Sound machines are an old-time favorite for creating a cozy and effective sleep environment for babies, toddlers, and even parents! Getting effective sleep is essential to the whole family. Sleep is one of the major factors contributing to the growth and development of children.
Quality sleep contributes to memory, retention of stimuli and skills learned throughout the day. For parents, sleep helps with mood regulation, and problem-solving, two major skills parents of toddlers need!
A sound machine that fits your family’s needs can be one piece of the puzzle of getting better sleep. It’s actually one of the topics we outline in our post about Toddler Sleep regression, How to Handle Changes In Sleep.
Here are some of the options, with their pros and cons, of top-rated sound machines. I’ve also tested and compared these myself, and will go into my personal choices on these sleep aids!
Dream Egg Sound Machine
The Dream Egg line is one of the better-known brands for its various options of products. So, they have a product for everyone depending on family size, sleeping styles, and sleeping routines. You can get the Dream egg sound machine using the link above.
Pros
- small, sleek design
- 30, 60, 90min timer or non-stop
- chargable
- portable
- easy to use, short press to power on/off
Cons
- no light features
- few volume levels
Dream Egg D1 Sound Machine
The Dream Egg D1 is an upgrade in terms of sound quality, added setting choices, and design. So for changing needs as the family grows, increased setting choices and various soothing sounds are beneficial for long-term use.
Pros
- more sound choises (24 sounds)
- light feature with 2 setings
- 30, 60, 90min timer or non-stop
- various volume levels
- includes headphone jack (for adult use)
Cons
- higher price range
- non chargeable
- non portable
Dream Egg D1 Pro Sound Machine
The Dream Egg D1 Pro is yet another upgrade to their line of sound machines. Once again, changing needs of a growing family can benefit from the various choices in light and sound settings.
Pros
- more sound choices (29 sounds)
- light feature with 4 setting
- 30, 60, 90min timer or non-stop
- various volume levels
- includes headphone jack (for adult use)
Cons
- higher price range
- non chargeable
- non portable
Sinocare Sound Machine
The Sinocare Sound Machine’s simple features and design are not to be mistaken with low-level quality. Sinocare has put great focus into simply meeting the needs of a sound machine
Pros
- 30, 60, 90min timer or non-stop
- lower price point
- various volume levels
- includes headphone jack (for adult use)
- chargeable
- porable
Cons
- fewer sound choices than other machines (20 choices)
- no light feature
Hatch Sound Machine
The Hatch sound machine comes with some cool additional functions that can help with tracking and controlling circadian sleep rhythm. This is a huge factor in getting quality sleep. Furthermore, the sound machine combined with a nightlight, and time-to-rise alert has a phone-app function for easy-to-use control.
Pros
- modern functionaliy
- controlled with phone app – can personilze settings without disturbing baby sleeping in the room
- light function with colour options
- many sound options
- high quality sound
Cons
- non chargeable
- non portable
- high price point
Skip Hop Baby Soother
Skip Hop put attention to a fun design, along with the basic functions of a soothing sound machine. Also, the nightlight’s shape projection feature gives this sound machine an added bonus in making it a great addition to your child’s sleeping space.
Pros
- light function
- added bonus light projection feature *starry night light show
- 15, 30, 60 min timer or non-stop
- low price point
Cons
- not many sound choices (8 choices)
- not chargeable
- not portable
Skip Hop Stroll & Go Portable Baby Soother
The Stroll & Go Portable Baby Soother attaches to strollers, diaper bags, and almost anything else, with a handy silicone strap. Despite the compact size, it boasts full-size features.
Pros
- portable, combact, attatchments included for traveling
- uses AAA batteries, no need for charging
- 15, 30, 60 min timer or non-stop
Cons
- limited sound choices
Consensus, My Top 3 Choices…
Dream Egg D1
This product had the perfect balance between sound choices, light settings, easy-to-use functions, and price. There are enough different sounds ranging from gentle lullabies to fan sounds. so I was able to use it from the newborn stages, and am still using it for the toddlers now!
Sinocare
This product was perfect for the newborn stage. with just enough soothing, constant sounds I was able to use it to help set the environment for a sleepy baby. Also, the fact that it was rechargeable and able to move around the room was an added bonus. I did not really miss the lack of light function on this machine, simply because at the newborn stage the baby is in the room with me, I used light from other sources in the room.
Hatch
This ended up being a favorite for me! I used the rise to wake function on days I wanted to get up before, or around the same time as the baby, without the use of an alarm. I loved the ease of use of the app. A common complaint about this one was the price point but added convenience is something every new mom needs.
