The Lectrofan, now called the Lectrofan Classic, (left in the photo) has been my go-to white noise machine for quite a while. It sits next to my bed and I use it most nights.
The Classic sounds good, gets loud, and has a large selection of different pitched white noises and fan sounds. It can be powered via mains and USB (I use it with a USB battery when traveling).
The only thing it lacks is a 3.5 mm headphone jack for those times when I want to listen via headphones.
Recently, the manufacturer came out with the new Lectrofan EVO: EVO for evolution.
It has the same specs as the Classic and it has the headphone jack. It also features two additional ocean surf sounds.
On the photos, it also looked a bit sleeker.
So I ordered myself a Lectrofan EVO to upgrade, planning to use my Classic in the living room.
After putting the Lectrofan EVO through some good testing, here are the (unexpected) results
Sound quality
The Lectrofan Classic sounds better than the Lectrofan EVO: it sounds richer and more natural, it fills a room more easily, and it gets louder (85 decibels vs 79 decibels).
Operation
The Classic is also easier to operate at night. Its three “rocking” buttons are clearly separated from each other and there is no mistaking one button for the other.
It is classic and it works.
With the EVO, all buttons are close to each other and they feel pretty much the same. Sometimes I accidentally press the white noise or the fan selection button when I want to adjust the volume.
Noise masking and frequency range
I often use white noise at night to mask disturbing noises that would otherwise wake me up.
Consequently, I have compared the Classic and the EVO for this purpose: both work well against chatter, barking dogs, and traffic noise.
But the Lectrofan Classic has a slight edge.
Most of its white noises exhibit a larger frequency range, and this helps to better mask higher-pitched sounds, such as the squealing and screeching parts of traffic noise or construction noise.
With most noises, the difference in performance is small, but it is nice to have the extra flexibility.
With the Lectrofan EVO, the manufacturer Adaptive Sound Technologies (ASTI) appears to have made a design decision which I think is somewhat unfortunate:
Virtually all white noise selections have the higher frequencies rolled off. To me it feels a bit as if something was missing.
As a result, most of the lower-pitched white noises on the EVO sound more like fan sounds than broadband noise.
I speculate they took that decision to remove hiss that comes with some of the higher-pitched white noises on the Lectrofan Classic.
But, the lower pitched noises on the Classic don’t have noticeable hiss either.
So people who don’t like the higher pitched sounds can just choose a lower-pitched one.
What’s more, I often use the Lectrofan together with earplugs.
Most types of earplugs don’t reduce all frequencies evenly; in fact, many earplugs attenuate higher frequencies more than lower ones.
To boost the noise blocking performance of foam earplugs, white noise with a large frequency range is very helpful.
The Lectrofan Classic has this.
So whether with or without earplugs, the Lectrofan Classic sounds better than the EVO and offers more flexibility for masking sounds that keep me from sleeping.
Maximum volume
Both white noise machines can be set pretty loud. The EVO, depending on the pitch, achieves a maximum volume of 67 to 79 dBA. The Classic can be set even louder, achieving 69 dBA to 85 dBA.
With lower pitched sounds, both are equally loud, but starting from white noise #4 (out of 10) the Lectrofan Classic gets significantly louder.
Recommendation
Finally, in my opinion, the heptagon-shaped Lectrofan Classic with its clearly defined edges also looks prettier than the EVO.
If you are getting the Lectrofan primarily for its fan sounds, then either machine is a good choice.
I will keep the Lectrofan EVO, but the Classic stays right where it is: on my nightstand.
It’s the EVO that goes to the other room.
I could stop here, but read on for more details to help you decide and tips on how to use either machine battery-powered.
White Noise Comparison Lectrofan EVO vs Classic
Both the Lectrofan Classic and the EVO each offer 10 different “white noises,” ranging from low-pitched brown noise over amber and pink to high-pitched “pure white.”
These sounds are electronically generated and hence don’t exhibit any repetition or loops.
While carrying the same name, the white noises sound quite different on the Classic and the EVO.
Here are short recorded samples of white noises 1, 3, 5, and 7 for the Lectrofan Classic:
8 thoughts on “Lectrofan EVO vs Classic: White Noise Machine Evolution?”
Appreciate the long form review of both models. I just got the classic and didn’t understand why the evo is more expensive. Seems like it’s because it’s a newer model. Thanks.
thank you for your feedback.
For a quite a while, the Classic and EVO were going for about the same price.
Perhaps the manufacturer was at some point thinking the EVO could replace the original Lectrofan (now called Classic), but I am glad they kept it going.
I would start with white noise #6. You can also go higher if necessary, but I find white noise #6 a good compromise that still sounds good.
Take a look at the following post looking specifically into this topic: How to block dog barking noise.
Appreciate the long form review of both models. I just got the classic and didn’t understand why the evo is more expensive. Seems like it’s because it’s a newer model. Thanks.
Hello Ahmad,
thank you for your feedback.
For a quite a while, the Classic and EVO were going for about the same price.
Perhaps the manufacturer was at some point thinking the EVO could replace the original Lectrofan (now called Classic), but I am glad they kept it going.
All the best.
Muchísimas gracias por tu revisión!!
Me has ayudado muchísimo a decidirme por el clasic. Y me ahorro 20€!!
Un cordial saludo!
Google Translate:
Thank you very much for your review !!
You have helped me a lot to decide for the classic. And I save € 20 !!
A cordial greeting!
Hello Carlos,
thank you for your feedback.
I am glad the post has helped you with your decision.
All the best.
Which setting on the classic would you use for loud higher pitch dog barking?
Hello Tony,
I would start with white noise #6. You can also go higher if necessary, but I find white noise #6 a good compromise that still sounds good.
Take a look at the following post looking specifically into this topic: How to block dog barking noise.
All the best.
Hi
I was searching for many hours the frequencies of all these white noise machines on google and i finally find the answer here, again.
best site
Hi Thomas,
thank you for the encouraging feedback.
As to the frequency range of white noise machines, you might also find the following article helpful:
Why Most White Noise Machines Don’t Block Low-Frequency Noise
All the best.