It might be the thumping bass from your neighbor’s late-night party, constant barking of a next-door dog next door, or footsteps from upstairs.  Loud neighbours are annoying, but you can do something about it.

In this article, we tackle this urban living dilemma head-on. When faced with noise should you invest in soundproofing your living space, or turn to gadgets for a solution? The answer might be different for everyone and by the end of this guide, you’ll know the right one for you.

We’ll go through the soundprooding techniques and gadgets you might opt for, and the pros and cons of each approach. But before that, we’ll explain airborne and impact noise. Skip to:

• Airborne and impact noise
• Soundproofing for loud neighbors
• Gadgets for loud neighbors  
• Soundproofing vs gadgets: The verdict

Airborne and impact noise

Let’s wheel out one of our favorite infographics (again). Take a look at it, then we’ll quickly cover airborne and impact noise.

The two categories of noise above are:

1. Impact noise: These are sounds created by physical impact, like footsteps, dropping objects, or vibrations from appliances.

2. Airborne noise: This includes sounds that travel through the air, such as voices, music, or TV sounds.

Why is this important? Different types of noise require different approaches to how to stop the noise from your neighbor. What works for airborne noise might not be as effective for impact noise, and vice versa.

Soundproofing for loud neighbors

First, what is soundproofing? It is basically the modification of your living space to reduce the amount of sound that enters or leaves a room. See it as a more permanent solution to your neighbor noise. And importantly, it can be highly effective when done correctly.

Let’s look at some soundproofing techniques you could try.

Common soundproofing techniques

Adding mass

This involves installing dense materials like mass-loaded vinyl or extra drywall to block sound transmission.

Best for: Blocking out airborne and impact noise from your neighbor

Damping

Using materials like Green Glue between layers of drywall to convert sound energy into heat.

Best for: Blocking out airborne noise such as voices, music and TV

Decoupling

Separating walls, floors, or ceilings to break the path of sound transmission, often using resilient channels or sound isolation clips.

Best for: Serious long-term soundproofing

Installing soundproof windows

Replacing existing windows with double-pane or laminated glass windows.

Best for: Soundproof windows are a good solution for neighbors who are noisy in the garden

Advantages of soundproofing

Implement one or several of the soundproofing solutions above, and you can look forward to the following upsides in your battle against the offending neighbors. 

• Long-term solution – Once installed, soundproofing measures can last for years without requiring further intervention.

• Comprehensive coverage – Properly implemented soundproofing can address both airborne and impact noise.

• Energy efficiency – Many soundproofing materials also provide thermal insulation, potentially reducing your energy bills.

• Increased property value – A well-soundproofed home can be more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

Gadgets for neighbors

If soundproofing perturbs you a bit – due to complexity or price – you might want to consider gadgets. There are a few products on the market that can help you to keep the noise down from the other side of the wall.

Remember – in general, gadgets are more effective at blocking out airborne noise. If you are facing thuds, heavy footsteps or banging; probably better to try soundproofing.

Recommended gadgets for noisy neighbors 

We recommend the following gadgets for noise reduction:

White noise machines

These devices produce a consistent sound that can mask other noises, making them less noticeable.

Best for: On-demand solution to shut out neighbor noise

Active noise-canceling headphones

Using advanced technology, these headphones create inverse sound waves to cancel out ambient noise.

Best for: Pop them in when the noisy neighbors get loud

Also, check out our article on the best noise-canceling headphones

Sound masking systems

Similar to white noise machines, these systems emit a low-level, specially tuned background sound to make speech less intelligible and reduce the impact of distracting noises.

Best for: Like a white noise machine, but more sophisticated

Acoustic window inserts

These are custom-fit acrylic panels that can be easily installed over existing windows to reduce outside noise. More of a gadget than a permanent soundproofing solution – you can pop them in and out as and when you please.

Best for: Neighbors who are noisy outside

Smart home devices

Some smart speakers and hubs now offer white noise or ambient sound features.

Best for: Use your gadget for more than just noise reduction

Advantages of gadgets

Using gadgets to make neighbor noise more manageable offers the following benefits:

• Portability – Most noise-canceling gadgets are portable and can be used in different locations.

• No structural changes – Gadgets don’t require any modifications to your living space.

• Immediate results – Many gadgets provide instant noise reduction upon activation.

• Customizable – Some devices offer various sound options or adjustable settings to suit individual preferences.

• Lower initial cost –  Generally, gadgets are less expensive upfront compared to full-scale soundproofing.

Soundproofing vs gadgets: The verdict

Now let’s sum it all up, comparing effectiveness, price, and preferences. 

Effectiveness

When it comes to effectiveness, soundproofing generally has the upper hand, especially for persistent or severe noise issues. Here’s a breakdown of how each approach fares against different types of noise:

Airborne noise

• Soundproofing: Can be highly effective, especially when using a combination of mass, damping, and decoupling techniques. Properly soundproofed walls can reduce noise transmission by 50 decibels or more.

• Gadgets: White noise machines and noise-canceling headphones can be effective for masking or blocking out airborne noise, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the volume and frequency of the noise.

Impact noise

• Soundproofing: Techniques like floating floors, resilient channels, and isolation pads can significantly reduce impact noise transmission.

• Gadgets: Most gadgets are less effective against impact noise, especially low-frequency vibrations.

Price

The cost of soundproofing versus using gadgets can vary significantly based on the scope of the project and the quality of materials or devices used. Here’s a general comparison:

Soundproofing costs

• Basic DIY Soundproofing: $500 – $3,000 for materials to soundproof a single room

• Professional Soundproofing: $2,000 – $30,000+ for a single room, depending on the extent of work required

• Whole-Home Soundproofing: $20,000 – $100,000+, varies greatly depending on home size and desired level of soundproofing

Gadget costs

• White Noise Machines: $20 – $100

• Noise-Canceling Headphones: $100 – $400

• Sound Masking Systems: $200 – $1,000 for a single room setup

• Acoustic Window Inserts: $500 – $1,500 per window

Preferences 

Your preference for either soundproofing or gadgets is likely to be dictated by the type of noise coming from your neighbor, your budget, and how far you are willing to go down the soundproofing road.

With just a few simple soundproofing measures such as adding mass to doors, heavy curtains to block outside noise, and weatherstripping, you can make a big difference.

But if your neighbor noise is very sporadic, gadgets might make sense. You could put on noise-canceling headphones or use a white noise machine to see you through these noisy times. 

In conclusion – Soundproofing provides a more comprehensive and long-lasting solution but often requires a significant upfront investment and potential structural changes. On the other hand, gadgets offer flexibility, portability, and lower initial costs but may not be as effective for severe noise issues or low-frequency sounds.