The best sound machine overall
Want to drift off to the peaceful sound of crickets and wind in a meadow? How about adding some birdsong and buzzing bees? Or maybe you prefer to fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves. If that's not enough, go ahead and add in some crying seagulls. Still need more? You can add in barking seals and a foghorn.
That's just the start of the versatility offered by the Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sound Machine. There are ten basic sounds to choose from: fireplace, waterfall, white noise, meditation, brook, rainfall, train, city, meadow, and ocean.
You can add two additional levels of sound to each of those basics. For example, train starts with the clackety-clack of wheels on track. Two additional levels add in bells, train whistles, and the sound of train couplers tapping against each other. You also get white noise, pink noise, and brown noise options.
And these aren't short, annoying loops, or synthesized sound. You get naturally recorded high fidelity sounds carefully mastered to relax you into sleep. Plus, the machine "listens" to the ambient noise in your bedroom, and then adjusts its volume as necessary to help protect your sleep.
Amazon buyers love the Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sound Machine. It has more than 4,200 reviews and a 4.1-star average rating. Customers especially appreciate the adaptive technology that adjusts to room noise and the wide variety of sounds. A typical comment: "So far this sound machine has been completely effective in masking the sounds of a snoring spouse and a barking neighbor's dog."
If your bed partner doesn't want any sound at all, there's a headphone jack so you can enjoy the peaceful tones on your own. Let the machine run all night, or set the timer to shut off after 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. The AC power cord is included.
Pros: Amazingly versatile, high-quality sound, many options to choose from, timer
Cons: Expensive
Buy the Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sound Machine on Amazon for $64.99The best white noise sound machine
The LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine is just that: a white noise machine. There are no nature sounds to choose from, but that doesn't mean your sound selection is limited. This high fidelity device has ten levels of fan sounds, including everything from industrial fan to oscillating fan. It's also got 10 levels of white noise ranging from pure white to pink to brown.
The large top speaker produces excellent sound and does a great job of masking outside noise, including tough-to-sleep-through disrupters like snoring or barking dogs.
Wirecutter chose the LectroFan as the best white noise machine, praising its excellent performance, small size, and easy-to-use controls. Amazon buyers back that up. The LectroFan has more than 6,000 reviews and an average of 4.4-star rating. Buyers rave about its ability to block out all manner of annoying sounds, including barking dogs, traffic, crying babies, and snoring spouses.
You can run the device all night long, or set the timer in hour-increments. The LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine comes with a USB power cable and AC adapter, so you can power it up just about anywhere. It's available in black or white.
Pros: Excellent sound quality and a large range of fan sounds and white noise, including pink and brown noise.
Cons: None to speak of, unless you're looking for a machine with nature sounds as well as white noise.
Buy the LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine on Amazon for $49.95The best budget sound machine
You don't have to pay a lot of money for a good sound machine — The Big Red Rooster Sound Machine is proof of that. This straightforward device offers six sounds: summer night, white noise, rain, brook, ocean, and thunder. The sound quality is excellent, and the loop is unobtrusive, so you won't feel like you're listening to a broken record.
With more than 10,000 reviews and an average of 4.1-star rating, this is one of the most popular sound machines on Amazon. Buyers like the quality of the sound, the lack of bright or annoying light on the machine's control panel, and the high level of volume control.
Says one pleased owner, "I cannot begin to say how much I've enjoyed my little sleep enhancer. I've had it for almost a year now and use it every night and daytime naps. I think my cats are becoming addicted to it, too."
The Big Red Rooster Sound Machine includes an AC adapter, or you can run it off batteries for use while traveling. Let it run all night long, or set the timer to turn the device off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes.
Pros: Great price, good sound quality, doesn't take up much room on your nightstand.
Cons: Not many sounds to choose from.
Buy the Big Red Rooster Sound Machine on Amazon for $19.99The best sound machine for travel
The Homedics Portable White Noise Sound Machine plays four sounds, including steady white noise, summer night, ocean waves, or rain. Instead of using a dial, it uses buttons that hop from one output level to the next.
This is a travel sound machine not intended for everyday use. As for the volume options, you can always move the unit closer or farther from your bed or your kid's crib, and you can always face it down on the nightstand or muffle it if you can't find the perfect setting.
And yeah, sure, it only plays four sounds. But it also only costs about thirteen bucks, making it a wildly affordable option. At that low price, you won't mind replacing the batteries now and then and replacing the whole device eventually if it conks out after a few years of intermittent use.
Most Amazon customers love this affordable little sound machine, echoing the sentiments of a customer named Megan who called it a "great travel sound machine" that is ideal for "hotels." She notes the timer and fact that it can "fit in the palm of [the] hand."
And for the record, I've used several Homedics sound machines over the years, both on the road, in my bedroom, and for my kids, and they have always performed well for more than long enough based on their low cost. — Steven John
Pros: Very portable, tiny price tag, easy to use
Cons: Some units fail fast with heavy use, middling volume control
Buy the Homedics Portable White Noise Sound Machine on Amazon for $14.13The best sound machine for babies
The ability to create a calming, comfortable place for your baby or young child even when you are away from home is almost priceless. So a thirty-dollar sound machine that can create a familiar and soothing environment just about anywhere? Yeah, it's well worth its price. And with the WavHello SoundBub White Noise Machine and Bluetooth Speaker, that anywhere isn't hyperbolic.
These compact sound makers feature a built-in rechargeable battery and a large hook that can also double as a stand, so they are ready to go wherever you go, no plug required. Hang them on the stroller, the car seat, the crib, or anywhere else you need to create a sleep environment. And for the record, I'm saying "them" because SoundBub comes in the option of an owl, bunny, and bear. We have the bear, of course.
The SoundBub comes with a few sounds pre-programmed, such as rain and constant white noise. When you get the free app, you gain access to 12 more sounds. You can set the sounds to play for 30, 60, or 90 minutes or to run until you shut the thing off yourself. When used as a compact Bluetooth speaker, the SoundBub can play any song or sound you want once connected to your phone or tablet.
With 673 reviews posted on Amazon, currently, the WavHello SoundBub has a solid 4-star average rating. One mom says she "loves that this is portable" and says she "takes it with [her] wherever [her] baby sleeps." Another parent loves that the unit is "teething friendly and soft."
Do note that a few people complained about the unit's LED light being too bright (and impossible to turn off), and a few relate issues charging the unit when it's not set at a specific angle. — Steven John
Pros: Compact and portable, comes in three varieties, easy to use and versatile
Cons: Occasional charging issues
Buy the WavHello SoundBub White Noise Machine and Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon for $34.99The best sound machine for kids
While some babies and toddlers can sleep through seemingly anything, others awaken at the slightest sound. And those are the kids who most need the Bubzi Co Sleep Soother. With its cute owl design, this sure-to-thrill-the-PreK-and-kindergarten-crowd sound machine is also blessed relief for tired parents.
The device plays ten different lullabies, including Are You Sleeping, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Brahms Lullaby, and London Bridge. There's also a heartbeat sound and birdsong. The sound machine shuts off after 30 minutes. Surprisingly, there is no way to leave it on longer, but most babies and toddlers are long off to dreamland before the time is up, anyway.
But the Bubzi Co Sleep Soother isn't just a sound machine. It also has a soft nightlight that projects stars and color onto your child's bedroom ceiling and walls, creating a light show that shuts off after 30 minutes. Plus, it has a Velcro strap for easy portability.
Pleased Amazon buyers give the Sleep Soother an average of 4.4 stars, and most comments echo this happy owner: "Best money I've ever spent. My four-month-old LOVES this. Plays with it, hugs it, stares at the lights, and the music puts him to sleep."
The body of the owl is soft plush, perfect for kissing, hugging, and riding along in the stroller or car seat. It's also washable; just remove the battery pack first.
The Sleep Soother runs off three AAA batteries, which are included. A few buyers complained the sound machine ran through batteries too quickly, but most owners felt that wasn't a problem.
Pros: Soft and cuddly, cute owl design, several lullabies to choose from, light show feature
Cons: Only stays on for 30 minutes at a time, older children may find it babyish.
Buy the Bubzi Co Sleep Soother at Amazon for $30.95Check out all of our great bedding guides
You spend nearly a third of your lifespan sleeping on your bed, so why wouldn't you want the best sheets possible? Not only do you want something soft and comfortable, but you also want something that's durable and can hold up to washes. Here are the best bed sheets you can buy:
- Best sheets overall: L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
- Best sateen cotton sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sheets
- Best linen sheets: MagicLinen
- Best Supima sheets: Casper Cool Supima
- Best sheets with patterns and colors: Crane & Canopy Sheet Sets
- Best flannel sheets: Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheets
- Best organic cotton sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Soft Hemmed Sheet Set
- Best modal sheets: Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets
- Best microfiber sheets: Brooklyn Bedding Microfiber Sheets
- Best budget sheets: Room Essentials Jersey Sheet Set
A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all. We've tested and researched dozens of mattresses to bring you our top picks for the best mattresses you can buy:
- Best mattress overall: Leesa Hybrid Mattress
- Best high-end mattress: Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Mattress
- Best all-foam mattress: The Casper Mattress
- Best mattress for people with back pain: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Best natural mattress: Birch Mattress by Helix
- Best ultra-firm mattress: Plank Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding
A good pillow means a good night's sleep. We reviewed dozens of pillows to narrow down the choices to the ones you'll love best. Here are our top picks for the best pillows you can buy:
- Best budget pillow: Le'vista Hotel Collection Pillow
- Best down pillow: Royal Hotel Goose Down Pillow
- Best buckwheat hull pillow: Zen Chi Buckwheat Hull Pillow
- Best memory foam pillow: Sleep Innovations Cool Contour Memory Foam Pillow
- Best bolster pillow: Half-Moon Bolster Pillow
- Best gel pillow: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
- Best body pillow: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Full Body Pillow
Your cozy down-filled duvet needs a stylish cover to keep it clean and add some spice to your bedroom's decor. Here are our favorite duvet covers:
- Best duvet cover overall: Brooklinen Classic Duvet Cover
- Best affordable duvet cover: HC Collection Duvet Cover Set
- Best zip-up duvet cover: Crane & Canopy's Nova Duvet Cover
- Best high-quality duvet cover: Casper Cool Supima
- Best kids duvet cover: Animal-print Reversible Duvet Cover set from Where the Polka Dots Roam
