Brown vs pink vs white noise
"Coloured noise" sounds technical, but the idea is simple. All three types are random sound. What changes is how the energy is shared between low and high pitches, and that changes how they feel to listen to. Press play on the player below to hear brown noise, then compare it with the pink and white noise on our sister sites.
White noise: bright and even
White noise has equal energy at every frequency. Because our ears are especially sensitive to higher pitches, it sounds bright and hissy, like an untuned radio or a jet of air. It is very good at covering a wide range of sounds, including voices, which is why it is traditional for baby-sleep machines and offices. Some people find it harsh over long periods. Try white noise.
Pink noise: balanced and natural
Pink noise reduces the energy as the pitch rises, by about 3 decibels per octave. The result sounds more balanced to our ears, a lot like steady rain or wind in leaves. It is a middle ground: smoother than white noise but still bright enough to cover mid-range sounds. It is also used by audio engineers to test speakers. Try pink noise.
Brown noise: deep and rumbly
Brown noise drops off even faster, by about 6 decibels per octave, so most of its energy is in the low frequencies. It sounds like a distant waterfall, thunder rolling far away or the inside of a plane. It is the softest-feeling of the three and has become hugely popular for sleep and focus, especially among people who dislike hiss.
Which should I choose?
| If you want… | People often pick |
|---|---|
| To cover voices and sharp sounds | White noise |
| A natural, rain-like background | Pink noise |
| A deep, soft rumble for sleep or focus | Brown noise |
| To cover traffic and low household noise | Brown or pink noise |
There is no single "best" colour. Preferences vary a lot, so try each at a low volume for a few days. Claims online that one colour will transform your sleep or brain are not something we can back up. Choose the one you find most comfortable.
Other colours
You may also see green noise (energy concentrated in the middle frequencies, often described as "nature-like") and grey noise (adjusted so all frequencies sound equally loud to human ears). They are less standardised, and different apps mean slightly different things by them.
All the colours on Spotify
Chill Machine's catalogue covers white, pink and brown noise plus fan, nature and baby-sleep loops.