Health and Wellness with Sound: Great Machines to Choose From
Sound therapy has been around for ages now, and it is no wonder that it has survived for such a long time because it really does work. The difference between hundreds of years ago and today is that sound therapy techniques are more accessible and comprehensive than ever before.
For example, people in the old days used instruments such as gongs to be able to produce vibrations that can be relaxing to the mind and body. They also visited places such as rivers, waterfalls, and shores to listen to relaxing sounds of water. Unfortunately, these take so much effort to do that it ends up not being relaxing enough for many people.
Today, people already have several options if they want to achieve wellness and better health through sound therapy.
Types of Sound Therapy Today
There are a lot of sound therapies available these days; some of them you can enjoy within the confines of your home and inside your room as you sleep, while others, you have to acquire it by attending a special class, much like yoga, to do hearing exercises with a small group of people. These classes are usually accompanied by instruments that each serve a different purpose and produce a different effect on your mind and body.
Nowadays, you can also access the soothing sounds of waterfalls, the ocean, and a rushing river inside the comforts of your own home, all while comfortably lying in your bed and dozing off to sleep. You also do not need any instruments to listen to soft and relaxing acoustics since it is all pre-recorded in a handy dandy machine that you can keep with you all the time, wherever you are, just to make sure that you are relaxed and focused all of the time.
Once you have determined the best sound therapy for you, it is now time to look for as many available options there are for you. Sometimes, all you have to do is to browse the internet, and your options will come right up as you search.
You can search for sound therapy classes or one-on-one sound therapy sessions if you are more comfortable working alone with a therapist. You can also browse for sleep-aid devices such as sound machines that allow you to sleep better by drowning out environmental noise.
Sound therapy machines are a safe and natural way to help you fall asleep faster and have a better quality of sleep, as opposed to regular sleep with complete silence. It is so safe that you can even use it for babies to help them fall asleep easily and a bit longer than their usual sleeping duration. That said, they are more convenient, and if you decide that these devices suit you better, we have reviewed several models for you.
Good Sound Therapy Device Reviews
Below are five different models that we think are the best to help you achieve high-quality sleep and relaxation.
Image |
Product |
Price |
Rating |
| HoMedics SS-2000G/F-AMZ Sound Spa Relaxation Machine with 6 Nature Sounds | $ | 4.0/5 | |
| AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine with 20 Soothing Sounds | $$ | 4.4/5 | |
| Marpac Dohm-DS All Natural Sound Machine | $$ | 4.4/5 | |
| Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine | $$ | 4.3/5 | |
| LectroFan Jr. – White Noise Sound Machine | $$ | 4.5/5 | |
| Big Red Rooster BRRC107 Sound Machine | $$ | 4.4/5 | |
| Warmhoming White Noise Sound Machine For Sleeping | $$ | 4.1/5 | |
| LectroFan – Micro, Wireless Sound Machine | $$ | 4.4/5 | |
| Adaptive Sound Technologies – Sound+Sleep, Sleep Therapy System | $$$ | 4.0/5 | |
| KEDSUM White Noise Machine, Sleep Sound Therapy System | $ | 4.1/5 |
1. HoMedics SoundSpa Sleep Sound Machine
Choose between six available nature sounds with this device and wake up to better mornings with a well-rested mind and body.
Features
The six soothing sounds available provided by this sound machine are noise, ocean, thunder, rain, brook, and summer night, and these consistent white noise or looping sounds can tune out other distractions. You can choose between these six sounds to see which will best suit your current mood or which one works best for you in general, whether you want to improve the quality and length of your sleep or improve your focus when working on serious tasks.
You can also choose the duration, fifteen, thirty, and sixty minutes, of the sound so that you can save on energy and not have to worry about turning it off when necessary or after you have fallen asleep. It is also built in a way that you can carry it around in your bag or suitcase so that you can take it with you during your travels as well as bring it in the office.
To use it, all you have to do is to plug it into a wall outlet or install four AA batteries, switch it on, choose the sound, and adjust the volume whichever makes you more comfortable, relaxed, or focused. You can also use this machine for babies and children since it is completely safe, as toxins or chemicals have not been used in its construction.
Pros
- Multiple soothing sounds
- Variety of uses
- Space-saving
- Easy to move, carry around, and pack
- Adjustable volume and timer
- Safe and natural
- Dual power source
Cons
- Problems with volume control
- Produces background noise that some might find annoying
The Bottom Line
The HoMedics SoundSpa Sleep Sound Machine is a good device since it’s affordable, safe, and portable. It also helps you focus and sleep better.
Read the Full Review Buy Now on Amazon
2. AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine
With twenty variants, the AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine is probably the one with the highest number of sound options. You can switch between sounds depending on your preference and mood, and you can also lend it to someone without worrying about their own preference.
Features
The AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine comes with six white noise varieties, four nature-like sounds, six fan sounds, and four scene sounds. It definitely gives you the widest array of sound options to keep you calm and relaxed throughout your night’s rest as well as to help you focus when you’re doing something.
The manufacturer promises that as you use the machine night after night, you would notice that you are waking up more rested and relaxed than ever before. That is because the machine is designed to prevent waking episodes while you are sleeping., which in turn can help improve your health, wellness, and overall well-being.
The AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine also has a useful memory function that automatically recalls your last setting, namely the sound, volume, and timer, so that you no longer have to go through the process of choosing or trying to recall which setting worked well for you the last time.
Pros
- Easy to pack and move and carry around
- Space-saving design
- Easy to use
- Works for all ages
- Requires minimal adjustment of settings
Cons
- At times, cycle is interrupted
- Poorly written instruction manual
The Bottom Line
The non-looping, unique, non-recording, constant, and multiple sounds are a big plus for the AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine. All it really lacks is consistency in its performance.
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3. Marpac Dohm Natural White Noise Machine
Sometimes you want it fast, and sometimes you want it slow. Luckily, this device has dual options to fit in with your current mood and to accommodate your current sleep needs.
Features
What is unique about the Marpac Dohm Natural White Noise Machine is that it comes with an actual built-in fan inside, causing it to sound very authentic as compared to the pre-recorded loops that other brands and manufacturers provide. What is better is that despite the presence of the fan, it does not produce an actual breeze or moving air, which others may find disturbing. That is because of the fan’s asymmetrical design as well as its enclosed casing that lets the air naturally circulate.
The Marpac Dohm Natural White Noise Machine also comes with a dual speed setting to give you the option to hasten it up or slow it down depending on your current mood. The high setting is suited for louder areas such as locations where there is a lot of external noise that must be drowned out, while the low option is designed for quieter areas such as a bedroom and meditation room.
Aside from this, you can also adjust the pitch of the sound by rotating the housing. This allows you to produce a low or a high pitch depending on what level you are most comfortable with or which setting works best for you to increase the quality of your sleep or concentration.
This unit has a compact casing that can easily blend into any home or an office without being an eyesore. It is actually the official sound machine of the National Sleep Foundation, which says a lot about its quality and effectiveness in helping patients sleep better and live better as a consequence. It is also backed by a one-year limited factory warranty and an excellent customer service team that will be happy to assist their customers in the best way they can.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Offers great value for money
- Reliable and hard-wearing
- Well-designed
- Simple-looking yet functional
- Made using the best quality materials and service
- Manufactured in the USA
Con
- Several complaints about counterfeit versions
The Bottom Line
A national accreditation automatically gives this device five stars. As long as you are buying the real deal, you might not encounter any problems with it, and it may just ease your sleeping routine better.
Read the Full Review Buy Now on Amazon
4. Pure Enrichment Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine
This sound machine is not just designed to help you recharge your body but it also has features for charging your gadgets or devices.
Features
The Pure Enrichment Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine can be set to automatically shut off within fifteen, thirty, or sixty minutes, so there is no need for you to wake up from your restful slumber just to shut it off. Also, if you are energy cost-conscious, this is perfect too since the sound will automatically shut off once it reaches your desired time. However, some have reported that the loop may be off sometimes.
Nonetheless, it also comes with a built-in USB charger so that you can plug your devices, such as your phone, tablet, or camera, while you doze off, which adds more to its energy efficiency. Additionally, this unit is portable enough to be carried with you anywhere you go so that you are always at your best and well-rested self no matter where you may be. It fits nicely in your bag or suitcase, so you can take it with you discreetly without having to bring a separate bag for it.
With this device, you can choose between six relaxing, nature sounds, but there have been several complaints about how audible the loop is and how disruptive this is for some people.
Pros
- Small and lightweight enough to be carried around
- Can be used at home, work, and on vacation
- Effectively calms the mind
- Does not take up too much space
- Promotes better-quality sleep
- Aids you be more relaxed and energized
- Helps you be more focused on your tasks
Con
- Few complaints about the audible pause in the loop
The Bottom Line
This is a USB charger and a natural sleep aid rolled into one, making it suitable for those who want to save on energy due to multiple soket use.
Read the Full Review Buy Now on Amazon
5. LectroFan Jr. White Noise Sound Machine
Tired of loops that just seem to get more and more noticeable every time you your sound therapy machine plays? The LectroFan Jr. White Noise Sound Machine was built with dynamics in mind as it produces a unique sound every time through a special algorithm that allows it to create sounds in a continuous cycle without breaking.
Features
What is special about this device is that it is unlike other pre-recorded devices that just loop the sounds and sometimes cause inconsistencies in the sound produced, which some people may notice and lead to them waking up unnecessarily. This machine is built with a proprietary algorithm that produces unique sounds consistently.
This means that a loop does not exist and what you will hear will be one long sound that is uninterrupted. This will allow you to sleep without breaks or awakenings.
This would also be a valuable tool for new parents, especially in the early days when their babies have erratic sleep schedules or have trouble sleeping through a couple of hours at a time. It is even claimed that it works better than the standard lullabies commonly found in nursery items.
Additionally, it comes in handy with twelve available sound options, so it definitely offers great value for your money. On top of the twelve sound options, it also comes with eighteen classic nursery songs that you can play during your baby’s active time or when they are awake and alert. This will give them additional sensorial stimulation to aid in brain development.
You might even want to attach it to your baby’s crib or bassinet to help them sleep better. It is completely safe to be around baby since it does not have actual moving parts which may otherwise injure a small child.
Pros
- Effectively helps babies and adults to fall asleep
- Portable and lightweight construction
- Boasts a multi-level, adjustable volume
- Does not take up too much space
Cons
- Looks more fragile than the original version
- Prone to breakage after only a few months of regular use
- Poor sound quality compared to other white noise machines
The Bottom Line
What sets this product apart from its other similar opponents in the market is the non-looping and not pre-recorded sounds it produces. The absence of a loop ensures a continuous sound without breaks, pauses, or uncoordinated starts and stops.
Read the Full Review Buy Now on Amazon
Final Recommendation
Good sound therapy devices take the most relaxing sounds available to you, sometimes a full variety of them. They also allow you to lie back and relax as you listen to sounds that would not have been easily available to you many years ago. A good sound therapy device will also allow you to have the best possible rest at night and result in a morning that is fuller with life and vitality, thanks to a full night’s recharge and rest.
All the models we reviewed above meet those criteria and can be used at home, office, as well as brought during your travels.
That said, we have picked two models that we think would cater to the special needs of some individuals. For one, the AVANTEK White Noise Sound Machine would best suit individuals who want to buy a product that would work for any member of their family. Second, the Marpac Dohm Natural White Noise Machine is the perfect fit for parents who want their babies to get better sleep quality and duration.