The Tommee Tippee Ollie the Owl has a dual function. Not only does it serve as a white noise machine, but also as a soft toy for your child to cuddle with. This is a really handy white noise machine to take with you on the go, whether you travel a lot with your little one, or to simply have it in the change bag when they’re resisting naps. Lightweight and compact, you plug in the Dreamegg to charge it and then it is good to go – or you can leave it plugged in if you’re just using it at home. Despite these shortcomings, the Homedics Sound Spa Rejuvenate might appeal to those needing a device with battery power autonomy or those with budget constraints. Having said that, smart speakers, smartphone apps, and household appliances like fans can work well if you don’t want to buy a separate white noise machine. If you’d like to find out more about alternatives like those, take a look at my guide to choosing a white noise machine. This is kind of an extension of my first criticism, but it’s important to note that there is only one fan sound and only one white noise. The older D3 model had seven of each, and I would have liked to have seen a similar choice in the D11. No rain option

Ewan the Dream Sheep is perhaps one of the most well-known white noise machines for babies, with its cute and cuddly sheep design. Its features are fairly basic, with just four different sounds to choose from (including white noise and lullaby music), which are each accompanied by the sound of a resting heartbeat. The Travel Mini offers portability and flexibility, letting you place it anywhere in the room without worrying about power outlets. The three brightness settings of the nightlight are particularly helpful when navigating unfamiliar rooms in the dark, and some children will find the light reassuring. As well as Bluetooth connectivity, the myHummy Mini comes with all the other features you might want in a white noise machine. There’s a timer setting, which you can set to fade out after 10 minutes or more, or it can play continuously. It’s neat and portable, with a strap to attach it to a pushchair or car seat. And the cover is even machine-washable, once you remove the battery powered insert.The Marpac Hushh white noise machine is powered via a built-in rechargeable battery, but can also be used while it’s plugged in. This means you get the best of both worlds. It can play white noise all night long without any danger of the battery running out, but can also be unplugged and used on the go.

When you become a parent, you soon learn that, unfortunately, not all babies actually sleep ‘like a baby.’ Even once you've spent time and money choosing the best crib and making sure it's comfy, helping your baby learn to sleep well can be one of the biggest struggles for new parents, and it’s an issue that can linger through their toddler years and beyond. The buttons on the Dreamegg D11 are very easy to use. They are large enough to be easy to find in the dark, clearly labeled, and you don’t need to read the instructions to work out how to operate it.

How we chose our recommendations

The Snooz is light and compact, weighing less than 2 pounds and measuring 5.6 x 5.6 x 3.2 inches. Its small size and aesthetic appeal, coupled with a modern color scheme, make it a great addition to any room. In table 3 below, you can see which ones have some of the main features I look out for when reviewing white noise machines. These aren’t the only features that exist in the sound machine world, but I think they are important ones to consider. Machine After researching dozens of different machines to compile this list of the 10 best white noise machines for babies, our conclusion is that the Dreamegg D11 is the best white noise machine there is. The manufacturer says this is a sound machine both kids and adults will use. However, I think that with five (arguably six) of the sounds clearly made for children, there just isn’t much variety left for adults to listen to.

Much of the discussion around the safety of white noise machines centres on the volume of the sound. Reports suggest that noise levels inside the womb can be as loud as 90dB (about as loud as a lawnmower), however, in 2014, a study from the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) tested 14 white noise machines and found that some produced volumes in excess of 85dB, concluding that this could be damaging if left for several hours at close proximity to a baby’s ear. If you’re expecting or have a newborn, you’ve likely heard about white noise machines. They’re the latest trend in infant sleep aids, and mums and dads rave about how effective they are at calming a crying child. They emit a fuzzy, static sound that can help to drown out other ambient noises, making it easier for your little one to catch some Zs. Note: If you're buying for a child, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents to keep sound machines to around 50 decibels and farther than 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) from where your baby sleeps. The volume button on the D11 max is not refined. There are very large differences in volume between each adjustment level. The quietest volume is still too loud when you require just a subtle noise. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. To return faulty items see our Returning Faulty Items policy.

As it turns out, there are more important differences than similarities, which is good to understand if you’re not sure which one will suit you more.

The sound quality is excellent, with a speaker that produces louder maximum volume than the others in this list. I measured it at 77 decibels on a white noise setting from a meter away. In the photo above, you can see 12 white noise machines I tested before writing this review. The photo is darker than usual so you can compare the nightlight feature that five of them have. The user-friendly interface consists of seven simple buttons for easy volume and sound control, reducing the hassle of combined controls. The choice to play continuously or set a timer for up to four hours adds some more flexibility. If you’d like to see more about the volume range of white noise machines, I published a video a couple of years ago in which I tested several of them with a decibel meter. Several of the devices in this article appeared in it. You can read the article and watch the video in my volume test of white noise machines. Latest white noise machine news Personalising your routine is straightforward. I love snuggling down to blue-hued rainfall, it takes my mind off the tinnitus ringing in my ears. There are three fan noises: floor, wall and regular. They’re not notably different from each other, but I appreciate the versatility.The nature sounds all seem pretty good to me, without jarring looping which is always a good thing. I didn’t like the fair sound though, which I’ll mention more about in the criticisms below. Good speaker quality and volume The Marpac Dohm White Noise Machine doesn’t use recordings, played in a loop, like other white noise machines. Instead, the noise is created by a small fan inside the body of the machine. The Dreamegg D11 is an effective white noise machine that the parents of young children will appreciate most. The nightlight, good incremental volume controls, and the option to use it without a cable make it a convenient device for parents. And there are enough relaxing sounds to choose from that there should be at least one or two that children like listening to. Our favourite features? One of the best selling points of the Dreamegg white noise machine is the level of control you have over its features. There are 11 different sound options to choose from (including white noise, nature sounds, and lullabies), 32 different volume levels, and an adjustable night light. In summary, the Dreamegg D11, with its child-centric sounds, pretty nightlight, rechargeable battery, and reasonable price is a great choice for parents who want a portable white noise machine when staying away from home.