this be not my first , nor last , sound soother . my favorite be the Sharper image travel version . with many of the same sound as the travel soother\/alarm , I find the ec-b100 produce lower quality and flatter sound . the volume be totally out of control with 0 be no sound and 1 be too loud . I have not try anything above 3 at this point . I hate read manual and do not like it when I have to resort to the manual to figure out what I believe be a very simple device . on the other hand , for a purchase under $ 50 , this be a good buy and value . some of the sound like Surf 's up , thunderstorm and rain be good on this device . its not easy to identify the pattern so those sound be nice for go to sleep . the sound do not fade - what you set be what you get , all night . you can set it to turn off but that wake I up so I only do that once . the device be very light and the design not optimal for size and weight . it tip easily when you reach to shut it off . it have a relatively narrow profile but I do not like the way it feel . all in all , I be content with the purchase and would recommend the Sharper image ec-b100 sound Soother Alarm clock .