01 — Ranking
Other free options, ranked
myNoise
mynoise.net
4.7Advanced noise generators with 10-band sliders and hundreds of soundscapes.
- Best for
- Fine-tuning noise to your hearing or masking a specific sound, such as a neighbor's TV.
- Free plan & limits
- Free in the browser, supported by donations. Some apps and soundscapes are paid.
Apple 'Background Sounds' / Android sound apps
support.apple.com
4.4Built-in background noise on iPhone (Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual).
- Best for
- Noise that keeps playing under other audio on iPhone.
- Free plan & limits
- Free on iOS 15 and later, and offline. It offers a few sounds (balanced, bright, dark noise, rain, ocean, stream).
Noisli
noisli.com
4.1Mix ambient sounds (rain, café, wind) with a productivity timer.
- Best for
- Background sound mixes for focus sessions.
- Free plan & limits
- The free plan limits daily listening time and the number of sounds. Pro is about $10/month.
YouTube 10-hour noise videos
youtube.com
3.8Long white, pink and brown noise videos.
- Best for
- Playing on a TV or smart speaker.
- Free plan & limits
- Free with ads, which can interrupt sleep. YouTube Premium removes ads.
02 — Comparison
Side by side
Scroll sideways to see every tool. The first column stays pinned.
| Feature / Criterion | This generator | myNoise | Apple Background Sounds | Noisli Free | YouTube |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White / pink / brown | Yes | Yes | Yes (balanced, bright, dark) | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep timer | Yes | Yes | No (use Clock app) | Yes | No |
| Ads interrupting audio | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Daily time limit | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Works offline | After loading | No | Yes | No | No |
03 — Guide
How to use a noise generator for focus or sleep step by step
Choose the color
Use white noise to mask speech and sharp sounds in offices, pink for balanced background sound and studying, and brown for a deeper rumble that many people find calmer for sleep and ADHD-style focus.
Set a low, safe volume
Set it just loud enough to blur background sounds, ideally below 60–70 dB at your ear. For long sessions or sleep, use speakers rather than earbuds, and keep sound machines at least 2 m from babies' cribs (AAP guidance).
Set the sleep timer
Choose 30–60 minutes to help you fall asleep without noise all night, or 8 hours if a noisy environment wakes you up.
Keep the tab open
Browsers keep audio playing in the background. On mobile, some browsers pause audio when the screen locks, so use a desktop or keep the screen on if that happens.
04 — FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between white, pink and brown noise?
White noise has equal energy at all frequencies and sounds like hiss. Pink noise drops 3 dB per octave and sounds like steady rain. Brown (red) noise drops 6 dB per octave and sounds like a deep waterfall or rumble. Lower frequencies feel calmer to most listeners.
Does white noise help you focus or sleep?
Studies show mixed but often positive effects: steady noise masks disruptive sounds, which helps sleep in noisy environments, and some research suggests benefits for attention in people with ADHD. It isn't universal, so try each color for a few days.
Is it safe to sleep with white noise all night?
At low volumes, generally yes for adults. Keep the level moderate (below about 60–70 dB), prefer speakers to earbuds, or use a timer. For infants, pediatric guidance recommends low volume and keeping the device away from the crib.
Is this noise generator free?
Yes. It's free with no ads, accounts or time limits. The noise is synthesized live by your browser's Web Audio API.
Scores reflect our own assessment of free-tier value. Prices and limits change, so check them on each provider's site before you buy.