In a fast paced world where everyone seems to be sleep deprived, an entire industry has emerged trying to help us sleep better. There are many things you can do to improve your sleep quality. You can buy a new mattress (mail order offerings from Casper, Leesa, and Endy make mattress shopping even easier). You can always swap out your pillows and update your sheets. Lastly, you could add a sound machine into your bedroom routine.
Sleepers turn to sound machines for many reasons… but, the two main reasons are to create a restful environment that is conducive to sleep and to mask unpleasant ambient noises. A good sound machine can fill a room with crashing waves, cricket chirps, or even a human heartbeat — all with just the push of a button. Some machines generate various frequencies of white, pink, or brown noise; these frequencies help diminish unpleasant ambient sounds. But with so many options on the market, how can you pick? To help you out we searched out the best high-end machine and the best bargain for your buck.
Our pick: High-end sound machine
It may seem silly to spend over a $100 on a sound machine. But perhaps you should ask yourself how much is a good night’s sleep worth to you? Higher end sound machines tend to emphasize sound channel options and enhancements. Lower-end sound machines, by contrast, provide good sound but sometimes fall prey to excessive looping. Our top pick is EcoTones from Adaptive Sound Technologies. While this model may seem a bit big, it is packed full with quality sound and customization features. Further, it constantly monitors ambient noise around you and adjusts its levels so as to ensure you are not disturbed. The machine comes with over 64 sound options and offers custom layering levels. So not only can you hear the ocean but you can add in the sounds of a seagull every so often. It sounds completely natural and non-looping.
Our pick: Bargain option
The Sound Therapy Machine by Conair comes in at under $40. This is a great introductory option in this category. It offers only 10 soothing sound options and the timer is limited to 60 minutes only. But what it lacks for in options it makes up for in its compact size and price. This sound machine can run on batteries and is small enough to take with you on your travels. The drawback is that the sound doesn’t sound as natural and it loops often. The “Heartbeat” sound, rarely found on other machines, duplicates the sound of a fetal heart monitor and is very popular with parents looking for a suitable child sleep aid. Consider this machine for its great price and portability.
