White Noise HQ: sound machine

An earlier-generation version of this background-noise app, produced by what was probably a different company, was called Simply Noise. I liked that app a lot, but it had one major flaw: when I was wearing my earphones and turned on the app at the same time, it often came on at top volume and nearly blew out my eardrums. This app is free of that problem, so apart from its annoying ads – which, fortunately, I don't have to look at since the benefit of this app is only its audio feature – it is just about perfect. Since I work at home, having something to cancel out conversations and TV sounds from other parts of the house is very important to me. That benefit carries over to bedtime as well, making this app one of the most important on my phone.

I really was enjoying this app. I love all the options you can download and that it plays on the background. It also has the nice touch of fading the sound in and out. Real cool. However, a star was lost because just yesterday, it started turning off automatically and randomly. I don’t know if it’s a bug or what but that’s my biggest complaint. I can see how the ads could get annoying but I don’t mind them and they help keep the app free. Edit- I think the app was turning off because another app had a video going on and this app will stop when a video is playing. Back up to 5 stars!!!

I suffer from misophonia. Years of living next door and underneath noisy neighbors has completely upended my life and caused me to develop severe anxiety. I’ve tried ear plugs, actual white noise machines (although, the Lectrofan is great...it’s just my neighbors are a different breed), music, and cranking up the TV to no avail. I’ve been using the app for a few years now, and it’s the only white noise app that blocks out any and all sound. I can’t hear a peep. It’s like escaping to my own oasis without fear of hearing people talking loud, chewing, or stomping. It’s truly helped me make it through the night without wanting to kill my neighbors.

This app has a sleep sound for everyone. The quality and authenticity of the recordings make it easy to drift to distant lands and environments. There are many sounds to choose from. When I am having trouble falling asleep or getting back to sleep, I select the sound that works best, set the timer in the app and rarely am I still awake after the timed session ends. I have tried other sleep sound apps and this one has the greatest variety and quality of sounds.

I usually sleep with a box fan at home, but have been traveling a TON lately for interviews, and despite spending so many nights in hotel rooms that are either too quiet or too noisy, I've gotten great, restful sleep thanks to this app. Someone complained that it was preventing their phone from locking/draining their battery, but I just manually lock my phone after setting my alarm, and haven't had any issues. Have continued to use even when not traveling :) 10/10.