This noise-reducing, sleep-inducing white-noise machine fits in your luggage and helps you work in a noisy environment and fall asleep at home or on the road.
I have radio-telescopic ears; they pick up every little sound whether I’m snoozing or awake. Apps that imitate crackling fires, raindrops on leaves, and chirping birds are my private hell when I’m trying to write or fall asleep.
So when a friend gifted me a white-noise machine—the Yogasleep Dohm Classic—I thought, Thanks, but no thanks. I mean, how could something that made noise help me concentrate on writing or sleep more soundly?
The unit’s operation is basic. A switch toggles between high and low fan settings, and rotating the cap and collar adjusts the noise volume and tone/pitch, all of which can be done while half-asleep. At four inches tall and almost six inches across, it’s fairly unobtrusive when on a bedside table. (The white model looks like the top of a stormtrooper’s helmet, but in a good way.)
When the unit is turned on, there’s not a bird chirp or ocean wave to be heard. Just the soothing sound of rushing air without the annoyance of an actual breeze blowing on you.
To my surprise, the Dohm helps me fall asleep faster as well as slumber through disruptions that ordinarily would have awakened me. If I’m writing in a noisy environment, I set its fan speed to low and distractions are blocked out. (According to the manufacturer, it’s also useful for thwarting eavesdroppers, soothing babies and barking dogs, and tinnitus relief.)
The Classic model comes in a nearly ridiculous choice of colors in addition to white: black, tan, pink, and gray, white with blue, green, gray, or pink trim, Michael Graves charcoal, and camo (you know, for when you’re hiding in the jungle—near a power outlet—and want to get a good night’s sleep). Some models have a six-foot cord; others, eight.
If you want to get fancy, you can upgrade to the Dohm Connect. It can be controlled via app or Alexa as well as manually, has 10 fan settings, and a timer that allows you to set sleep schedules.
When it’s time to travel, the Classic model fits easily in your suitcase. Or you may want to try the slightly smaller and lighter Dohm Uno. It has only one fan speed, but you can still control the tone/pitch. Alas, you need a power converter if you want to use it or any of the other models overseas.
Not sure whether a white-noise machine will work for you? All Yogasleep Dohm models come with a 101-night trial period, so you have three months to check out your choice.
Twist’s Take: Need help falling/staying asleep or concentrating while working? Try a Yogasleep Dohm white noise machine.
