Top 28 Best Soundproofing Materials Reviewed [2023]

Here are the best soundproofing materials and resources for a WIDE range of soundproofing needs.

We’ve spent hours researching soundproofing materials so you don’t have to, and we’ve created this list of materials based on our research.

These materials can be used for several purposes from soundproofing a room to building a soundproof box.

What materials are best for soundproofing?

Identifying the best soundproofing materials can be a tough task.  

Quite a lot of products are now being marketed as soundproofing materials.

However, not all of these products will help you to have a successful soundproofing project. 

We have compiled a list of the best soundproofing materials you can get your hands on. 

Do note that this is not an exhaustive list but one with just a few soundproofing materials that are guaranteed to set you up for success. 

Here is a list of the best soundproofing materials:

1. Soundproofing foam
2. Soundproofing Blankets
3. Sound Absorbing Panels
4. Resilient channels
5. Acoustic caulk and sealants
6. Soundproof room divider curtains
7. Acoustic Partitions
8. Soundproofing insulation
9. Egg cartons
10. Soundproof drywall 
11. Soundproof paint 
12. Soundproof Wallpaper 
13. Soundproof Curtains
14. Weatherstripping
15. Door Seals and Sweeps 
16. Mass loaded vinyl
17. Soundproof Floor Underlayment
18. Carpets and rugs
19. Anti Vibration floor mats
20. Microphone shield
21. Bass Traps
22. Car Sound Deadener
23. Sound Insulation Rolls for vehicles
24. Vehicle Sound Deadening Spray

Best materials for soundproofing a room and walls

The best soundproofing option for walls and rooms without spending a huge amount of money is just to add mass to the walls, in the form of foam panels and blankets.

This is by far the cheapest and fastest way of soundproofing a room, and anyone can do it!

In general, there are a few types of soundproofing materials you can choose from for example:

• Foam panel type products (listed below) these are sometimes adhesive large foam panels you attach to surfaces
• Sound insulation bats: Wooden or sometimes plastic batons of material you can put in corners of rooms
• Architectural soundproofing materials: This includes things that are done to change the structure or makeup of the house or room, like changing the walls or adding insulation inside the walls themselves (These materials are almost always more expensive)
• Acoustic coatings and sprays: These are the more modern soundproofing solutions and are essentially spray on coats of rubber usually, and can be a very effective cheap soundproofing solution for a lot of rooms

Here are the best soundproofing materials in no particular order.

You can also find links for places you can buy these things as well. 

If you’re looking for something else, you might find our list of the best sound DEADENING materials more useful.

It explains the difference between the two. 

Soundproofing foam

Soundproofing foam or acoustic foam is one of the most popular items used for soundproofing walls. 

These foam panels not only block out some level of sound but also improve the sound quality in a room.

Most of these panels are made from polyurethane.

Polyurethane is one of the best materials out there to reduce background noise and acoustic interference

Soundproofing foam or acoustic foam usually comes in various sizes, shapes, patterns and designs.

It is believed that the patterns on these foam panels can make a big difference depending on your soundproofing needs.

Some of the most common patterns are pyramids, wedges, mazes, waves, egg cartons, etc.

For easy installation, read this guide on how to hang acoustic foam without damaging walls.

Soundproofing Blankets

Another type of product that can be used for soundproofing is soundproofing blankets. 

Before soundproofing blankets, there were moving and packing blankets. 

These products are similar in how they tackle sound.

Moving blankets have been used for many years for soundproofing. 

This is because these products are thick, dense and heavy which makes it hard for sound waves to pass.

One of the biggest differences between moving blankets and soundproofing ones is that soundproofing blankets may come with grommets along the edges. 

It all comes down to personal preference so you could either choose a moving blanket or a soundproofing blanket for your soundproofing project. 

Sound Absorbing Panels

Some people don’t like the LOOK of the spiked and pointed foam panels we listed above. The reason the foam panels above are spiked is to better absorb the sound because the sound gets ‘trapped’ in between the foam wedges (They’re not just spiked for no reason).

Sound absorbing panels are almost as effective. A sound-absorbing panel that’s flat will still absorb WAY more sound than no foam panel at all!

Resilient channels

Resilient channels are used to decouple your drywall from the internal structures of buildings. 

They improve the soundproofing abilities of walls and ceilings.

If you want to add them to existing walls, you’ll need to strip the drywall and replace it with a new one.

The best time to use them is if you haven’t put up your finishing layer of drywall on your walls or ceilings.

After you add your soundproof insulation in the wooden grid inside your walls, you’ll need to screw the channels into the studs.

Usually, you screw them to the studs perpendicular to their direction but if you’re installing them on walls, then you’ll need to place them horizontally.

This way when you install your drywall, the screws will pass through the channels instead of the studs.

Installing resilient channels can be a bit tricky so if you’re aren’t sure about doing it yourself, hire a professional.

Acoustic caulk and sealants

Acoustic caulk can be used for sound dampening while sealants can be used when adding the finishing touches to your wall.

Acoustic caulk can also be used between layers of drywall or plywood to increase their STC ratings.

Acoustic caulk and sealants can both seal off or plug the space where air can pass through.

If air can pass so can sounds.

They can also be used for sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows.

Check out more in the best acoustic caulk review guide.

Soundproof room divider curtains

If you have an open-plan house, then soundproof room divider curtains are a great solution.

It can be useful if your bedroom isn’t separated by a wall from other areas of the house.

These room divider curtains come in all different styles and sizes with grommets along the top edge.

You would need to set up a ceiling rod to install them.

Read more about soundproof room divider curtains in this best soundproof room divider curtains.

Acoustic Partitions

If you’re looking to soundproof an office, acoustic partitions are your best bet.

These panels are the best option for separating cubicles or creating new spaces in open-plan offices.

Acoustic partitions are much like room divider curtains but are more suited for a professional setting.

Soundproofing insulation

The most successful soundproofing projects start from within.

During construction, you should include some type of insulation inside the wall and ceilings.

While the primary purpose of insulation is to prevent air from seeping through surfaces, it also helps with soundproofing.

Insulation also adds mass and absorbing properties to your walls.

Egg cartons

You can use egg cartons but they won’t be as effective as the other items in this guide.

However, if it is the only thing you have on hand, it’s better than nothing as it can dampen the sound in the room.

The egg carton myth started because of the shape and appearance of egg cartons.

They look similar to some acoustic foam.

The egg carton shape enhances the sound deadening properties in acoustic foams. 

Soundproof drywall or fake wall – Best for creating fake walls

Adding drywall on top of an existing wall can be very effective in your soundproofing process.

There are five types of drywall according to their purpose.

Regular Drywall

This type of drywall is the cheapest you can find. 

However, it is not the best when it comes to soundproofing.

If you do choose to use this, stuff the inner layer between the existing wall and drywall with some soundproofing insulation and place acoustic panels on the outside of the drywall.

Mold resistant drywall

If you’re soundproofing a room with lots of steam like your kitchen, this type of drywall is best.

Moisture resistant drywall

As the name suggests, moisture-resistant drywall is best for rooms where water can come into contact with the drywall.

The bathroom is a great place to use these.

Fire-resistant drywall

This type of drywall will not prevent a fire but it can buy you a bit of time in the event of one.

It is the best choice to use in garages and stairwells.

Soundproof drywalls

Soundproof drywall has a higher transmission class than the other types. 

However, its effectiveness depends on the soundproofing methods you implement before installing it.

This type of drywall comes in several thicknesses and thicker is always better.

Soundproof paint 

There’s quite a bit of doubt when it comes to soundproof wallpaper and paint.

Some believe that soundproof paint can improve the amount of noise in a room.

However, the results aren’t promising.

You can use soundproof paint to create a soundproof barrier before adding acoustic panels and others soundproofing products to your wall.

The reason why some people believe soundproof paint works is because it contains latex.

Rubber products are often the go-to for soundproofing around the house.

Latex, like acoustic caulk, settles into tiny cracks and gaps in the wall and maybe that’s why there is a slight reduction in sound transmission.

Soundproof Wallpaper 

Soundproof wallpaper like soundproof paint has some effect but not very much.

However, people still use them since they do have some soundproofing properties.

These products are usually made from closed cell polyethylene foam which has some sound-absorbing properties.

Soundproof wallpaper is essentially very thin acoustic panels.

While they may not absorb sound as well as acoustic panels, they get extra points for style since they come in various decorative designs.

Read this how to soundproof a room and how to soundproof a wall post.

Best materials for soundproofing windows and doors

A HUGE amount of sound escapes rooms through the doors and windows, and they’re often the ‘low hanging fruit’ when trying to soundproof a space because so much can be done to them!

You can get a coat rack on the back or a door sweep and panels for the surfaces of the door!

Soundproof Curtains

Soundproof curtains are thicker, denser and heavier than your normal curtains.

Many of them use triple weave technology which means they use three layers of woven materials on top of each other.

The middle layer may consist of high-density yarn or other material which is highly effective for blocking and absorbing sounds.

Soundproof curtains also have light-blocking properties so they work great as blackout curtains as well.

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping can be used around doors and windows to seal any gaps around the perimeter of your door or window frame. 

It is made from various materials and comes in different shapes and sizes.

They all feature a peel-off layer in the back which makes installation easier.

Not only do they seal gaps to stop sound from passing through, but they also help with temperature control.

Door Seals and Sweeps 

Door seals and sweeps work hand in hand with weatherstripping tape.

While weatherstripping tape is great for sealing gaps around the perimeter of the door and door frame, door seals and sweeps seal the big gap under most doors.

Best materials for soundproofing floors

Sound dampening materials are things that aim to just add mass usually to the floor to make the sound bounce off and reflect back into the room.

This gives the dampening effect that reduces the amount of sound that escapes and enters the room.

The most common types of dampening materials are mats, sprays (usually rubber) and rolls of material.

Mass loaded vinyl

Mass loaded vinyl or MLV is great for adding mass to your walls, ceiling and floors.

It is fairly thin and flexible so it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk wherever you use it.

MLV’s primary purpose is to add mass to block out sounds completely.

It is very effective and one of the best products you can use if you hope to achieve the best soundproofing effects.

Soundproof Floor Underlayment

Underlayments are like sound dampening materials that aim to add mass to floors to make the sound bounce off and reflect into the room.

This gives the dampening effect that reduces the amount of sound that escapes and enters the room.

Carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs much like moving blankets work by adding mass and density, therefore reducing the sound by absorbing some of it. 

The more soft surfaces in a room you have, the less sound escapes or enters the room.

Anti Vibration floor mats

The mats are the perfect choice if you’re trying to minimize the sound coming from an appliance in the home.

They are usually made from foam or rubber and can be easily placed under washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

They reduce the number of vibrations that appliances can pass along the floor.

Some may be flat while others are shaped like small cups that act like slippers for the metal feet on your washing machine.

Learn more about washing machine anti vibration pads by clicking the link.

Best soundproofing materials for podcasters and music producers

Podcasters have specific needs, and the chances are if you’re trying to get better sound for podcasting, you’ve looked into soundproofing your studio.

In this instance, you need to understand Hertz and decibels to get the best results.

Read more here in our what are hertz and what are decibels posts.

The good news is that you don’t always NEED to soundproof the whole podcasting room.

You can actually get great results just by getting a good mic, one of the best quiet keyboards, a silent mouse and then soundproofing or protecting the mic itself with these materials:

Microphone Shield

Best materials for soundproofing cars and RVs

There aren’t many options for soundproofing a car or an RV, but we’ll make sure to update this list as we find them.

Cars are tricky because there are LOTS of places sound could escape like all the vents, windows, ceiling, floors and panels etc.

The only real (easy) solution is to insulate the car panels which are typically quite thin and just made of solid metal.

Sound Deadener

Car sound deadeners allow you to enjoy the road.

They reduce the amount of noise and vibrations you hear while driving.

Sound Insulation Rolls for vehicles

These rolls help to quiet road noises as well.

However, they are better for insulation than sound deadeners and help with heat rejection.

Vehicle Sound Deadening Spray

Sound deadening sprays are great for reducing unwanted road noise and killing vibrations in the hard-to-reach places of your vehicle.

These include trunk interiors, fender wells, undercarriage, body panels, rear quarters, inside door panels and others.

All you do is spray it and wait for it to dry. 

What is a soundproofing material?

If you’re wondering what soundproofing materials are, here are some basics.  

In this section, we’ll talk about what soundproofing materials are, how they work and how effective they can be. 

First off, you need to understand sounds before you can understand how soundproofing materials work. 

Sound is a type of energy and energy is a result of things vibrating. 

Once created, that energy has to go somewhere. 

In the case of sounds, the energy travels away from its source and makes objects and the air around us vibrate. 

The energy then reaches our ears making our eardrums vibrate and we can hear the sound. 

In other words, a sound starts at its source, travels through several different media then reaches our ears. 

If you want to soundproof a room or wall, etc, you will need to stop the sound somewhere along its journey. 

Interrupting the chain of events from the time a sound is created to when you hear it can significantly impact the level of sound that reaches your ear. 

Soundproofing is the process of reducing sound pressure from the sound source to the receptor. 

This is where soundproofing materials come in. 

Soundproofing materials make soundproofing possible. 

Several construction materials are believed to have noise reduction characteristics. 

However, you need to pick the right materials for your soundproofing project. 

Every soundproofing project is different and you’ll need to choose materials based on different transmission modes and noise frequencies. 

Another factor you need to take into consideration when choosing soundproofing materials is where you are going to be placing them. 

Let’s take a look at some properties of soundproofing materials that can help you decide which one is right for your project.

Sound absorbing material vs soundproofing material

There is a bit of confusion when it comes to soundproofing and soundproofing materials.

One of the most common misconceptions is that sound absorption is the same as soundproofing.

Unfortunately, that is not exactly true as sound absorption is one of the many elements of soundproofing.

The difference between sound-absorbing material and soundproofing material Is simple.

Sound absorbing material is used to improve the acoustics of a room while soundproofing material prevents sound from going in or out. 

Sound absorbing materials help to reduce reverberations and the echoing of sounds already present in the room.

They cannot stop a sound from entering or leaving so they may not be the best for soundproofing on their own. 

However, you can use both soundproofing and sound-absorbing materials if you want complete sound isolation. 

Principles of soundproofing

Soundproofing may sound complicated and that is because there is a lot of misinformation that can create confusion. 

There are just four soundproofing principles when you consider the physics of sound transmission. 

These principles along with the techniques and materials used for soundproofing are more than enough to make sure your project is a success. 

The four basic principles of soundproofing are: 

Mass 

Any material that is solid, heavy and thick will block sound. 

Some people are annoyed by airborne sounds like voices. 

If you are one of those people then you will find that this approach is the most effective. 

You can use furniture to add mass to the walls if you’re not ready to purchase any soundproofing product. 

This way you can test out how adding mass to the walls can help to block sounds. 

If convinced, you can then try to Mass Loaded Vinyl under or over your drywall. 

Do keep in mind that adding mass isn’t effective if you’re dealing with impact noises. 

Damping 

Damping sounds can be achieved with damping compounds. 

These damping compounds have a unique property that allows them to convert sound energy into heat. 

This stops the sound in its tracks and makes it disappear. 

Green Glue is a perfect example of a dampener. 

Silicone caulk and even some automotive soundproofing materials have similar properties. 

For best results, the damping compound needs to be applied between two stiff panels like drywall or plywood which needs to be screwed together. 

This is done so that when a sound hits your panels and damping material system, it triggers shearing forces between the rigid panels and creates friction in the damping layer. 

This chain of events converts sound energy to heat thereby eliminating the sound. 

Damping is the best method if you’re dealing with low-frequency noise. 

Decoupling 

Decoupling is the most effective method if you find that sounds are being transmitted through the structure of a building.

 Introducing gaps in certain parts of the structure make interrupting sound vibrations so much easier. 

The coupling is best done during the construction phase. It is possible to do it after but it is a far more complicated scenario because you will have to remove existing walls, floors or ceilings. 

Resilient channels are best for decoupling your drywall from the structure of the building. 

Resilient channels are effective at dealing with low frequency and impact noise. 

This is because sounds will vibrate uselessly against the channels instead of passing through the walls. 

Decoupling is highly effective but it requires planning and professional installation. 

If you are going to have it done be sure to take your time and hire someone who knows what they’re doing. 

Decoupling done right is great but having it done poorly can worsen low-frequency noise. 

Absorption 

The last soundproofing principle is absorption. 

Absorption does play a role in soundproofing but it isn’t as effective as the other soundproofing principles. 

While ineffective on its own, combining it with the other soundproofing principles will give you the best results for your soundproofing project.  

You may be already familiar with some of the most absorbent soundproofing materials like acoustic foam. 

acoustic foam comes in various sizes, shapes and colors. 

They are best used to improve the audio quality inside of a room rather than blocking sound. 

Just like acoustic foam, soft pieces of furniture can also work for sound absorption. 

The four principles of soundproofing work independently but they complement each other well. 

If you apply one of these soundproofing principles for your soundproofing project and are still not satisfied with the noise reduction, try applying another. 

Combining one or more of these soundproofing principles will give you the best results possible.