In this post, I’ll walk you through the best soundproofing foam panels available on the market.

I’ve also included a Buying Guide to help you make an informed decision.

It is true that I preach soundproofing but before that, I’ve implemented it in my professional life.

We as human beings are always worried about the side effects of noise pollution on our mental and physical health. 

And, nothing is wrong with it, right?

But, things become ugly when we start blaming our neighbors.

I know many of you would have definitely tackled an ugly spat with your neighbors’.

There may be an instance when your next-door neighbor would be playing music at a very high bass, and you authorize yourself to blame him, but have you ever thought that vice-versa is also true?

I’ve been working as a soundproof consultant for quite some time now, and I’ve tackled the good and ugly queries of my clients.

So, I can maybe the right person to throw some light on neighbors’ making noise kind of never-ending discussion.

Most of the people who approach me are the ones who want to get rid of traffic, dog barking, neighbor loud music, and whatnot.

Unfortunately, when I ask them, “How much effort have you put to not disturb the decorum of the society?”.

Nonetheless, I’ve got less than a 3% convincing answer.

What I mean to say is, that a healthy mindset is needed to get a successful solution.

• Moreover, my focus would be to guide you in dampening the airborne noise, both internal as well as external.
• And in the process of doing so, I would love to explain, “How could acoustic foams and panels complement you?”.
• I hope we’re on the same page.
• Nonetheless, if you’ve any doubts or queries then mail us.
• I would be more than happy to help you to the best of my capabilities.
• “Soundproof an Apartment” is a very broad and relative term.
• There isn’t anything like perfection. 
• The result of any soundproof project is relative and performance-based.
• In fact, depending on your budget and requirements, you can conclude whether the end result satisfies you or not.
• To make this piece of information interesting and engaging, I’ll be sharing with you an in-depth analysis of the acoustic foams and panels from different categories.
  • P.S.- I may not be covering all the variants of these products.
• However, I’ll try to cover all the products that I recommend to my clientele.
• If you’ve done some research on soundproofing, then you’ll definitely agree with the fact that acoustic panels are one of the cheapest, yet effective ways to achieve a quiet ambiance.
• One of my clients is a well-known YouTuber, and just a couple of days back, he came to me and asked for help.
• Can you guess? I know most of you can.
• He wants to make the room quiet so that the background noise doesn’t mix with the video recording.
• I was more than happy to help him. (Not for free :))
• After a thorough discussion with him and getting a rough estimate of the amount of money he is willing to spend, I made a list of soundproofing materials that I was gonna use for the project.
• Of course, acoustic panels were at the top of the list because of their user-friendly and budget-friendly nature.
• While I’ll walk you through the entire process I will be throwing some light on “value for money” products.
• I hope you enjoyed the introduction.
• So, without any further ado, let’s begin…

What are the Acoustic Panels?

Acoustic panels are nothing but soundproofing foams made of polyester, etc.

They work on the concept of reducing the amplitude of sound waves by increasing the air resistance.

Some popular acoustical panels are made of fiberglass.

Friction acts as a catalyst and dampens the sound energy into heat energy.

Buying Checklist – Acoustic Panels for Soundproofing

• I’m gonna share with you the checklist that you need to follow when buying an acoustical panel.
• The success of a soundproofing project depends a lot on the selection of soundproofing materials.
• It may sound funny but if you don’t have a proper strategy in place, then you may end up paying more as well as buying the wrong product.
• Nonetheless, in the end, it’s your call.

Pattern on the Surface

• If you had come across acoustic panels, then definitely the pattern on the surface of the panel would have grabbed your attention.
• Pyramids and wedges are the most common acoustic foam patterns.
• Personally, I feel the pyramid patterns are more enticing.
• Nevertheless, you can also find plain acoustic panels on the market.
• It is advisable to make a note of your preferred pattern.
• It’s shocking but it’s true, the pattern on the panels doesn’t have any role to play in the performance.
• Moreover, patterns having wedges can take more of your time.
• It has been found that the dust is heavily accumulated in the wedge of patterns and therefore regular cleaning is highly recommended.

Acoustic Panel Thickness

 Pro Tip: The thicker the panel the better will be the performance. 

The panel comes in different thicknesses.

It goes without saying that the thicker panel will have higher sound-dampening capabilities.

If you’re looking for a soundproofing foam, then I would suggest you neither ignore the thickness of the panel nor compromise on the thickness.

Trust me, the importance of the word “thickness” is more than the number of times, I’ve repeated it 🙂

At the same time, you can take home an acoustic panel of any thickness that suffices your requirement in a cost-effective manner.

For example, a thicker panel may be a good choice for a home office but NOT a home studio.

Benchmark: Noise Reduction Rating (NRC)

Dimensions and Number of Panels

Depending on the brand that you bought, the number of panels per pack will differ accordingly.

Mostly the packs have 6, 12, and 24 panels and each panel can have a 1 ft square, a 2ft square, or a dimension of 2ft by 4ft.

The dimension of the individual panel is of least interest.

However, the dimensions of the panels in the pack as a whole directly impact the area that you’re planning to soundproof.

 It is a standard industry practice to take the dimensions of the rooms or walls that you want to soundproof because it gives an overall idea of the required number of panels. 

Best Place to Buy SoundProof Panels

• Have you ever tried buying acoustic foam panels in stores?
• Well, the probability of finding a high-quality soundproof panel is very rare.
• My best bet would be on an e-commerce website or an online store.
• At times, I’ve found great deals on online stores.
• So, you can also search for a good deal online.
• Personally, I recommend my clients buy products from Amazon because of great customer service and competitive prices.

Best Acoustic Panels and SoundProof Foams

• I’ll not deny the fact that I’ve tried quite a few numbers of acoustic panels before narrowing down the list to the top 4 acoustic panels.
• Alternatively, you can also try other acoustic panels available on the market if the products mentioned in this post doesn’t match your expectation.
• Just to mention, all these products have been used by my clients and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges

• A dear friend of mine asked my view on the soundproofing panel.
• I explained to him everything that I knew.
• Well, I was expecting a good response but the statement he gave was mindboggling for me.
• He said everything is good but the foams aren’t visually appealing.
• Trust me, I don’t have an answer to it.
• It’s 100 percent true that the foam panels aren’t visually appealing.
• So, you have to make up your mind before you even plan to buy one.
• Is there REALLY a need for aesthetics as long as the foam panels are serving the purpose?
• Well, no one else can answer this better than you yourself. This panel is a unique blend of aesthetic and noise dampeners.
• It will sync well with your home decor.

It comes in a pack of 12.

You can expect a high reduction in the sound waves passing through these foam panels.

I just want to make an important point here.

Unlike, other foam panels, these panels aren’t self-adhesive.

Nevertheless, there is no restriction on using adhesive.

I would recommend you, use sound insulation adhesive such as green glue to fix them on the wall.

The installation process is simple and you can perform it yourself with any professional help.

Personally, I prefer command strips to set them up.

Can you question the durability and the design of these foam panels? 

As far as I know, they are the trendsetters in the industry.

On the other hand, the review couldn’t be completed without mentioning the downside of these foam panels.

The Foamily Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedge is thinner as compared to its counterparts.

As a result, the sound-blocking capabilities decrease.

However, you can expect these foam panels to perform really well against echoes, vibrations, and reverbs.

Moreover, I would never advise you to try these foam panels for the bigger rooms.

As per my personal experience, some of my clients weren’t happy with the performance of these panels when we installed them in a bigger room.

Mybecca Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges

Mybecca has an idiosyncratic design.

• To get the best out of the design and to make it visually appealing, all you need to do is to alternate the vertical and horizontal ones.
• Personally, I love to customize the pattern by mixing different colors.
• One of the reasons to include Mybecca in my list is the price at which it comes. 
• Another quality of this panel that most of you wouldn’t be aware of is the VERSATILITY.

I can assure you, this is a “value for money” product that you’ll never regret taking home.

Even some of the high-end panels distort the sound and aren’t ideal for the studio.

However, without any second thought, you can try this panel for the home studio purpose.

The wedges on this panel play a significant role as it traps noise resulting in the reduction in echoes.

You can use them on doors, windows, walls, and ceilings.

Moreover, you can use these panels anywhere to block the noise in the vicinity.

At the comparative price, they are ideal for home offices, gaming room, home entertainment, home studios, etc.

  I’ve received great feedback for this acoustic panel, and I hope it will add value to your home as well. 

On the downside, they aren’t as durable as the high-end foam panels.

Since they are thin so you’ve to pay special attention during the entire installation process else you may end up ripping them.

In case, you’ve decided to buy these cost-effective noise dampening panels, then keep in mind that you’ll need to frequently clean them because the wedges trap dust inside them.

Don’t worry, cleaning is not of a hassle though.

You can clean the wedges in a couple of minutes.

Foamily Egg Crate Panel Acoustic Studio Foam

• Though Foamily acoustic foam comes in a variety of patterns the most common patterns are pyramid and wedge.
• The unique egg crate design is very useful in reflecting the sound waves, and thus negating echoes caused due to parallel reflections.
• Unlike the aforementioned panels, these are great at blocking external noise because of their extra thickness (2.5 inches).
• I am a firm believer of bigger is better.
• At dimensions 4 feet by 2 feet, these panels stand tall. These foam panels are bigger than most of its competitors. In fact, you’ll require less number of panels to soundproof a wall.

 Honestly speaking, the multi-functional nature of this foam grabbed my attention. 

Other than sound dampening, these panels can also be used for lining a gun case or protecting brittle objects when you’re traveling.

Furthermore, I tried making a soundproof box around a microphone, and you know what, the end results were mindboggling.

In fact, if you’re planning to use a microphone in a recording studio, then allow me to share a secret with you.

Soundproofing a box around a microphone will give you the same result as soundproofing an entire studio.

On the downside, you may find the shape of the panel a little weird.

The panel tends NOT to be cut properly.

As a result, you may face some problem in perfectly aligning the panels during the installation process.

Auralex Acoustics Sonoflat Acoustic Absorption Foam

• The Sonoflat is well-known for the variety of colors it comes in. 
• These high-density open-celled acoustic panels are of superlative quality and high durability.
• There is a big problem with cheap panels, they crumble and compress with the passage of time.
• However, you’ll not face such a problem with Sonoflat foams.
• Though most of the panels aren’t aesthetically appealing still you can have confidence in the Sonoflat panels.
• In fact, they are cut to precision to enhance the overall look and feel.
• Are you looking for a panel that absorbs the low-frequencies?
• Well, in that case, this panel isn’t for you.
• These panels have the capability to dampen the high and mid frequencies.
• Are you aware of fire retardancy?
• The fire retardancy property basically means that the panel possessing this property will reduce the density and spread in case a fire breaks out.
• I believe in the adage, “Prevention is better than cure”, so I stretch myself in recommending panels that have fire retardancy features.
• After all, no one wants the fire to break out in their home, but at the same time, we can’t negate the possibility of such events.
• If I’ve to talk about the CONS.
• Then, these soundproofing panels are quite costly, and if you’re on a shoestring budget, then it can drain your pocket.
• So, it’s better to look for a cheaper alternative.

What are the Alternatives to Acoustic Foam Panels?

Well, this is one of the frequently asked questions.

Most of my clients want an alternative just because they aren’t happy with the look and feel of their soundproofing panels. 

As a soundproof consultant, I don’t have any option but to suffice their need.

Needless to say, the foam panel gets messed up with the aesthetic feel.

Well, the good news is that you can try Mutex Soundproofing Material. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)

These are unique soundproofing materials.

As compared to the sound-deadening foam panel, Mutex soundproofing material has a different approach towards sound dampening.

They are made of Polymute resin that is interlocked with carbon weave.

In fact, these two work together to deaden sound.

The USP of the Mutex sound-deadening material is its “thinness”.

It is just 1/4 inch thick but manages to significantly reduce the unwanted noise.

However, the Mutex sound-dampening material has certain limitations.

Since they give optimum results when you place them behind the drywall using them when the house is already constructed can be quite difficult.

The good news about the Mutex soundproofing material is that it’s a one-time investment.

It goes without saying that you don’t have to buy it again and again.

However, the same doesn’t hold true with the foam panels.

They get compressed over a period of time.

The soundproofing panels are great at deadening echoes, but the airborne noise such as vibrations from dishwashers and air conditioners will still pass through.

Mutex solves the problem by dampening the vibrations.

You can expect a superlative performance by Mutex on any kind of surface.

How to Install Soundproof Foam

The soundproof foam installation is an interesting, yet tedious task.

You need to follow the proper set of rules to get the optimum output. 

There can be numerous reasons for improper installation, so you need to be careful.

Trust me, even the best of the sound-dampening panels can’t perform well if they aren’t installed properly.

Some of my clients have been a victim of it.

I’ve seen the newbies installing the foam in the wrong way, thus, damaging the wall.

Your aim should be to install the foam on the wall with almost negligible damage.

Some of the mistakes that the newbies make are spraying adhesives, nailing, or stapling the panels to the walls.

As a result, the wall may get permanent damage and cost you deep.

So, what’s the solution?

Well, to make things simpler, I’m gonna share my tips and it’s completely DIY steps where you don’t have to pay professionals for installation.

If you follow these steps, then the installation will NOT take more than a couple of minutes.

Decide on the overall arrangement of the panels

These acoustic panels have different patterns on them, and you need to arrange these patterns in such a way that you’ll get an overall enticing design on your wall.

Most of the newbies are confused about the final picture.

In fact, they don’t know how they want the acoustic foam panels to look finally.

Confusion can lead you in the wrong direction, and there is a high probability that you’ll end up making the wrong decision.

 I would suggest you should go to the local market to buy these acoustic foam panels only after you’ve taken the measurement of the wall where you wanna install them. 

By doing so, you can negate loads of confusion, and you’ll also have a clear picture of what you want.

For marking, you can use tapes.

Mount the panels on cardboard

• I would recommend you, mount panels on the cardboard if you’re installing more than one panel.
• For a single panel, you don’t need cardboard.
• Using adhesive, you can easily mount the cardboard on the wall.
• Now, apply some adhesive at the back of the panels and mount them on the cardboard.
• In case, you are a newbie, and you don’t have an idea about the adhesive, then I would recommend you to try this spray adhesive.
• Once the adhesive is dried out, you can cut the unwanted cardboard to enhance the appearance of your room.

Attach the cardboard using command strips

The final step in the entire process would be to attach cardboard to your wall.

You can check the current price on Amazon for command strips that can help you in the installation process of the cardboard without doing any damage to the walls.

  It is highly recommended to try heavy-duty command strips in case, you’re planning to cover a huge wall with the panels. 

Needless to say, a group of panels will definitely cause some strain on small command strips.

I know you are curious about the installation process of command strips.

Well, it’s easier than you think.

You just need to remove the adhesive at the back of the strips, and then apply some pressure so that it can hold.

Place the strips on the back of the cardboard, and then install the cardboard on the wall.

  Don’t forget to apply pressure, so that it can stick well against the walls.  

I love using strips for the installation process because I can easily remove it from the cardboard, and place it anywhere as per my requirement.

You can use small and mid-size command strips if you’re placing the foam panels each on its own.

At times, it is possible that foam panels will keep coming out.

However, you don’t have to get scared of it.

Simply, keep adding the command strips until you get it right.

You can use foam panels to soundproof the ceiling as well.

To give it a shot, you need to place an adequate number of command strips on each panel to prevent it from falling.

Placing the Acoustic Foam Panels

I really love the fact that you can use acoustical foam panels for soundproofing any surface.

Whether it’s window, door, ceiling, or even floor acoustic foam panels will match your expectations.

Placement of foam panels plays a crucial role in dampening the noise.

You need to be very careful with the placement.

For example, if you want to dampen the sound coming from the television, then you need to first figure out the surface which is responsible for the bouncing of the sound. 

Once you figure out the spots, you can place the panels accordingly.

Still confused?

Allow me to explain it in a better way with a specific example.

Suppose you want to convert a regular room into a home studio, then you will need to figure out the places that can cause the sound waves to bounce back. 

At the same time, you’ll also have to figure out the area in the room that provides the passage to the outside noise.

Windows can be one such zone.

Now, that you’ve figured out the troublesome zone, simply place the acoustic panels following the aforementioned methods.

Trust me, it’s easier than you can think.

You can use these panels against the doors and windows to dampen the outside noise.

If you’ve household appliances in the room, then it may be a source of airborne noise.

In that case, you can place acoustic panels on the ceiling.

To be honest, it is really hard to strike the cord in one go.

Yes, you heard it right.

In fact, using acoustic panels for soundproofing can be a spellbinding experience.

You’ll have to try different locations before you’ll hit the cord right.

The process may sound tedious, but it can be simplified with the help of command strips.

Hope I cleared your doubt.

Acoustic Foam Panels vs. Fiberglass Insulation

Which one is better Acoustic Foam Panels or Fiberglass?

Well, most of my clients, have this query when they are starting out.

So, I thought why not answer this question?

It will help many of my readers to make a smart decision.

If you’re the one who loves doing some research before taking a final call, then I can bet that you would have definitely come across fiber insulation.

Fiberglass can ONLY work better if you’ve installed it during the construction of your apartment.

Unlike fiberglass, you can easily install foam panels after the construction on the walls at a relatively low investment.

Until you’re an experienced soundproof consultant, you’ll definitely need professional help for the successful installation of the fiberglass.

On the contrary, you can easily set up the foam panels on your own in a couple of minutes.

Can I Use Soundproof Foam Spray

• Definitely, you can use soundproof foam spray.
• However, I never recommend it.
• The reason is simple and logical too.
• You can only use foam spray during the construction process or major renovation.
• I’ve experimented with it quite a few times, and it performed optimally when I sprayed it between the floors. I hope I answered your query:)

Does Acoustic Foam Actually Block Sound

Before answering this question, I would like to know what is your thoughts on it.

I’m waiting…Any guess?

I ran an online poll on this question, and the results were mind-boggling.

A majority of the people answered with a “YES”. 

Literally, I was shocked because I never expected that so many people weren’t aware of the fact that acoustic foam doesn’t block noise.

Are you still confused?

Well, allow me to explain to you the concept with the help of an example.

In fact, it’s very important to understand the difference between sound blocking and sound absorbing.

The acoustic panels are made of fluffy and porous materials which play a crucial role in dampening the sound waves by converting these waves into energy.

I still remember, one of my clients argued with me, that the foam panels used in the home studio have the capability to block the outside noise.

You may not believe it, but it took me hours to explain the concept.

Finally, he agreed to follow the soundproofing strategy that I recommended to him.

CONFUSED?

Allow me to explain to you the concept that soundproofing professionals use to dampen the noise in the home studio.

A recording studio uses a couple of layers of caulk and insulation that works as a catalyst to block the sound.

At last, foam panels are added to negate the echoes, vibrations, and reverbs.

I hope I’ve made my point.

In fact, it’s not ONLY about the acoustic panels but about any acoustical absorbent material.

They are great at reducing reverberation, and for the same reason, they are very popular for soundproofing the venue that is to be used as a home studio or recording room.

Can I Make My Own Soundproofing Foam Panels?

• If you’re a DIY person like me, then you’ll definitely enjoy making soundproofing foam panels.
• The good news is that the process is quite simple and anyone can try a DIY soundproofing foam project.
• It’s always good to make your hands dirty if you’re really keen on a particular subject.
• Before starting my career as a soundproof consultant, I tried a couple of DIY soundproofing projects.
• I came out with flying colors in some, and the rest was the fiasco.
• However, I’m a firm believer in the adage, “Fail fast to succeed”. 
• It is quite obvious that you may have a specific requirement and you may not like my recommendation.
• In that case, you may try making one for yourself.
• The best thing about making an acoustic panel on your own is that you can play with the colors, patterns, and designs.
  • You don’t have to select from a limited edition.
  • Instead, you can select the one that caters to your needs.
    • Correct me, if I’m wrong.
• Before you start your DIY project, you need to have certain materials in place.
  • You’ll need a mineral wood board or a fiberglass board, fabrics, some screws, adhesive, etc. 
  • You can select the fabric that suits your home decor.
  • It is totally customizable.
  • I’m attaching a self-explanatory video for your perusal.

It’s A Wrap

Well, all said and done, acoustic foam panels are among the cheapest soundproofing material available on the market, and it helps people to fulfill their dream of soundproofing their home, even on a shoestring budget.
However, they are only good at dampening the echoes, reverbs, and vibrations.
If you’re staying in an area where you’ve trouble with the external noise, then acoustic panels alone can’t serve the purpose. 
For example, staying near a high-traffic zone such as an airport or a railway station requires you to soundproof your room in such a way that most of the external noises are blocked.
In the aforementioned case, I would recommend you look for soundproofing materials that are good at blocking external noise. 
You can use the soundproof panels for your home office, home studio, etc. where you need to get rid of the echoes and vibrations.
Recently, I helped my son soundproof his drum room, and you know what, acoustic foam panels played a crucial role.
The success of soundproofing also depends to a large extent on the selection of soundproofing materials. 
If you’re successful in finding the correct acoustic panel for you, then you’ll enjoy every bit of the process as well as the end result.

I hope you would have enjoyed every bit of this article.

I’ve tried to the best of my capabilities to help you with all the necessary information in one place.

Let us know about your favorite soundproof acoustic panels.

Last but not least, if you think this article can help someone, then please share it.

After all, sharing is caring.