It’s bedtime, and it’s too loud. Or, it’s bedtime, and it’s too quiet, so your mind is racing. Whichever your plight, you might benefit from a white noise machine.Despite the name, most white noise machines produce a range of sounds, including other color-based noises (such as pink or brown), fan sounds, and nature ambience. The idea is that a blanket of constant sound dulls intrusive noises that might otherwise jostle you awake, such as an early-morning garbage truck, a neighbor’s barking dog, or your own internal monologue.We’ve tested white noise machines since 2016, and we’ve found that the LectroFan EVO creates the most effective and highest-quality color-based noises. If you prefer the whir of a fan while nodding off, we recommend the Yogasleep Dohm Nova. The Sound+Sleep SE, our upgrade pick, excels at producing numerous nature soundscapes, while the Hotmoon Cocoon 2, our budget pick, does a little of everything for a great price and looks stellar while doing it.