I Was Skeptical of This Sound Machine at First, but Now I Can't Sleep Without It

Living in New York City (or any metropolitan city, for that matter), one thing you'll likely have to deal with is noise. The creaking of your neighbor's floor. The rumble of a nearby train station. The honk of a truck cruising outside your window. Sidewalk conversations. I've grown used to these sounds as a result of moving to Brooklyn. Of course, I could trade the city buzz for a remote cabin somewhere in the country, but despite the tradeoffs, I couldn't see myself living anywhere else.

I will confess, though, that the noise often makes it hard to fall asleep, especially if you live in a trendy neighborhood. My husband and I recently decided to do something about it, so we purchased the Snooz White Noise Sound Machine ($80). Admittedly, I was skeptical of it at first, but it didn't take long to become a necessary part of our night routine.

The sound machine requires very little space, and it's easy to use. Once plugged in, you only need to tap the power button on the touch surface to activate a light fan noise. You can adjust the volume to your liking by playing with the up and down buttons, and if you simply rotate the device, you can also switch to a deep fan drone. We like to place it by the window, away from our bed so it can fill the whole room with its quieting sound, and as it turns out, that is the best way to use it.

The minimalist design, combined with its portable size, makes it a great choice to pack in your suitcase as well. It took us a few tries to get used to the sound, but it eventually became part of the background. While it doesn't completely eliminate the noise outside our window, it lessens it significantly, allowing us to get a higher quality of rest. This, in addition to our soft Silk sleep mask and cozy sheets, is the recipe to a good night. Trust me, it's worth every penny.