In my years of experience, both in audio engineering and eLearning content creation, I’ve discovered that bass traps are crucial for controlling sound in a studio environment. They primarily target low-frequency sound waves, which are notorious for being difficult to manage due to their longer wavelengths. By strategically placing these absorbers in my studio, I’ve significantly improved the sound quality of my voiceovers and other audio recordings.
I tried more than 30 affordable bass traps to test them for this review article. A few of the ones that I tested deserve to be mentioned, such as ATS Acoustic Tri-Corner Bass Trap, UA-acoustics Corner Bass trap, and Primacoustic Bass Trap but they did not make the cut of my choices for the best picks, mostly because they are too expensive. Only the best cheap bass traps are included in my reviews so read on to learn the details of my choices that will help you decide what is good for your studio and your wallet (click here to learn about our entire Editorial Process & Methodology for product reviews).
The Best Cheap Bass Traps: In-Depth Look
Here is a list of the cheap models that I reviewed, followed by detailed information about each one.
I had a lot of fun reviewing and testing these bass traps because I had not analyzed my recording studio since I first built it. It turns out I had some problems that I was not aware of with the low frequencies. I was able to correct the problems using cheap bass traps.
With more than a dozen cheap bass traps to choose from, we need to drill down on the specifics to see the ones that work the best for different applications and which ones offer the best value, so read the detailed specifications in the reviews.
1. TRUE NORTH
TRUE NORTH traps are an excellent value. They are sold in a two-pack for around $35 (when on-sale). True North makes many other great products for studio and home acoustic control that I’ve used over the years.
I’ve had a great experience using these pads, especially in optimizing the acoustics of corner spaces in my studio. One thing I’d like to point out is it’s crucial to give them plenty of time to fully expand and take their intended shape. In my setup, they’ve been performing excellently, significantly enhancing the sound quality.
Features
The TRUE NORTH traps are part of a full line of sound treatment products that can be used to fine-tune a recording studio. They improve studio sound clarity to create a cleaner recording environment with fewer echoes. The high-density polyurethane foam material provides strong absorption of low-end frequencies.
Pros
- Made from non-toxic polyurethane that is treated with a fire retardant.
- The density of the foam is 30 kg per square meter.
- The high-density foam is 20% to 25% denser than standard foam.
- Easy installation with included adhesive strips.
- Full refund guarantee if not satisfied.
Cons
- Size and cuts may vary with two pieces not exactly matching.
- Requires 24 hours to expand after unpacking, before installation.
Best for: These bass traps are a good choice for a home recording studio on a tight budget.
Buying Options
2. JBER
The JBER Soundproof Padding system comes as a four-pack with all the pieces you will need to cover the corners near the ceiling and part of the walls.
I found that these pads expanded to their full size almost instantly, and I didn’t even need to use water. However, I’ve seen some customer reviews say this wasn’t the case for them, so you may need to do a little manipulating to get them just right.
They’re a good size for most studio setups.
Initially, there was a slight odor upon opening, but it went away pretty fast. You could let them sit outdoors or in your garage for a bit if that’s a concern.
It’s worth noting that while some other well-known brands might charge several times more, I didn’t notice any significant difference in quality with these more affordable options. They offer great value without compromising on effectiveness.
Features
The JBER foam material absorbs low- and mid-frequency sound to improve room response with a flatter sound that is crystal clear, warmer, and no longer muddy sounding. These bass traps are perfect for eliminating reverb and low-frequency echoes. The design is for the corner walls and ceilings. They can also be horizontally wall-mounted.
Pros
- Effective sound deadener for standing waves and flutter echo.
- Made from non-toxic polyurethane foam.
- Unique shape for excellent acoustic absorption.
- Improves room acoustics.
- Budget priced.
Cons
- Shipped as a tightly-compressed four-pack that needs time to expand when unpacked.
- May not return to the appropriate shape and remain deformed from the compression.
- Not as dense as other brands.
Best for: These bass trap panels are useful in recording studios, for video streaming, podcasts, and in-home cinemas.
Buying Options
3. DEKIRU
The DEKIRU Soundproofing bass traps come as an eight-pack.
Features
They are made from eco-friendly and fire-retardant polyurethane foam. They are easy to install using spray adhesive, t-pins, or double-sided tape (sold separately). They are designed to be installed at the ceiling and floor level in each of the four corners of a studio.
Pros
- Reduces sound waves, reverb, and flutter echoes in small- to medium-sized studios.
- Improves acoustical quality and helps decrease unwanted room noise.
- Easy to install.
- Excellent customer service.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Compressed for shipping.
- May not expand to original size and remain oddly-shaped.
- May need to wet them and then dry them, to help them expand.
- Low-density foam.
Best for: Recording studios where the look of the foam is not important.
Buying Options
4. Bekith
The Bekith Soundproof Padding for bass traps comes as a 12-pack that can be used in a recording studio, home entertainment centers, and podcast/video streaming production rooms.
Features
They are made from eco-friendly material that is treated with a fire retardant. The high-quality foam helps eliminate reverb and unwanted sound in any recording studio. They work well in small- to medium-sized rooms.
Pros
- The dimensions of each piece are 12 inches by seven inches by seven inches.
- They are designed for corner mounting at the top of the wall near the ceiling. They can also be horizontally wall-mounted.
- Helps block sound and reduce echoes.
- Absorbs low and mid-to-high frequencies.
Cons
- May not expand to the correct shape.
- May not be uniformly cut to size.
- The angles can be off and not fit well in a corner.
Best for: These can be used by video bloggers, podcasters, and in a home recording studio.
Buying Options
5. SD SODOCT
The SD SODOCT bass trap acoustic panels come in an eight-pack that is easy to install with the adhesive strips, which are included.
Features
They improve sound quality to create a better recording environment by strongly absorbing bass frequencies. They are larger than the others, with the dimensions of 12 inches by eight inches by eight inches. They improve the low-frequency response of any small- to medium-sized room.
Pros
- Eliminates the standing waves, making the sound cleaner.
- Treated with fire retardant for safety.
- Easy to install with included adhesive strips.
- Larger surface area absorbs more sound.
- Eco-friendly, high-density foam.
Cons
- Takes up more space than smaller picks.
- May not expand to a uniform shape.
Best for: Home theater center, recording studio, control room, podcast studio, or musical instrument studio.
Buying Options
6. BEIYIN Block Foam
The BEIYIN Block Foam comes as a four-pack with the dimensions of 12 inches (30 cm) on each side of each cube (12″ x 12″ x 12″ equal to 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm).
Features
These block-shaped foam cubes can be used in the upper four corners near the ceiling and acoustic panels installed below them (sold separately). You will want to buy some spray adhesive or double-sided adhesive strips (sold separately) to install them.
Pros
- The large size gives them more sound absorption.
- Easy to install.
- Versatile to use in any room that needs reduced bass echo.
Cons
- Ships compressed and needs up to 48 hours to expand to normal size, unless you get them wet and let them dry afterward.
- May not be cut in uniform shapes with 5 mm to 15 mm possible errors in size.
- Pricey, when compared to other products in this category.
Best for: These cubes can be used to improve the sound in any studio, drum room, piano room, home entertainment center, or meeting rooms.
Buying Options
Other Must-Haves with Your Bass Traps
Here are some other items to consider along with cheap bass traps:
Focusound Acoustic Panels
The Focusound Acoustic Panels are white in color and come in a 12-pack with the dimensions of 12 inches by 12 inches by 1 inches thick.
Also included is the double-sided tape to be used for the installation.
Buying Options
BUBOS Acoustic Soundproofing
The BUBOS Acoustic Soundproofing acoustic panels come in a six-pack.
They are nice for decorative purposes as well as bass echo reduction.
Buying Options
Audimute Sound Absorption Sheet
The Audimute Sound Absorption Sheet is a sound dampening blanket with the dimensions of eight by four and one-half feet.
It comes in five attractive colors and includes hanging hardware.
Buying Options
Useful Resources
- Build your own bass traps
- The secrets of bass trap placement
- Where should I locate bass traps
- How bass traps work
- Do foam bass traps work? Pros, cons and alternatives
- Essential voice over equipment
- The best soundproof curtains
- Soundproofing vs sound treatment
Final Thoughts
Now that you know my best choices for the cheap bass traps I reviewed, you can choose ones you like. These will help you fine-tune your recording or production room so that the sound is clear and unwanted reverb is eliminated.
The more coverage of the walls and corners you can do, and the denser the foam you use, the better your sound absorption. I hope you enjoy the process of fine-tuning your room with the help of traps.