Acoustic Foam vs. Rockwool vs. Fiberglass - The Acoustic Absorption Showdown

When it comes to soundproofing, there are a lot of different materials to choose from. Each material has its own unique properties, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your needs. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast acoustic foam, rockwool, and fiberglass absorption. We will discuss the pros and cons of each material, and help you decide which one is right for you!

What does foam, rockwool, or fiberglass absorption do in a room?

Acoustic absorption will do all of the below within the room.

  • decreases echoes
  • lowers reverberation time
  • increases sound clarity
  • gives your room a flatter frequency response
  • prevents standing waves

Acoustic panels can be used to improve the sound quality of a room, by absorbing excess sound waves. Absorption panels are often used in recording studios, podcast booths, and other rooms because they do an excellent job of dampening unwanted sound.


How are sound waves absorbed?

All of these materials absorb sound in the same way. The sound energy is transferred to heat energy through friction when sound waves bounce into the material. 

This means that acoustic panels will absorb sound waves rather than the sound bouncing off flat surfaces like painted drywall. If you have ever been into a bare room with flat walls then you know how painful the echoes can be. Adding absorption is imperative when sound clarity is a priority!


Which acoustic absorption material is the best?

We know that each material will absorb sound in the same way, so what is the difference?


Acoustic foam

Pros:

- Inexpensive

- Good for small and large areas

- Available in a variety of colors and sizes

- Easy to install

- Lightweight

Cons:

- Not as durable as other materials

- Need thicker material to properly absorb low frequencies. This is why we have awesome corner bass traps! Panels and bass traps combine to give you full frequency absorption!

- Can be flammable if you do not buy high quality fire retardant foam like SoundAssured!

- Cheap foam that is compressed overseas is a problem! The foam will not expand properly so the companies will tell you to use water. This can cause mold to form in your panels! Our panels expand within a day because they are compressed right before shipment in the USA!


Rockwool


Pros:

- Non-flammable

- Good for large areas and inside walls

- Excellent at absorbing low-frequency sound waves

- Easy to find at your local hardware store

Cons:

- More expensive than acoustic foam

- Can be difficult to install 

- Requires proper wrapping with high quality acoustical fabric. If the panels are not wrapped properly then small particles can get out and be breathed in.


Fiberglass


Pros:

- Non-flammable

- Comes in boards that are lightweight and rigid which makes for easier install that rockwool. We suggest the rotofast mounting hardware. All of our standard fabric panels come with rotofast anchors!

- Excellent sound absorption for the thickness compared to acoustic foam. You do not need as thick of panels on your wall. 

Cons:

- More expensive than acoustic foam

- Harder to find than rockwool

 

- Requires proper wrapping with high quality acoustical fabric. If the panels are not wrapped properly then small particles can get out and be breathed in.


So, which one should you choose?

It really comes down to your preference and your budget. We know that all of these absorbers perform the same trick! The main differences are the aesthetics and your budget! 

If you are working on a home studio, a voice over booth, a podcasting studio or something small then acoustic foam is the most affordable and easiest to install!

If you are planning a recording studio or broadcast center that will be in business for the next 25 years you may take a different approach. In this case you will likely have a larger budget that allows you to invest into walls with built in rockwool treatments. 

Take advantage of our FREE room analysis. One of our acoustic pros will help you out! We are not sales people. We will give you the best advice so you get the results and the look you want! If another company has a product that is better for you, we will tell you. Our main goal is to help you, not to sell more products!

 

Pay attention to absorption ratings!

Either way you go, the most important thing to look at when deciding which acoustic absorber to buy is the absorption ratings!

Here are the absorption ratings for our acoustic foam. Our foam was tested at Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories, the number one testing lab in the US! 

acoustic foam NRC ratings for SoundAssured acoustic foam panels and bass traps

Read more about absorption ratings HERE! 

Compare absorption ratings of various materials HERE!

Below are the rockwool absorption ratings. Note the thickness that is required for optimum absorption. 

a chart showing rockwool NRC sound absorption ratings

Here are the absorption ratings for rigid fibergalss board.

fiberglass NRC sound absorption ratings

Absorption does not equal soundproofing!

Lastly, let's talk about a common misconception about acoustic absorbers. Many people think you can slap some acoustic panels onto a wall to stop sound from leaving or coming into the room. This is false.

Acoustic absorption will NOT stop sound from coming into your room or leaving your room! If you want to learn more about sound transmission through walls and ceiling check out THIS POST. 

For sound absorption you are looking for the NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) rating. For soundproofing (ie sound transmission) you are looking for the STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating.

Do you have any tips for treating a room? Share them in the comments below!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do acoustic panels really work? ▶
Yes, acoustic panels absolutely work when used correctly. Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, which helps reduce echo, reverb, and unwanted reflections in a room. This creates a cleaner, more controlled sound environment.

Whether you’re treating a home studio, podcast room, home theater, or office space, acoustic panels can make a noticeable difference in speech clarity, mix accuracy, and overall listening quality.
How do I know which panels are right for my room? ▶
Every space is unique. You can contact us for a free room analysis, or check out our guides under the “Learn” section.

Absorption panels help reduce echo and reverb. We offer foam panels and fabric covered panels.

Diffusers scatter sound for a more balanced feel.

Bass traps help control low frequencies that tend to build up in corners.

If you’re trying to block sound from entering or leaving a room, you’ll need soundproofing materials, which are different from acoustic treatments.
Can I order samples? ▶
Yes, we offer acoustic foam samples and well as fabric color swatches. If you are looking for something else please Contact Us.

Order Foam Samples
Order Fabric Swatches
What’s the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment? ▶
Soundproofing blocks sound from entering or leaving a room. Acoustic treatment improves sound inside the room by reducing echo and reverb.
Can acoustic panels improve speech clarity? ▶
Yes! Acoustic panels are commonly used in offices, conference rooms, and classrooms to reduce echo and improve speech intelligibility. By absorbing excess sound and reverb, panels make it easier to hear and understand spoken words—even at lower volumes.

Want help improving clarity in your space? Contact us here.
Do acoustic panels block outside noise? ▶
Standard acoustic panels don’t block sound—they absorb it. Acoustic panels reduce echo and reverb inside a room but won’t stop external noise from entering or leaving.

If you’re looking for soundproofing, you’ll need materials designed to block sound transmission like mass loaded vinyl, or decoupled wall systems. We offer select products for this—Contact Us to learn more.

Learn the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption here.
Where should I place acoustic panels? ▶
The best placement depends on your room and goals. For general echo reduction, aim to cover 20–30% of your wall space. For recording studios, home theaters, or listening rooms, focus on:

• Front wall behind speakers
• Back wall behind the listening position
• Side wall reflection points
• Ceiling above your desk or seating area
• Diffusers at key reflection points for natural sound

Need help with placement? Contact us for a free custom recommendation.
Do these panels work for podcasting, streaming, or music production? ▶
Absolutely. We serve customers across all industries — from home offices to professional studios.
What fabric is best for wrapping acoustic panels? ▶
To get the best sound performance, use acoustically transparent fabric—material that lets sound pass through easily. A simple test: try breathing through the fabric. If air flows freely, it’s likely a good choice. Avoid dense materials like heavy denim or canvas, as they can block sound instead of letting it be absorbed.

Looking for a proven solution? Our professional-grade acoustical fabric is highly rated by customers and perfect for DIY acoustic panels.

Shop acoustic fabric here or contact us if you need help picking the right fabric for your project.
Can I order custom-sized acoustic panels? ▶
Yes! In addition to our standard panel sizes, we offer custom-sized acoustic panels for unique spaces, specialty builds, and large-scale projects. Just let us know your dimensions and design goals—we’re happy to create a solution that fits your space perfectly.

Contact us here to tell us about your project and get a custom quote.
Do you offer custom sizes or colors? ▶
Yes, we offer custom sizing and a variety of colors on select products. Just reach out and let us know what you need.

Contact Us for custom quotes.
Are your products easy to install? ▶
Yes! Our fabric-wrapped panels include mounting hardware. For acoustic foam, there are several easy mounting options, including double-sided adhesive squares, spray adhesive, or Command strips for installation without damaging your walls.

Check out our install videos here.
Do I need professional help to install acoustic panels? ▶
Most acoustic panels are easy to install with basic tools and a little DIY experience. We make it simple by providing tutorial videos. Check out our install videos here.

For more complex projects, we’re happy to guide you—or your contractor—through the process to ensure everything is done right.

Contact us here if you need help with installation planning.
How do you maintain acoustic panels? ▶
Acoustic panels are low-maintenance and built to last with proper care. Here are some general tips:

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth
• Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• Clean gently with compressed air
• Spot clean with minimal moisture and dry immediately

Always check your panel’s product specs for specific cleaning recommendations.

Have questions about cleaning or care? Contact us here.
How much do acoustical panels or soundproofing materials cost? ▶
The cost of acoustic panels and soundproofing panels depends on your space and goals. We offer everything from affordable DIY acoustic foam to high-end custom panels for professional studios and luxury interiors. For an accurate quote, let us know your room size, usage, and sound goals—we’re happy to help you find the right solution for your budget.

Fill out our free room analysis for personalized acoustic advice.
How fast is shipping and fulfillment? ▶
Most orders ship in 1-3 business days. Cut to order foam may take a little longer. If you need something in a hurry please Contact Us.
Can acoustic panels be customized for my space? ▶
Yes! We offer custom acoustic panels tailored to your exact dimensions, layout, and design goals. Whether you’re working with an odd-shaped wall, a unique room layout, or a specific aesthetic, we can create panels that fit perfectly.

Choose from a wide range of colors and fabrics to match your space without sacrificing performance.

Contact us here to tell us about your space and get a custom solution.