White Noise — 8 Hours

White Noise for 8 hours is ideal for full night sleep, workday coverage, all night study session. Eight hours is the sleep standard - long enough to cover a full night's rest with margin.

White noise contains equal energy across all audible frequencies — from the deepest bass to the highest treble. It sounds like TV static, a fan on high, or a rushing air vent. It's the broadest-spectrum masking sound available, which makes it the most effective at covering a wide range of environmental noise. White noise was the first type of noise studied for cognitive and sleep benefits, and the evidence is extensive though mixed — the Capezuti systematic review (2022) found only 33% of white noise studies showed clear positive sleep outcomes. The Nigg meta-analysis (2024) found white noise beneficial for ADHD cognition (g=0.249) but harmful for neurotypical adults (g=−0.212), suggesting it works for those who need external stimulation but overstimulates those who don't. Many listeners find white noise harsh for extended periods due to its prominent treble content. If white noise feels fatiguing, try pink or brown noise instead.

Eight hours is the sleep standard - long enough to cover a full night's rest with margin. However, the latest research (Basner et al., 2025, UPenn) suggests that continuous sound exposure during sleep may reduce REM sleep by 18-19 minutes. For optimal results, use Softly's sleep timer to fade the sound after 45-90 minutes rather than playing through the entire night. The sound helps you fall asleep; silence lets your brain cycle through REM undisturbed.