Whether you're trying to fall asleep or simply find your Zen, ambient sounds — such as those of a waterfall, crackling fireplace, or simple white noise — can help you calm your mind. There are hundreds of Alexa noise skills that you can play through your Amazon Echo or Alexa-enabled device to ease your stress or block out the world. We've sorted through dozens of the top-rated options and listed the best Alexa ambient sounds we've used below.
- The best Alexa skills
- How to use Alexa: The best tips and tricks to use now
- Check out the best Alexa compatible devices
What are the best Alexa ambient skills?
The best ambient skills for Alexa are realistic enough to replace separate white noise machines or become an addition to your daily meditation routine. These high-quality recordings help you escape from the confines of your four walls with some nature sounds or help you imagine you’re sitting on the beach. Don’t like white noise? Maybe green or pink noise is more your style.
You can set the length that the skill will play for, whether you want a 15-minute break or to be washed in sound for hours and hours.
To start an ambient skill you just need to know the right words to say to your Alexa-enabled device. Read on to find out what to say to start the soothing sounds.
Whatever sound chills you out, odds are there’s an Alexa skill that can produce that aural atmosphere.
The best Alexa ambient skills to try today
Rain Sounds
This Rain Sounds skill plays the pitter-patter of a light rain shower for 1 hour. Tell Alexa to loop this skill to keep it going indefinitely.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Rain Sounds."
"Alexa, start Rain Sounds."
"Alexa, ask Rain Sounds to loop."
Thunderstorm sounds
If you're looking for something more intense, call up the Thunderstorm Sounds skill, which has a heavier downpour, as well as thunder and lightning. This skill will loop automatically, so you have to tell Alexa to play it for a certain amount of time. For example, say, "Alexa, set a sleep timer for 1 hour." If you're looking for something quieter, there's a Distant Thunderstorm skill as well.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Thunderstorm Sounds."
"Alexa, start Thunderstorm Sounds."
"Alexa, play Thunderstorm Sounds."
"Alexa, open Distant Thunderstorm."
Babbling Brook
Keeping with the water theme, the Babbling Brook skill plays the sounds of a running stream flowing over rocks.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Babbling Brook."
"Alexa, start Babbling Brook."
"Alexa, ask Babbling Brook to loop."
Beach Sounds
Imagine yourself sitting beside the ocean with the Beach Sounds skill, with the endless sounds of waves crashing along the shore — seagulls, sand and sunburn not included.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Beach Sounds."
City Sounds
Sometimes the endless hustle and bustle of a lively city can be comforting. That's especially true if you've made the move to a more suburban area. The City Sounds skill has everything you need from constant background chatter to cars honking in the distance. The only thing missing is a pretzel and a dirty water dog.
What to say:
"Alexa, open City Sounds."
White Noise
Remember the days before digital television? Relive the fuzzy signal experience with the White Noise skill. And it’s not just white noise: this skill has a bevy of background noises to choose from, including brown noise and air conditioners. It can play continuously for up to 10 hours.
What to say:
"Alexa, open White Noise."
"Alexa, start White Noise."
"Alexa, play White Noise."
Fireplace Sounds
Not all of us have an actual fireplace in our homes. This Fireplace Sounds skill replicates the crackle and pop of burning wood, without all the smoke and ash to clean up afterward.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Fireplace Sounds."
"Alexa, start Fireplace Sounds."
"Alexa, ask Fireplace Sounds to loop."
Wind Chimes
The gentle ringing of the Wind Chimes skill will be a welcome sound for those who don't have the real thing sitting outside their window.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Wind Chimes."
"Alexa, start Wind Chimes."
"Alexa, play Wind Chimes."
Rainforest Sounds
Head into the jungle with the Rainforest Sounds skill, which includes not only the drip-drip of water through the leaves but the sound of birds and other critters, too.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Rainforest Sounds."
"Alexa, start Rainforest Sounds,
"Alexa, ask Rainforest Sounds to loop."
Oscillating Fan Sounds
For some people, the whirring of an oscillating fan has a calming effect. While it won't cool you down, this Oscillating Fan Sounds skill will help you relax.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Oscillating Fan Sounds."
"Alexa, start Oscillating Fan Sounds."
"Alexa, tell Oscillating Fan Sounds to loop."
Space Deck
Ever wonder what the bridge of the Enterprise sounds like without anyone around? The Space Deck skill replicates the ambient sounds heard inside a starship.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Space Deck."”
"Alexa, start Space Deck."
"Alexa, ask Space Deck to loop."
Comfort My Dog
Dogs need to chill out, too. The Comfort My Dog skill plays ambient music meant to soothe the canine soul. Cat lovers, don't worry: There's also a skill to relax your kitty.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Relax My Dog."
"Alexa, open Relax My Cat."
Japanese Garden Sounds
The Japanese Garden Sounds skill features a running stream and the music of Japanese instruments. Talk about getting your Zen on.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Japanese Garden Sounds."
Sleep and Relaxation Sounds
The Sleep and Relaxation Sounds skill is a catchall skill has dozens of ambient sounds. Simply say, "List Sounds," and you'll hear a list of all of them.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Sleep Sounds."
"Alexa, list sounds."
"Alexa, play random."
"Alexa, ask Sleep Sounds to play thunderstorm."
"Alexa, ask Sleep Sounds to play rain."
Spa Music
While this Spa Music skill can't give you a deep tissue massage and cucumber acai peel, you can at least use Alexa to recreate the sounds you hear at the spa. The spa sounds will repeat on a loop until you say "Alexa, stop." Alternatively, you can set a timer for how long they'll play.
What to say:
"Alexa, play spa music."
"Alexa, start spa music."
"Alexa, open spa music."
Celtic Sounds
The Celtic Sounds skill can't physically take you to the Emerald Isle, but at least this Irish-inspired skill can transport your mind there.
What to say:
"Alexa, open Celtic Music."
