Sleep sounds
Updated 22 October 2026
Sleep sounds work by covering the noises that wake you: traffic, a neighbor, a partner who snores, a dog down the street. A steady sound makes sudden ones less sudden. Press play on a mix below, set a timer if you only want it while you fall asleep, and turn it down until it is barely there.
Press play
Play opens the sound masker with this mix already loaded, so you can hear it and shape it.
How to set it up
- Choose one sound to start. Brown noise and fan noise are the most popular for sleep because they are deep and steady.
- Lower the volume until you can just hear it from the bed. It should be quieter than a normal conversation.
- If you wake in the night, leave it running. If it keeps you awake, use the timer and let it fade after 30 to 60 minutes.
- Give one sound a few nights. Your brain needs time to learn that it is safe to ignore.
Which sleep sound is best?
There is no single best one. People who wake to sharp sounds usually like brown noise or a fan, because they cover the low thumps and voices that come through walls. People who find noise boring prefer rain or ocean, which have some movement in them. White noise covers the widest range but can sound harsh at night; the soft white noise mix takes the edge off.
Avoid sounds with sudden events while you sleep. Thunder, owls, and birds are lovely while you wind down, but they can wake you later. Turn them off or very low for the night.
Does it actually help?
A 2021 review of the research found the evidence for noise as a sleep aid is still weak and the studies are small. What is clear is that a steady sound reduces how much a sudden noise stands out, and that matters most in loud places. If your room is quiet and you sleep well, you do not need one.
Sleep sounds without an app
Everything here plays in the browser tab, so there is nothing to install and no audio file looping every few minutes. Leave the tab open on a phone or laptop near the bed. Keep the device plugged in, and turn off battery saving if your browser pauses tabs in the background.
More in sleep
Questions
What sound helps you fall asleep fastest?
Whichever one you stop noticing. For most people that is a low, steady sound like brown noise, a fan, or steady rain.
Is it OK to sleep with sound all night?
For adults it is generally fine at a low volume. Keep it well below conversation level. For babies, see the white noise for babies page.
Can I set a sleep timer?
Yes. In the studio, choose a timer from 15 to 90 minutes and the sound fades out at the end.
Do I need an account?
No. Press play. An account is only for saving your own mix.