White Noise / Sound Machines > Marpac 580A Sound Screen / SleepMate Reviews
Marpac 580A Sound Screen / SleepMate → Review Based on Data From Over 1,600 Actual Consumer Experiences
Last updated April 7, 2011
What You Need To Know
91% of Marpac 580A owners included in our sound / white noise machine research are satisfied with the product.
Pros
Generally effective in masking unwanted noise; reliable and durable; produces true white noise; a proven product with a history going back decades.
Cons
Limited volume or tone control; no timer; not loud enough for some owners, too loud for others.
The Competition
The Marpac 580A's primary competition is the Marpac 980A and the MarsonaTSC-330.
See how the Marpac 580A stacks up to all of the competition in the detailed comparison grid that is based on actual owner / consumer data.
About Our Research
Our Marpac 580A research findings are based on at least 1,600 actual owner / consumer reviews gathered from diverse and credible sources including online message boards, product review websites and product review sections on retailers' websites.
Marpac / Sleep Mate 580a Ratings
Sample size: at least 1,200 owner reviews
| Owner satisfaction | good | The Marpac 580A has 91% satisfaction. This puts it at the top compared to other sound / white noise machines included in our study. |
| Price | Good | $40-$45 is the price charged by most sellers, including Amazon .
This price is somewhat lower than average compared to sound / white noise machines as a group. |
| Value | Good | Given the reasonable price and high owner satisfaction, the 580A is generally regarded as well worth the money. |
| Reliability | Good | Few problems are reported. Some owners report having used their Marpac on a daily basis for decades with no reliability issues. |
| Sound quality | Good | The Marpac 580A is a genuine white noise machine in that it creates white noise through the use of rushing air, as opposed to providing an electronic recording. Reviews show that owners often appreciate the authenticity and quality of the sound. |
| Loops not noticeable | good | There's no loop that repeats as is the case with sound / white noise products that produce recorded noises. |
| Volume potential | Good | Unlike the Marpac 980A which has two speeds, the 580A has only one. This limits its volume range somewhat. Most reviewers are pleased with the volume produced, but some would like more or less volume. |
| Variety of sounds | Poor | Compared to most other sound / white noise products, the Marpac has limited variety of noise. The tone of the sound can be somewhat altered, however, by adjusting the housing. |
| Plays nature sounds | Poor | The Marpac 580A is strictly a white noise machine. It cannot produce nature sounds. |
| Plays white noise | good | The 580A makes a consistent, smooth sound of rushing air. |
| Travel friendly | Fair | The machine cannot run on batteries, but many reviews indicate that owners use it when traveling given its somewhat compact dimensions and reasonable weight (1.5 pounds). |
| Timer | Poor | The Marpac 580A features no timer. |
| No excessive brightness |
good | The machine has no lights that can brighten a dark bedroom and interfere with sleep. |