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The 3 Best Rug Pads For Soundproofing
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When you want to prevent your dog from annoying your neighbors below you with its barking, or dull your downstairs neighbor’s music so it doesn’t keep you awake at night, there’s a simple solution: rug pads. Lining your floor with a rug pad can be a great strategy for reducing ambient sounds in your home. But, how can you tell which are the best rug pads for soundproofing? As you shop, consider the thickness of the rug pad, the size you need, and the flooring it’ll be placed on.
What Criteria To Consider When Shopping For A Rug Pad
Many rug pads are thin and made to simply prevent rugs from skidding around on the floor, not to soundproof. In contrast, rug pads that are best-suited for soundproofing are ones that are made of a denser material. The density of the pad helps it to cut down on noise passing between floors, so it’s best to buy the thickest pad possible. However, this comes at a cost: Often, the thicker the rug pad is, the more expensive it will be. And some thicker materials like memory foam are not anti-skid, so you’ll have to consider whether that’s important for your space. Alternatively, you can purchase a rug pad that’s made with a combination of felt and rubber to prevent unwanted movement — or purchase some rug grippers to keep your pad from sliding around.
Also, keep your flooring in mind as you shop. Many rug pads are designed for a long list of flooring materials. (Some rug pads are ideal for hardwood floors, while other rug pads are a better fit for laminate surfaces.) And when shopping for a rug pad, have your measurements on hand so the pad you buy is the right size for the rug you want to use it under.
Shop The Best Rug Pads For Soundproofing
In a hurry? Here are the best rug pads for soundproofing:
- The Overall Best Rug Pad For Soundproofing: RUGPADUSA Cloud Comfort 7/16” Memory Foam Rug Pad
- The Best Budget-Friendly Rug Pad For Soundproofing: Mohawk Home Ultra Premium 0.25-Inch All Surface Rug Pad
- The Best Rug Pad With A Nonslip Backing: RUGPADUSA 0.25-Inch Felt and Rubber Rug Pad
But, enough talk. Keep scrolling for more details on the best rug pads for soundproofing, gathered up below.
1The Overall Best Rug Pad For Soundproofing
Made from memory foam that’s just under 0.5-inch thick, this RUGPADUSA rug pad is one of the densest you’ll find on the market. It’s available in a wide range of sizes and works on hardwood floors as well as a wide variety of other surfaces like concrete, stone, vinyl, and laminate flooring. However, while it boasts soundproof and water-resistant qualities, this rug pad is not anti-slip, so it’s not ideal to use in hallways and other areas where this could be an issue.
One reviewer wrote: “Excellent Sound Reduction Rug Pad [...] I live in an apartment with old, squeaky wood floors. I purchased this rug pad in January 2019 to go underneath a large area rug for my bedroom. While it hasn’t completely eliminated my floors from squeaking, it has significantly reduced the sound, so I am less likely to disturb my neighbors downstairs. I’m glad I was able to find this rug pad and resolve the sound concerns I had. I’ve had this rug pad for almost 3 years and have been very satisfied with it.”
Made of: Memory foam | Available densities: 0.25 inch and 0.44 inch | Available sizes: 24 | Anti-slip: No
2The Best Budget-Friendly Rug Pad For Soundproofing
For the most affordable option for a soundproofing rug pad, look no further than this Mohawk Home rug pad. It’s made of 0.25-inch recycled felt that both protects all types of flooring and helps reduce sound. Tons of Amazon reviewers have given it major kudos, including one shopper who attested that it made their “semi-inexpensive” area rug “feel like a more expensive product and is well worth the price.”
While this is a great budget-friendly option, it doesn’t have an anti-slip backing. Reviewers have also noted that it may not be the best fit for high-traffic areas of your home unless it’s weighed down with heavy furniture or you add rug grippers to keep the pad from moving.
Positive Amazon review: “Got this on a whim to put under my area rug. This thing is a lot better than I thought it would be. While it doesn't give you the ultra plush ‘casino carpet’ feel, it definitely improves how it feels to walk and sit on the carpet. It also absolutely eats sound, so if you live in a house with a lot of hardwood or tile floors, this stuff is amazing.”
Made of: Felt | Available densities: 0.25 inches, 0.38 inches, and 0.5 inches | Available sizes: 14 | Anti-slip: No
Also available on: Home Depot, $89
3The Best Rug Pad With A Nonslip Backing
While it’s not the thickest rug pad on the list, this 0.25-inch rug pad has the advantage of being anti-slip. The rug pad’s recycled felt and rubber material is very cushy and safe to use on hard flooring (without staining or scratching floors), and it helps absorb sound. This pad is also manufactured with high-quality materials in the U.S. and, according to the manufacturer, is hypoallergenic and designed to not trap moisture.
Positive Amazon review: “Over wood floors, the noise is dramatically softened and so much nicer to walk on. If you’re in an apartment and need sound dampening, this would be a perfect item to purchase.”
Made of: Felt and rubber | Available densities: 0.13 inches, 0.25 inches, and 0.38 inches | Available sizes: 65 | Anti-slip: Yes
Also available on: Overstock, $86
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