people have worried that the sound of white noise can harm a baby’s ears. The only way this is possible is if the machine is constantly played at very high volume. If they are kept at the right volume, sound machines are not harmful to babies.
When should you stop using a baby sound machine?
There is no definitive age that a baby or child should stop using a sound machine. Some babies may outgrow the need for them after the first year or so while others may need them for a lot longer. If it helps them to fall asleep, it’s perfectly fine to continue using a sound machine for years. In fact, several of our recommended sound machines on this list are designed to grow with your baby and meet their needs as they get older.
Is it okay to play a baby sound machine all night?
As long as the volume is set low enough to not hurt a baby’s sensitive ears, it’s fine to leave a sound machine playing all night long.
Can a baby sound machine be placed directly into a crib?
No, a baby sound machine should never go directly into a crib. The volume needs to be kept at a safe level and a curious baby might be able to easily turn the volume up by playing with the machine. Some of the baby sound machines on our list also double as plush animals. They are really cute and fit easily into a nursery’s decor, but don’t be tempted to put those in the crib either! Babies up to a year old shouldn’t have anything extraneous in the crib and that includes plush toys. You should place the baby sound machine on a surface near the bed where your baby can easily hear it but can’t possibly reach it.
Other Baby Sound Machines We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other baby sound machines. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best baby sound machines list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your baby. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Baby Sound Machines Controlled By An App
- Baby Sound Machines That Have A Light
- Baby Sound Machines With Projection
- Portable Baby Sound Machines
Baby Sound Machines Controlled By An App
This sound machine has 11 different sounds, has a light, and can be controlled with an app, Alexa, or Google Play. It’s a high tech device that will help put your baby to sleep.
Key Features:
- Controlled multiple ways
- 12-month warranty
- Has a timer
Cost: $45
Pictek Sound Machine is a solid choice for your baby. We especially love the child lock on it, a unique feature that makes it safe and keeps your baby from being able to change any of the settings.
Key Features:
- Child lock
- Controlled by voice and app
- Auto-off timer
Baby Sound Machines That Have A Light
A total of 29 sounds are available to choose from if you purchase this sound machine. They include a mix of nature sounds, white noise, and fan sounds so you know there will be something your baby will love.
Key Features:
- Adjustable brightness for the light
- Sleep timer
- Large range of volumes
Cost: $50
Gakov Light Noise Sound Machine
Choose from 30-, 60-, or 90-minute timer options with this sound machine, assuring that the sounds that help to lull your baby to sleep will stay on long after he’s fallen asleep.
Key Features:
- Range of 26 sounds
- Eardrum protection
- Three different levels of light brightness
Cost: $30
Kapebow White Noise Sound Machine
The soft, soothing light of this sound machine has five different brightness options so you can pick the perfect one for your baby. Whichever one you choose will complement the soothing array of sounds the machine also provides.
Key Features:
- Sleep timer
- Portable
- Six different sounds
Cost: $18
This sound machine is all about the numbers: 29 different sounds, eight color choices for the nightlight feature, 32 different levels for volume control, and three different sleep timer settings. They all add up to a great option for your baby.
Key Features:
- Portable
- Rechargeable
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cost: $25
Your baby may not care that this sleep machine has a great memory system that holds your preferred settings from night to night, but you will. You’ll enjoy that with one touch, this machine will have just the right amount of light and sound for your baby to fall asleep.
Key Features:
- Auto-timer
- 28 different sounds
- Portable
Cost: $27
The ambient light put out by this noise machine is soft, beautiful, and gives just enough glow for you to see your baby – but not enough to keep her up while the white noise lulls her to sleep.
Key Features:
- 28 sound choices
- Portable and rechargeable
- Two different power supply options
Cost: $43
The VanSmaGo sound machine has a rechargeable battery so you can charge it up, place it anywhere your baby is, and know that there will be plenty of power in it to play the 28 different sounds and keep the light lit while your baby drifts off to sleep.
Key Features:
- HiFi sound
- Ten different brightness levels for the light
- 32 levels of volume
Baby Sound Machine With Projection
This unit projects an image of a tree surrounded by different animals and other images. It will give your baby something to gaze at and be entertained by as the soft sounds lull him to sleep.
Key Features:
- Seven different light color choices
- 20 different sound options
- Three auto-off timer options
Cost: $30
A colorful projection is the perfect complement to the 20 sound choices and the 15 levels of volume to play it at whatever level your baby needs to help her fall to sleep.
Key Features:
- Battery-operated
- Sounds are non-looping
- Headphone jack built into machine
Cost: $36
PPLLE White Noise Sound Machine
You have two different power options with this sound machine. You can either plug it in or use the batteries to power the device. Not all projection units have this feature, making this a great choice so you can know that your baby will never have to go to sleep without this machine no matter where you are.
Key Features:
- Sea forest images in projection
- Four different auto-timer options
- Portable
Cost: $36
This projection sleep machine is a little different from others on our list because it gives you a choice of three sets of image themes to project onto your nursery ceiling. Choose from transportation, shapes, and sea life to ensure your baby sees things that soothe her and make her happy.
Key Features:
- Eight different sound options
- Portable
- Sleep timer
Cost: $25
The Yachance Baby Star Projector displays a beautiful array of starts on your child’s nursery. There’s enough to hold your baby’s attention and give him something to enjoy while the perfect soothing sound helps put her to sleep.
Key Features:
- 29 different sounds or songs
- Silently rotates 360 while projecting image on ceiling
- High resolution
Portable Baby Sound Machines
Baby Sleep Soother Colorful Light
The colorful lights and soothing sounds in this baby sound machine are powered by a rechargeable battery. Charge it up, then stick in a crib, car seat, stroller, or any other place your baby loves to sleep.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable lithium battery
- 15 different sounds
- Colorful lights
Cost: $23
Baby Sleep Soother Sounds Machine
Don’t let the adorable design of this portable baby sound machine shouldn’t overshadow all of the great things about it, not the least of which are its portability and the beautiful amber color of the nightlight.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable battery
- Battery holds charge for up to 30 hours
- Sleep timer
Cost: $20
Cacchino Baby White Noise Machine
This soft, plush whale just may be the keeping to helping your baby fall asleep faster. It has six different light colors and 12 different sounds or songs to calm your little one and then lull her off to sleep.
Key Features:
- Five different volume settings
- 30-minute sleep timer
- Has hook so easy to attach anywhere
Cost: $25
This baby sound machine is unique in that it automatically turns itself on if your baby has been crying or fussy for at least five seconds, helping him to learn to self soothe. It plays several different sounds and songs, including a calming shushing noise and one that mimic’s a mother’s heartbeat.
Key Features:
- Rotating moon and stars light with three different colors
- Hand washable
- Three levels of brightness to light
Cost: $35
Hushh Yogasleep Portable White Noise Machine
If you’re in the market for a simple portable baby sound machine, this might be the perfect choice for you. It clips anywhere, has three different white noise sounds, and emits a gentle glowing light.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable battery
- Compact size
- One year limited warranty
Cost: $25
One of the best features of this baby sound machine is that you can operate the lights and the sounds independently. If your child needs one or the other or both, this soft bear can provide it.
Key Features:
- Five-year warranty
- Battery-powered
- 30-minute sleep timer
Cost: $30
