Noise is a funny thing in an office. Too much of it and concentration goes out the window. Too little, and a phone call starts to feel like a public announcement. Getting the balance right is something a lot of businesses are still working out and office pods have become one of the more practical answers to that problem. This guide covers the different types, the materials, the acoustic ratings, and what to actually look for when choosing the right office pod for your office.
What are the main types of office pods?
When it comes to acoustic levels, we can categorize office pods into two main types: enclosed and open office pods.
Enclosed Office Pods are fully sealed units designed for proper sound isolation, such as private video calls, confidential client meetings, or focused solo work that needs genuine quiet. They typically provide between 15 and 35 dB of sound reduction, which is enough to block out a busy open-plan floor entirely.
Office Seating Booths are the semi-private option. They take the edge off background noise around 5 to 10 dB of reduction without cutting you off completely. They work well for team discussions, informal catch-ups, and brainstorming sessions where a bit of ambient noise isn’t the end of the world.
What materials are used in acoustic office pods?
The acoustic performance of a pod comes down to what it’s made from. Most manufacturers use a combination of materials, each doing a slightly different job. The common acoustic materials are acoustic foam panels, fabric-wrapped acoustic panels, PET felt, laminated safety glass with an acoustic interlayer, and carpet or acoustic flooring.
Acoustic foam panels absorb sound waves rather than reflecting them back into the space. They’re lightweight, fire-safe, and typically line the interior walls and ceiling.
Fabric-wrapped acoustic use a mineral wool or fibreglass core wrapped in acoustic fabric. They come in a range of colours and textures, so they can be practical and look good at the same time.
PET felt is made from recycled plastic bottles, which makes it a popular choice for businesses with sustainability commitments. It lines interior walls and helps isolate sound from both inside and outside the pod.
Laminated safety glass with an acoustic interlayer is used in doors and side panels. It reduces sound transmission while keeping the pod visually open. It’s useful if you don’t want people to feel completely sealed off. Glass thickness typically ranges from 8mm to 12mm, with a sound-dampening layer sandwiched between the two panes.
Acoustic flooring, like carpet, carpet tiles, cork, or rubber underlayment, handles the noise that travels through the floor. Footsteps and vibrations are easy to overlook when choosing a pod, but they add up in a busy office.
Do office pods have acoustic levels?
They do. Enclosed pods are rated from Class A down to Class E, based on how much sound reduction they provide. It’s worth knowing what each level actually means before you start comparing products.
One thing to note upfront: no office pod is fully soundproof. That’s partly a safety consideration. You still need to be able to hear a fire alarm, and partly because complete silence isn’t always what people need for focused work.
Here is a brief overview of the different acoustic levels:
Class A (30-33 dB): The highest rating currently available. Class A pods offer excellent speech privacy and work well in high-noise environments or where confidentiality genuinely matters. They are ideal for spaces that require superior noise control, such as recording studios, classrooms, and large rooms. In high-noise offices, they can effectively block conversations from outside, so the confidential meetings cannot be overheard. They’re also the most expensive, which is worth factoring in if you’re buying several.
Class B (25-30 dB): The most popular choice for a reason. Class B pods give very good sound isolation for the majority of office environments, at a more accessible price point than Class A. All of the second-hand pods we stock at LOF are rated Class B and above. Our pre-owned Orangebox meeting pods, for example, sit at Class B and are a reliable all-round option.
Class C (20-25 dB): Reasonable sound isolation, though whether it provides real speech privacy depends on the background noise level in your office. Fine for some environments, less suited to others.
Class D (15-20 dB): Minimal noise reduction. We’d generally steer businesses away from these for focused work. They’re better suited to spaces where noise control isn’t the main priority.
Class E (0-10 dB): Primarily aesthetic. If you want a pod that looks the part and fits the brand without needing to perform acoustically, Class E covers that, but don’t expect much in the way of sound reduction.
How to choose the right pod for your office
Think about your environment first. A loud open-plan office with machinery running in the background needs something different from a relatively quiet workspace where the concern is confidentiality rather than volume. As a rule of thumb, if background noise is a real issue, look for pods rated 25 dB or above.
Be clear on what you need it for. A pod for casual team catch-ups doesn’t need the same spec as one being used for sensitive client calls or HR conversations. For most businesses, Class B hits the right balance, which is effective enough for the majority of office uses, without the Class A price tag.
Set a realistic budget. Pod pricing varies quite a bit depending on size, materials, and brand. New pods carry a premium. Used pods, if they’re in good condition and properly rated, offer the same acoustic performance at considerably less cost. At LOF, we stock a range of office pods across brands, sizes, and price points, and everything comes with a 12-month parts warranty.
If you’re not sure where to start, our sales team is happy to help you work through it. Drop us a line at [email protected] or call 01733 555360.
LOF Office Furniture is a family-run business with more than 50 years in the second-hand office furniture industry. We look after projects from first conversation to final installation, so you’re not left to figure it out on your own.
