June 22, 2026 · 8 sound machines tested
Gold Tested
Open offices are loud. We tested 8 desktop sound machines for masking speech without disturbing coworkers. The right spectrum masks conversation at three desks away without the person next to you noticing.
ASTI
The LectroFan Micro2 reduced speech intelligibility by 68% at 12 feet — the most effective masking we measured. Its compact size fits behind a monitor, and it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for music
We measured speech intelligibility reduction at 8, 12, and 16 feet using the STI method. We tested at volumes that wouldn't disturb adjacent desks and evaluated Bluetooth speaker quality for non-masking use.
The LectroFan Micro2 reduced speech intelligibility by 68% at 12 feet — the most effective masking we measured. Its compact size fits behind a monitor, and it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for music during focus work.
Specifications
| Sounds | 10 sound profiles |
| Speaker | 40mm full-range |
| Battery | 6 hours |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| Size | 2 × 2 × 2" |
| Weight | 3 oz |
The Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan Micro2 earns our recommendation because it outperformed the competition in the metrics that matter most. When you consider the testing data alongside real-world usability, it delivers the best overall experience in this category.