Best Baby Sound Machines

While your natural instinct might be to keep baby’s nursery as quiet as possible when he is fast asleep in her crib, a little sound — provided it’s the right kind of sound — can actually help him fall and stay asleep.

Think about it: Your baby's cozy home inside the womb was relatively noisy. As he developed, he started to regularly hear your heartbeat, your voice and external music.  It can be difficult for some babies to transition into a silent nursery, which is one of the reasons why baby sound machines are such a popular registry item.

Why use a baby sound machine?

Chances are your little one’s nursery isn’t soundproof — which means everything from cars honking outside to your phone ringing in the next room to a noisy older sibling can disturb his sleep. Babies can be startled quite easily by sudden noises, but a sound machine can help drown out disturbances to keep your little one sleeping peacefully.

“White noise machines can be extremely useful in assisting babies with falling as well as staying asleep,” says Miami-based pediatrician Gary Kramer, M.D. And with sleep being so crucial, especially in those early days, a sound machine can be a lifesaver. (They can also help you get some much-needed winks yourself).

How do baby sound machines work?

By playing constant, repetitive white noise, sound machines help to lull babies to sleep and keep them asleep. The noise also helps drown out other sounds in the household that could potentially wake your baby up, too. “The concept is, they emit soothing sounds which block out other background noises in the household that could be disruptive,” Dr. Kramer says. 

Some baby sound machines also project lights, animal shapes or stars on the ceiling or walls to give baby something soothing to watch as his lids grow heavier and heavier.

Types of baby sound machines

There are a few different types of sound machines on the market, and all of them can be useful. Picking the right one comes down to deciding on the types of features you want and whether you plan to use the machine at home or on the go.

• All-purpose white noise machines: These standard white noise machines are designed to be used in any setting where a person is seeking to drown out outside sounds, including adult or child bedrooms. They usually come with multiple sound and volume settings and may have a timer, but don’t offer any features specifically geared towards babies or kids (like a heartbeat sound, projector lights or a cute design).
• Baby- or toddler-specific sound machines: These function similarly to standard white noise machines, just packaged in a more kid-friendly way. The machines might have sounds specifically designed to mimic what a baby may have heard in the womb or offer soothing lights that project onto your baby’s wall or ceiling. Some might have features that you can take advantage of as your child grows, like a nightlight or a light that changes colors in the morning, to signal to a toddler or preschooler that it’s okay to get out of bed. 
• Smart noise machines: Smart machines can be synched up to your phone so you can control them remotely. They can be a good option for making changes to the machine’s sound or volume settings without having to creep into your baby’s nursery while he’s sleeping.
• Portable noise machines: Designed to be used on the go, these battery-powered machines may help your baby fall asleep in the car or stroller when needed. 

What to look for in a baby sound machine

Sound machines can have a variety of settings. Some play gentle songs or nature sounds, while others emit simple white noise. All have the goal of gently lulling baby to sleep. Important features to look for include:

• Sound selection
• Timer
• Automatic shutoff
• Portability
• Continuous play
• Night light
• Adjustable volume
• AC adapter/battery power
• Ability to sync with your phone, if desired

Where to place a baby sound machine in the nursery

Sound machines are great for helping baby sleep, but you also want to make sure you aren’t damaging your little one’s ears. “Some prior studies have shown that sound machines can, if used improperly, have a negative effect on hearing and, therefore, speech development,” Dr. Kramer says. A 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics found that certain sound machines geared towards infants can be as loud as 85 decibels when placed a foot away from babies — which can damage hearing even in the short-term. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a machine that's no louder than 50 decibels, so you’ll want to place the sound machine at least 7 feet away from baby’s crib and use a low volume setting. To be sure you’re below the 50 decibel level, use a free app like the Center for Disease Control’s NIOSH Sound Level Meter, which allows you to measure noise levels using your phone.

You’ll also want to ensure that the machine is out of your child’s reach and any cords are safely tucked away.

How we made our picks for the best baby sound machines

With recommendations from What To Expect community members and our editors' research, plus feedback from our medical experts, we've found the best sound machines for babies with a range of features for every family’s needs.