White noise · Brown noise · Pink noise · Rain · Free forever
White Noise
Equal energy across all frequencies. The classic sleep masker for light sleepers.
Playing
Brown Noise
Deep, warm rumble like distant thunder. Preferred by many for deeper sleep and focus.
Playing
Pink Noise
Balanced, natural-sounding. Studies link pink noise with improved deep sleep and memory.
Playing
Rain
Soft pink noise with scattered droplet clicks, like steady rain.
Playing
Volume40%
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Why Sleep Sounds Help You Sleep
Sleep sounds work through a mechanism called auditory masking: continuous background noise reduces the contrast between ambient silence and sudden sounds (traffic, voices, doors). Your brain is wired to respond to sudden changes — not to steady sound. By creating a constant sound floor, noise generators prevent these sudden contrasts from triggering brief micro-arousals that fragment your sleep.
White noise contains equal energy at all frequencies and is the most effective auditory masker. Brown noise has more power in lower frequencies, creating a deeper rumble that many find more pleasant for sustained listening. Pink noise falls between the two. Ngo et al. (2013, Neuron) played short pink-noise bursts timed to the brain's slow oscillations during deep sleep and found stronger slow-wave activity and better word-pair recall the next morning. Papalambros et al. (2017, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience) reported similar results in older adults. These studies used precisely timed bursts, not continuous background noise. Rain is generated here from pink noise with scattered droplet clicks layered on top.
How to Use Sleep Sounds Effectively
Keep the volume low, just loud enough to mask background noise without becoming another distraction. Use the auto-stop timer if you prefer not to have sound playing all night; 30–60 minutes is typically enough to get through light sleep onset.
All sounds on Breathub use the Web Audio API and are generated on your device; nothing is streamed or downloaded. Each sound is generated in your browser when you press play, from a 4-second random buffer that loops.
Keep the volume low, just loud enough to mask background noise such as traffic or voices without becoming a new source of stimulation.
Should I play sleep sounds all night?
You can, but it is not necessary. Most people only need sound during sleep onset — the first 30-60 minutes. Use the auto-stop timer to fade out before deep sleep. The brain habituates to continuous noise; an abrupt stop later might cause arousal.
Which noise is best for sleep — white, brown, or pink?
The best-known research involves pink noise: Ngo et al. (2013, Neuron) found that short pink-noise bursts timed to slow oscillations in deep sleep strengthened slow-wave activity and improved next-day word recall. That study used timed bursts, not continuous background noise. However, preference matters enormously — the noise you find most pleasant is the one that works best for you. Try each for 3-4 nights and observe your sleep quality and morning alertness.
Is it safe to use headphones for sleep sounds?
At a low volume, yes. Avoid in-ear earphones during sleep due to discomfort and wax build-up risks. Sleep-specific headbands (flat speakers in a soft headband) are the best option if you share a room or need louder masking.