White Noise vs Brown Noise: What is the Difference?

What Is White Noise?

White noise contains every frequency audible to the human ear, spread evenly across the range. Like white light, which contains every color the eye can see, it comes out flat, like the hissing of radio static or a fan's monotonous whirring.

Each octave you climb covers more frequencies than the one below it, so the top of the range carries more of the total energy. That's why white noise sounds high-pitched and a bit sharp.

Essential Applications of White Noise

• Sound Masking: This type of ambient noise can mask unwanted sounds like traffic or office chatter. This masking effect reduces distractions and enhances relaxation and focus.

• Improved Sleep: Many find that white noise helps them fall asleep faster and reduces how often they wake in the night. It may help you get better sleep by promoting relaxation. Something worth knowing before you buy: A 2021 systematic review of 38 studies published in Sleep Medicine Reviews rated the evidence for continuous noise improving sleep as very low quality. It also flagged that a machine loud enough to mask traffic is also loud enough to mask a smoke alarm.⁽¹⁾

• Tinnitus Relief: Tinnitus is a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears. Some people use white noise for tinnitus relief because it can distract them from the ringing, making a silent bedroom bearable. Treating tinnitus itself is a separate matter, and a Cochrane review found the quality of evidence too low to say sound generators outperform anything else.⁽²⁾

• Enhanced Cognition: White noise can be helpful when studying as it provides a consistent sound in the background that reduces distractions, improving concentration and learning.

What Is Brown Noise?

Brown noise's energy is concentrated in the low frequencies, dropping roughly 6 decibels with every octave you climb. That strips out most of the hiss and leaves the rumble, which is why it’s compared to thunder, waterfalls or crashing ocean waves.

It's named after Robert Brown, the botanist behind Brownian motion, which is the mathematical pattern the signal follows.

Key Uses of Brown Noise

• Relaxation and Sleep Aid: It offers a calming experience, with listeners consistently saying they fall asleep faster with it on. Treat that as anecdotal experience, not a tested effect.

• Concentration and Focus: Brown noise can create a sense of seclusion and minimize interruptions, which is helpful for activities that demand prolonged attention and concentration.

• Tinnitus Relief: Similar to white noise, brown noise can distract from the perceived ringing, making a quiet room easier to sleep in. However, masking is not treatment. Some people find its low-frequency sounds more soothing than the harsher sound of white noise.

How Can White Noise Help You Sleep?

White noise is consistent and unobtrusive, providing a steady, unchanging sound that's less intrusive for sleep compared with dynamic or fluctuating sounds. It can drown out disruptive background noise in bustling urban areas or shared spaces.

For many people, white noise is comforting and familiar. It's similar to household appliances, such as the soothing sound of a fan, TV static or the subtle whirring of an AC.

White noise is also versatile, going beyond just improving sleep. It can enhance focus and concentration, improve productivity and add a layer of privacy in shared spaces.

How Can Brown Noise Improve Your Sleep?

Brown noise has deeper, more soothing tones than white noise, which can feel warm and comforting. Listeners often describe it as easier to drift off to.

Brown noise excels at reducing distracting sounds. It can mask specific environmental sounds, especially lower-pitched ones like traffic or industrial equipment.

Here's the honest state of the science: There isn't a controlled trial on brown noise for sleep. What exists is listeners consistently reporting its effectiveness. The lower tones feel warmer and less sharp than white noise, and a lot of people settle faster with it. That's a good enough reason to try it tonight. However, it isn't a reason to expect deeper sleep than white noise would give you.

How to Choose Between White Noise and Brown Noise?

There's no universal answer to choosing between white and brown noise. It depends largely on your tastes and what you want to achieve.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Background Noise

• Noise Sensitivity: Do higher-pitched sounds make you cringe or do you suffer from a sound sensitivity? Brown noise is better because it has soothing tones.

• External Environment: Brown noise is better suited to masking disruptive sounds in areas with lots of sound pollution, such as traffic or construction.

• Desired Result: Want focus? White noise is the usual recommendation, but consider who it helps. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study involving 104 preschoolers. White noise improved attention and cut hyperactive behavior in the 52 children with ADHD, and made performance worse for the 52 without it.⁽³⁾ If staying alert is not your struggle, silence might be better. Choose brown noise for relaxation and sleep.

• Personal Preference: Ultimately, it depends on what you prefer. You'll find a particular type of sound more pleasant or beneficial than the other.

Experiment with different volume levels or combine different kinds of colored noise to suit your needs, such as pink noise, blue noise, grey noise, violet noise and red noise.

You can access white or brown noise through podcasts, videos and playlists. Using a white noise machine at home or work provides a more consistent listening experience.

The sound machine should offer more options than just white noise, such as other noise colors, nature sounds and sleep music. Beyond that, consider other factors when choosing a sound machine.

Listening to White or Brown Noise With Manta White Noise Machine

The best white noise for sleeping should enhance sleep quality, boost focus and concentration or create a calming environment. Meet Manta White Noise Machine. It's designed to block disruptions before they reach you with 25 gapless soundscapes, including white and brown noise, for uninterrupted listening.

Let’s take a closer look at its features:

What Other Sounds Can Help You Sleep?

Beyond colored noise, you have options to help you get a better night's rest:

Nature sounds like gentle rain, chirping birds or rustling leaves can create a peaceful atmosphere and help you sleep better. Read our article comparing white noise and nature sounds for more information.

Nature sounds are closely associated with green noise, which focuses on mid-range frequencies. The balanced sound is neither too high nor too low for a soothing listening experience. Learn more about this type of colored noise. Read our white noise vs green noise article.

Ever wondered what are binaural beats? They're carefully crafted audio tracks that merge two slightly different frequencies, creating a rhythmic beating effect. This effect may induce brainwave states linked to relaxation or sleep. Listen to these on headphones, like Manta SOUND Sleep Mask, to achieve the full effect.

Ambient music consists of soft instrumental tunes with a slow tempo and calming melodies. It can help you unwind as you prepare for sleep.

If you haven't heard of ASMR for sleep, it consists of soothing sounds and whispers that can evoke a tingling sensation, which some people find relaxing. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) videos and audio recordings are a great tool for calming anxious thoughts and feelings.

So, the right choice is entirely personal. Experiment and let your own brain decide.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Sound for Sleep

So, white noise vs brown noise: which is best for sleep?

Let's do a quick recap. White noise combines all audible frequencies. It delivers a constant, unchanging sound that efficiently masks loud environmental noise. Meanwhile, brown noise concentrates in the lower frequencies, producing richer and deeper tones.

Ultimately, deciding between white and brown noise depends on your preferences and goals. Do you want to relax and fall asleep faster? Do you want to sharpen your focus? Experiment with both. Incorporate these into your sleep routine with a noise generator like Manta White Noise Machine.