Best Automotive Sound Deadening Insulation: Keep the Noise Out
Make your ride much quieter.

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You're driving your project car along and everything's going well. That is until the tires begin chucking gravel into the wheel well and blasts ring through the cabin like mini explosions. Yep, you forgot to install the sound deadening on your latest project car. Sound deadening is important, and it's one simple mod that can make your car infinitely more livable for you and the passengers. Even if a car has sound deadening from the factory, adding a few extra layers in key places to your older ride can make an economy box feel a whole lot more like a luxury cruiser. And if you stripped your car all the way to the frame to restore it, you'll have to put it back in. Everyone has room for sound deadener in their life, so we want to talk about some of the best automotive sound deadening insulation options and how you can hunt some down for yourself.

Dynamat 10455 Thick Self-Adhesive Sound Deadener with Xtreme Bulk Pack
- High-quality materials used
- Easy to work with
- High tack promotes superior performance in all locations
- Relatively high price
- Thinner layers allow some more affordable options to provide better sound reduction
Kilmat 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat
- Affordable price point
- Exceptional performance, despite what price suggests
- Strong bond when installed properly
- Can be difficult to install
- Hard to cut to shape
- Produces strong odor
Siless Liner 157 mil (4 mm) 51 sqft Sound Deadening mat
- Effectively absorbs vibration and cancels noise
- Moisture- and oil-resistant
- Self-adhesive application is easy to use
- Not the best option for muffler drone
- Can be challenging to remove because it’s so sticky
Summary List
- Best Overall: Dynamat 10455 Thick Self-Adhesive Sound Deadener with Xtreme Bulk Pack
- Best Value: Kilmat 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat
- Runner Up: Siless Liner 157 mil (4 mm) 51 sqft Sound Deadening mat
- Honorable Mention: Noico 80 mil 36 sqft Сar Sound Insulation
- Also Consider: Ez-cool Vehicle Van Car Truck SUV RV Insulation Kit
Our Methodology
Let's get down to it. Dynamat started the industry of sound deadening insulation cars back in 1989. The product was a solution to problems car owners of all shapes and sizes dealt with, and it's only natural for an idea like this to catch fire. It's also only natural for everyone and their brother to start up a company and try their hand at it.
Before we leave you with the impression that we're saying Dynamat is the only sound-deadening company to go with, we should say that a lot of the competition is worth considering. We even have some experience with them and are pleased with the performance. As we assembled our list, we made sure to include those we know to work well, that actually stick to panels you need them to, and those of different configurations so that you have options to sort through.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Best Automotive Sound Deadening Insulation: Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Manufacturer: Dynamat
- Part Number: 10455
- Area Covered: 36 square feet
Pros
- High-quality materials used
- Easy to work with
- High tack promotes superior performance in all locations
Cons
- Relatively high price
- Thinner layers allow some more affordable options to provide better sound reduction
Specs
- Manufacturer: Kilmat
- Part Number: KLM8036
- Area Covered: 36 square feet
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Exceptional performance, despite what price suggests
- Strong bond when installed properly
Cons
- Can be difficult to install
- Hard to cut to shape
- Produces strong odor
Specs
- Manufacturer: Siless
- Part Number: SLL51
- Area Covered: 51 square feet
Pros
- Effectively absorbs vibration
- Blocks radiant heat
- Water-resistant
- Simple to install
Cons
- Not great for loud muffler drone
- Can be hard to remove
Specs
- Manufacturer: Noico
- Part Number: NR3004D
- Area Covered: 36 square feet
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Doubles as sound control and thermal barrier
- Strong adhesive backing
Cons
- Does not work as well as butyl for sound deadening
- Adhesive can make installation difficult
Specs
- Manufacturer: US Energy Products
- Part Number: SSR-CK10FF
- Area Covered: 100 square feet
Pros
- Uses by the military, first responder vehicles, and NASCAR
- Water-resistant
- Safe to use in a variety of different places in your vehicle
Cons
- Requires spray adhesive for installation
- Pops like bubble wrap when you step on it
Our Verdict on the Best Automotive Sound Deadening Insulation
Again, it's hard to ignore the performance and quality Dynamat 10455 18" x 32" x 0.067" Thick Self-Adhesive Sound Deadener with Xtreme Bulk Pack brings to the table. However, the Kilmat 80 mil 36 sqft Car Sound Deadening Mat is an excellent choice on a budget. What's your input, though? We'd love to know what sound deadener insulation you recommend!
What to Consider When Buying Sound Deadener Insulation
Types of Sound Deadener
Savants of this part of the industry might get a little peeved to see that we're lumping foam into the discussion of sound deadening, and we have to agree that they're right about the differences. However, we want to keep newcomers in mind. When it comes to controlling sound in your car, you'll have a few different materials to choose from. The brief explanations below will help to understand what is better and when.
Butyl
True sound-deadening materials rely on butyl rubber. The goal this material works to achieve is cutting down vibrations and acoustics in panels. It's going to cut down on the sounds of rocks hitting the wheel wells, exhaust noise polluting the cabin, and so on. It's also a great choice for enhancing the performance of sound systems as it won't harm bass or other airborne frequencies.
The material is a tacky, pliable compound that easily adheres to bare panels. It's often coupled with an aluminum foil backing and typically comes in sheets. You will need to use a roller to apply it to uneven surfaces for the best results, but it generally won't pull away easily after installation.
Foam
As you shop, you will come across materials that rely on closed foam materials. While it works to achieve a similar goal of cutting down noise, it's not dealing with the same elements as butyl. Instead, it's designed to tackle airborne sound waves. Issues like the sound of passing cars and other noise from outside of the vehicle are what it's intended to deal with.
The issue with foam is that it can begin to interfere with sound quality within the cabin if it isn't used effectively. However, that doesn't mean one is universally superior to the other. If you're looking to get a truly luxurious feel from your car, you will need to use both with strategic placement.
Spray
There aren't many spray-on sound deadeners out there, but they are worth mentioning, as they can be a useful tool. The texture is close to a rubberized undercoating, and unlike butyl or foam technologies, they spray right out of a can, eliminating the need to cut pieces to size.
While these products will reduce noise, it's important not to use them in place of foam or butyl sound deadening. Instead, you should use this where the others can't reach. Exterior portions of the vehicle, tight spaces or gaps between other sound reduction materials are easily covered with the spray-on sound deadener.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: Can you sound deaden a hood?
Yes, you can sound deaden a hood. One technique involves using a base layer of sound deadener covered by a hood insulation material. There are also kits designed specifically for sound deadening your hood.
Q: Does sound deadening improve bass?
Sound deadening can improve the bass of your sound system. Using it can dramatically improve your sound system's performance on all levels, which is why many people want it in their cars in the first place.
Q: Should I sound deaden my trunk?
Yes. Your trunk might seem like its own entity, but it is a part of your vehicle's cabin nonetheless. Neglecting to apply sound deadener here can be detrimental to your efforts to improve comfort or sound system performance.
Q: How much does sound deadening insulation cost?
That depends on how much you purchase. Our top pick can cost several hundred dollars depending on whether you choose the premium options with a roller and Dynapad. The good news is that there are also several options under $100.

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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