The best white noise machines
Steady, soothing sound that helps little ones settle, and masks the doorbell, the dog and the neighbours.
White noise works by masking sudden sounds with a steady one, which is why it’s a favourite for naps and night-times. It isn’t only for babies: plenty of adults use the same machines to sleep through traffic or a snoring partner.
Portable, rechargeable machines clip to a pram or pack for holidays. Plug-in ones sit on a shelf and never run flat.
What matters
- Keep the volume moderate and the machine a little way from the cot.
- Rechargeable models suit prams, holidays and naps away from home.
- A dimmable night light helps with night feeds.
- Brown and pink noise are deeper and less hissy than white.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
Best overall
#1 of 5
8.9/10
Dreamegg D11 Max White Noise Machine
£29.99 RRP
Small enough for a changing bag, with a battery that lasts days, so naps at Grandma’s go just as smoothly as at home.
- 21 soothing sounds
- Rechargeable battery
- Timer and child lock
- Small enough for a changing bag
What owners say: Realistic sounds, lots to choose from, and small enough for a handbag. The battery lasts for days between charges.
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A closer look: A lanyard and hanging loop let it clip onto a pram handle, car seat or cot rail rather than rattling around the bottom of a bag. It charges over USB-C, and a memory function saves setting it up from scratch every night. Stand it across the room rather than right by the baby’s head.
Best for: Naps at home and away, for days between charges
- Power
- Rechargeable (1800mAh)
- Sounds
- 21
- Night light
- –
- Timer
- Yes, plus child lock
- Hangs on a pram
- Yes
Best night light
#2 of 5
8.8/10
Zello Original White Noise Machine
££ £15–£40
A little bedside machine from independent UK brand Zello, with a warm, colour-changing night light and 30 sounds, including womb and heartbeat sounds for the newborn weeks.
- 30 sounds, incl. womb and heartbeat
- Night light: 7 colours, 5 levels
- Rechargeable, up to 20 hrs
- Volume 48–98dB
- USB-C charging
What owners say: Helps babies and grown-ups sleep peacefully, with plenty of sounds, easy set-up and a battery that lasts all night. Owners love the warm glow of the light.
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A closer look: The maker suggests around 65dB for overnight use, about the level of a soft shower, and it’s wise to keep it a little way from the cot rather than right by the baby’s head. The night light works on its own, too, which is handy for feeds.
Best for: The nursery, with a soft light for night feeds
- Power
- Rechargeable, up to 20 hrs
- Sounds
- 30
- Night light
- 7 colours, 5 levels
- Timer
- Optional
- Hangs on a pram
- –
Best for the pram
#3 of 5
8.7/10
Momcozy Portable White Noise Machine
££ £15–£40
Pocket-sized, with a hanging ring for the pram or car seat and a soft amber light for nappy changes on the go.
- 20 sounds
- Amber night light, dimmable
- Up to 10 hrs per charge
- Charges in 2 hrs (USB-C)
- Hanging ring
What owners say: Brilliant quality and worth the money. Owners love clipping it to prams, cots and car seats, and say it helps babies settle quickly.
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A closer look: Up to 10 hours per charge covers a night or a day of naps, and it tops back up in about two hours over USB-C. Hang it from the pram handle rather than inside the hood, so the sound isn’t right by the baby’s ear.
Best for: Walks, car journeys and naps on the go
- Power
- Rechargeable, up to 10 hrs
- Sounds
- 20
- Night light
- Amber, dimmable
- Timer
- –
- Hangs on a pram
- Yes
Best plug-in
#4 of 5
8.6/10
Plug-in White Noise Machine with 30 Sounds and Night Light
£26.99 RRP
A plug-in machine for the nursery or your own bedside, with 30 sounds including brown and pink noise and a 12-colour light.
- 30 sounds, incl. brown and pink noise
- 12-colour night light, 10 levels
- Timer: 1–4 hrs or all night
- Remembers your last setting
- Plug-in only
What owners say: Genuinely helpful, with lots of relaxing sounds, a red light option and easy controls. Owners say it drowns out other noise well.
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A closer look: It has to be plugged in, so it suits a fixed spot like the nursery or a grown-up’s bedside rather than travel. It remembers the last sound and volume, so bedtime is one button, and brown noise, deeper than white, is worth a try for anyone who finds white noise hissy.
Best for: A fixed spot in the nursery or a grown-up’s bedroom
- Power
- Plug-in only
- Sounds
- 30
- Night light
- 12 colours, 10 levels
- Timer
- 1–4 hrs or all night
- Hangs on a pram
- No
Best budget
#5 of 5
8.5/10
Easysleep White Noise Machine with Night Light
£24.99 RRP
A simple plug-in sound machine with 25 sounds, 32 volume steps and a warm night light that can be used on its own.
- 25 sounds
- 32 volume levels
- Warm night light, 4 levels
- Timer: 1–4 hrs or all night
- Remembers settings
What owners say: Fantastic, easy to use and good value, with a good range of sounds from lullabies to ocean waves. Owners say it drowns out background chatter.
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A closer look: The speaker faces upwards, which spreads the sound around the room rather than beaming it one way. It restores the last sound, volume, timer and light settings after being switched off, and at about 10cm across it fits on a crowded bedside table. It needs to be plugged in.
Best for: A simple, low-cost machine for one room
- Power
- Plug-in only
- Sounds
- 25
- Night light
- Warm, 4 levels
- Timer
- 1–4 hrs or all night
- Hangs on a pram
- No
How they compare
| Feature | #1Dreamegg D11 MaxBest overall | #2Zello OriginalBest night light | #3Momcozy portableBest for the pram | #430-sound plug-inBest plug-in | #5EasysleepBest budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picked Rating | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.5 |
| Price | £29.99 RRP | ££ £15–£40 | ££ £15–£40 | £26.99 RRP | £24.99 RRP |
| Power | Rechargeable (1800mAh) | Rechargeable, up to 20 hrs | Rechargeable, up to 10 hrs | Plug-in only | Plug-in only |
| Sounds | 21 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 25 |
| Night light | – | 7 colours, 5 levels | Amber, dimmable | 12 colours, 10 levels | Warm, 4 levels |
| Timer | Yes, plus child lock | Optional | – | 1–4 hrs or all night | 1–4 hrs or all night |
| Hangs on a pram | Yes | – | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Naps at home and away, for days between charges | The nursery, with a soft light for night feeds | Walks, car journeys and naps on the go | A fixed spot in the nursery or a grown-up’s bedroom | A simple, low-cost machine for one room |
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