Understanding Acoustic Ratings & Noise Reduction

Modern offices are designed to encourage collaboration, flexibility, and open communication — but open-plan environments can also create distractions, noise, and a lack of privacy for calls and focused work.

This is where office phone booths have become an essential workplace solution.

At That’s My Office, we supply a wide range of acoustic office booths and meeting pods designed to create quiet, private spaces within busy working environments. But one of the most common questions we hear is:

“How do office phone booths actually work?”

In this guide, we explain how office phone booths reduce noise, what acoustic ratings mean, and how to choose the right booth for your workspace.

What Is an Office Phone Booth?

An office phone booth is a self-contained acoustic workspace designed to reduce surrounding noise and improve speech privacy.

These booths are commonly used for:

• Microsoft Teams and Zoom calls

• Private conversations

• Focused work

• Video conferencing

• Hybrid working environments

• Open-plan offices

• Hot desking and shared workspaces

Most office phone booths include:

• Acoustic wall panels

• Sound-insulated glass

• Ventilation systems

• LED lighting

• Integrated power and USB charging

• Work surface or desk

• Seating options

Unlike traditional meeting rooms, office booths can often be installed quickly without major building work.

How Do Office Phone Booths Reduce Noise?

Office phone booths work by controlling how sound travels both into and out of the booth.

There are three main acoustic principles involved:

1. Sound Absorption

Inside the booth, acoustic materials absorb sound waves to reduce echo and reverberation.

Materials often include:

• PET acoustic panels

• Fabric-wrapped foam

• Acoustic felt

• Sound-dampening wall linings

This creates a clearer and more comfortable environment for phone calls and video meetings.

2. Sound Isolation

The booth structure helps prevent sound escaping into the surrounding office.

This is achieved using:

• Acoustic laminated glass

• Dense wall construction

• Door seals

• Insulated panels

• Air gap construction

The better the isolation, the greater the speech privacy.

3. Noise Masking & Diffusion

While no booth is 100% soundproof, high-quality office pods are designed so that conversations outside the booth become difficult to understand.

Typically:

• People nearby may hear that someone is talking

• The actual words become unclear or muffled

• Speech intelligibility is significantly reduced

This is often the most important factor in workplace privacy.

Understanding Acoustic Ratings for Office Booths

One of the biggest areas of confusion is acoustic ratings.

Many office booths are marketed with terms such as:

• 30dB reduction

• B-rated acoustic booth

• A-rated office pod

• Speech privacy booth

But what does this actually mean?

What Does dB Reduction Mean?

dB stands for decibels, which measure sound levels.

An office booth with a 30dB reduction means sound leaving the booth is reduced by approximately 30 decibels.

For example:

This means conversations become significantly quieter outside the booth.

People nearby may still notice sound is present, but speech clarity is dramatically reduced.

What Is the Difference Between A-Rated and B-Rated Booths?

B-Rated Office Booths

A B-rated booth is suitable for most standard office environments.

Typically these booths:

• Reduce speech clarity

• Provide good privacy for Teams calls

• Lower office distractions

• Offer cost-effective acoustic performance

A typical B-rated booth may achieve around 25–30dB sound reduction.

These are often ideal for:

• Open-plan offices

• General business use

• Shared workspaces

• Hot desking environments

A-Rated Office Booths

A-rated booths provide higher levels of speech privacy and acoustic performance.

These booths usually include:

• Additional acoustic insulation

• Higher-performance glass

• Enhanced door sealing

• Improved airflow systems

• More advanced acoustic engineering

A-rated pods are commonly chosen for:

• Confidential conversations

• HR discussions

• Legal or financial meetings

• Executive environments

• Sensitive phone calls

These products generally command a higher price due to their more advanced construction and materials.

Are Office Phone Booths Completely Soundproof?

No — and it is important to understand this before purchasing.

Most office phone booths are designed for:

• Speech privacy

• Noise reduction

• Improved concentration

They are not recording studios or fully soundproof rooms.

A well-designed office booth should:

• Reduce distractions

• Prevent conversations being clearly understood outside

• Improve comfort for the user inside

• Lower overall office noise levels

The goal is usually practical workplace privacy, rather than total silence.

Why Office Phone Booths Are Important in Modern Offices

As more businesses adopt hybrid working and collaborative office layouts, phone booths solve several key workplace challenges.

Benefits Include:

Improved Productivity

Employees can focus without office distractions.

Better Video Calls

Acoustic treatment improves microphone and call quality.

Reduced Office Noise

Booths help contain conversations in open-plan environments.

Increased Employee Wellbeing

Providing quiet spaces can reduce stress and improve concentration.

Flexible Workspace Design

Booths can often be relocated if offices change or expand.

Choosing the Right Office Booth

When selecting an office booth, consider:

Acoustic Performance

How much privacy do you need?

Ventilation

Good airflow is essential for comfort.

Technology

Power, USB charging, lighting, and occupancy indicators may be important.

Booth Size

Single-person booths differ significantly from meeting pods.

Design & Finish

Modern booths are available in a wide range of colours and finishes to match office interiors.

Explore Office Phone Booths at That’s My Office

At That’s My Office, we supply a wide range of modern acoustic office booths and meeting pods suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Our range includes:

• Single-person phone booths

• Acoustic meeting pods

• Video call booths

• Collaborative meeting spaces

• UK-manufactured acoustic solutions

Many of our products can also be viewed in interactive 360° and Augmented Reality, helping you visualise how the booth will look within your office environment.

If you would like advice on acoustic ratings, office layouts, or the best booth for your workspace, our team would be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much noise does an office phone booth reduce?

Most quality office booths reduce sound by approximately 25–35dB depending on specification and acoustic rating.

Can people hear conversations inside office booths?

People nearby may hear muffled sound, but speech clarity is significantly reduced.

Are office booths suitable for Teams and Zoom calls?

Yes — office booths are specifically designed for video conferencing and private calls.

What is the difference between a phone booth and a meeting pod?

Phone booths are usually designed for one person, while meeting pods accommodate multiple users.

Do office phone booths need building work?

Most modern office booths are freestanding and can be installed without permanent construction work.