Manta White Noise Machine review: Time to retire your white noise app?

If you’re a light sleeper or often have racing thoughts at midnight, a noise machine with a library of sounds may help you fall asleep faster. Unlike using an app on your phone, a dedicated noise machine offers zero digital distractions and high-quality, continuous sound.

However, while most machines sit on your nightstand projecting sound directly at you, Manta White Noise Machine is designed to be placed at a distance to block sounds at the source. With the addition of a remote control, you can conveniently adjust it from the comfort of your bed.

To see if it really helps minimize sleep-time distractions, I got my hands on this device to integrate it into my routine and test it over several weeks. During this time, I paid close attention to the sound options, audio quality, controls, and overall value for the price. Read on for my full experience using Manta White Noise Machine.

Visit Manta Sleep

What is Manta White Noise Machine, and how does it work?

Manta White Noise Machine plays a total of 15 continuous audio tracks, like white, pink, or brown noise, fan hums, and nature sounds, to mask sleep-time distractions such as street noise or racing thoughts. It stands out by using a two-part system: the speaker and the remote controller.

The speaker can be placed anywhere near the source of unwanted noise, like a door or a window. When turned on, the device spreads a wide, immersive sound that reduces unwanted noise before it reaches you. This creates what Manta Sleep calls a "sound shield," providing a stable acoustic environment that keeps sudden, loud noises from jolting you awake.

Because the speaker can be placed anywhere in the room, the second part of the system—the controller is used to turn on the device, set a timer, and adjust the volume without having to get out of bed or even turn on the lights.

Unlike sleep apps or smart speakers, Manta White Noise Machine focuses on delivering a quality sound experience. It also has no Bluetooth pairing, screens, or lights, ensuring a completely distraction-free environment.

Manta White Noise Machine design and controls

Manta White Noise Machine components are compact and made from lightweight plastic, making the device portable and easy to take on the go.

Personally, I’d prefer a different color palette, as the electric blue and orangey-red don’t exactly radiate calmness. Of course, in the dark at night, this doesn’t matter much. But if daytime aesthetics are important to you and the bright colors clash with your bedroom decor, you can easily store the device in a nightstand drawer when not in use.

The remote controller features four buttons in total: a large, round power button featuring the brand’s logo, a volume rocker, a timer button (clock icon), and a sound-switch button (music note icon). When you set or adjust the timer, a voice prompt announces the chosen duration—whether it’s 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on.

Turning the device on and adjusting the volume in the dark is easy because those tactile buttons have distinctly different shapes. However, the sound and timer buttons feel very similar and are easy to mix up, so I found that it's better to adjust those specific controls with the lights on. Additionally, the remote has an impressive range, allowing you to place the speaker up to 32 feet (~10 meters) away.

Lastly, the device has eliminated any LEDs from its design. This was a conscious decision by the creators to ensure that no glowing lights disturb your sleep.

What is it like sleeping with Manta White Noise Machine?

Before the first night sleeping with Manta White Noise Machine I placed the device near a window since most sounds at night usually come from my apartment’s courtyard. Certain sounds can get pretty loud, so the test was to see how much of them the machine can shield. Later, the placement also proved to be convenient as it wasn’t getting in the way of anything, unlike placing it near a door with it connected to an 8-foot cable.

Next, in preparation for the night, I tried finding a sound that was comfortable for me. Interestingly enough, I didn’t like most sounds, but I was able to find what worked for me. For the first night, I chose a gentle rain sound as it felt the most soothing.

While trying to find my ideal sound volume, I also noticed that the speaker can get pretty loud. While I preferred sticking to lower settings, the machine offers a precise range of volume levels, making it easy to find personalized balance. Another nice touch is that the device gently fades the sound at the end of a sleep timer, ensuring you aren’t jolted awake by sudden silence.

The first night, I played the sound throughout the night without setting a timer to really put it to the test. And after the first sleep using the device, I wasn’t sure how to feel. According to my tracker, I fell asleep faster to the lulling rain and wasn't jolted awake by traffic or courtyard voices like I sometimes am. However, waking up to the same sound confused my brain's morning signals.

Finding my routine

So the following nights I decided to change my strategy and set a timer to shut off the sounds after a few hours of me falling asleep. I also began alternating between ocean waves and gentle rain—the two most immersive tracks for me. Once I found this routine, I started enjoying using the device.

While testing over multiple nights, I could really appreciate that the device didn’t include additional distractions. The sounds were looping and repetition-free, and there weren’t any LEDs, which I’m usually very sensitive to when sleeping (even a standby TV light can keep me awake). I preferred not to interact with the buttons in the dark, as once I found my favorite settings, I stuck with them, and in case I wanted to change them, I just did it beforehand with the light on. But I can say that the on and off button is very easy to find in the dark.

All in all, I felt like it made the bedroom environment more sleep-friendly. When it became a part of my routine, every night the sound became a signal to my body that it’s time to wind down. While some sounds definitely got through the sound shield, they were softened enough that they rarely jolted me awake.

How good are Manta White Noise Machine sounds?

Manta White Noise Machine offers 15 sounds in total: 5 fan sounds, 3 rain sounds, 2 ocean sounds, and 5 color noises—brown, coral, pink, pearl, white. Compared to competitors, its noise variety is average. For instance, Hatch Restore 3 features 40 free sleep sound options, while other machines offer a similar number or fewer. The sounds it plays are artificial, meaning it uses digital audio files as opposed to natural sound machines that use fans to create white noise.

In my experience, the speaker's clarity was solid. The lower and higher frequencies were well-balanced, and I didn't notice any harsh high pitches or distracting low buzzing. I should note that the sound quality drops at the highest volume level, but I doubt anyone would sleep with it that loud. There weren’t any obvious audio loops, either—no sudden gaps of silence or repeating sound patterns caught my attention.

Which sounds work best will depend entirely on your preferences. Personally, I enjoyed using nature tracks like gentle rain and ocean waves, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the artificial noises.

Manta White Noise Machine everyday usability

Setting up the device is quite easy. You simply plug the speaker into an outlet and pair it with the remote controller by pressing the power button. There are no apps or complex smart features involved.

Once paired, the remote handles changing the sounds, adjusting the volume, and setting the timer. It conveniently remembers your previous settings when powered back on, so you don't have to do it every night. The remote runs on a button cell battery, which you can replace by unscrewing the bottom panel.

With regular use, I realized the machine might benefit from a wireless design, as managing the cord across the room can become cumbersome. However, a rechargeable battery would likely require an indicator light, which would compromise the device's completely LED-free design. Ultimately, the cord isn't a major problem if you have an accessible outlet near the noise source you want to block.

Manta White Noise Machine price and value

Manta White Noise Machine retails for $75, now on sale for $60. Included in the price are the main speaker, an 8-foot power cord, and a battery-operated remote controller. There are no hidden subscription fees, making it a one-time investment. The purchase is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee and 6-month warranty coverage for manufacturing defects.

When comparing Manta White Noise Machine to free phone apps or standard smart speakers, the latter might seem more cost-effective, but they aren’t the most suitable for people looking for distraction-free devices or high sound quality. Meanwhile, more premium options, like the Hatch Restore 3, can cost around $170 and lock the majority of their sound libraries behind a monthly subscription.

When buying Manta White Noise Machine, you get a straightforward, distraction-free device that effectively masks outside noise with immersive sound—all without any ongoing fees.

Other sleep tech and wellness reviews:

Final verdict: Is the Manta White Noise Machine worth it?

Manta White Noise Machine is a solid choice for light sleepers seeking a distraction and a subscription-free white noise machine. It’s uniquely designed to be placed anywhere in the room—ideally right at the source of disruptive noise—to reduce sounds before they reach you. While 15 sound options and a wired design are modest compared to premium competitors, its simple controls will appeal to some users.

This machine is worth considering if you prioritize sound quality and keeping your bedroom free of digital distractions. However, if you prefer wider sound variety, smart features, or wireless portability, a phone app or smart speaker might be a better fit.

FAQ