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Acoustic panels have always been essential for recording studios, podcasters, and home musicians, but they’re useful in other places too. In an effort to achieve peaceful silence—or better sound system performance—non-musicians have started using the best acoustic panels to reduce sound in offices, gaming systems, home theaters, and even noisy apartments.
Overview: Best Acoustic Panels
What are the best acoustic panels?
Editor's Choice
Dekiru Acoustic Panels (Pack of 12)
While most soundproof panels are all functional and small, these acoustic panels from Dekiru actually look great. These 1-foot-long hexagonal panels fit neatly together to reduce noise in studios, home theaters, offices, or gaming rooms. We love them for the latter because they’re super thin (0.4 inches), so they’ll fit behind your desktop gaming setup. But even though they’re so thin, they block out almost all noise with an NRC rating of 0.92. You can also choose from a few different colors, depending on your room’s decor, and you get 12 panels with each package.
Very quiet
ATS Audio Panel
These ATS panels are another attractive soundproofing solution, blocking out almost all noise with an NRC rating of 1. This means that these panels absorb almost 100% of sound. Made with a solid wood frame and burlap (plant-based fabric) they are built to last (and blend in better than “white” foam panels).
These soundproof panels work in everything from conference rooms to music rooms to bedrooms, blocking out ambient noise from chatty coworkers and loud neighbors alike. Some users say the black color absorbs sound and light, while helping to reduce reflection from large screens.
Art3d Wooden Acoustic Panels (Pack of 4)
Acoustic panels are great, but if we’re being honest, they’re not always the most aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, these wood-effect panels actually look great. They look just like modern wood paneling strips, but underneath the surface is a sound-absorbing foam. You can also choose from a variety of wood colors, including walnut, teak, and cherry.
Sound art panels
Bubos Art Acoustic Panels (Pack of 8)
If you want soundproofing without making your room look like a music studio, check out Bubos Acoustic Panels. Made to look like wall panels, they blend in with your decor without looking like acoustic panels. But despite their urban appearance, the art panels have an NRC of 0.9, which is supposed to absorb almost all sound.
At 48 inches long and 12 inches wide, this eight-piece set should be enough for most spaces (as long as you don't need wall-to-wall coverage). Because it looks so pretty and isn't meant for full coverage, we think it works best in living rooms and home theater setups.
For drums
TroyStudio Thick Acoustic Foam Panels (Pack of 6)
Drummers need powerful sound deadening equipment (if they want to stay on good terms with any neighbors or housemates). These TroyStudio acoustic panels are up to the task, working great in drum rooms, as well as in music studios, offices, or home theaters.
The package includes six 12″ x 12″ panels, but they're pretty inexpensive, so we suggest purchasing a few packs to cover your walls and ceiling. The noise reduction is very strong with an NRC of 0.8, so you should get better sound (no echo) and the ability to jam without disturbing anyone.
For offices
Professional Studio Acoustic Panels (Pack of 12)
Another worthy set of acoustic panels is this pack from Pro Studio. They’re easy to install and perfect for home offices with a softer NRC rating of 0.65, which is more than enough for phone and computer sound but not so much that you feel disconnected from the outside world. The panels are made in the USA and come in a pack of 12, each measuring one square foot. They also come in two colors—half the panels are black and the other half are blue—which will add some life to your walls.
Great value
Audiosoul Acoustic Panels (52 Pack)
Value depends on your personal needs and preferences, but this bundle of acoustic panels from Audiosoul is a pretty great deal. You get 52 panels measuring one square foot — enough to cover at least one or two walls, if not more — for $40. They’re also very durable, despite the low price, effectively reducing even very loud noises. Customer reviews are also excellent, with the panels boasting a 4/5-star rating on Amazon with over 5,000 reviews.
Highly rated
Fstop Labs Acoustic Panels (Pack of 12)
These acoustic panels from Fstop Labs are another highly rated option on Amazon. They currently have a 4/5 star rating and nearly 4,000 reviews, with users satisfied with the look and effectiveness of the panels. Some users have said that the panels take a while to expand after unwrapping them (about a day or two) so don’t expect to use them right away.
Great colors
Ecogo Acoustic Panels (Pack of 12)
Another aesthetically pleasing set of acoustic wall panels is this 12-piece set from Ekkogo. You can choose from 21 color options, including muted tones like black and gray, as well as bolder, more playful options like turquoise, deep red, “70s orange,” and sky blue. But it’s not all about looks: The panels have an NRC coefficient of 0.95, ensuring significant noise reduction no matter how loud you (or the outside world) are.
How do acoustic panels work?
If you don’t know, acoustic panels are pieces of foam or fabric that are installed on walls and ceilings to absorb sound, effectively eliminating echoes and preventing sound from escaping. With the best acoustic panels, you can enjoy your TV or music at full volume, practice your drums, or take loud Zoom calls—all while your family members or roommates are doing their thing in the next room. Plus, the echo-reducing effect can also improve the sound performance of your home theater by stopping sound from reflecting off the walls.
Although their primary purpose is to prevent sound from escaping a room, the materials used in the best acoustic panels can also reduce outside noise from entering. This means less street noise, quieter neighbors, or a break from a noisy family while you work, meditate, or read.
How to Choose the Best Acoustic Panels
They may all look like blocks of foam, but not all acoustic panels are created equal. Here are some things to consider when shopping for the best acoustic panels.
National Council for Nuclear ResearchSound dampening materials are rated on a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) scale from 0 to 1, where 0 represents no sound absorption and 1 represents complete sound absorption. This scale is more easily understood as a percentage, rather than a decimal; for example, an NRC of 0.3 means 30% noise absorption, and so on.
measuringBe sure to check the size of the acoustic panels and measure the space they are intended for. Foam panels can be cut, but you don't want to end up with too few panels after installation.
PlacementIdeally, acoustic panels would cover every wall and ceiling, but this is neither realistic nor absolutely necessary for most people. If you’re trying to find the best acoustic panels for home theaters, a simple setup might be one panel opposite each speaker (to “capture” sound) and one panel next to the subwoofer. For home offices or gaming setups, you might just cover the walls shared with bedrooms, for example.
