Best White Noise Fans 2023: Reviews and Buying Guide
If you are a light sleeper like me, then you probably understand how annoying even the smallest sound can be when you are trying to get some sleep.
This only gets worse if you have noisy neighbors who do not understand how much sleep is important.
I first came across a white noise machine when I was shopping for my baby’s nursery. The walls of the house that I was living in at the time were so thin and even low background noise got to the nursery and woke him up.
When I got a dedicated white noise machine, I had a solution for a couple of weeks before the thing broke down and stopped working altogether. I was frustrated because I had spent quite a considerable amount of money on the white noise machine.
I was not too quick to replace the white noise machine. However, after a few frustrating weeks of having to wake up in the middle of the night to the baby’s wailing, it was clear that I needed a solution for annoying sounds.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for White Noise Fans
When a friend suggested a white noise fan, I was a bit skeptical. I was not sure how the fans would work in the same way as a white noise machine would battle distracting sounds. I gave it a try though, seeing as it was a bit cheaper than the white noise machines.
I absolutely loved the soothing sounds of a white noise fan! I ended up using white noise fans for quite some time and still do, even to date. If you are not sure whether or not a white noise fan will work for you, this article should help you make an informed decision.
Here's what I have learned about white noise fans over the years.
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What is White Noise?
Just as white light is a combination of all audible frequencies of color, white noise is a combination of all the frequencies of sound that a human ear can perceive.
When different frequencies of sound that the ear and brain can perceive are put together at a similar level, white noise is produced.
White noise is known to be very calming and is especially used in nurseries to lull babies to sleep. As such the soothing sound of white noise can help improve sleep quality. It can quite easily be generated using white noise machines, which are the most common, and even white noise fans.
What most people do not realize is that white noise fans are not only for use by babies. Using white noise fans as a sleeping aid has several benefits to adults as well. Let's have a look at some of them. Most white noise machines come with a variety of white noise settings you can choose from.
Benefits of using white noise fans as sleeping aids
You are probably wondering what the difference is between white noise machines and white noise fans. Of course, they all work in the same way to produce white noise
- 1They are cheaper than white noise machines
If you are wondering why you should get a white noise fan instead of a white noise machine, then you should think of the expenses.
White noise fans are generally cheaper than white noise machines. It, therefore, helps you save a couple of dollars and yet achieve the same results as you would have with a white noise machine. - 2They help to drown out the noise
Living in a noisy neighborhood will certainly take a toll on how much sleep you get. If you cannot really do anything about the noise, then a white noise fan may be a good solution for you.
The white noise produced by the fan drowns out all other noises in the background allowing you to have a better night's sleep. The blades of a white noise fan produce a loud sound when spinning. But what about the motors?White noise fans usually use motors that are silent and do not produce any additional sounds that might interfere with white noise or brown noise produced by most fans. In addition, the noise level can be further adjusted by fan speed. - 3Helps to shut down your brain
Most people who have trouble sleeping do so because their brains never seem to be able to shut down. Just when you get to bed, your brain starts going through all the To-Do lists you have. White noise fans can be a solution for this. The sound produced helps to slowly shut down your brain. This is the main reason why white noise is used for meditation.
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What to Consider When Buying a White Noise Fan
Portability
The portability of a white noise fan is very important. You want to be sure that you will be able to take the device with you, even when you are traveling. Some of them can be table fans or pedestal fans.
Loudness
The loudness of a fan is determined by the size of the blades, speed settings, and the motor. If you are looking to improve your sleep with white noise, you will most likely benefit from a quiet fan. If you live in a noisy neighborhood you might opt for a louder fan, such as a tower fan.
Air Flow
Air flow can be direct or oscillating. Some fans offer features such as pivoting heads and tilting heads. Larger blades will produce a more powerful flow of air than smaller ones. If you do not care about air flow, you might want to go for a dedicated white noise machine instead of a white noise fan.
Stable Base
White noise fans can be placed just about anywhere in the house. Go for fans that have a stable base and can be placed on different surfaces without them toppling over.
Durability
The thing about white noise fans is that you will want to use them for a long time and in various places. You need to make sure that the fan is made of durable materials and will serve you for quite some time before it needs some replacement. If you want the most durable fan go with an industrial fan.
Price
The prices for these products vary depending on the make and model. Before settling for a particular fan, do a bit of research and be sure that it is the best you can get for your budget.
Waterproof
Although not necessary, you may consider it important to get a white noise fan that is waterproof. This is especially crucial if you are going to use the fan in areas that generally require the use of water such as the bathroom or a spa.
Best White Noise Fans 2022
So, you have finally decided to get a white noise fan, what next? With so many fans in the market, it can be quite a struggle settling on a specific one.
As I have said, I have used a couple of white noise fans over the years. I love change and variety so I prefer not to get the same fan twice (unless it is really good).
To help you out, here are some of the best white noise fans out there. You may want to take a look into some of these and see if you can get one that suits your needs.
Of all the white noise fans I have used, this was one of my favorites. It is a fan enclosed in an acoustically optimized enclosure that provides white noise that helps you fall and stay asleep.
Unlike the other white noise fans that have at most three settings, the Snooz Real Fan gives you the option of up to 10 settings. These 10 settings range from a small stir to a loud roar so you can choose what you prefer.
Another bonus of the Snooz Real Fan is the option of adjusting the tone of the white noise. To do this, all you have to do is slightly twist the an’s outer shell. You can change the tone from a light fan sound to a deep fan drone and everything in between.
It is safe to say that Snooz has become a permanent part of my bedroom as it helps keep the air moving which creates a perfect sleeping environment. Now, I wake refreshed every single day. I couldn't be happier. My energy is back!
Besides being energy efficient, I love that the Snooz Real Fan is portable. I love having my share of sleep when I am traveling. The Snooz is quite small and can easily fit into a backpack allowing you to take it with you wherever you go.
Another great thing about this white noise fan is that you can control it remotely. With the Companion app, you can control the fan from your smartphone or tablet. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Pros
- Quiet white noise
- Non-looping white noise
- Brushless motor built for lifetime
- Different tone options
- iOS and Android apps
- Portable
Cons
- Relatively expensive
A lot of light sleepers like to choose box fans because most of the time they need a loud fan to fall asleep.
Loud fans drown out all kinds of noise that is hard to deal with. Especially if you live near a noisy street.
After all, Genesis is known for the best loud fans on the market. This box fan has three speed settings with an adjustable dial. The copper motor doesn't produce any unwanted noises. We really enjoyed the constant white noise it produced.
Pros
- Three speed settings
- 4 speed push button controls located on top of machine
- Floor fan
- 20" fan blades
- Stylish design
Cons
- Can be quite loud
Koonie is a USB white noise fan that lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge.
It has a 360-degree head that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally.
This white noise fan can be fitted on a clip and used as a desk fan. You can charge it using dual charging ports including USB C and micro USB port.
That 2 in 1 design makes it a breeze to carry it around with you. With a lightweight of about 1.7, this white noise fan is perfect for outdoor activities.
The Koonie white noise fan comes with easy-to-use controls that allow you to quickly and easily change the fan’s speeds. You can choose between low, medium, and high speeds depending on what you prefer.
The attached clip is quite strong and the base is really sturdy to just set on a table. You won't have to worry about it toppling over when you place it on any surface. It is perfect to use as a personal fan due to its portability and battery.
What’s more, you need not worry if you want to plug in the fan for the entire night. It does not use a lot of energy.
Although the fan is loud enough to produce white noise to help you sleep, it is not too disruptive to the people near it.
We haven't really found any real downsides when it comes to this fan. The reviews available online speak for themselves.
Pros
- 24-hour battery
- 2 in 1 desk fan and clip fan
- 360-degree fan head
- Super quiet with smooth air flow
Cons
- Takes 6 hours to charge
For people who have been using white noise fans for quite some time, box fans are easily a favorite for many. This is because white noise box fans tend to be among the loudest white noise fans on the market.
This particular white noise fan from Holmes has a 20-inch blade diameter and besides being great for white noise, it is designed for maximum airflow.
You can set the fan to three speed settings; low, medium and high. The high setting may be a bit too loud. However, for maximum comfort, while sleeping at night, I recommend using the low setting.
The fan is also extremely energy efficient and will only require a little energy for it to run. So you do not have to worry about increasing utility bills.
Of course, you would want to set the fan on just about any surface. For this reason, the manufacturers have included attachable feet for increased stability.
For easier portability, the white noise fan comes with an integrated carry handle. The five feet cord also easily stores away in case you want to carry the fan from one place to another.
What I did not like about this fan was the smell it produces when it is running. It emits a smell like that of rubber on fire. It can be a little scary, especially since you do not know whether or not it will burst into flames.
Pros
- Room fan best for medium and large rooms
- Three speed settings
- Adjustable feet
- Removable grill makes cleaning easy
Cons
Sometimes screws get loose
If you are looking for a white noise fan but are worried about the space it will occupy, then this may be a good option for you.
This tower fan has been designed as a tower with a pivoting head and is stacked so as to save floor space so you can easily set it up on the desktop or countertop.
For even better convenience, the controls are mounted on the front and the fan has a built-in carry handle to help you move it around. It also comes with a remote control
The wind tower has three-speed settings and multi-directional oscillation. Besides being a source of white noise, you can be sure that it will increase the airflow in the room as well.
However, if you intend to use this tower fan to increase airflow in a large room, the wind tower may not work best for you. Because of its stacked design, it is only able to blow cool air into the immediate surrounding.
If you only intend to use it for the white noise, then you are okay using this. The tower fan is able to produce enough white noise to help you fall asleep.
Pros
- Complete room air circulation keeps white noise consistent throughout the room
- 3 speed push button controls located on top of machine
- Floor fan
- Handy remote control
- Nighttime setting automatically decreases fan speed and dims control lights
Cons
- Virtually nothing. Note: Reviews for too loud are for smaller sized machines, not the 660
The last white noise fan on our list is this small plastic fan from Honeywell. It is designed to be a small white noise fan of around 10 inches in size.
I especially love the versatility that this fan offers. You can decide to use it while mounted on a wall or on top of a shelf or desk.
Seeing as you intend to use it to produce white noise to help you sleep, placing it on the nightstand would be the best option to get just the right amount of white noise. This is what truly makes it a personal fan.
Just in case you want the cool air blowing on to you as you sleep, the fan's head can easily be tilted to focus the air where you want it to flow. The tilt goes all the way around and can be used from a variety of angles.
Because the body of the white noise fan is compact, you are able to place it on just about any other surface. The firm base also ensures that the fan does not easily topple over.
The only downside of using the Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air is that the plastic material used to design the fan is quite flimsy. Should the fan fall from a surface, it can easily break.
Pros
- Pivoting head
- 3 speed settings
- Aerodynamic turbo design
Cons
- Sometimes too quiet to generate the right white noise level
The Vornado 660 Whole Room Air Circulator Fan uses a vortex design to effectively circulate air in any room. Mind you, this 4 speed fan is very powerful. It is definitely not a quiet fan.
This fan will circulate air up to 100 feet. It features a tilting head that provides full room coverage at medium and high settings producing pleasant white noise that fills the room.
We really liked the pivoting head as it lets you direct the airflow as you please. The detachable grill is worth mentioning as it makes cleaning the blades easy. After all, who wants to deal with a dirty fan?
Some users have reported that the product suddenly stopped working after a few months of operation. This has happened with some of the newer models. Others also pointed to the fact that it is not easy to repair.
Pros
- Powerful Vortex Action — Vornado's signature Vortex air circulation allows the air to move effectively throughout the entire room
- 4 Speed Fan — The 4-speed push-button controls are easy to use and are conveniently located on the top of the circulator
- Multi-directional Air Flow — the included stylish chrome bar lets you fully customize the direction of air across the room
- High Performance — the uniquely designed blades allow to move air up to 100 ft
- World-Class Support — 5-year warranty makes this product unbeatable in terms of customer service and support
- Built To Last - meets all requirements for safety in the US
Cons
- Occasional design flaws
On The Best White Noise Fans
A white noise fan will work in the same way as a white noise machine. If the humming sound does not affect you, then I suggest using a white noise fan to drown out all other background noises.
Do fans produce white noise?
The funny thing is that they actually do not produce white. Real white noise is produced by any frequency between 20Hz and 20GHz.
The main advantage white noise fans have over white noise machines is the price. Since they work in the same way, there's no point in spending more dollars on a white noise machine.
How Can White Noise Help With Sleep?
The idea of white noise is that it blocks unwanted noises and blends them into background noise.
A human ear is more sensitive to random noises (for example a loud thud or dripping water in the kitchen sink) rather than a smooth and constant source of low level noise.
A 2021 study found that white noise can greatly improve the quality of sleep in individuals experiencing sleep problems. It showcased a positive correlation between white noise and various noise levels in metropolitan areas.
Are white noise fans worth it?
Since I started using a white noise fan, I have enjoyed more hours of sound sleep. In case you are having trouble sleeping due to all the noise in the background, try using a white noise fan for better and longer sleep.
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