White noise machines now range from simple devices that produce sound with a real fan to multifunction bedside clocks with lights, alarms and sleep tracking. WIRED’s 2026 guide highlights options for adults, children and travel, while noting that the right choice depends on the sounds and features a sleeper wants.
The Snooz is the guide’s pick for a straightforward, analog machine. It generates noise with an actual fan and has a power button and a twistable sleeve for adjusting volume. It does not include a timer, alarm or light, and the guide says it is intended to sit in a central spot in the bedroom rather than on a nightstand, helping distribute sound more evenly.
For a machine with a sunrise alarm, WIRED recommends the Hatch Restore 3. It has four physical buttons for adjustments without opening the app, along with a timer, alarm and light. Its sound library is available through the app, and the guide says a subscription unlocks an extensive collection. Reviewer Nena Farrell found its light less bright than that of earlier versions and said the “Sunlight” feature fell short of expectations.
A separate Hatch model combines sound playback with a sunrise alarm and motion-based sleep tracking. It records sleep duration and stages from the nightstand, without using cameras or microphones, and its tracking data is not restricted to a Hatch+ subscription. Other features include adjustable volume, timers, customizable color-light scenes, a gradual wake-up light and a sunset light. Its sounds include white noise, nature audio, sleep stories and guided meditations; a Hatch+ subscription adds access to more than 2,500 sounds, stories and meditations.
The guide also includes machines for younger users. A replacement for the older Hatch Rest has an updated look and app interface for setting routines, plus a nightlight button, colorful light and music. It does not have a gradual sunrise feature, and buyers receive a three-month Hatch+ subscription. For infants and travel, another compact model pairs a speaker with a night light and a clip for attaching it to a stroller strap or bag. It offers several noise and nature options, lullabies and Bluetooth streaming.
For travelers who want the smallest possible device, the Restnature machine measures 1.8 inches on each side and is rechargeable via USB-C. It has 16 sound options and 30-, 60- and 90-minute timers. WIRED’s reviewer found it could get very loud, though sound quality suffered at the maximum setting. A more basic, long-running model in the guide offers six sounds and the same timer choices, and can run on four AA batteries. Its reviewer noted that the volume control had worn over time and that battery operation could be unreliable.
The guide explains that “white noise” machines may also offer pink or brown noise, which sit lower in the sound spectrum and can sound less harsh. It recommends experimenting with different frequencies and sound options to find a preferred choice. For babies and children, the article advises keeping sound machines at no more than 50 decibels and more than 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) from where they sleep.
WIRED says its testers assess setup, volume controls, timers, sound quality and additional features. Each machine is used nightly for at least a week, with longer testing in some cases. The guide also cautions that some machines shut off after preset intervals, so buyers who want sound all night should check whether a model can run continuously. A desk or box fan can provide steady background noise in a pinch, but it may cool the room and offers fewer sound choices than a dedicated machine.
Sources: WIRED.