For individuals truly serious about creating their own recording studio at home, one of the features they have to consider are acoustic panels. Not only do these panels help with eliminating and absorbing sound, but their prices seem to reduce with time. The prices have been reduced to the point where they are affordable to those who want to create a professional studio in their home.
While soundproofing panels might seem like simple things to invest in, the truth is they aren’t all manufactured with the same features across the board, especially when it comes to managing sound. It can be hard to determine which soundproofing panels are the best just by looks, so taking the time to research and read up on reviews is essential.
When searching for the eight best soundproofing panels for your home recording studio, you need to consider trustworthy brands with a reputation for putting out high-quality products.
This is why we have taken the time out to create a list of the 8 best soundproofing panels you can purchase for your home recording studio. Before we get into the list, it is important to highlight what soundproofing panels are made from and tell which one is best for you.
What Are Soundproofing Panels Constructed From?
All the best soundproofing panels are constructed from a type of foam that can be directly applied to the wall. These panels come in various sizes and shapes and can also be found in multiple color choices. Soundproofing panels serve more than their primary function of blocking sound or providing soundproofing properties; they also add to the aesthetic and beauty of your home recording studio.
Soundproofing panels are usually purchased in small panels to ensure that every area of intent is well covered. They are made in sizeable proportions because the bigger they are, the more cumbersome they can be to install, limiting their efficacy.
There are many uses for soundproofing panels, and the way you use them depends on the room and what you desire to achieve.
How Many Soundproofing Panels Do You Need for a Home Recording Studio?
There are a lot of variables that go into ascertaining just how many soundproofing panels you need for a particular space. This process does involve a lot of calculation. Thankfully, some websites can help you figure out just how much you need. That being said, there are also a few things you need to know before determining how many soundproofing panels to purchase.
You will need to know the measurement of your home recording studio, as well as how much soundproofing treatment you want in that room. If you put in the calculation and it says you require a lot of panels to soundproof your home recording studio, it might raise some concern.
However, you shouldn’t be afraid, as soundproofing panels are pretty affordable, so you can purchase the correct number you need to do a perfect job.
How Are Soundproofing Panels Measured?
One way to tell the efficacy of a soundproofing panel over another is to check its NRC. NRC is an acronym that stands for Noise Reduction Absorption. The NRC coefficient is typically measured on a scale of 0 to 1. 1 is the highest a soundproofing panel can get to; this means it absorbs all the sound. 0 means that the soundproofing panel absorbs no sound.
Manufacturers of soundproofing panels understand that their customers are constantly comparing their products with the competition, so they proudly display the NRC coefficient of their panels on the packaging. This is a transparent and recommended way to tell which panel best suits your needs.
Now that we understand the factors you need to consider when getting soundproofing panels, it is time to discuss the top 8 soundproofing panels for your home recording studio.
Best Soundproofing Panels
1. Troy Studio Acoustic Sound Diffuser Panel
The Toy Studio Acoustic Sound Diffuser Panel tops the list of the best soundproofing panels with distinguishing features. These panels can fit snugly into most rooms, and you have an expansive choice of colors to select from, ensuring that not only do you get full function, you also get a stylistic and urban look.
As a sound diffuser panel, it works differently from the others. Rather than blocking it out, it evenly spreads the sound around, so there is uniformity every time. It can effectively keep sound out of a space, ensuring no distractions when recording.
In terms of weight, these acoustic wall panels are incredibly lightweight and are only about an inch thick. This ensures that they do not increase the depth of an already-existing wall. A single person can do the installation process. Installation is almost stress-free; you need to place these soundproofing panels in the right areas.
These diffuser acoustic wall panels can be used with standard soundproofing panels to block noise and absorb sound. The reason you’ll also need traditional soundproofing panels is that the diffuser spreads the sound around without adding any extra protection.
In all, these sound diffuser wall panels offer excellent style suitable for those looking to improve the general aesthetic of a room. It also helps that its style seamlessly blends with your typical soundproofing panel.
Pros
- Diffuses sound well
- It comes with a stylish design
- Easy for one person to set up
- Works effectively with panels that muff out sound
Cons
- By design, it cannot block noise or absorb sound by itself
2. Pro Studio Acoustic Wedge Foam Tiles
The soundproof foam panels from Pro Studio Acoustic offer a decent NRC0.65 rating. While the NRC rating isn’t very high, it remains one of the most sought-after options for many starting their home recording studio. This is because these soundproofing panels are available in a host of colors, which can be great for those that want something different from their current wall décor.
One not-so-great thing to know about these soundproof foam panels from Pro Studio Acoustic is that they aren’t as good at absorbing sound as others on this list are. However, they can still be practical depending on what you want to use them for. You aren’t going to be able to block out all the noise and sound transmission from an extremely noisy room. However, they do a decent job for the price they go for.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Affordable
Cons
- It can be challenging to set up
- NRC rating is about 0.65
3. audiosoul 52 Pack Acoustic Foam Panels
Audiosoul is a renowned and trusted brand. As one of the makers of the best soundproofing panels, they produce quality studio-grade panels for a fraction of what some competitors charge. This is among the reasons why clients always return to purchase these panels when undergoing full coverage.
At first glance, these soundproof panels might appear simple; however, they are great at snuffing out sound and background noise. They can be purchased in variety packs from 12 feet to 104 sq ft, ensuring that those with large home recording studios can save money when purchasing soundproofing panels for full coverage.
When it comes to weight, there isn’t that much to note. However, these soundproof panels aren’t too heavy, making installation a less tiresome process. Installing them, as with installing any sound absorbing material, can be a bit of a challenge; however, the average person should have no problems.
The color options aren’t as plentiful as other options on this list. Additionally, you can tell that Audiosoul chooses functionality over style with these soundproofing panels.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Available in value packs
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as stylish as others
- Requires full coverage to be effective
4. FSTOP LABS Wedge Foam Acoustic Panels
These soundproofing panels are great for those that want slightly larger yet affordable options. The FSTOP LABS Wedge Foam Acoustic Panels can be a great option since each panel is about 2 feet. This means that installing them in large spaces will require little work. They can be used sparingly or right next to each other to fill up the entire wall.
These soundproof panels are essential; however, they aren’t likely to win any awards regarding style. Nevertheless, they have been designed to be dependable and durable; you don’t have to worry about them breaking down in the future. All you have to do is hang them up and let them perform their function.
One enticing aspect of this soundproofing foam is its affordability. This soundproofing foam can be purchased in 12 or 24 pack varieties. This is particularly great for those starting as they don’t have to worry about spending too much on their setup. With these soundproof barriers, you simply need to place a couple here and there to soundproof your studio.
Pros
- Seamless to install
- Expands right before installation
- Durable
Cons
- Tend to struggle when handling lower frequencies
- Not as professional looking as other soundproofing options
5. Auralex Acoustics Sonoflat Acoustic Absorption Foam
The Auralex Acoustics Sonoflat Acoustic Absorption Foam soundproofing panels offer an NRC rating of 0.95, making them one of the highly-rated and best soundproofing panels for home recording studios. While they aren’t as thick as other soundproofing options on this list, they make up for it with their NRC rating. These soundproofing panels are great for those who don’t mind spending a little more money to improve their sound muffling goals.
Thanks to their absorption foam, these soundproofing panels are great at what they do. One thing to note is that the price of this foam panel might be slightly too costly to soundproof an entire home studio; however, they are great for spot treating. That being said, if you require great value for money, you can look no further than Auralex Acoustics Sonoflat Acoustic Absorption Foam.
They have a list of colors available to choose from. This is great for those who want something different from the norm. Aesthetically speaking, this soundproofing foam panel option looks more premium compared to other options out there. While not every person cares about looks, this acoustic foam panel stands out.
The attention to detail from top to bottom on these panels is unrivaled. There isn’t much complication in the design; however, Auralex took the time to create something that guarantees a second look. The great thing about this acoustic sound panel is that you can purchase it in different designs as there is something for everyone.
Pros
- NRC rating of 0.95
- Only 1 inch thick
- Three colors to select from
Cons
- Not quite suite for full coverage
- A bit on the expensive side
6. Auralex Acoustics Studiofoam Wedgies
Over the years, Studiofoam has been one of the most desired soundproofing panels on the market, and it is easy to understand why. This product doesn’t complicate things; it simply gets the job done and is quite affordable. This is the reason clients requiring soundproofing panels keep returning to purchase more Auralex acoustic Studiofoam.
Every Studiofoam panel is relatively small, making it easy to fit in just about every room and their crevices without having to use too much. It can be purchased in an 18 pack or 24 pack variety.
One of the strong suits of these soundproofing panels is their thickness. They are 2 inches thick while offering an NRC coefficient of 0.80. Such a high rating can be hard, if not impossible, to find other soundproofing options, particularly at this price.
The additional thickness is quite proper, considering that the material used to make it is slightly cheaper than what you can find in more expensive soundproofing options.
Pros
- 2 inches thick material
- Available in small squares from seamless soundproofing
- Inexpensive for the quality offered
Cons
- NRC is just 0.80
- Thickness can be an issue for those with limited space
7. JBER Acoustic Sound Foam Panels
The JBER Acoustic Sound Foam panels consist of large panels designed to counter the effects of the hard surfaces in your home recording studio. They provide an excellent option for those who want to get the best value for money. These best soundproofing panels can be quite easy to install; it also helps that they provide a conservative approach to treating your space.
They are also available in a host of sizes to fit the décor of your home studio. The panels measure 12 inches x 12 inches and are 2 inches thick, showing how large they are. There are three colors to select from; red, blue, and charcoal. These panels utilize the typical pyramid style to achieve soundproofing. The design doesn’t matter, as it just boils down to your personal preference.
The JBERAcoustic Sound Foma pack performs well at absorbing noises and sound, ensuring that not only can you hear your recordings, but most of the unwanted flutter, echo, and reverb is also eliminated by its soundproofing panels.
Pros
- It can be great for spot treating sound on walls
- High-quality NRC
- Perfect for smaller home recording studios
Cons
- Only available in a few colors
- Not as effective at reducing volume as other products
8. Auralex Acoustics D36-DST RoominatorAcoustic Absorption kit
The Auralex Acoustics ruminator acoustic absorption kit is another soundproofing option from Auralex. At first glance, it might appear that Auralex is dominating this list; however, that simply highlights the quality of the products the company puts out.
These soundproofing panels are great for those that want a simple option. It also doesn’t hurt that setup is easy as this product provides you with everything you might need to keep sound from escaping out of a room and blocking sound coming in.
It is an excellent option for those building their very first home studio, as well as those that simply need a bit of soundproofing in their home. They do a decent job for their price when it comes to effectiveness.
It is important to note that these aren’t the best soundproofing panels globally, but they are pretty good for their price. One person can do the installation, and the great thing about this product is that it can be combined with other soundproofing options to maximize your sound experience.
These soundproofing panels are great for those that live in especially noisy locations, as it provides an additional layer of sound protection.
Pros
- Complete coverage is available in a single package
- Great for starter studios
- Seamless to install and put up
Cons
- Expensive
- Will require upgrading
- Unable to handle a lot of noise
