Not every employee thrives in a noisy, open environment but these private work pods can help.
While open offices can be great for flexibility and collaboration, the lack of acoustical and physical privacy can lead to issues. Creating designated quiet spaces supports the mental well-being of employees by offering a refuge from the hustle and bustle of an open office layout. It allows for moments of solitude, relaxation, and stress reduction, contributing to a healthier work atmosphere. Privacy pods cater to diverse work styles, acknowledging that some individuals may prefer or require a quieter setting to perform at their best. This inclusivity supports a more diverse and adaptable workplace for all.
To help, we have rounded up a list of the latest privacy pods to help employees who crave a quiet place for a call or heads-down work, among open plan spaces. We’ve even captured their air quality stats, connectivity options, sustainability stories and the all important installation times!
Cubicall Privacy Pods by Cubicall
Create dynamic and flexible workspaces that inspire, improve satisfaction and increase productivity with Cubicall. Cubicall’s modular & prefabricated privacy solutions limit noise distractions & airborne contact, ship flat for easy installation, and are fully customizable. The patented designs feature industry-only, space-saving bi-fold doors to help more businesses comply with International Building Codes and make the most of their space.
Acoustic Rating: Reduces speech by 29db.
Connectivity Choices: Comes with standard USB-A, USB-C & three standard 120v outlets and Ethernet/cable feed in desk.
Installation Time:
- Two Series Phone Booth: 45 minutes
- Four Series: 1.5 hours
Air Quality Considerations:
- Replaces air within booths every 60 seconds
- Negative pressure HEPA filtration available
- Seamless integration of automated UV disinfection ceiling lamp (disinfects surfaces & air)
Sustainability: Made in the USA and comprised of 70% recycled materials.
- Aluminum
- 70%-100% recycled aluminum
- Reusable
- 100% recyclable
- Soundproofing
- 60% post-consumer content (recycled plastic bottles)
- 100% recyclable
- Free of VOC’s, non-hygroscopic, antimicrobial & anti-fungal
- Wood
- FSC-certified, CARB compliant wood
Drape by Okamura
Drape creates quiet, private work pods that are perfect for touchdown work or making phone calls. The panels, available in two heights, are constructed to absorb sound and are covered with PET felt or fabric. Drape is designed to be compact with a small footprint but still provides maximum privacy by blocking the line of sight.
Acoustic Rating: NRC – 0.70, SAA – 0.68
Connectivity Choices: Optional desktop power outlet and task light.
Installation Time: 20-30 minutes by two technicians.
Air Quality Considerations: SCS Indoor Advantage Gold.
Sustainability: ISO14001
Om Pod by National
Open office environments can increase team productivity and collaboration, but only if the layout includes a designated space for privacy. The Om Pod is designed to maximize your open office, providing a quiet haven for privacy.
Om Sit easily accommodates extended private work, while Om Stand is ideal for a quick phone call or video chat.
Acoustic Rating: NIC rating 32 dB + Anti-eavesdrop technology (experience it here!)
Connectivity Choices: Power and data options included
Installation Time: As fast as 45 minutes
Air Quality Considerations: Each pod comes with motion activated fans.
Sustainability & Safety:
OM Pod is SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Certified, a certification for low VOC emissions with the most transparent indoor air quality (IAQ) standard for furniture and building materials.
They are UL 962 Listed!
Om Pods have gone through extra structural, electrical, and material testing to bring you one of the safest pods on the market.
The Huddle Pod by Nook
Complimenting meeting rooms with flexible huddle solutions allows more smaller powerful get-togethers to take place. Nook Huddle pods take people out of the spotlight so they can re-set themselves without feeling self-conscious. They are remarkably quiet inside, without cutting a person off from the environment, and they allow personalization of the lighting, which is a vital tool for helping neurodiverse brains to settle.
Acoustic Rating:
- Nook Huddle Pods are intentionally open on one side. This openness combats the claustrophobia, staleness of air and overheating that enclosed pods encounter. Nook balances this openness and approachability with a surprising quietness once inside.
- Sitting in to a Nook removes much of the disturbing high frequency noise from the noise spectrum. It removes the strain of having to focus hard on a conversation and brings a sense of relief and relaxation.
- Users have called it ‘an oasis of calm’. It is not productive to put decibel readings on this effect as its not a simple quantifiable measurement. It is a feeling of intimacy and peace which adds to personal wellbeing and promotes focus.
Connectivity Choices:
- Nook Huddle Pods include as standard :
-
- USB-A and USB-C outlets
- 3 x standard 120v outlets
Installation Time: 90 minutes for 2 persons without prior experience.
Air Quality Considerations: Huddle Pods are open sided
Sustainability: The most sustainable products are those can be used and reused for many years. Nook is designed on that basis using over 70% recyclable materials which are 90% recyclable.
HushMeet By Hushoffice
HushMeet is an additional, independent space that gives employees a comfortable and secure environment with advanced acoustic solutions. The closed space provides privacy, an excellent alternative to small conference rooms and mobility. From creative work to video conferences, hushMeet is the perfect place for all meeting types.
Acoustic Rating:
- Frequency range 125 Hz to 8000 Hz according to ISO 23351-1:2020
- Speech level reduction – DS,A 28.5 (dB)
Connectivity choices:
- UL standard: 1x (power, RJ 45, USB Type A 2.4A, USB Type C 5A). Black color.
Installation time: 2.5-3 hours (2 installers needed)
Air Quality Considerations: HushMeet is fully ventilated. It is equipped with six fans that are working with 3531 ft 3 /h efficiency, which makes the total time of air change in 167 seconds, based on the volume and capacity of one fan.
Sustainability: Hushoffice booths are manufactured in a ISO 9001 and 14001 certified
production facility in Poland by Mikomax Smart Office. They are compliant with the ISO
14001 Environmental Management System Standard. Hushoffice is packed and delivered in
light cardboard boxes which are recycle-friendly.
The Meeting Room by ROOM
The Meeting Room by ROOM is a modular conference room that fosters a more connected experience and inspires a better way to work, together. Thoughtfully designed to create more meaningful one-on-ones and small team collaborative work for up to four individuals, all without the hassle of traditional construction.
Acoustic Rating: Sustainable soundproof walls that reduce noise by 30 decibels.
Connectivity Choices: Built-in powerbox to keep guests charged and connected and free of cord clutter with 3 AC outlets, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, 2 CAT6 data ports for ethernet connectivity, and wireless charging capabilities.
Installation Time: Plug + play installation in less than 3 hours with 3 people.
Air Quality Considerations: Each room comes equipped with five ultra-quiet fans located on the roof and discreet air inlets behind the sofas to keep the air inside fresh at all times. ROOM’s proprietary ventilation system wholly replenishes air every minute, 5x that of a standard conference room. Plus – our products are now SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Certified.
Sustainability: By thinking cyclical, ROOM is not only designing for the way our products are used, but the way they’re reused. Leveraging recycled plastic bottles for our soundproofing – over 1,000 in total, and giving our products a second life post-use, they’re making more room for the environment.
The Open Shelter By Nook
Acoustic Rating:
- Nook Open Shelters are intentionally open on one side. This openness combats the claustrophobia, staleness of air and overheating that enclosed pods encounter.
- Nook balances this openness and approachability with a surprising quietness once inside.
- It is not productive to put decibel readings on this effect as its not a simple quantifiable measurement. It is a feeling of intimacy and peace which adds to personal wellbeing and promotes focus.
Connectivity Choices: Nook Open Shelter can add power as required.
Installation Time: 45 minutes for 2 persons without prior experience.
Air Quality Considerations: Nook Open Shelters are open sided
Sustainability: The most sustainable products are those can be used and reused for many years. Nook is designed on that basis using over 70% recyclable materials which are 90% recyclable.
The Phone Booth by ROOM
Constant noise and insufficient meeting space lead to lost productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. The Phone Booth by ROOM creates space for solo phone calls, virtual meetings, and focused work, so you never have to fight over conference rooms or take calls in the hallway again.
Acoustic Rating: Sustainable soundproof walls that reduce noise by 28 decibels.
Connectivity Choices: Two 120v outlets and an optional ethernet port ensure you stay connected and keep you charged up.
Installation Time: Easy install in less than 1 hour with 1 tool, and two colleagues.
Air Quality Considerations: Each booth comes equipped with two ultra-quiet fans located on the roof to keep the air inside cool and fresh at all times. ROOM’s proprietary ventilation system wholly replenishes air every minute.
Sustainability: Three layers of sound insulation made from recycled materials, including 100% natural breathable wool and no-dye-added acoustic felt.
Residence Connect by Spacestor
Over the past several years, many innovative products have reached the market addressing the need for privacy, peace, and quiet for focused work. The team at Spacestor has created the Residence Connect as a single person, tech integrated pod designed to deliver the ultimate equitable video-conferencing experience through unparalleled user experience, sustainability & inclusivity.
Acoustic Rating: A patent-pending acoustic seal technique ensures an extremely high acoustic performance (reduction rating exceeding 35dB).
Connectivity Choices: Integral chase available for flexible connection of all MEP components, including sprinklers and power.
Air Quality Considerations: An additional feature is a UV air purifier to cleanse air between each user.
Sustainability: All materials are LBC Red List Compliant, no added formaldehyde and patented PVC-free acoustic seals.
Nook Solo Booth
Quickly add personal, quiet, clean space to any environment. Available as a closed or partially open booth, Nook Solo adds quiet shelter for the increase in individual video conferencing.
Acoustic Rating: The Solo Booth with door shows a minimum of 23 dBA attenuation. Enough reduction to provide quiet to focus without isolation. Please see attached for reference.
Connectivity Choices:
- Nook Solo Booths as standard :
- USB-A and USB-C outlets and 1 x 120v on desktop
- 3 x standard 120v outlets below the desk
Installation Time: 45 minutes for 2 persons without prior experience.
Air Quality Considerations: Solo Booths Nook Solo Air replacement is greater than 1 and a half times per minute.
Sustainability: The most sustainable products are those can be used and reused for many years. Nook is designed on that basis using over 70% recyclable materials which are 90% recyclable.
TalkZone by Spec Furniture Inc.
Your Zen Moment is Here: A place to collect your thoughts, take an important call, or work on that critical project in silence – it’s all within your reach with TalkZone. Step inside to a private workstation that provides quiet space on-demand. Available with the handle on the right or left side – depending on your layout needs, TalkZone offers an area to do hard work without distraction.
Acoustic Rating: ISO 23351-1:2020
Connectivity choices: TalkZone features cove power module with two power, and two USB outlets. Available in Gloss White, Silver Pearl and Black.
Installation time: Up to 3 hours.
Air Quality Considerations: Sensor activated integrated intake and outtake fans provide air circulation while a user is in the booth.
Sustainability: In the process of being LEVEL certified.
WiggleRoom by KI
WiggleRoom brings balance to open environments by creating an individual, distraction-free option within the togetherness of open plan spaces. WiggleRoom is a place for private phone calls, one-on-one video conferencing, and focused work. Featuring excellent acoustic properties, WiggleRoom supports privacy with sound-absorbing panels and a magnetically sealed door. Make a statement or seamlessly blend into any space by specifying colors that make your vision a reality. Select from a range of options for materials, surfaces, seating and accessories that enhance comfort and productivity in a compact workspace.
Acoustic Rating: WiggleRoom Pod has been acoustically tested to have Db loss of 30. The self-closing, magnetically sealed door is acoustically sound to minimize noise distractions.
Connectivity Choices: Optional Qi-enabled power module supports a USB-A port as well as Qi wireless charging and offers two 120-volt AC outlets. Specify power supply as 3-prong plug or hardwire. 7.5 foot power cord with a 3-prong plug; also available with hardwired whip. 12-volt power supply for power module, ventilation and lighting.
Installation Time: Once a WiggleRoom Pod is uncrated and at the desired location within the space, the pod requires two installers an average of two hours to fully assemble the unit.
Air Quality: Motion-activated ceiling fan constantly replenishes internal pod air, maintaining a comfortable environment with 100% air replacement every 60 seconds.
Sustainability: Constructed using ecologically sound and recyclable steel and aluminum, WiggleRoom Pods are designed for sustainability.
Did we miss your favorite privacy pod?
Contact [email protected] to explore being added to the list!
