HoMedics SS-2000 Sound Spa Relaxation Sound Machine with 6 Nature Sounds, Silver

I would like to purchase this item but they do not ship to Australia. WHY?
Rating: 1 / 5

A sleep machine is destined to be one of those things that a lot of people never get to even see, or hear of in their whole lives. Their the blessed ones that can either be curled up in their own cozy beds, or hanging on a nail and drift off without any regard to the sounds around them, or lack of ‘em. For the rest of us that will never be that fortunate, a sleep machine is nothing less than one of man’s greatest moments of discovery. People that are drawn to sleep machines are pretty much the opposite of those other folks in more ways than just being not so fortunate. I have noticed in life that most folks that seem to never have any problem sleeping are also the ones that can manage it in a dead silent room. They may even be the real extreme types that would rather sweat it out in bed rather than be driven mad by the comfort of an air conditioner. If you are either one of those, a sleep machine is something you can easily pass up in life, and never feel you have dismissed a noteworthy experience.

For the rest of us that have been cursed with having a very difficult time either going to sleep, or staying asleep on a practically a nightly basis, a sleep machine such as the HoMedics is worthy of being included in our memoirs someday. It provides those of us so afflicted with the sound of many different soothing rhythms that help lull us into la la land, and hopefully keep us there for a restful amount of time. All sleep machines are nothing more than devices that house taped sounds played on a continuous loop. (There is no real tape of course in any of them, merely a chip. But they still play on a loop). The HoMedics is both pretty much as simple as it gets in this design, while at the same time being all that one should ever need in a restful sleep aid. The HoMedics provides 6 different variations of basically sounds of water. Ocean waves, rain, waterfall, etc. (With the exception of one that is a heartbeat, which I agree with the other reviewers here that referred to it as rather creepy). All of them being very soothing, and despite the more technically minded here that seem driven to locate where the effects, or loop ends and begins again, they are all long enough to be considered reasonable, and hardly noticeable unless you are purposely tuned into it. Take it from someone that has suffered from insomnia for most of his life, and that has owned some form of sleep machine since about the time of their very concept, spending more money on one of these gizmo’s gives you neither any perceptible quality, nor any longer loops for all the sleep machine detectives among us. All you get is different variations on the same themes, and in some cases more of them. Certainly has it never been worth it for me to spend more money for just a higher priced machine, just because it promises more, and supposedly last longer while doing it. My HoMedics that I bought at a local department store has been running every night flawlessly for two years now, and still manages to help relax me into a good restful nights sleep. If its more sounds, more variations that you definitely seek in a machine, than perhaps the HoMedic may come off as a little too boring for you. On the other hand, if you are more the economy minded, and find yourself loving a rainy night or the sound of breaking waves for the comfort and joy it affords you as to a nights rest, than the HoMedic will be a very smart and worthwhile investment for you.

I have taken off one star from the HoMedics 2000 for one small, but personally notable reason. This model provides no sound effect of a windy, or stormy night. That is to say, no rushing air wave, nor rain with thunder in the distance. Its themes are strictly nautical in nature. It would have been nice if they had passed on the creepy heartbeat sound and substituted a windy night, but nothing is perfect. It’s something that will probably not matter all that much to most, but to me a little disappointing. It is certainly not any reason to reject this fine and very useful machine. In addition to the 6 sound affects, the HoMedic also comes with the standard sleep timer, (which I never use, mine is on continuously all night), and a volume control that is more than adequate unless you are trying to get a nights rest too early on New Years Eve. Although some of the other reviewers here have complained about theirs breaking down after a year or so, as already noted mine is going strong after two years of every night, all night use. My experience with other machines that were higher priced is that they have faired no better over time. I suggest you don’t bother to move up to a more expensive model simply for that reason alone. Only go for a deluxe model if you really think you either would like, or need the variety of waves offered.

In conclusion, none of these machines are made super durable despite the appearance of them that sometimes suggest otherwise. The one exception to this being the Marpac at the link enclosed. It is a rushing air only model, but it is extremely durable and will last for a good number of years, even with an occasional accidental kick or toss against the wall. (I owned a Marpac for many years before this one, and have a separate review at the link as well). I highly recommend the HoMedic 2000 if you are either thinking about something to help you get a good nights rest, or are actively using one that is in need of replacing, or upgrading. Its all the sleep machine one should ever need, at a very reasonable price.. Marpac SleepMate 980A Electro-Mechanical Sound Conditioner

Rating: 4 / 5

I bought another version of this sound machine a few years back and it worked great for a while. Then it started making loud buzzing noises every once in while (when I was trying to sleep). I figured I had worn it out since I used it every night, all night, while I was sleeping. So I decided to buy another one. This one made the same loud buzzing noise the second night I used it.
Rating: 1 / 5