Whether creaky floorboards or simply loud footsteps, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to make your floor quieter.
One of the easiest and most cost-effective methods I’ve found are soundproof floor mats. They save you from having to do major DIY and are adjustable depending on your needs.
In this article, I review my top picks for the best soundproofing floor mat. First, I cover how they work so you can make an informed decision.
How a Soundproofing Floor Mat Deals with Noise
Soundproof floor mats deal with noise by dampening or absorbing it. Generally, a noise reduction mat adds a layer of soft material between noise sources and the building’s structure, helping to reduce transmission.
Due to placement and composition, you’ll find soundproof floor mats are more effective against impact noises than airborne noises. To understand why this is the case, let’s briefly cover the differences.
Impact vs. Airborne Noise
At home, you’ll be fighting against 2 types of noise: impact noise and airborne noise.
Impact noise happens when an object makes contact with a surface. For example, footsteps or an object falling on the floor.
Airborne noise happens when sound travels from the source through the air. When these sound waves encounter a surface, they’re more or less blocked depending on how thick and heavy the wall is.
A soundproofing mat is therefore more effective against impact sounds because it adds a layer of soft material between the object (such as a foot) and the surface (the floor).
In turn, sound waves lose energy travelling in this soft environment. It means they are dampened.
They travel more easily in hard material than in gases (like air). In some way, this principle applies to how we move ourselves. Steps on a solid floor propel us better than steps on a mattress or on sand.
Measuring Effectiveness
To measure the effectiveness of a product like soundproofing mats, we use something called Impact Insulation Class (IIC). It’s calculated through lab tests with a tapping machine in one room and a receiver in another.
Materials are then put in front of the tapping machine, and the resulting noise transfer is measured in the other room. When translated into an IIC rating, higher values mean the material is better at dissipating impact noises.
Alternatives to a Noise Reduction Floor Mat
Soundproofing mats are a quick and effective option for reducing noise transfer through a floor. But, they’re not your only option. If you’re willing to put in a bit of DIY work, check out my article on the easiest solutions for soundproofing a floor.
Also, if you’re laying a new floor (carpet or hard flooring), I recommend using acoustic underlay instead. This isn’t the same as a noise reduction mat, as underlays are usually thinner, offer little grip and are purchased in greater quantities.
Plus, soundproof mats have the added advantage of being temporary, meaning you can move them around your home to counteract different noise sources (exercise, appliances, kids playing, etc.).
I’ve written an article on the best soundproof underlays, so check that out for more information.
Top Picks for Best Soundproof Floor Mats
Soundproof mats are useful for various purposes around the home. I find most people buy them for exercising in their home, putting under noisy appliances (e.g. a washing machine) as insulation, or for use in a kid’s room.
Unlike, say, acoustic underlay, a sound absorbing rug mat has greater flexibility around the home. You can easily pick it up and put it down as needed, which is helpful for something like exercise, as you might not want a gym mat out all the time.
So, I’ve chosen these soundproof mats with these uses in mind. My reviews are based on their effectiveness for reducing impact noise and for their cost and ease of use.
1. Top Pick: Sonic Acoustics Soundproof Rug Pad
This soundproofing mat is made from recycled carpet fibers on a rubber backing. It stays in place while providing effective noise reduction. It’s nearly ½” thick, so will dampen impact noises quite well.
Unlike other products on this list, it comes in panels rather than a mat. You get 12 in a pack, and it’s much easier to lay as much as you need. This makes them quite versatile for smaller or awkwardly-shaped rooms.
While the product doesn’t have an IIC rating, its PVC rubber and felt composition is quite springy, which helps to reduce noise transmission.
The only real downside of this product is that it’s not particularly thick. It should be enough for a living room or similar, but you might want a thicker product if soundproofing a high traffic room.
- Helps with dampening and absorption due to composition.
- Tile construction makes it versatile.
- Non-slip design.
- Not as thick as some other products.
2. Top Budget Pick: BalanceFoam EVA Foam Tiles
EVA foam is a great material for dampening sounds because it’s soft yet very hardwearing. While these tiles don’t look amazing, they’ll do a great job of reducing noise in a home gym. This is actually the kind of tiles used over the flooring of professional gyms.
Each tile measures 24” x 24” and the packs come in various sizes. You also have different thickness options from ½” to 1”, meaning there’s plenty of versatility.
They lock together for greater security and are non-slip. The foam is easy to clean, waterproof, and has no toxic materials. This means they’re suitable for any room and can be used around pets and kids.
Some users reported the tiles’ locking system wears down with continuous movement. But, you can solve this by taping them together.
- Lightweight and easy to install.
- Suitable for all rooms in the house.
- EVA foam is effective at dampening impact sounds.
- Locking system can wear down over time.
3. iCustomRug Felt Underpad
This rug underlay has a layer of rubber below a layer of felt. It provides grip on hard flooring and will also help with damping.
The rubber layer is completely natural and the felt is made from recycled materials. While this doesn’t affect its soundproofing abilities, it does mean there’s no off-gassing required.
This felt underpad is suitable for a living room with kids and pets running around, or for a kid’s bedroom to help reduce impact noise from things like dropping toys.
It’s only ¼” thick, so if you’re dealing with particularly loud noises, you’ll be better with a thicker product like the foam tiles. But, this underpad should be fine for a living room or similar.
Some users reported having difficulty cutting it to size. Luckily, there are 75 sizes available, so be sure to buy the right one.
- Made from both rubber and felt – good dampening properties.
- Non-toxic materials.
- Available in 75 sizes.
- Not very thick.
4. Rubber King All-Purpose Fitness Mat
While not a specific sound absorbing rug pad, this product works for the same reason as the EVA foam tiles. It’s also not dissimilar to sound deadening mats you might find in cars.
The product is only 3/16” thick but is made from dense rubber. So, even though it’s the thinnest on this list, it still does a good job of dampening impact noises.
It comes in 4 different sizes up to 4’ x 6’ so you should be able to find a size that suits. Due to its look, you’ll probably want to hide it under a rug or something.
The rubber isn’t vulcanized, meaning it doesn’t release smells or VOCs. As with other products on this list, it’s safe to use around pets and children.
Perhaps its biggest drawback is thickness. But, its density makes up for this, so it should be fine in normal traffic areas of the home. And, as the name implies, this rubber flooring is useful for home exercise such as yoga or aerobics.
- Versatile and easy to use soundproofing mat.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- No bad odors or VOCs.
- Not very thick.
Final Thoughts on Soundproof Floor Mats
Hopefully, this article will point you in the right direction for a quick and easy solution to reducing impact noise.
My top pick is the Sonic Acoustics Soundproof Rug Pad. It’ll effectively dampen noise and keep your rug in place.
But, the EVA foam tiles are a close second because they’re also effective for dampening even if they’re not the most attractive option.
Do you have a preferred floor mat for reducing impact noise in your home? Let me know in the comments below.
22 thoughts on “Top 4 Soundproof Floor Mats: What Works and How it Quiets Noise”
Hi,
I am staying in 2nd floor , my kids playing at home due to this my below neighbour get disturb……kids age is 2years and 6years.
Kindly advise soundproof mat foor floor so that kids can also play and neighbours also don’t get disturb.
Hi Bhuvan, very sorry for the late reply.
Regarding your question, I would advise installing EVA foam tiles for children. The tiles I have in mind come in different colors and have puzzle-like snaps. It allows you to extend them very easily. This is perfect for a playroom, for example.
If it’s for a more formal room like a living room, I would advise a thick and large carpet. You can choose a model according to your taste and preferences. A rug will mitigate the steps of kids running around.
I hope it helps!
Hey.
I’m wondering if the BakanceFrom EVA foam mat can effectively cushion impact noises made on our floor from underneath by the neighbours downstairs who repeatedly strike their ceiling (our floor) with heavy iron objects.
Do revert.
Hi there,
Unfortunately, EVA foam can help only at the point of impact (between their ceiling and their dumbells). It means the foam has to dampen the impact energy before it spreads into the structure.
I am staying in 3rd floor and the sound from my TV goes down to my neighbour and his child cannot sleep due to the TV sound. How to avoid this?
Hi Karthick,
It’s not that often that airborne noise can reach a lower floor. In general, people complain about impact noise.
And you should dig a little into the construction of your flooring: is it a concrete floor for instance?
Sound could also leak through another opening like windows. Does the sound is intrusive when windows are opened?
If indeed, it’s the floor then I would recommend adding layers on top of it.
Hello thanks for your reply , mine is a wooden floor and sound is not intrusive when windows are opened .
Hey.
How effective would the BalanceFrom EVA tiles be to dampen impact noise coming from the floor below—noise made deliberately by striking heavy iron dumbbells against their ceiling (the underside of our floor)?
Do revert.
I need to reduce airborne noise (music without heavy base etc) from traveling from one room to another in a single story home. Any suggestions?
Hi there,
Since you said you live in a single-storey house, I suppose noise comes from walls. I suggest to check my article on how to soundproof walls and doors. If noise comes from outside and through windows, consider checking out this article.
I hope it helps!
Hi Ludovic
I live upstairs from a couple who are just about to have a baby that will be in the room directly below my bedroom. I already have additional flooring in my bedroom but no carpet – which I prefer to avoid – which reduces sound transmission from below somewhat. From experience, a baby’s cries are particulalry penetrating and am seeking a solution – possibly temporary as child will eventually have his own room. Would EVA foam tiles work to curtail high-pitched noise? Or would anything else?
Hi Peter,
Sorry for the response time.
Unfortunately, EVA foam would do little to block noise (whatever frequency).
It’s useful against impact/structure-borne noise.
Does your window communicate with the window of the room below? If yes is your window insulated (double-pane)?
For the flooring, the best way to block noise is to add mass to it. It means adding another layer of floating flooring for example.
Alas, there’s no cheap solution when it comes to soundproofing, especially if you want to combine aesthetics and functionality.
How to tone down the noise in a party room with 8ft. Ceilings and laminate flooring?
I’d say, first you’d need to identify the type of noise you want to cut off.
For impact noises, you could add some underlay under the laminate flooring.
For airborne noise, you can either increase the number of solid layers on the flooring above or install resilient channels in the room below.
Good morning – thank you for this informative insight. I live in Amsterdam and trying to isolate mechanical noises at night that seem to travel through our floors (concrete). I put rubber pads under the feet of my bed, but its as it got worse – is that possible? Wrong rubber? Can some rubber types ‘amplify’ perhaps? I’m considering covering the entire area under our bed with Rubber
Hi Erdem,
This is surprising. Normally, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing rubber mats.
Is your rubber hard to compress? If it’s too soft your bed’s feet might be able to shortcut the pad, depending on your bed weight.
Hi there,
Thank you for the article!
What are your suggestions for reducing airborn noise traveling from floor to floor. I’m in a wood log cabin, the 2nd floor bedroom is separated from the master bedroom essentially by just one layer of wood flooring on wood studs. We can clearly hear conversations from the upstairs room.
Thinking we need to carpet the upstairs bedroom as a baseline, but what material would you recommend under the carpet to reduce airborne noise?
Comparably impact noise is not as big of a deal because if the nature of it being a bedroom with little space to walk around.
Thank you!
Hi Navlyn,
If your problem is airborne noise, I’d suggest adding mass and sound-damping compound, like Green Glue.
For example, you’d stack plywood – green glue – plywood – flooring.
Unfortunately, it means you’d have to consider adding a flooring. And I don’t know if your existing wood flooring already has pleasing aesthetics.
Side question is: are you sure the noise would travel only from the floor? Noise could also escape from the walls of the downstairs bedroom.
Greetings Ludovic,
My downstairs neighbor slams his front door and drops heavy workout equipment onto his floor. The sound reverberates throughout my apartment. Since I know the exact location of his door and equipment relative to areas in my apartment, would you have any affordable recommendations that may alleviate some of the impact sounds? I’ve thought of several things from moving rugs to rubber mats, etc., even a combination of these options. I realize I can’t cover the entire footprint of my apartment but I’m wondering if perhaps covering 6′ x 6′ sections directly above the impact areas might help. Your thoughts are really appreciated.
Hi,
Sorry for the late reply. For the door slamming, you can consider weatherstripping between where the door meet the frame when the door is closed.
That’s what I have in my current flat and it’s quite effective to reduce big slamming noises.
As for the workout equipment of your neighbor, installing rubber mats will work only if you install them on the floor of your neighbor apartment.
Covering your own apartment won’t do any good unfortunately.
Other options are quite pricey like installing resilient channels…
I live on the 5th floor of an apartment building with wooden floors. I would like to purchase a racing motion simulator that moves up and down via electronic actuators and I am looking for flooring that will stop the noise from transferring to the neighbors below. Do you think something like 2.5” rubber playground flooring would do the trick?
Here’s a link to my application:
https://youtu.be/qco4CVgaiCw
The race simulator you’re aiming at looks sick!
I love F1 and was playing F1 games back when it used to be V8 engine.
Anyway, back to your question, yes a 2.5″rubber playground flooring would work quite well.
Do you plan to install it floating over your existing flooring? Do you know what underlayment you have?