9 Best Sound Absorbing Materials 2022

Best Sound Absorbing Materials

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

We live in a noisy world.

Your neighbors are likely to play loud music at the time when you need your silence. Other times is your teen, who is playing his video games with all bass and speaker sound to its maximum.

Or even, in the office, you can’t concentrate with the sound of footsteps – they are annoying.

But this doesn’t mean you have to live with these noises.

With sound-absorbing materials, all noises are dealt with. If it’s footsteps, you won’t hear them.

And when you want to record something, you can even use these materials to improve sound quality.

In short, you can attain all peace that you would wish to have with sound-absorbing materials.

In this article, we will share with you 9 best sound-absorbing materials that you should consider.

Let’s Dive In.

Product name Rating Price
ATS Acoustic Panel 24x48x2 Inches, Beveled Edge, in Natural ATS Acoustic Panel 24x48x2 Inches, Beveled Edge, in Natural *
$68.95
Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies Acoustic Absorption Foam, 2" x 12" x 12", 24-Panels, Charcoal Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies Acoustic Absorption Foam, 2" x 12" x 12", 24-Panels, Charcoal * $129.00
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound - 5 Gallon Bucket Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound - 5 Gallon Bucket * $404.00 ($0.61 / fl oz)
Insulation, Wool, 0 to 1200 Degrees F Insulation, Wool, 0 to 1200 Degrees F * $53.00
Roberts 70-193A Super 360 sq 60 in. x 72 ft. x 3 mm Felt Cushion Roll for Engineered Wood and Laminate Flooring Underlayment Roberts 70-193A Super 360 sq 60 in. x 72 ft. x 3 mm Felt Cushion Roll for Engineered Wood and Laminate Flooring Underlayment * $153.89
Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-8080 Grey Square Area Rug (10' Square) Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-8080 Grey Square Area Rug (10' Square) * $364.00 ($3.64 / Sq Ft)
Sure-Max 12 Moving & Packing Blankets - Pro Economy - 80" x 72" (35 lb/dz weight) - Quilted Shipping Furniture Pads Navy Blue and Black Sure-Max 12 Moving & Packing Blankets - Pro Economy - 80" x 72" (35 lb/dz weight) - Quilted Shipping Furniture Pads Navy Blue and Black * $85.50 ($7.12 / count)
Utopia Bedding 2 Panels Blackout Curtains, W52 x L84 Inches, Navy, Thermal Insulated Window Draperies - 7 Back Loops per Panel - 2 Tie Backs Included Utopia Bedding 2 Panels Blackout Curtains, W52 x L84 Inches, Navy, Thermal Insulated Window Draperies - 7 Back Loops per Panel - 2 Tie Backs Included *
$15.45 ($7.72 / Count)
(* = affiliate link / image source: Amazon partner program)

Best Sound Absorbing Materials

1. Acoustic Foam

Best Sound Absorbing Materials

Acoustic foam is a soundproofing material that insulates and absorbs sound echoes bouncing over them. The foams work perfectly when installed on walls.

In most flat walls, sound vibrates easily. This includes surfaces such as ceiling, solid floors, and walls.

Solid walls echo sound bouncing over them.

When acoustic foams are installed over them, this is prevented. The sound hits on the acoustic foams, and it’s absorbed. As a result, you won’t hear the echoes.

Also, when vibrations are passing through the walls, they aren’t passed to the other side. This is because the acoustic foams absorb all these vibrations and prevent the sound from making noises on the other side.

How Does Acoustic Foam Work?

When sound hits on the acoustic foam, it penetrates and gets caught in small cells. The sound spins in the cell as it tries to bounce off.

During the whole process of spinning, the sound loses its significant energy. As a result, you don’t hear its effect when it bounces off the wall.

Best Acoustic Foam

In the market, you will find many acoustic foam brands. Not all brands are worth the try. Some don’t deliver what they promise.

Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies Acoustic absorption foam is the best you will find in the market. If you doubt it check the reviews and comments that other customers leave for this foam.

It’s the best you can find in the market. Click here to check the latest price and buy it now.

Read Also: Soundproof Wallpaper: Does Acoustic Wallpaper Really Work?

2. Acoustic Panels

Acoustic Panels

Acoustic panels are other effective sound-absorbing materials that are almost similar to acoustic foams. They are placed on ceilings or walls to eliminate echo, reduce noise, and filter vibrations entering a room.

Acoustic panels are commonly used to improve sound quality in a room. This is why they are common in music studios and other facilities that require controlled sound.

They are commonly used in church acoustics, recording studio acoustics, listening rooms, and restaurant acoustic.

Their goal is to reduce sound interference and not block sound in totality.

Best Acoustic Panels

ATS Acoustic Panel is the best option you will find in the market. It gives a clear and enjoyable sound by reducing the effects of reverbs and echo. It absorbs and softens sound for a better listening and recording experience.

Its quality is superior and would give a lasting experience.

The acoustic panel is available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon now.

3. Acoustic Curtains

What to Consider Before Buying Room Divider Curtains

Acoustic curtains are commonly known as soundproofing curtains. They are mostly used in reducing noises passing through major air gaps and opening. This includes the doors and windows.

Acoustic curtains differ from the other curtains by the material, thickness, and quality. They have a thicker with a dense texture.

Most of the acoustic curtains use heavyweight and high-quality fabric combined with other materials such as mass loaded vinyl.

When placed in a room, acoustic curtains reduce the echo by absorbing the sound bouncing over them. They also block the sound coming from outside through the window. If you don’t want the sound to leave the room, it’s dampened by the curtains.

They are a perfect option for home soundproofing.

Best Acoustic Curtains

Utopia Bedding 2 Panels Blackout Curtains are the best acoustic curtains you will find in the market. They are strong enough to deal with noise passing through your door or window.

Apart from soundproofing, they act as perfect curtain panels. They also insulate heat.

In short, this is a curtain that will give you more than you would be looking for – window blinding, soundproofing, and heat insulation.

Utopia Bedding 2 panels are available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it now.  

Read Also: 5 Best Blackout Curtains for Home Theaters & Living Room: Buying Guide

4. Soundproofing Blankets

soundproofing blankets

Soundproofing blankets are also used for moving purposes due to their heavy material texture. When it comes to sound absorption, they work almost the same as the acoustic curtain.

Only that soundproofing blankets are heavy than curtains and they give a better soundproofing effect.

Most of the soundproofing blankets come with grommets for hanging them on windows or doors just like you would do with the normal curtain.

However, soundproofing blankets are not limited to the doors and windows. They can as well fixed over the wall or ceiling surfaces. All you need to do is pin them or find a suitable way to install them.

Soundproofing material fabric absorbs and reduces the impact of the noise bouncing over them.

Best Soundproofing Blankets

Sure-Max 12 Moving & Packing blankets are the best option. The blanket comes with a heavy fabric and a thick padded virgin cotton with polyester binding.

The material density makes it perfect for sound absorption.

Sure-Max blankets are available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon now.

You can check the alternative product

Read Also: How to Soundproof a Room with Blankets: 9 Best Ways!

5. Floor Underlayment

Floor Underlayment

Floor underlayment is a sound-absorbing thin material installed between the floor covering and its subfloor.

The floor underlayment absorbs sound vibration and impact noises that could be passing through the floor. With a floor underlayment, you rarely hear the clacking sound of people walking on the floor.

Floor underlayment is perfect for use in places such as offices, churches, or any other place that requires silence, and there is a constant flow of people.

Best Floor Underlayment

Roberts Super Felt is the best floor underlayment you will find in the market. It’s made for reducing noises from hardwood floors.

It’s perfect sound-absorbing material for floors with engineered wood, hardwoods, and laminates.

So, if you are looking for sound-absorbing material for your floor, look no further. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon now.  

6. Soundproofing Compound

Soundproofing Compound

Soundproofing compounds are materials that work when combined with other techniques. Mostly, the soundproofing compounds are applied on surfaces or between layers for them to work.

Soundproofing compounds are material manufactured in the lab with a formula that deals with sound. You can use the compounds in soundproofing walls, floors, and ceilings.

Soundproofing compounds are commonly applied between two surfaces for them to give the best performance in soundproofing.

Best Soundproofing Compound

Green Glue is the best soundproofing compound you will find in the market. It’s a compound that absorbs sound vibration and converts them to heat energy before releasing them.

Green Glue is by far the most cost-effective material for absorbing vibrations caused by sound waves bouncing over the floors, walls, and ceilings.

All you need to do is buy Green Glue and apply between two surfaces.

Apart from soundproofing abilities, it also acts as an adhesive material for thickening your surfaces.

Green Glue is available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon today.

7. Carpets

Best Sound Absorbing Materials

Floors, ceilings, and walls are the parts that are affected by a sound echo. To solve, this you need to get sound absorbing materials that can work perfectly on the surfaces.

Carpets are among the best and highly effective sound-absorbing materials. All this, thanks to their heavy fabric.

When sound bounces over the carpets, it gets in the air spaces in the carpets.

The thickness of the carpets holds the sound before it bounces off or penetrates through. The air spaces keep the sound in a spinning state. When the sound is released, it comes out without its energy.

As a result, carpets work perfectly in absorbing and softening sound passing over them.

Carpets work perfectly on floors than any other surface.

If you are getting difficulties in dealing with footsteps, you can simply buy and place the carpets on the floor.

Also, if you are dealing with noises coming from the rooms above you, you can have the carpets on the floor, and it will deal with the noise. It will absorb the noise coming through the ceiling.

Best Carpet

Safavieh Milan Shag Collection SG180-8080 Grey Square Area Rug is the popular and best carpet you will find for absorbing sound. It’s heavyweight. With it on your surfaces, you won’t hear the impact noises that bounce over your surfaces.

The carpet is available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it from Amazon today.

8. Furniture

Furniture replacement in your house plays a significant difference in absorbing sound in your house. Upholstered furniture is the best option when you want to deal with noise in your home.

This includes furniture such as sofas and chairs made with microfiber, suede, corduroy, chenille, or other plush fabric. All these materials, do a fantastic job when it comes to dealing with sound absorption for your house.

With furniture, you can add a textured pillow to sofa and chairs to improve on the sound absorption.

For effectiveness, furniture should be placed close to the source of the noise. For instance, if the noise is coming from outside through the windows, you can place the furniture over the windows. If it’s coming through the walls, but the furniture leaning on the wall.

The furniture set up ensures that the sound is dealt with before it causes disturbance in the house.

And if you are preventing the noise from going outside, you can place the furniture in the room, producing most of the noise.

For instance, if you don’t want to hear much of radio system noises, place the furniture in the same room with your music system.

9. Mineral Wool

 Mineral Wool

Mineral wool is also known as rigid panels or Rockwool is another perfect option for absorbing sound in your room.

Mineral wool can be placed on the walls or floors to protect you from excess noises coming to the room. With it, you will deal with low frequency and high-frequency sound causing a disturbance in your house.

Mineral wool is a natural material resistant to water and fire. This makes it a perfect option for dealing with noise in a room that is prone to fire accidents.

Best Mineral Wool

Insulation Wool is the best for sound absorption. This is a material that won’t only act as sound absorption material but also as heat insulation material.

It’s available on Amazon. Click here to check the latest price and buy it now.

Parting Shot

In the market, you will find all manner of sound absorption material. Most of them are effective in dealing with noise.

However, to get the best from a sound-absorbing material, you need to understand the nature of the sound you are dealing with. Some materials are effective with low-frequency sound and can’t be used on high-frequency sound. The vice versa is also true.

Again, after settling on any soundproofing material, look for the best brands in the market. Look for the specific materials that will give you a performance that you are looking for.

In this article, we have shared with you the best brand that you should consider under every sound-absorbing material. Without any doubt, all these brands will give you a great performance.

So, what next?

Choose soundproofing material that will give you great performance and pick our recommendation. Click on them to check the latest price and buy them from Amazon.

Scroll to Top