9 of the best white noise toys, machines and apps for babies 2024
White noise appears to help some babies sleep as it’s similar to what they could hear in the womb. There are several apps that will play a variety of sounds or there are white noise devices that often double up as a cuddly toy.
DOES WHITE NOISE ACTUALLY HELP A BABY SLEEP?
There has been research to suggest that white noise can help a baby go to sleep and settle back to sleep when they wake in the night but it will depend on each child how effective it is.
Some parents just find it useful to block out the sounds from the rest of the household or outside that may wake a baby up.
If the noise itself isn’t a trigger for sleep, the regular routine of it being turned on and heard may signal to your baby that it’s time to go to bed.
Any sound that mimics what the baby heard in the womb, like a heartbeat, may also soothe and comfort an unsettled child.
How long should you leave it on for?
There’s no harm on leaving it on all night if it’s not too loud but most usually turn it off when their baby is asleep. There are some white noise devices which automatically come on when a baby cries in the night.
HOW LOUD SHOULD IT BE?
Some experts recommend that it be no louder than 50 decibels. You can get free apps to test a decibel level but this similar to the sound level of rain or a dishwasher. This is not very loud and may not be enough to be effective, especially if your baby is crying. If this is the case, you could play it more loudly for the first few minutes and then reduce the level of sound.
THE features to look out for IN A WHITE NOISE DEVICE
Noise activation: Some can be set to be activated by the sound of crying. The theory is that if your baby wakes in the night, it will soothe them back to sleep. Obviously, this will depend on how hungry they are and how much human comfort they need.
Timer: It will be handy if you can set how long it is on so that it’s not playing all night.
Night light: An integrated night light may be useful. Babies are not scared of the dark (as it would have been pretty dark in the womb) but a night light can be handy for night feeds or nighttime nappy changes.
Variety of sounds: The apps have a huge variety of white noise and nature sounds from waterfall to busy café to washing machine so you can find one that your baby likes. Some white noise devices have real womb and heartbeat sounds which may be comforting to a newborn. Others also play lullabies and melodies.
Volume control: So that you can adjust the volume to your requirements.
Machine washable: This one is just for the cuddly toy devices obviously! It may get dirty so it will be easier if you can remove the electrics and put it in the washing machine.
Velcro strap or clip: Another one for the cuddly toys and also the machines. Some have a strap or clip so that they can be attached to the cot, pram or car seat.
How it’s powered: Some devices are battery-operated some are USB charged.
Customisable: Several of the apps have the option to record your own sounds to play on a loop if your baby has unique tastes.
Is there a free alternative to a white noise device?
If you have Alexa or Google Home, you could set it to play white noise in a loop. The old-school alternative is tuning a radio into static.
THE BEST WHITE NOISE TOYS AND APPS
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 22 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Ewan the Dream Sheep deluxe
A multi-award-winning soft sheep with contrasting colours for visual stimulation.
Real womb and heartbeat sounds, as well as a shusher, harp melody, and vacuum cleaner.
These can be activated by crying.
There is also a soft red night light, which they claim induces melatonin to help a baby sleep.
The tail of the sheep has velcro so it can be attached to the cot, pram car seat etc.
The control pod is removable to make the sheep machine-washable.
This is the most recent deluxe version and comes in eco-cardboard packaging.
2. Tommee Tippee Deluxe light and sound sleep aid
This is an updated version of their popular soft toy sleep aid and it is now more plush and also comes in a mini travel version.
Six sounds including white noise, lullabies, heartbeat and nature sounds.
Volume control.
Can be activated by crying.
Includes an adjustable night light.
Sounds plays for 20 minutes, light is on for 30 minutes.
USB rechargeable and a full charge lasts around 25 hours.
Has a velcro strap for attaching to a cot, pram, car seat etc.
3. SnuzCloud Sleep Aid
Soft plush toy with a velcro strap for attaching to the cot, pram, car seat etc.
Has heartbeat, pink noise, lullaby and waterfall sounds.
Adjustable volume.
Turns off after 20 minutes to preserve battery life.
Two light options: white night light or calming pink glow.
4. pNeo Baby Shusher
Plays a soothing, rhythmic shush.
Has 15 and 30-minute timer options.
Adjustable volume control.
Removable wrist strap.
Battery operated (batteries included).
5. Dreamegg white noise machine
Small, portable white noise machine.
Eleven sounds including white noise, nature sounds, lullaby, shushing, vacuum cleaner, womb and fan.
Volume control.
Can be played continuously or put on a timer.
Baby safe clip for attaching to the cot, pram, car seat etc.
Includes an adjustable night light.
USB rechargeable.
6. Tommee Tippee Dreammaker Baby Sleep Aid
Designed in conjunction with a sleep lab.
Plays pink noise, which imitates the natural womb-like sounds.
Adjustable volume.
Adjustable ambient red night light to encourage the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Pulsing light setting to encourage slow, deep breathing. Two different speeds for adults and babies.
Can be activated by crying.
USB powered.
Sustainable packaging which is plastic-free.
7. sleephero phone app
An app with a large library of white noise sounds including shushing, nature sounds, cafe chatter and washing machine.
Can be activated by crying.
Your own sounds and lullabies can be recorded.
Anti-glare design for nighttime use.
Set a timer and the sounds will gently fade out.
Only for iOS.
8. Sound sleeper phone app
Free app designed for babies.
Wide variety of sounds including white noise, lullabies, nature sounds, shushing, womb and vacuum cleaner.
You can also record your own voice or other sounds.
The app can be activated by crying.
Sleep tracker.
9. White Noise Lite
Free app
Over 40 sounds including hairdryer, heartbeat, rain, jungle, white noise and stream flowing.
Sound timers that fade out the audio.
The ability to record and loop your own sounds.
FROM THE BLOG:
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Cots and cot beds • Moses baskets, cribs and bedside cribs • mattresses • sheets • baby monitors • baby blankets • room thermometers • waterproof mattress protectors • night lights • baby nests • swaddling • travel cots • cot mobiles
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