Sound deadening material is a great solution to the many distracting sound disturbances drivers face on a daily basis, from external road noise to internal sounds from vehicle components.
This method of soundproofing your vehicle is both simple and effective; you can do it yourself in a few easy steps and enjoy the rewards not only of minimized unwanted noise, but also improved quality of sound from your car speaker system.
However, with so many different types of sound deadening material on the market, each promising to provide superior sound insulation, it can be difficult to determine which material will actually provide the best noise cancellation.
That’s why we’ve made a list of the best sound deadening materials on the market, complete with a buyers guide and FAQ section, to help you select the best soundproofing material for your vehicle so you can drive without distractions from here on out.
In a hurry? Here’s our top pick:
Dynamat 10455 Thick Self-Adhesive Sound Deadener
- Aluminum coating for superior durability and heat resistance
- Self-adhesive for ease of installation
- 9 18 x 21 inch sheets per pack
- Available (at an increased price) with roller included, plus choice of Dynaliner, Dynapad or Dynatape to assist with installation
OUR TOP PICK
Dynamat is one of the most trusted brands in sound deadening materials, and this self-adhesive sound deadener demonstrates exactly why that is.
This sound deadening material is aluminum-coated, making it extra durable and heat resistant. The sheets measure 18 x 32 inches and each pack includes a generous supply of 9 sheets.
With a thickness of 67 mil, this material is thick enough to deaden excessive road and internal vehicle noise whilst remaining lightweight enough for easy handling and installation. The ease of installation is increased by the self-adhesive property of the material.
The sound deadener is available for purchase on its own, but can also be purchased with additional features included. You can purchase this sound deadener along with a roller for installation, plus a choice of Dynaliner, Dynapad, or Dynatape to facilitate the installation process. However, these additional features will raise the price of your purchase.
Pros
- Aluminum-coated for extra durability and heat resistance
- Self-adhesive for easy application
- Each pack contains 9 sheets for plentiful insulation
- Available for purchase (at a higher price) with roller included, plus Dynaliner, Dynapad or Dynatape
Cons
- One of the most expensive sound deadeners on the market
EDITORS CHOICE
Made of a combination of butyl and foil, this sound deadening mat from Kilmat is highly reviewed by consumers and provides high-quality sound insulation for an affordable price, reducing both road noise and internal vehicle noises.
The combination of 80 mil thick butyl and foil provides effective noise insulation despite its lightweight property and is suitable for use in both hot and cold temperature extremes, meaning this sound deadening mat will perform well regardless of climatic conditions.
This deadening mat is self-adhesive for ease of installation and should be installed using a roller.
To assist with the installation process, Kilmat’s sound deadening mat features an embossed design which helps to determine when the insulation is properly set. When the embossed design is fully flattened out, this is a sign that the material has been correctly installed.
However, it is important to note that the roller required for installation will need to be purchased separately.
Pros
- 80 mil butyl thickness for increased insulation
- Self-adhesive for easy installation
- Embossing design to indicate correct installation
- Suitable for use in hot and cold environments
Cons
- Roller required for installation is not included
BEST VALUE
Noico’s sound deadening mat is made of 80 mil thick butyl rubber and foil for top-quality noise insulation.
The most commonly bought sheet size is the generous 36 sqft option; however, this mat is also available in a size of 18 sqft.
Featuring enhanced adhesion for extra durability in temperatures up to 212℉, you can count on this sound deadening material to eliminate excessive noise from the inside of your vehicle for an extended period of time without need for a replacement.
Installation for this mat should be performed using a roller for best results, although this roller is not included with the purchase of the material. This mat also features surface embossing which serves to indicate when the insulator has been rolled out and set correctly.
Pros
- 80 mil thickness for superior noise insulation
- Available in a choice of 2 sheet sizes (36 sqft and 18 sqft)
- Enhanced adhesion for extra durability
- Suitable for use in temperatures up to 212℉
- Embossing design to help with installation
Cons
- Roller required for installation is not included
- Reports of a strong, rubbery smell following installation
RUNNER UP
FatMat’s self-adhesive Rattletrap sound deadener is a 80 mil thick vibrational damper which not only cancels out unwanted noise but also enhances the sounds you do want to hear in your car by reducing distortion and boosing bass so you can enjoy your favorite music from your car better than ever before.
FatMat’s patented super-stick adhesive ensures your sound deadener stays put for as long as possible, whilst the aluminum coating increases heat resistance for durability.
This material is available in a range of sizes, with 50 sqft being the standard. Roll lengths range from 25 sqft to 200 sqft, so whether your insulting requirements are small or large scale, FatMat has you (quite literally) covered.
Pros
- 80 mil thickness for superior sound insulation
- Enhances bass and reduces distortion for better music sound
- Aluminum coating for increased heat resistance
- Available in sizes ranging from 25 sqft to 200 sqft
Cons
- Not the most visually appealing option for car interiors
RUNNER UP
Siless’s car sound deadening mat incorporates the newly invented and technologically superior Bmastic material, which is a Butyl-based material designed to be lightweight and odorless whilst providing top-quality sound insulation.
At 80 mil thickness, Siless’s sound deadening mat provides good sound insulation at extremely affordable prices.
The ‘peel and place’ installation system makes the installation process as easy as possible: just cut the sheet to the correct size, peel the backing away and apply pressure to set using just your hands!
Each pack includes 2 sheets of the selected size.
Pros
- Bmastic material for lightweight and odorless quality
- 80 mil thickness for superior noise insulation
- Easy ‘peel and place’ installation
Cons
- Only available in sheets of 5 sqft, 10 sqft, or 36 sqft
- Less effective than other, more expensive brands
Best Car Sound Deadening Material Buying Guide
Now that you know which sound deadening materials are the best the automotive market has to offer, you’re probably wondering which one will best suit your vehicle to provide optimum noise insulation.
This buyers guide will break down all the key factors to consider when purchasing noise deadening material for your vehicle in order to make sure you’re getting the best quality sound insulation possible.
Material
When purchasing sound deadening material for your vehicle, the most important factor to consider is, of course, the material itself.
Most sound deadening materials for cars are either butyl or asphalt-based. There has been some debate amongst soundproofing connoisseurs regarding which material is the most effective sound insulator, but generally speaking, butyl-based materials have the edge on asphalt due to their increased heat resistance and lack of odor.
Size
Another important factor to take into consideration is the size of the area you need to insulate.
Sheets of sound deadening material come in a variety of sizes, ranging anywhere from 5 sqft to 200 sqft, so before you make your purchase, make sure you’ve measured and calculated exactly how much sound deadening material you’ll need to fit the interior of your car.
Thickness
With any sound deadening material, thickness will be a key contributing factor in the quality of sound insulation.
The general rule is that the thicker the material, the better insulation it will provide. However, this is not guaranteed. As the products in the list above demonstrate, it is possible for a slightly thinner sound deadening material to perform better than thicker ones as a result of other contributing factors. Additionally, a thinner material will most often be more lightweight, which makes for easier handling and installation.
Installation
Speaking of installation, when purchasing a sound deadening material for your vehicle, it’s important to be informed about the installation process.
If you have little to no experience in installing sound deadening material, it might be a good idea to select a material with a simple ‘peel and place’ application process, which doesn’t require any additional tools or adhesive substances.
However, the majority of sound deadening materials for car interiors will require a roller for application, although most do not include said roller with the purchase, so this is something you may need to purchase separately.
Additional Features
Luckily, the elusive installation roller is amongst the additional features provided by some sound deadening material brands.
Whilst this tool is rarely included with the material, some brands, such as Dynamat, do provide the option of including a roller with the purchase of your sound deadening material, meaning you don’t have to buy one separately to install your material.
Other additional features include tape and extra adhesive to facilitate the installation process, as well as adhesive pads for use under carpet.
Appearance
Many vehicle owners naturally take a great deal of pride in the appearance of their cars. If you are one such owner, you’ll probably want to consider the way your chosen sound deadening material will look inside your car.
Sound deadening material is primarily a functional purchase, not a decorative one, but that doesn’t mean you need to completely sacrifice your car’s internal aesthetic for the sake of soundproofing.
Many sound deadening materials are available in plain silver tones and will take on a smooth appearance when sufficiently rolled out and set, so they won’t look strange or out of place in your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sound deadening material worth the money?
Whether sound deadening material is worth the money for you will entirely depend on your personal circumstances.
If excessive noise isn’t something you struggle with regularly while driving, you may feel that you can do without noise insulation.
However, if you do experience issues with external or internal car noise, you will probably benefit from some added soundproofing. It should be noted that there are affordable sound deadening options on the market which are definitely worth the money and mean you can eliminate excess noise from your car without spending a fortune.
Where can I install sound deadening material in my vehicle?
There are many areas inside a vehicle to which sound deadening materials can be applied.
Generally speaking, these areas include doors, floors, firewalls, roof, wheel wells, and trunks. However, individual products may be better suited to certain areas than others, so always check the specific product information for guidance on where the material should be installed.
Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, sound deadening material should only be applied to the vehicle interior.
How do I know how much material I will need?
The best way to ensure that you purchase the correct amount of sound deadening material to insulate the interior of your car is to take the measurements of the individual areas you need to cover and calculate the total square footage.
However, this can definitely be a time-consuming process, and if you have relatively little experience in taking car measurements, you might be concerned that your calculations will be inaccurate.
If you don’t feel comfortable taking the measurements yourself, or if you just don’t have the time, some manufacturers will provide a measurement chart along with their product information to show the rough measurements of internal vehicle areas by model. However, bear in mind that these will only ever be rough measurements and should therefore not be taken as an absolute guarantee of size compatibility.