With all the commotion happening in daily life, be it at home or work, it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Everything seems to demand your undivided attention, leading to anxiety and stress – or worse, insomnia. Also, living in a noisy neighborhood or city does not even help turn the situation into a good one. That is why these days, many people like you are looking for the best white noise app instead of a typical iOS or Android music player to sleep soundly.
In this article, we will be showcasing white noise apps that help relax your mind and eyes, eventually letting you give in to that deep, rejuvenating sleep.
Inside This Article
- Is White Noise Really Helpful?
- Best White Noise Apps Curated for You
- Should Everyone Use White Noise Apps?
Is White Noise Really Helpful?
Before we reveal our picks, let’s briefly answer a question you might have in mind. What is white noise and does it really help you fall asleep? According to University of Arizona Sleep and Health Research Program Director Michael Grandner, white noise is a sound that can mask other noises. So, it is the perfect way to “blanket sound” if you reside in a bustling town.
Nowadays, white noise has gone beyond machines or specialized equipment that emit it. It is already available on mobile apps. With its power, the best white noise app should help ease the unsettling feeling when there is too much disrupting ambient sounds or complete silence in your bedroom. It is much better than leaving your TV on, because you have some audio type and frequency options in-app and can save electricity.
Best White Noise Apps Curated for You
Perhaps you’ve already created a solid bedtime routine and used the best meditation apps to wind down after the day’s work. Also, you probably know now how to set your Spotify sleep timer — thanks to our guide. However, you just can’t seem to sleep despite those. That means it is time to get a white noise app.
The best way to find out whether a white noise app will work for you is to try it. So, here are our top 13 recommendations you can listen to.
1. Atmosphere: Relaxing Sounds
One of the best white noise app suggestions we have for you is Atmosphere: Relaxing Sounds. Having more than 100 sounds that you can play simultaneously, it is nothing short of spectacular when creating a sleep-inducing “atmosphere”.
With Atmosphere, you get to listen to binaural noises, which are good if you are suffering from headaches and anxiety. There are also true-to-life sounds of nature, such as those of the ocean and birds. Add to the selection some unusual outdoor noises that surprisingly work, such as that of trains and cafes, and you can completely set the bedtime ambiance you want.
Additionally, the app is already like a full-blown music player, allowing you to adjust the sound volume. It lets you manage what you hear the way you want.
Like some smart music apps out there, Atmosphere can reduce your mobile device battery drainage. It does this through a timer that you can manually set, which automatically silences the app after it does its job.
Best of all, Atmosphere is free on mobile app stores. However, do note that the app displays ads at the bottom of your screen to support the developer.
2. Bed Time Fan Noise
Sometimes, having a limited number of choices can ease the burden of choosing what to listen to. That is exactly why the Bed Time Fan Noise app is popular – no need to browse through hundreds of audio types only to find one that helps you sleep.
This best white noise app does not need to have tons of features and sounds to be good. Although fan and a few organic sounds are what it only focuses on, it does guarantee that you can fall asleep about 20 minutes after listening.
The few downsides of Bed Time Fan Noise are its clunky-looking user interface and numerous ads in the free version. If you do not mind those, it is still one of the best white noise app options out there. Otherwise, swipe or scroll down the list for more versatile releases.
3. Dark Noise
Dark Noise, an iOS exclusive, is not a free white noise app. However, it provides a user experience that justifies it being one of the best white noise app contender in this list.
With Dark Noise, you can choose from 40 different sounds and customize everything that you hear. Additionally, it has other convenient features that you would not find in its alternatives. For example, Dark Noise allows you to personalize its icon, theme, and widget. All in all, the design of the app is superb, including its animations.
In terms of iOS-specific functionalities, Dark Noise can listen to Siri and noises, and transfer playback to and from iPhones, iPads, and Macs. So, if you are already within the Apple ecosystem, you should certainly give it a try.
4. MyNoise
One of the most versatile options available here is the MyNoise app. It is certainly the best white noise app if you are into customization.
MyNoise is not limited to letting off white noise. It yields brown and pink noise as well. In layman’s terms, pink noise and brown noise sound milder and deeper than white noise, respectively.
On the app, you can also shuffle the noises. That is good if you find manually choosing sounds tedious. If the preloaded audio files do not help, why not make your sounds in-app? It is possible! MyNoise has a binaural beat generator you can use to create and mix your tracks with those in your Spotify playlist or other music apps. Alternatively, you may purchase other sounds from the store.
If what was previously mentioned is not enough for you, know that MyNoise also has a built-in timer to help you save battery once you are already asleep. That and the customization features are why you should not miss out on this white noise app best known for versatility. Moreover, MyNoise is also free to use on Android and iOS, so nothing is stopping you from trying it out.
5. Noisli
Noisli is also among our best white noise app selections that you can use for a small fee. Although pay-to-play, it is more than good enough to improve your sleep.
What stands out most about the Noisli app is its clean-looking UI. The dashboard is minimalistic and intuitive, so there should be no distractions or confusion about which buttons to press. Moreover, the design itself instills a sense of peace and relaxation that matches the nature-based sound catalog, putting you in a calm mood both aurally and visually.
That is not only what makes Noisli among the best white noise app solutions. The app being able to play more than one sound, be it white, pink, or brown noises, at a time is also one of its best-selling points. That functionality present means you can mix sounds that suit your sleeping habits best.
Does Noisli have a timer like the previous apps featured, you ask? Yes, it has one. With that, you do not have to waste your gadget’s battery throughout the night.
6. Rain Rain Sleep Sounds
The sound of rain feels so calming to the mind, whether you are wide awake or about to sleep. Hence, it is not surprising that many of the best white noise app options include rain in their sound library. If you want an app that specializes in channeling your rainy-day mood, go with Rain Rain Sleep Sounds.
As the name implies, Rain Rain Sleep Sounds soothe your ears through the “music” of rain and water. Its tracks include, but are not limited to, the sound of an ocean, thunderstorm, faucet, washing machine, and your dishwasher.
What is also great about the white noise app is that you can mix and match various sounds, creating ready-to-play combinations. Additionally, Rain Rain Sleep Sounds even lets you set a bedtime timer so you will always sleep on time.
Like other white noise apps, Rain Rain Sleep Sounds is free with an option to pay for a monthly subscription that removes ads and gives access to 60 extra sounds. If the offers of this app sound good to you, try it on Android or iOS right now.
7. Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds
Your bucket list for the best white noise app probably got longer now – your possible choices mostly nature-inspired. Is there anything else that offers unconventional white noise, you ask? Yes, there are more and that includes Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds.
Relax Melodies is the best free white noise app that throws into your mix unusual sounds that may surprisingly help you fall asleep in no time. For example, airplane hums, and fan and vacuum cleaner sounds, which are among the 100 audio types you can listen to in-app. You will never run out of white noise with Relax Melodies.
There are also various features you can utilize, including guided meditation and breathing, sound mixing, and the add-to-favorites action. A sleep timer is also built-in. With all these, you might never need another white noise app again.
Relax Melodies is available on Android and iOS, so anyone with a phone or tablet PC can use it.
8. Sleep Sounds By Sleep Pillow
Simple and free – that is exactly why Sleep Sounds By Sleep Pillow is one of the best white noise app solutions for anyone who wants to fall asleep fast.
You can browse sounds on the app easily and not lose precious time trying to sleep, thanks to the library having photo thumbnails for each entry. Sleep Sounds’ runtime and battery consumption are also manageable due to the built-in timer.
Do you know that Sleep Sounds By Sleep Pillow can be used even during the day as a regular music app? That is possible because it can play in the background while you are using other mobile apps.
The app’s free version on Android and iOS is good enough for regular use. If you badly need more functions, you will have to upgrade to the premium tier. That will unlock saving options for more than one mix, additional sounds, an alarm, and an extended timer. The paid version also removes all the ads, so it is good if you dislike distractions.
9. White Noise Ambience Lite
For many people, sleep happens at night when the world is dark and cool. But afternoon naps can be beneficial for the mind and body, too. If you nap often, White Noise Ambience Lite might be the best white noise app for you.
With White Noise Ambience Lite, you not only get 40 sounds. You can also access the most relaxing high-quality images that will trigger your afternoon-nap mood. If you stumble upon something particularly pleasant, know that you can easily save it to a playlist as a favorite.
The free app runs in the background, which means it is not only for sleeping. It is perfect for your alone time, too. No matter the purpose, White Noise Ambience Lite is good to have on your wishlist.
10. White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds
Here is another best white noise app that offers something new to the table – White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds. Apart from having the usual soothing sounds, it can play audio suitable for babies.
The rest of its features are the same as those of other featured white noise apps: sound mixing, timer, and background playback. However, the app’s free variant is a little lackluster compared to its competitors. That is because it lets you only mix two sounds at a time and access the sound library partially past the free trial. Moreover, it has ads unless you avail of the premium subscription.
Nonetheless, the app is good for new parents who need help calming their babies. Both of its variants are available on all mobile platforms.
11. White Noise Generator
White Noise Generator is an unconventional app, so there is no surprise if it turns out to be the best white noise app for you. What truly sets it apart from its rivals is how unique some of its available sounds are. With the app, you can listen to brown noise, rain falling on windows, crackling fires, rustling leaves, and more. It has a big sound library, although there is no pink noise in it.
Furthermore, White Noise Generator has other impressive features. Those include support for mixing various sounds and setting a timer to help you save on battery.
White Noise Generator is one of the best white noise app options Android users could ever hope for. The only disadvantage is that it is not iOS-ready. You will have to pass on this one if you are an iPhone or iPad user.
12. White Noise Lite
Support for Android and iOS is common for most of the best white noise app options on this list. The opposite can be said about native support for Chromecast. If you’re looking for an app that works with the streaming device, have White Noise Lite among your priority downloads.
The app provides a variety of white noises that you can easily access on your mobile device or TV. The sounds can be looped and mixed, offering a more dynamic listening experience compared to one type of white noise. There is also a built-in alarm that can wake you up, so you will never miss any important schedule. The alarm sound fades in, so you are never abruptly disturbed.
White Noise Lite is the pared-down version of TMSOFT’s White Noise app. It is free on Android and iOS but shows ads and lacks additional alarm and sound options. If you are on the hunt for a basic app with Chromecast compatibility, though, it is still worth considering.
13. White Noise: Sleep Sounds
Capping our list of the best white noise apps is another unique entry, White Noise: Sleep Sounds. For a free Android app, it has features that are not in other Google Play Store options. For example, the built-in timer that fades your audio out instead of abruptly stopping it or the automatic pause when you receive a call. With the latter, you would not have to rush closing the app before answering. You get those on top of a big library of natural, pink, and brown noises.
White Noise: Sleep Sounds is free, but it contains a lot of ads that can be annoying. Moreover, it is not available on iOS. Nonetheless, if this app ticks all the boxes for you, then you can surely rely on it whenever you need to.
Should Everyone Use White Noise Apps?
While there are plenty of white noise app options out there, do keep in mind that white noise isn’t guaranteed to make you sleep better. In short, it is not for everyone.
If noise or silence is not problematic for you, listening to white noise could be harmful. Why? That is because introducing it to your routine without reason can make you dependent on the sound. As a result, you might not even be able to sleep without it once your body becomes accustomed to it.
If you struggle with noise and silence, white noise apps may help improve your sleeping time and quality as we’ve previously mentioned. What is better is if you can use alongside our recommendations the right headphones for sleeping for a fully immersive bedtime ambiance.
Of course, white noise is not the only way to improve your sleep. Using sleep tracker apps is also good and may even provide insight on whether white noise improves your sleep quality or not. Moreover, learning how to set a sleep timer for all the disruptive functions of your mobile device (instead of just a specific app) likewise helps make your body recognize cues for sleeping or napping. Pair all of these practices with the best white noise app, and you’ve got yourself a perfect bedtime routine.
The Bottom Line
Looking for the best white noise app can be difficult with a plethora of options available. Not every app is worth your time, gadget storage space, or battery consumption, so it is best to check out only the most reliable ones. Given that, we hope this list was helpful in your search for the right app to drown out the sounds or the chilling silence around you. Now, all you need to do is have a good night’s sleep.
