Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Serenity Sound Machine

$60

The Serenity Sound Machine plays calming ambient sounds and white noise to aid in relaxation and mindfulness practices.

Our take

A sound journey to tranquility.

Okay, so I've been using this Serenity Sound Machine for a bit, and I gotta say, it’s got some really neat features. The variety of sounds it offers is pretty solid — everything from ocean waves to rainstorms. If you’re someone who struggles to fall asleep or just needs some ambient noise while working, this thing definitely serves its purpose. The sound quality is surprisingly good, not tinny or cheap, which is a big win for me. But, let's be real, if you're not into nature sounds, this might feel a bit gimmicky.

Now, about its design — it’s compact and fits nicely on a nightstand. That’s always a plus if you’re like me and running out of space for gadgets. But, here's the rub: the buttons can be a little finicky. Sometimes they don’t respond until you press them just right, which can be annoying when you’re half-asleep. A bit more user-friendly controls would go a long way here. It’s not a dealbreaker, but definitely something you notice.

One thing I found pretty cool is the timer feature. You can set it to turn off after a certain period, so you’re not running it all night if you don’t want to. This is especially handy if you’re trying to save on electricity or just don’t want the thing running forever. But here’s the kicker — it doesn’t remember the last sound setting you had it on, so every time you turn it back on, you’re starting from scratch. A bit of a hassle, honestly.

In terms of portability, it’s lightweight, which makes it great for travel if you’re someone who can’t sleep without some noise. I took it on a weekend trip, and it fit nicely in my bag without adding much weight. However, it doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery, so you’re stuck needing an outlet. If you’re camping or somewhere without power, you’re kind of out of luck. Just something to think about if you’re planning to take it on the road.

Overall, the Serenity Sound Machine does what it says on the box, but it’s not without its quirks. If you can get past the finicky buttons and lack of battery power, it’s a solid choice for adding some peaceful noise to your environment. It’s not perfect, but then again, what is? If having some soothing background noise is your thing, it’s definitely worth checking out — just know what you're getting into with those couple of trade-offs.