Pink noise is better for sleep than white noise according to recent research. Pink noise makes it easier to fall asleep, can help to make good sleep more consistent, and make deep sleep more restorative.
White noise is helpful for sleep because it can drown out the high-pitched sounds that can penetrate walls and disrupt a good night, but when it's not covering up disturbing sounds, white noise alone doesn't seem to have a very strong effect.
The benefits of certain air purifiers for sleep are twofold: They provide beneficial pink noise while simultaneously cleaning your bedroom air.
Key Takeaways
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Pink noise has less high-pitched sounds than white noise and makes sleep more restorative.
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Early research findings show pink noise makes it easier to fall asleep and improves sleep consistency.
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White noise contains high-frequencies and can damage hearing of young children if too loud or placed too close.
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Natural sounds like falling water, waves, and wind are examples of pink noise.
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Air purifiers can provide steady background noise while cleaning air during sleep.
Understanding Different Colors of Noise for Sleep
Recently color has been used as an analogy for the different combinations of low, medium, and high pitched sounds that make up steady background noise. This is mostly due to recent research pointing out that white noise, which is a combination of all audible pitches, might not be best in all situations, particularly involving sleep.
The color of a steady noise is often used to describe its particular combination of high and low frequencies. It is common knowledge that white noise can help some of us sleep, but it's been found out recently that pink noise is even better. Humans can detect sounds that vary from very low-pitched 20 Hz to very high-pitched 20,000 Hz, though most of us can hear a slightly narrower range.
White Noise Characteristics and Sleep Effects
White noise is the constant sound of digital static and contains all pitches that our ears can detect. It's similar to the color white in that way because the color white contains all colors our eyes can detect. Like white light, white noise is even across all audible frequencies.
White noise is helpful for sleep because it can drown out the high-pitched sounds that can penetrate walls and disrupt a good night. Using white noise can even help us to habituate to good sleep so we can sleep better even when white noise isn't available. White noise contains high frequencies and can damage the hearing of young children if it’s too close to their ears or is too loud.
Also, when it's not covering up disturbing sounds, white noise alone doesn't seem to have a very strong effect on sleep. White noise is technically defined as noise across the entire sound spectrum, like static from a television.
Pink Noise Benefits for Better Sleep Quality
The new rage is pink noise. Pink noise has less high-pitched sounds than white noise. The technical definition is that it decreases by three decibels for every octave increase in pitch. Pink noise is more like leaves rustling, the woosh of a fan, a waterfall, or other more natural steady noise.
The suitability of pink noise is intuitive because natural sounds tend to fall along this same distribution. Simply put, high-pitched sounds require more energy and are more rare than run-of-the-mill low pitched sounds. Falling water, waves, wind, are all examples of pink noise, though urban sounds like passing traffic or whirring fans can also create a similar-pitched soundscape.
Though there is still a lot of research to be done, early findings are seeing that pink noise makes it easier to fall asleep, can help to make good sleep more consistent, and make deep sleep more restorative. Sleeping with pink noise has been linked with improved memory, possibly as a result of its effect on memory-enhancing sleep.
Air Purifiers as White Noise and Pink Noise Sources
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Noise Type |
Frequency Pattern |
Sleep Benefits |
Examples |
|
White Noise |
Even across all frequencies |
Drowns out disruptive sounds |
TV static, digital static |
|
Pink Noise |
Less high-pitched frequencies |
Easier sleep, better consistency, more restorative |
Fan noise, waterfall, leaves rustling |
A final thing to consider is that moving air is the very definition of noise. Standalone fans and the fans in air purifiers make the same kind of noise that can help some people sleep. Others, however, may be irritated by the constant sound. Using an air purifier while sleeping is generally the same as using one while awake.
Another key benefit to keeping an air purifier in the bedroom is the soothing white noise created by the device. Our survey found that 60% of people use air purifiers specifically for the white noise benefits during sleep. Though we haven't asked anyone if it helps their sleep, the Molekule Air Pro's fan produces pink noise, as we would expect.
Noise Preferences and Sleep Quality
Some people prefer a quiet or silent air purifier, while others sleep better with the white noise of an air purifier's fan running. While some people may like the white noise created by an air purifier, others may find that it makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.
Do you want a small, quiet air purifier, or would you prefer one that makes some white noise? To get the most benefit from your air purifier, you should keep it on all the time, even while you sleep. If putting your air purifier on your nightstand interrupts your sleep at night, you should try moving it a little farther away instead of decreasing the speed setting.
Molekule Air Purifier Noise Levels for Sleep
Molekule devices are near whisper-quiet, and thanks to adjustable fan speeds, air purifiers produce just 30-65 decibels of noise. With multiple sleep modes and automatic sensors that adjust purification levels based on current air quality levels, you can sleep easy at night knowing your bedroom air is clean.
Due to its unique technology, Molekule Air purifier is very quiet compared to conventional air purifiers. Our unit is designed to be quiet enough to sleep while it is running. The noise level ranges from 41-65 decibels (dBa). Silent Mode runs the device as quietly as possible (41 dBa), which is no louder than a whisper.
Sound Level Comparisons for Bedroom Use
The quietest air purifiers on the market will have a dB rating of 20-40 at the lowest fan speed, while the loudest ones will be rated 50 to 70 dB and above. To put this into perspective: 30 dB is about the same noise level as a whispered conversation. 50 dB is similar to a normal conversation or moderate rainfall. 70 dB is as loud as running a vacuum or sitting in rush-hour traffic.
If an air purifier is too loud, the chances of you using it regularly are slim to none. Whether you like to relax in total silence or enjoy having white noise playing in the background, checking an air purifier's sound ratings can help give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of noise.
Safety Considerations for Children
Consider the noise level of the air purifier. Some white noise might be desirable to help your baby sleep, but one study found that excessive levels of white noise could be harmful to infants. White noise contains high-frequencies and can damage the hearing of young children if placed too close to their ears or is too loud.
VOCs are a significant concern in a baby's room, primarily because new baby furniture might offgas chemicals that are harmful to a developing child. Air purifiers for newborns can handle VOCs while providing appropriate noise levels for infant sleep environments.
Dedicated Pink Noise vs Air Purifier Noise
To be sure you are getting the full benefits of pink noise, it's best to get a dedicated pink noise machine. However, air purifiers can provide dual benefits by cleaning air while producing beneficial background noise during sleep hours.
Placing your Molekule air purifier near the bed can help maximize clean air exposure during sleep, help make your room smell fresh, and provide a gentle white noise. The device's reduced sound levels in quiet mode and dimmed LED lights can create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere conducive to sleep.
Other Noise Colors and Sleep Research
Following pink noise is red noise, which decreases by 6 decibels for every octave and has mostly low-pitched sounds. There is a lot less research on red noise, but one study has found it has similar positive effects to pink noise when used as background noise during work, but is not quite as effective.
Up the middle of the spectrum is green noise. This range of pitches has very little research around it, though TikTok influencers seem to be happy with it. The current research is pointing out that the reduction of higher-pitched sounds seems to bring better benefits than white noise, and green noise lacks those.
Making the Right Choice for Your Sleep
The best air purifier for the bedroom is one that can address particles in your bedroom, such as paint fumes, that can trigger seasonal allergies or other allergies, or affect sleep, as well as one that is able to meet the needs of the size of the room, whether big or small, and is quiet (or has the constant white noise of a fan).
No matter the size of your bedroom or your sleep habits and preferences, choosing the right air purifier can be a crucial factor in maintaining your long-term health. These factors will help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pink noise better than white noise for sleep?
Yes, recent research findings show that pink noise makes it easier to fall asleep, can help to make good sleep more consistent, and make deep sleep more restorative compared to white noise.
What's the difference between pink noise and white noise?
White noise contains all pitches that our ears can detect evenly across frequencies, while pink noise has less high-pitched sounds and decreases by three decibels for every octave increase in pitch.
Can air purifiers provide beneficial sleep noise?
Yes, 79% of air purifier owners keep one in their bedroom, and 60% use them specifically for the white noise benefits during sleep. The Molekule Air Pro's fan produces pink noise.
Are air purifier noise levels safe for children?
Molekule air purifiers operate at 30-65 decibels, which is safe for children. However, white noise contains high-frequencies and can damage hearing of young children if placed too close or too loud.
How loud should an air purifier be for sleep?
The quietest air purifiers have a dB rating of 20-40 at lowest fan speed. Molekule's Silent Mode runs at 41 dBa, which is no louder than a whisper and designed to be quiet enough for sleep.
