The short answer
If you are unsure, choose rain without thunder. Only five of the six rooms here are thunder-free for exactly that reason. If you love storms, try Storm Shelter with the thunder low.
Why people like thunder
Distant thunder suggests you are safe indoors while the weather does its thing, and for many people that is the cosiest feeling there is. Slow, rolling thunder also adds a gentle, low-frequency movement that makes the soundscape feel less like a constant hiss.
Why many people do not
Thunder is the one part of rain that can be sudden. Even a low roll can pull a light sleeper up out of sleep, and the effect gets worse the louder it is. If you are noise-sensitive, a child, or anyone who startles easily, skip it.
How thunder works on this site
It is real recorded thunder: nine soft, distant rolls cut from a field recording, with the sharp cracks left out. One roll plays at a random time, about every 20 to 60 seconds, and never the same one twice in a row. You control the level with its own slider, and it is off in every preset except Storm Shelter. If a rumble wakes you, set the slider to zero and keep the rain.
Pets and kids
Dogs, cats and children can be sensitive to thunder. When in doubt, choose a thunder-free room, keep the sound low and place it away from the bed.
Questions
Is rain good for sleeping?
For many people, yes. Steady rain is a broadband sound with no message in it, so it makes sudden noises (a door, a car) stand out less. Research on rain for sleep is thin, so treat it as a comfort that works for some people, not as a treatment. If you struggle to sleep for weeks, talk to a clinician.
Should I leave rain sounds on all night?
If you mostly have trouble falling asleep, use the sleep timer (30 to 60 minutes) so everything fades out. If noise wakes you through the night, the 8 hour mix or a long timer makes sense. Keep the level low either way.
Is this real rain or a recording?
It is real recorded rain: field recordings of rain, a window, a roof, leaves, wind, a train cabin and distant thunder, mixed live in your browser. The loops are cut and crossfaded so you do not hear a seam, and the thunder rolls arrive at random times. The music is original lofi by Purrple Cat.
Does the music play with the rain?
Yes. “Play rain + lofi” starts a playlist and its matching rain preset together, and you can balance the music and each rain layer separately in the mixer. You can also play the music only or the rain only.
Try it: the rain mixer · Deep Sleep Drizzle · 1 hour mix
