Homedics White Noise Machine Review: This Screen-free Portable White Noise Machine Is My Personal Melatonin

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The single best thing I've done for my sleep is lean into white noise and lean into it hard. White noise is a peaceful type of broadband sound that helps mask and soften other sounds in the area, and studies show that white noise machines can help people sleep through the night. 

Finding my first machine was intimidating for a number of reasons. Namely, there are now dozens of noise types, from gray noise to pink noise, that promote relaxation, and so many sound machines on the market come with dozens of sounds and features I don't need, like app controls.

White noise, I soon learned, is the gold standard for a reason, and the Homedics SoundSleep White Noise Sound Machine is the easiest-to-use, most portable option I found. 

What is a white noise machine?

A white noise machine is a type of sound machine that plays the relaxing hum of white noise, and often has other relaxing sound settings like ocean waves, rain, and more. White noise sounds a bit like the status you hear from an unturned TV or radio station. Because it contains all audio frequencies, it acts like a blanket to tune out other sounds. They're a popular choice for therapists and doctors' offices because they help prevent sound from seeping in or out of a room. Check out our guide to the best sound machines, where we name the Homedics machine as the best for travel.

Why I love it

Like many people, I've switched to a battery-powered alarm clock to minimize the amount of screens in my bedroom, which is why I also wanted a white noise machine that wouldn't require me to use screens or apps.

Maria Yagoda/Business Insider

When looking for a white noise machine for my apartment, I didn't want to add yet another screen to my bedroom, which would disrupt my sleep even more. The Homedics machine, which is small and lightweight enough to travel with, has been playing nearly every moment since I purchased it, dulling the noise of the outside world with an apartment-filling white noise. The model has only six relaxing settings, which are perfectly uncomplicated: white noise, thunder, ocean, rain, summer, night, and brook. Higher-tech models may offer a higher level of customization, but they were too "smart" for what I was looking for.

This is one of the few noise machines that is amazingly easy to travel with

My rescue chihuahua and I are both very sensitive to sound, so the white noise machine has become a travel necessity.

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At only eight ounces, the machine really couldn't be more travel-friendly. It's portable enough that I always throw it in my suitcase before heading to an Airbnb where I don't know how noisy it will be; it could also easily fit into a purse. The device's timer has just three options: 15, 30, or 60 minutes. I use it without the timer feature because the continuous sound helps me sleep through the entire night. 

The other sound settings are also very peaceful

When I branch out beyond the white noise setting, the natural sounds actually sound like what they're meant to. In the middle of the winter, the serene, cricket-filled "summer night" setting makes me feel like I'm taking a nap on a hammock. The ocean setting plays waves softly crashing on shore. My chihuahua and I happily fall asleep to all of them except thunder, which is her biggest fear. 

One drawback to consider is that it's not very customizable

For me, the simplicity is a plus, but for people who want more settings they can tailor to their moods, there are more sophisticated options on the market.

The bottom line

This white noise machine is a perfect entry-level model for people who want reliably relaxing sounds without too many complicated settings. It's also great for travelers who are sensitive to noise, because it fits so easily in a carry-on or suitcase.