White Noise Machine vs Fan: Which Is Better for Sleep?

white noise machine vs fan for sleeping

My first white noise machine was a pedestal fan. It was very soothing and easy to fall asleep with. Over time though, when the traffic outside got louder, that fan wasn’t loud enough anymore. I am not sure whether consumer white noise machines even existed at that time. My friend had a marvelous trick to …

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How to Pair 3M Worktunes and Troubleshoot Their Bluetooth Connection

How to pair 3M Worktunes

The purpose of this article is to help you out if you encounter issues when pairing 3M Worktunes with your phone or switching between different devices. I have been asked a few times, so I want to share how I do it. We will cover pairing your Worktunes, resetting Worktunes, and unpairing them from your …

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Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Work Without Music?

Do noise cancelling headphones work without music?

Yes, many active noise cancelling headphones (ANC headphones) work without music, and in fact, there are some unique benefits of using them without music. I’ll get to these benefits in a minute. For most ANC headphones to cancel noise, you just need to turn them on. This engages the active noise cancelling electronics: the headphones …

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Sleepbox Portable Sound Machine Review

Sleepbox Portable Sound Machine Review

This is the next installment in my white noise machine test and review series. The Sleepbox is a budget sound machine and one of the few white noise machines with a removable (!) rechargeable battery.  With a weight of only 5.4 oz (152 g) and a small housing (4.3×4.3×1.4 inches) it is very portable indeed. …

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Marpac Dohm vs Lectrofan: Is the Original Better than Digital Sound?

Marpac Dohm vs Lectrofan

In recent years, the two most popular white noise machines have been the Marpac Dohm and the Lectrofan, now called the Lectrofan Classic. The Dohm has been made since 1962—and is still being made. While similar in popularity, these two are very different sound conditioners, appealing to different people and uses. I have tested the …

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How to Block Bass Noise—and Save Your Sanity

How to block bass noise

To our neighbor the music might sound perfectly balanced, but for us “it’s all about the bass.” Or, suppose the bass is coming from a party across the street or a dance club. You live pretty far away, but still, the rhythm of the drums coming through your windows and door is inviting you to …

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7 Different Types of Earplugs and What They Are Used For

Different types of earplugs

The purpose of this post is to provide an overview of different types of earplugs, prime use cases, and some peculiarities you need to know when using them. Common uses of earplugs include: Hearing protection at work and at the range Hearing protection at concerts and other entertainment venues while maintaining sound fidelity Noise reduction …

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How to Block Loud Footstep Noise from an Upstairs Apartment?

how to block loud footstep noiss

Years ago, I had my first experience with prolonged insomnia when new neighbors moved into the upstairs apartment and started living at around midnight every single night. I would go to bed at perhaps 11 pm and soon thereafter the couple upstairs would come home and start walking back and forth—on top of my bedroom. …

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