7 Best Sound Deadening Materials for Cars

by Jennifer Porterfield | Last Updated: September 28, 2023
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Before starting this article let me tell you about me. I am an introverted person who spends a lot of time inside my room and in my car. You won’t believe how long I stay and drive my car. I am a Car or Automotive Enthusiast also. With the combination of both being an introvert and a car enthusiast, I basically live in my car.

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I know I am not alone because I have friends who spend a shit ton of time in their car. For any people to stay in their car for a long time they need to be comfortable with it. If you are not comfortable then I don’t see even a homeless person stay in your car for a long because comfort is everything.

One such thing that makes a car ride irritable and uncomfortable is sound or noise. Be it from the engine or from outside the window they are irritable and annoying. So I did my research with 7 different sound-deadening materials for cars to make my car 100% Soundproof or Sound Deadening.

So in this article, I will be explaining to you or giving you the information on the 7 best Car or Automotive Sound Deadening Materials that are currently available in the market I write the article.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Table of Contents

Best Sound Deadening Materials for Cars

Mats, pads, and sprays have been developed for soundproofing cars. The best material is debated below. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have an electric car, then you might notice high levels of background noise. This is especially true for those with older vehicles that are in need of an upgrade.

One of the solutions to this that won’t cost as much as a new car is to install sound-insulating material on the inside of your vehicle. If you are interested in finding the highest quality of sound-deadening material and how to block loud road sounds, you might want to consider applying some of the material paneling below to the interior.

The added benefit of sound-absorbing material is improved temperature regulation. Insulating any place to make the sound less overwhelming and easier to handle can help retain heat and keep any space warmer for longer.

Best Sound Deadening Material for Cars

Sound blockers and absorbers are somewhat interchangeable in terms of their sound-absorbing capacity. That said, they slightly vary in their properties. Sound absorbers can help soften noise, whereas blockers focus on creating a barrier between your car and its exterior.

Sound-deadening material comes in different product types. These include mats, woven products, and even spray. The material is often known as acoustic foam and is most commonly seen in the form of adhesive padding that can be trimmed to fit a certain area.

The spray is one of the last resort products that is used for more difficult areas, such as hard-to-reach panels or awkward shapes. Sound insulation materials can vary in thickness, size, and main material features. This is a guide covering some of the best materials and products that are on the market.

Top 7 Best Sound Deadening Materials for Cars Reviews

1. KILMAT 80 mil 36 sq ft

KILMAT 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl...

Firstly, one of the easiest-to-use products that are currently on the market is self-adhesive padding which works by providing a barrier against engine rattling and road noises. KILMAT is a key brand on the market for padding that prioritizes sound insulation when you are driving.

Pros

  • Self-adhesive; just needs to peel off the adhesive protection and stick to any panels
  • No scent, easy to apply, and cut to size using any household scissors or a sharp knife
  • Lightweight material won’t add to any weight restrictions
  • Can be put anywhere- under mats, trunk, roof, the material is flexible and easy to shape to fit whatever place you want to insulate and add sound protection

Cons

  • Needs to be rolled out to smooth
  • Provides some level of heat insulation, but it is most effective when using it for sound insulation
KILMAT 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl...
  • Very sticky self-adhesive 80 mil automotive butyl and foil sound deadening. It is user-friendly...
  • Now the material is 1,5 times thicker that will get you 1,5 times more effective insulation. The...
  • Automotive self-adhesive insulation consists of butyl. KILMAT sound deadening has a total weight of...
  • Audio insulation KILMAT has a special indicator as to if it is installed correctly. The special...

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Noico Butyl Automotive Sound Deadener

Noico 80 mil 10 sqft car Sound deadening mat, Butyl...

Another key brand known for providing affordable sound barriers for cars is Noico. Noise insulation and dampening material provide relief from car engine rattling, which means that the barrier helps with headaches caused by background noise on the road.

Pros

  • Can be doubled up in layers, or used alone as a good foundation
  • Can be used in loud homes, neighborhoods or to make overwhelming noise easier to manage
  • Compared to more pricey brands in terms of quality

Cons

  • Using a roller is recommended
  • Multiple packs are needed to provide the best sound deadening possible
Sale
Noico 80 mil 10 sqft car Sound deadening mat, Butyl...
  • Very sticky self-adhesive 80 mil automotive butyl and foil sound deadening. It is user-friendly...
  • Now the material is 1,5 times thicker that will get you 1,5 times more effective insulation. Noico...
  • Automotive self-adhesive insulation consists of butyl. Noico sound deadening has a total weight of...
  • Audio insulation Noico has a special indicator as to if it is installed correctly. The special...

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Siless Liner Sound Deadening & Heat Insulation

Siless Liner 157 (4 mm) mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening...

Next is another esteemed brand of sound insulation developers. Siless have a complete range of rubber padding and barriers that vary in the application as well as how effective they are. There is even their own range of additional accessories that can be used for the easiest process possible.

Pros

  • Waterproof and oilproof
  • Easy to apply
  • Self-adhesive, which means that there is little need for additional glues to be purchased
  • Able to use as a temperature barrier, because of the additional padding that is added, there is naturally some level of temperature insulation providing protection from the cold. This might be something to consider if you live in a van or want to keep warm on longer drives
  • Lightweight and flexible, which makes it easy to cut to size and fit into more awkward places

Cons

  • It is recommended that you use this mat as a base layer, and add another layer of sound-absorbing material in order to get the highest quality of sound insulation
Sale
Siless Liner 157 (4 mm) mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening...
  • Closed Cell Foam: OIL and Waterproof LINER closed-cell polyethylene foam is the best for car, Siless...
  • Heat Blocker and Vibration Deadener: Effectively blocks 98% of radiant heat transfer. Siless Liner...
  • Lightweight, Waterproof: It is a waterproof light-weight thermal deadener with highly compressible...
  • The operating temperature of the material is the same as of the rubber foam up to 215 degrees...

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Mat66 Problack Sound Deadener

MAT66 ProBlack 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl...

More on the lightweight side, Mat66 has a butyl base with aluminum. The protective layer works similarly to any other sound insulation, and there is the added benefit of being more lightweight. It has been reported that this particular product helps reduce the sound of rainfall impact on the roof.

Pros

  • Low weight product that is easy to apply by using an adhesive that is under the protective coating
  • Helps with road noise

Cons

  • Some customers have complained about a smell that can be slightly overpowering, so it might be worth installing these in smaller amounts to prevent any irritations or additional difficulty
  • For the best application that will last the longest time, you will need to use a roller that is not included in the initial purchase
MAT66 ProBlack 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat, Butyl...
  • The cost effective 80 mil automotive butyl and foil sound deadening. You are not just buying an...
  • Now the material is 1,5 times thicker that will get you 1,5 times more effective insulation. MAT 66...
  • Automotive self-adhesive insulation consists of butyl. MAT 66 sound deadening mat has a total weight...
  • Car insulation MAT 66 has a special indicator as to if it is installed correctly. The special...

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. S’mart Mat Butyl Insulation

S'mart mat Favorite 90 Mil Car Sound Deadener Material (15...

This brand is recommended for use on metal panels, which means that you should remove any padding and clean any surfaces beforehand. The S’mart mat is recommended for use in the home as well as in cars, which means that the quality is slightly different from the previously mentioned brands.

Pros

  • Step-by-step application instructions are available online and come with the purchase
  • Additional safety features include waterproofing, sound protection, and even fire retardant
  • Affordable
  • The indicator on the design changes to show that it has been properly applied

Cons

  • A roller is needed for correct application, which isn’t included in the initial purchase

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. DEI Boom MAT Spray

DEI Boom MAT Spray on for Sound Deadening 18 Oz (2 Pack)

If your car has areas that are particularly difficult to reach that would benefit from sound paneling, then you might want to consider soundproof spray. It can be applied on top of some of the products listed previously, to allow a more complete sound barrier on the road.

Pros

  • No need for flat surfaces to apply
  • Can be layered using a roller and allowing time to dry in between

Cons

  • The material is flammable, so cannot be used in areas that create high amounts of heat
  • There has been an unusual scent reported from this product
  • Using a thin coat means that people don’t always notice a difference, so many apply thick amounts, which uses the can up a lot faster
DEI Boom MAT Spray on for Sound Deadening 18 Oz (2 Pack)
  • Dries to Touch in 20 Minutes, Paintable in 6 Hours
  • Each Can Covers Approximately 20 sq.ft.
  • Enhance Audio Performance
  • Helps Prevent Rust

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Design Engineering 050113 Under Carpet

Design Engineering 050113 Under Carpet Lite 70' x 72' Sound...

Another product that has been proven to be beneficial in cars, vans, and other less insulated vehicles is this soft carpet. It acts as a base layer for the floor of your car and can absorb a great deal of sound while retaining heat.

It can make your car feel more cozy thanks to the plush feel and provide warmth to those who are traveling long distances or even living in their vehicles. People have enjoyed placing this padding on top of sound-absorbing panels for additional sound deadening.

Pros

  • Effective warmth, cushioning, and sound softening
  • Easy to cut to any desired shape
  • Long-lasting
  • USA based company

Cons

  • It isn’t water-resistant, which is something that can be a significant drawback to those with children who are prone to spills.

Last update on 2024-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Butyl vs Rubber Asphalt

Some of the more commonly used materials within the theme of soundproofing panels are rubber and butyl. Each has its own selection of pros and cons, which is why it can be difficult to determine which type of product and brand to use.

Butyl has been designed to withstand much higher temperatures than rubber, and panels stay much more sticky for longer. This is because of the synthetic reinforcements of the material that have been developed to withstand more extreme conditions. For that reason, many consider butyl as the better material for sound deadening in cars.

Some have gone as far as to criticize rubber pads for creating a scent that is off-putting and arguing that it is a less efficient material. That said, it is worth considering that rubber mats and sound-deadening padding are extremely affordable.

It is also the preferred material for those who like to incorporate more natural materials into their life, as natural rubber can be sourced. On the whole, however, many reviews highlight the role of rubber padding is very thick and somewhat inflexible.

When compared to butyl, asphalt is the less reliable choice, and it is more vulnerable to damage and even melting during more extreme temperatures.

For that reason, it is not recommended that you invest in rubber pads for soundproofing if your vehicle is prone to overheating, as the smell of melting rubber can be very potent.

There has also been some level of debate about whether the thickness of the material is more important than what product is used. Obviously, thicker padding helps to create a better sound barrier and absorb even more background noise.

However, there is a lot that the core material brings to the table. Rubber provides less option for thickness, as it naturally comes in a predetermined width. It is more difficult to cut to size and install. The natural winner of this debate seems to be butyl.

While it is more synthetic, there is less odor to butyl, and it is more resistant to heat. This is a particular advantage when it comes to use within a vehicle.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is it worth sound deadening a car?

Yes, it’s totally worth sound-deadening a car. There are numerous benefits or advantages of sound deadening a car. It’s not even that difficult to sound deadening a car. It’s very simple. Pair this with an ultra-quiet garage door opener for an extremely quiet experience.

What is the best automotive insulation?

The best automotive insulation is Dynamat and Noico sound deadening mat.

Which products gave a smell?

Products containing asphalt are some of the most common things that can create an unpleasant scent that can result in headaches and even dizziness. It might be worth avoiding any products that list asphalt as an ingredient if you are prone to substance-related reactions. It might also be worth considering that some rubber-based products have a rubbery scent upon initial application. This might be off-putting for some people, and it is definitely something to be aware of.

Should I layer sound deadening material?

Some brands encourage this. Because of the nature of these insulating materials, additional layering creates a bigger platform to absorb more background noise.
If your car has a particularly loud engine, or if it’s closer to the ground and picks up a lot of additional noise, you might want to consider carefully adding a second layer of sound protection. That said, you can achieve similar effects by taking the time to ensure that all possible areas have a panel of sound-absorbing material.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by now, you have a better understanding of soundproofing and how to prevent unnecessary noise from entering your vehicle when you’re on the road. There are many advantages to integrating soundproof panels into your car, from preventing the noises of other cars from irritating you, to making your music easier to hear.

Soundproofing can improve your overall driving experience and even allow you to sustain longer conversations with passengers on the road. 

There has been some level of debate surrounding the effectiveness of different products, which is why a range has been highlighted above. The role of customer reviews and brand specifications are some of the most important factors that have determined their usefulness in soundproofing.

Thicker materials are able to absorb more sound from the background and even your engine, but things to consider include the material used and whether you want to invest in a more reliable option or use affordable rubber-based pads.

Butyl is the dominant material across soundproofing means, because it is more resistant to temperature changes, has less of an odor, and can be cut into shape and installed much easier. It has been designed to last longer in comparison to rubber. This means that it could be worth installing.

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