How to choose the right acoustic booth for your workplace?
Noise is part of daily life in open-plan offices, but it can have a serious impact on productivity, focus and privacy. Many manufacturers claim to offer ‘soundproof’ booths, but how do you know which solution will genuinely improve your workplace?
Two approaches to noise reduction
When assessing an office pod or acoustic booth, there are two indicators to consider:
Speech reduction: How effectively the booth prevents sound from escaping.
Airborne sound insulation: How well it blocks external noise from entering.
Only by looking at both together can you get a true picture of performance. If a specification lists just one of these figures, it may give a misleading impression of how the booth actually works in practice.
How to understand insulation values?
To see how effective a booth really is, compare the promised insulation figures with the average noise levels in your workplace. For example, our Silen quiet cabins provide:
External noise insulation up to 43 dB: Reducing typical office noise down to just 12–22 dB (quieter than a library).
Speech level reduction of 32 dB → conversations outside the booth are lowered to whisper level (28–38 dB) and cannot be understood.
Tip: Look for compliance with the ISO 23351-1 standard, which measures both sound blocking and speech reduction. It’s one of the most reliable indicators of real-world performance.
Extra tips
Be observant: Some booths use a loud ventilation system to mask poor sound insulation. This doesn’t actually reduce noise, it just makes conversations harder to follow.
Balance acoustics and comfort: Good sound insulation should not compromise ventilation, lighting or user comfort.
Consider placement: Event the best booth won't perform at its peak if placed in a poor spot (e.g. against noisy machinery or in the middle of constant foot traffic)
Think about future needs: Choose modular or flexible solutions that can adapt as your team grows or office layouts change.
Silen acoustic booths - proven quality
• Class A double-sided sound insulation (ISO 23351-1 certified)
• Gold-level SCS indoor air quality for a healthier workspace
• Independently certified by TÜV NORD and GS standards
• Built with recycled materials for a sustainable choice
• Fast installation with extensive customisation options
• Integrated lighting and airflow controls for user comfort
CHATBOX SINGLE, 1-seater
Compact booth for phone calls and focused work
CHATBOX DUO, 4-seater
Spacious booth for meetings and private discussions
SPACE 4, 8-seater
Premium mobile booth – flexibility without compromise
