Should I buy a white noise machine?

There might be reasons why you would want to spend hundreds of dollars on a dedicated white noise machine. Perhaps your company just went IPO, and you need the aura of legitimacy offered by an expensive product.

However, most people are probably better served by taking adantage of their existing gear, and getting a good pink noise album. Here are the some ideas:

  • Portable privacy: play a pink noise album through your MP3 player to reduce the impact of intrusive noise when travelling on a crowded bus or train, or when trying to work or study in a public place.
  • Burn to a CD and turn any portable stereo into a white noise machine. Play once through, or on repeat, when you're having trouble falling asleep.