Living in a shared space or a noisy neighborhood, you would have realized that peace is invaluable and pivotal. You are not the only one thinking about the best and most affordable materials that can filter out those sounds that eat away your peace of mind. Clearly, there are a plethora of sound absorbing materials available on the market but most of them cost an arm and a leg. But you want something cheap yet effective. We have compiled a list of the best, most affordable soundproofing materials for you that are sure to bring back your peace, pleasure, and joy.
Short on time? The best cheap soundproofing material in 2024 is TMS SoundProofing Mass Loaded Vinyl. It’s a durable, high-density barrier that effectively dampens unwanted noise. Other great and affordable sound absorbing materials are Green Glue NoiseProofing Compound and Roberts 70-193A Felt Pad Underlayment Roll. They both are very good budget soundproof materials that successfully eliminate noise.
Cheapest Sound Deadening Materials: Quick Comparison
| BEST RATED |
Mass Loaded Vinyl
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RUNNER UP  |
Green Glue NoiseProofing Compound
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BEST FOR FLOORS  |
Roberts 70-193A Felt Pad Underlayment Roll
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CHEAPEST  |
Izo Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panels
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EASIEST TO INSTALL  |
Nicetown Noise Blocking Drapes
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VISUALLY APPEALING  |
Arthome 3D Soundproofing Wallpaper
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Cheap Soundproofing Material 2024: Reviews
1. TMS SoundProofing Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
Best Rated
When it comes to choosing the best but inexpensive sound proofing material, TMS mass loaded vinyl is the top pick.
This is a high-quality mass loaded vinyl that boosts soundproofing performance by adding mass.
TMS MLV is a special soundproofing material that is designed with the primary purpose of serving as a sound barrier.
It’s a great choice for noise reduction because it serves a dual purpose of a potent noise barrier and an effective sound absorber.
It’s unlike most other noise reduction materials such as fiberglass and mineral fiber that only do one job but not the other.
This is a versatile and superior quality material that really elevates one’s sound proofing game. What sets it apart from other sound deadening materials, is its flexibility.
It can be bent and installed in a variety of places for multifarious purposes. This means you get the density of concrete or hard board but flexibility of rubber. The flexibility aspect allows you to wrap, fold and mold as you please to achieve your noise reduction goals.
The best way to use TMS MLV is to sandwich it between other materials, for example, between two sheets of drywall. Adding mass between walls acts as a resilient blocker that helps in sound insulation.
In a nutshell, TMS soundproof padding is an intelligent, low cost sound dampening solution that creates a highly effective noise barrier without letting one incur major costs of expensive handymen.
Pros
- Flexible
- User-friendly installation
- Non-Toxic
- Made in USA
Cons
- It’s not the cheapest option on the list
2. Green Glue NoiseProofing Compound
Runner Up
The second best soundproofing material is Green Glue NoiseProofing Compound. It is a relatively inexpensive and quick path to noise-free comfort.
Green Glue is a viscoelastic damping compound with a unique polymeric formula that converts and dissipates sound waves into small heat pockets.
It is put in between 2 rigid layers of drywall to reduce noise and eliminate any sound leaks from one room to another.
The best thing about green glue is that it effectively tackles all ranges of sound frequencies be it high or low thus making it ideal for home, office, or studio use.
This soundproofing solution needs no special installation skills. Some DIY ability is advised, as the installer will be handling large sheets of drywall.
All you require is a standard quart-sized caulking gun to apply a generous layer of compound between two surfaces. The compound reaches its peak performance a few weeks after the application. Read also: Green Glue vs Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV): Differences Reviewed and Soundproof Ceiling Apartment + Reduce Impact Noise
Pros
- Environmentally friendly product
- Fast and easy application
- No odor compound
- Non-hazardous
Cons
- Takes time to dry and cure
3. Roberts 70-193A Felt Pad Underlayment Roll
Best for Floors
Roberts 70-193A underlayment roll ranks amongst the top 3 picks because it is a true sound killer.
It minimizes sound transmission by optimizing soundproofing up to 90%.
It is made from recycled fibers and compressed using a high heat manufacturing process giving it unparalleled sound reduction properties.
It has a thin film overlay that keeps materials dry by acting as a moisture barrier. The felt pad is an inexpensive yet high quality underlayment roll made for durability.
Installing this underlayment roll is as easy as ABC. It has a lip and tape system with adhesive strips attached to the edge for easy application.
The good part is this pad installs exactly the way it rolls out. It’s best to use it in places where silence is a top priority. It is specially designed for laminate and wooden flooring.
Pros
- Green product
- Adds stability to uneven floors
- Great value for money
Cons
- Cutting could be easier
4. IZO Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panels
Best Cheapest Sound Absorbing Material
IZO square cut acoustic foam is a sound-absorbing panel that is used to mollify background noise and reduce the reverberation and echo in a room.
The textural ripples shaped like an egg carton absorb high frequency sounds effectively.
IZO acoustic foam lessens overall sound level in the room by filtering any unwanted internal or external sounds. Rather than absorbing sound, they deflect them by breaking them into multiple, smaller frequencies sound waves that reverberate in multiple directions.
They are usually fixed opposite to the noise source so they can absorb sounds in their entirety. Read also: How To Soundproof A Wall Between Apartments
Pros
- Solid noise absorption
- Easy to install
- Low-cost
Cons
- Aesthetically not very appealing
5. Nicetown Noise Blocking Drapes
Easiest to Install
Nicetown is a market leader and pioneer in making noise blocking drapes.
They are made by using triple weave technology, which is basically stacking of three layers of high density, woven material on top of each other.
They are good for both reducing any echos plus decibel level of sounds in the space.
Noise blocking curtains are heavy, lined curtains that block the window completely to cut down noise.
These are special drapes because the effect of absorbing sound is x2 higher than the ordinary 1 layered curtain. These are designed to be from floor to ceiling, heavy duty and tightly woven.
This is critical to help avoid outside noise to escape into your room from any side of the window.
These noise blocking drapes are soft, heavy, and pre-stitched. They come with silver grommet rings at the top so hanging them is easy as pie.
Pros
- Easy to hang
- Eco friendly
- Available in a wide range of colors
Cons
- Not as heavy as some of the other soundproofing solutions on the list
6. Arthome 3D Soundproofing Wallpaper
Best Visually Appealing Soundproofing Material
Arthome 3D acoustic wallpaper is made of layered, insulated material, instead of being a simple, patterned sheet like most other ordinary wallpapers.
This helps to dampen your wall against sound.
Arthome 3D is made of white closed-cell polyethylene foam which has sound absorbing properties.
It acts like a thin film of acoustic foam panel and hence a great noise-blocker.
It makes for a great fun weekend DIY soundproofing project. Acoustic wallpapers are mostly preferred by those who are new to the world of soundproofing.
Pros
- Easy DIY project
- Livens up the space
- Low-cost
Cons
Restricted choice of pattern
Final Thoughts About Cheap Sound Absorbing Materials
Living by a busy street can be maddening, to say the least. However, now, the best and most affordable soundproofing materials are well within your reach. We have compared cheap yet effective sound absorbing materials for you, so choose any of these and let them do their magic on you. In 2024 the best soundproofing product is TMS SoundProofing Mass Loaded Vinyl. It’s a practical and long-lasting noise barrier that successfully dampens unwanted noise. Other top choices are Green Glue NoiseProofing Compound and Roberts 70-193A Cushion Underlayment Roll. They are low-cost, efficient soundproofing materials that reduce noise pollution by up to 90%. Choose any of these products and let peace be your partner.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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