Acoustic pod soundproofing: what you need to know before buying

An acoustic pod has become an essential feature in today’s offices. However, not all offer the same level of soundproofing.
Here’s what you need to know to choose a truly effective pod.

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Summary

Needs analysis

A successful layout begins with a detailed analysis of needs: the nature of activities, work rhythms, moments of collaboration, and needs for isolation.

Modular furniture

Focusing on modular furniture allows you to optimize space while retaining flexibility if the team grows.

Quiet zones

Open spaces are not enough: providing quiet zones, even for 5 to 10 people, improves concentration and daily comfort.

Engagement & attractiveness

Office layout is also a lever for engagement: a well-designed office enhances the quality of working life and the company's attractiveness.

Acoustic pods

Acoustic pods are a simple solution for creating privacy without partitioning: they can be installed without construction work and evolve with the team.

What’s the difference between sound insulation and acoustic insulation?

To understand how an acoustic pod works, it’s important to distinguish between two related concepts: sound insulation and acoustic insulation. Both are key to soundproof quality, but they act in different ways.

Credit photo : Clément Ducruet

Sound insulation:
blocking noise transmission

Sound insulation aims to prevent noise from entering or leaving a space. In a pod, it ensures that voices and sounds from inside don’t escape and that outside noise doesn’t get in. The higher the sound insulation, the less sound is transmitted.

Credit photo : Clément Ducruet

Acoustic insulation:
absorbing sound for better comfort

Acoustic insulation focuses on the sound quality inside the pod. It absorbs sound to prevent resonance and echo. The result is a clear, pleasant experience during a call or meeting.

How is the soundproofing of an acoustic pod measured?‍

The soundproofing of a pod is measured using specific technical criteria.
Since 2020, the ISO 23351-1 standard has provided a unified way to assess the acoustic performance of phone booths and semi-enclosed spaces.

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ISO 23351-1: The industry standard

ISO 23351 measures Speech Level Reduction (SLR), the ability of a pod to reduce the user’s voice level. It gives a clear indicator of the level of privacy a product provides.
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Unlike other methods, it tests the entire pod: panels, glass, seals, doors, and ventilation. Results are classified into A+, A, B, C, or D, depending on the level of voice reduction.
Pods rated A+, A, or B offer the best acoustic insulation.

Good to know

All Work With Island soundproof booths are rated Category B, offering you substantial comfort and enabling fully confidential conversations.

Beyond Category B, acoustic pods often become bulkier, less modular, and significantly more expensive, without delivering any real day-to-day benefit.

How is a pod’s soundproofing tested?

The test measures voice volume inside and outside the pod. The difference between these measurements gives the Speech Level Reduction (SLR). The higher the number, the better the pod limits sound transmission.

‍Work With Island pods are laboratory tested according to this standard.

‍How do we soundproof our pods?

Soundproofing quality depends directly on the materials and how they’re assembled. At Work With Island, every component is designed to reduce sound transmission while maintaining maximum comfort.

The materials used in the panels

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The walls of our pods use an asymmetric three-layer structure with complementary materials:

Wood: a rigid surface that reflects part of the noise.
Métisse®: an acoustic insulator made from recycled textiles that acts like a spring to absorb sound.
Felt: an interior layer that improves absorption and removes echo.

This multi-layer system effectively reduces sound transmission and improves sound quality inside the pod.

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The door: a key element of soundproofing

The door plays a vital role in acoustic performance. We use 8 mm tempered glass, denser and more insulating than plexiglass. This ensures better sound sealing while allowing natural light in, avoiding any feeling of confinement.

The keys to good soundproofing in an acoustic pod

Evaluate overall performance, not just the panels

Before comparing two pods, it’s essential to understand what the acoustic performance really measures.
Many manufacturers only share data from their wall panels but that doesn’t reflect real experience.

A pod is a complete system: panels, doors, glass, seals, ventilation… All these elements together determine true acoustic performance. A result based only on one wall may look good but it’s misleading.

What changes with our pods : Noise reduction

A reference scale

30 dB

Whisper / Library

40 dB

Quiet office

60 dB

Normal conversation

70 dB

Lively open plan office

80+ dB

Noisy street

Our Pods

Outside the pod
65 dB (Lively conversation)

Inside the pod
37 dB (Library)

WWI cabine audio

Try It Yourself: The Best Way to Decide

Beyond numbers, how it feels matters most. Ideally, test a pod in real conditions: make sure the conversation stays private, that the sound is pleasant, and that ventilation runs quietly.

It’s the best way to tell the difference between a simple isolated pod and a truly soundproofed one.

Try our soundproof booths, it’s as simple as that.

Take a few minutes to try our acoustic booths and form your own opinion.
You’ll see, it’s often the turning point.

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