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Gemma Reynolds
Gemma Reynolds

Published on May 24, 2025

Gemma Reynolds is a certified Sleep Coach, specialising in helping exhausted parents transform their baby’s sleep with practical, results-driven solutions. She uses responsive self-settling methods to gently guide little ones toward independent sleep, supporting families every step of the way with realistic advice that works. Having experienced the depths of sleep deprivation herself, Gemma is passionate about helping families reclaim peaceful nights.

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Why Every Nursery Needs a White Noise Machine in 2025

When you're getting ready for a new arrival, the shopping list can seem endless - nappies, cot, baby monitor, and so on. However, a white noise machine has now become one of the items more and more parents are swearing by in 2025.

Once seen as a nice, added extra, a baby white noise machine is  becoming an essential item on that list for the nursery. If the aim is a longer, more peaceful sleep for both baby and yourself. Now’s the time to understand why this little gadget could be your sleep game-changer.

In this guide, we’ll look at what makes a white noise machine baby an essential tool in baby’s nursery. We'll explore how it helps with sleep, and also tell you what to look for in the best infant white noise machine.

Happy baby smiling at mum

What Exactly Is White Noise?

Simply put, white noise is a consistent sound that masks other noises in your day to day environment. It can sound like a soft fan, ocean waves, gentle rain or the steady shush you naturally make when you are calming your baby.

For babies, these are familiar sounds. Life for baby in the womb was not at all silent. Blood flow, mum’s heartbeat, digestion, all a constant swirl of comforting noise. Hearing those familiar sounds after birth helps babies feel secure, calm and ready to drift off to sleep.

White noise is especially helpful for overtired or over stimulated babies - a common challenge in those early months. By reducing outside noise, it creates a calm, womb-like space that helps soothe their nervous system and support better sleep.

Static white noise

Why Does Every Nursery Need a White Noise Machine?

1. Better Sleep for Baby and Yourself

Babies tend to sleep lightly, and even small sounds like a door slam, barking dog, or creaky floor can wake them up. A white noise machine helps by masking those sudden noises. Creating a steady background sound that helps your baby sleep more soundly and for longer.

It can make the shift from womb to world smoother for newborns. And for older babies, it works like a gentle signal that it’s time to sleep, similar to a lullaby.

For parents dealing with frequent night wakes or contact napping, white noise can help your baby link sleep cycles more easily. This is one of the key steps in building independent sleep skills.

2. It Creates a Routine

Using a white noise machine at nap time and bedtime helps signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down. Over time, they’ll begin to associate the sound with sleep, making it easier for them to settle at bedtime.

3. Useful at Every Stage

White noise helps more than just newborns - it’s great for toddlers and older kids too. It soothes them during sleep regressions, teething, or routine changes by offering comfort and consistency. Many families use white noise into the toddler years, especially when sharing rooms, traveling, or going changing in routine.

4. Great for Shared Spaces

Because not every home has a separate nursery, your baby may be sleeping in your room or sharing with a sibling. A baby white noise machine helps block out any disturbances, keeping everyone sleeping peacefully.

Baby asleep in cot with white noise clipped

The Benefits of White Noise Go Far Beyond Sleep

Although white noise is mainly about getting better sleep, it does so much more too.

Promotes Brain Development

Sleep plays a role in brain development. When your baby sleeps well, they wake up more alert, curious, and ready to take in everything around them.

Helps Soothe Colic and Fussiness

That steady shushing sound can be magic for calming fussy or colicky babies. A portable sound machine with a soft sound can feel more soothing to baby than silence. Especially when your little one’s having a rough day or night.

Regulates Nervous System

White noise doesn’t just support sleep, it also helps regulate your baby’s nervous system. This is key when they’re overtired or overstimulated, especially in the late afternoon ‘witching hours.’

Baby upset crying in cot

What to Look for when Choosing the Best White Noise Machine

As there are so many options on the market, it can be tricky to know what’s worth your money. To break it down, here’s what to look for when choosing the best infant white noise machine. 

Continuous Play

Some machines will loop short audio clips that can become repetitive. Possibly leading to baby waking up when the loop restarts. A machine that plays non-looping, continuous white noise will be much more beneficial.

Safe Sound Levels

The best white noise machine is one that keeps volume within safe limits. If it’s too loud, it can damage hearing, and being too quiet won’t mask background sounds. Aim for a machine with adjustable volume and go for a sweet spot of under 50 decibels.

Variety of Sound Options

Having a range of sounds lets you choose what works best for your baby. From sounds including white noise, pink noise, womb sounds, fan sounds, nature sounds such as ocean waves and rainfall. Or even a deep, rumbling sound, you’ll soon gauge which sounds settle your little one.

Portable and Rechargeable

Going for a portable sound machine means it’s ideal for car seats, prams, and travel cots. Whether you're out for a walk or visiting family members, you’ll want that sleep magic with you!

Sleek and Safe Design

Avoid bulky or clunky models. Choose something compact, with soft edges and safe materials, especially if the machine is going near your baby’s cot.

Night Light

Some machines play just white noise, while others include a night light. Many contain a red light, which can boost melatonin and help your baby fall asleep.

Zello Portable Pro white noise machine clipped to cot with red light

Zello: The White Noise Brand that’s Winning Over Parents in 2025

Zello is one of the top-rated white noise machine brands in the UK. This is because it combines thoughtful design along with sleep science in mind.

  • It plays smooth, continuous non looping white noise sounds all night without any interruption. 
  • Best of all, the volume control is baby-safe, so it won’t hurt those tiny ears.
  • Its beautiful design will suit any nursery aesthetic.
  • All machines are fully portable and rechargeable, which makes it the perfect travel companion.
  • If you’re looking for the best white noise machine in 2025, sleep consultants, health visitors, and parents all agree, Zello is No.1!

Read our new parents guide to white noise here.

Toddler sleeping with Zello Original white noise machine

Buying an Amazon White Noise Machine

Shopping on Amazon is a quick and easy way to find the right white noise machine for your baby. Try searching phrases like;

  • “Baby white noise machine"
  • “Best white noise machine for nursery"
  • “Infant sound machine”
  • “Portable white noise machine”.

When browsing, be sure to take the time to read the reviews, and don’t just go by the star rating. Scan the comments to read what real parents say about things such as battery life, volume levels, sound quality and looping issues. 

Go for machines with lots of good reviews. Especially the ones where parents speak about better baby sleep and using it on a long term basis. This is one of the reasons why Zello stands out on Amazon. All of Zello’s white noise products are rated 4.4+ stars and have thousands of happy customer ratings.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, there’s even more great news!  Order your Zello white noise machine, and you'll get it delivered to your door as soon as the next day.

White noise machine amazon search

White Noise Machine FAQs

Isn’t it Easier to Just Use a YouTube Video?

Technically there’s nothing wrong with this, but white noise YouTube videos tend to use poor audio quality. They can also unexpectedly play ads or stop suddenly after a certain time which may wake your baby. It also needs a phone or tablet to stay on, which might not be safe near a baby.

Is It Safe to Use White Noise All Night?

Yes, as long as the volume is below 50 dB and the machine is at least one metre from the cot. Many parents leave it on all night, and some toddlers keep using it well into their early years.

Will My Baby Become Dependent?

No more than they would rely on a dark room or bedtime story. As white noise machines are sleep tools, they help create a perfect environment, without being addictive. If and when you want to phase white noise out, lower the volume gradually over the weeks.

Still on the fence about white noise? See what the experts have to say about it.

Zello Original white noise machine red light

Portable White Noise: A Game-Changer for Busy Families

Having a portable sound machine is an absolute win because babies don’t just sleep at home.

Just think you’re in a restaurant, and it’s nap time for baby. Or you're at a family get-together and trying to settle baby in a noisy room.  

In each of those cases, a portable white noise machine can be your best friend. It can provide the familiar comfort of home.

Zello Portable white noise machine clipped to carseat

2025 Trends: White Noise Is Now Mainstream

Around 10 years ago, white noise machines were mainly perceived as a niche product, something only a few bleary- eyed parents swore by. Fast forward to 2025, and white noise machines are now a nursery must-have. Many parents say they’re as essential as a changing mat or baby monitor.

More and more parents now understand how important sleep is for a baby’s growth and development. More than ever, parents are putting a focus on their baby’s wellbeing. With growing research showing how sound can positively influence sleep quality. 

White noise machines have become more affordable, portable and accessible to everyone. They are no longer viewed as a tool for fussy babies. Many families who value routine and rest recognise them as an effective solution.

Newborn baby in bed

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sleep on White Noise

If you’re setting up a nursery this year, a white noise machine is one of the best things you can buy for your baby.

White noise machines are a proven, practical tool that helps your baby sleep better. It eases tough times like regressions and teething, and helps both you and your baby get more restful sleep.

From your baby’s first night at home all the way through the toddler years. A baby white noise machine such as Zello can make a huge difference to your family’s sleep quality. 

So, whether you’re searching for the best infant white noise machine or simply browsing for a high rated Amazon white noise machine, this one compact machine could just be the best secret to big sleep wins in 2025! 

A Note From Our Expert

As a sleep consultant who has supported hundreds of families, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as white noise can transform sleep. It isn’t a gimmick, it’s a
powerful tool when used correctly. Whether you're dealing with contact naps, split nights, or short
sleep cycles, consistent sound cues can be a game-changer. Just ensure you're using a machine
that’s designed with baby safety and real-life parenting needs in mind. That’s why I recommend white noise not just for newborns, but well into toddlerhood and beyond.

Gemma Reynolds

— Gemma Reynolds