White noise for focus

White noise works by masking. It fills the room with an even, steady sound, so sudden noises like a door, a phone or a conversation stand out less. Your attention gets pulled away less often.

Plain white noise can be harsh, though. It's bright and hissy, and many people find it tiring after a while. That's why many people prefer sounds that use noise as a layer rather than the whole thing: softer, warmer and more musical, but still steady enough to mask.

Claritune soundscapes built on noise

• The Cocoon puts minimal pulses inside a constant layer of white noise. Our most effective choice for open offices and cafés.
• Momentum has a rhythmic white-noise layer under fast, steady energy, for when you need to stay alert.
• Internal Compass sits slowly rotating textures over a soft bed of white noise, for calmer work.

All three play in full above. These are softer options with noise in the background:

Static Peace is gentle white noise with a slow, breathing rhythm. Mist and Obsidian use pink noise, which sounds deeper and less hissy. They're more relaxing, so they're better for reading or winding down than for intense work.

White, pink or brown?

The colors describe how the sound's energy is spread across high and low frequencies. White noise is the brightest, pink is softer, and brown is deeper still. We explain the difference properly in white vs pink vs brown noise. As a rule of thumb, use brighter noise to mask speech and deeper noise to relax.

Frequently asked questions

Is white noise better than music for focus?

For masking speech, steady noise is very effective. Many people find a mix of noise and soft music more pleasant to listen to for hours. It's worth trying both.

Is it safe to listen to white noise all day?

Keep the volume moderate and take breaks. Any sound played loudly for long periods can affect your hearing.

Can I use these soundscapes to sleep?

The calmer ones, yes. Obsidian and Static Peace are both good for sleep. For more, see the Sleep mood.