Office pods boost remote work productivity by shielding employees from ambient noise like coffee machine rumblings, keyboards clacking and the rest of the office commotion. However, not all pods are created equal.
Some features to look for include:
Ventilation
The internal sound insulation of pods is a key factor in determining their effectiveness. However, you also need to check the external isolation. A good pod will shut out sounds from outside and prevent noises from inside the pod from escaping into the office space. Pods are often used for various purposes, including remote catchups and meetings, so they should offer flexibility.
Look for a soundproof office pod with first-class ventilation, which will help reduce noise levels and keep you comfortable and productive. Effective ventilation systems will seal gaps and cracks in the pod to make it as quiet as possible, and they’ll be efficient enough to save you money on energy bills.
You should also choose a pod with dimmable lighting that can be activated by motion sensors when the pod is in use. This helps reduce glare on screens during videoconferencing, and it’s better for your eyes. Many pods also have PIR (passive infrared) detectors, which detect heat from human bodies and automatically switch off the lights. This cuts down on power consumption and saves you time.
Connectivity
A pod must be well-equipped for people’s work, including internet connectivity, video conferencing and phone calls. Choosing a solution with the latest features for connecting to office systems is essential and can be a real difference-maker in productivity.
When people enter a pod, they want to focus on work without interruption from colleagues. This is why the acoustics of pods are so important. A well-insulated pod shuts out sounds from outside and prevents sound from traveling into the workspace.
The size of an acoustic pod is also crucial. Different use cases will call for other measures – a Module pod can be used as a workspace, conference room or quiet space, and it can even be expanded into a four-person meeting room with Module Duo pods.
Lastly, consider the return policies offered by companies selling soundproof office pods if you are still looking for a better purchase. Buying an office pod with a good returns policy ensures you can try it out in the workplace, see how it functions and decide if it’s the right fit for your team.
Seating
Depending on the primary purpose of your pod, it’s essential to consider what kind of seating you want to install inside. Whether your staff will be using the pod for video conference calls or to work remotely from home, comfortable seating can help prevent joint pain and fatigue over time.
Many office pods have built-in seating and desks, enabling you to optimize your space for your team’s specific needs. For example, some pods are designed as phone booths with cushioned bench seats and a table to enable virtual callers to focus. Others provide a sofa to make employees feel at home during a long video conference.
Choosing the right type of seating can also improve overall pod privacy. Pods with glass walls may let visual noise pass through, so looking for models with high sound insulation is important. In addition, a well-designed modular pod can be easily extended and configured to suit your changing needs. Compared to adding dry-wall rooms, this saves you time and money in the long run.
Lighting
Office pods offer a quiet and distraction-free space for one or two people. They can be used for private conversations, personal or professional phone calls, focus, and concentration. They can also be a place for group discussions, brainstorming sessions and meeting with colleagues.
Noise-distracting employees can include street noise, clacking keyboards and coffee machines, and visual distractions like the glare on computer screens. Well-designed Pods allow the user to minimize these visual distractions and boost productivity.
When choosing a work pod, look for the following features to ensure that the acoustic quality is high:
A good pod can block sound using materials such as foam effectively and felt. It will also have an adequate thickness and density. Cheaper pods use lower quality and thinner materials resulting in less effective sound blocking. The pod frame should be sturdy and able to support the weight of equipment and furniture. A sturdier frame will help ensure that the pod can be moved and reassembled.
Soundproofing
The overall experience of using the pod is equally important to its functionality. A door that opens and closes quietly, air that remains fresh during long phone calls and lighting that does not reflect on the computer screen are all details that add to a positive day-to-day user experience.
A good quality office pod will help employees escape the chaos and avoid distractions such as Joel’s slurping smoothie dregs. This separation allows them to focus on work and conduct worthwhile conference calls with remote team members in Japan.
When shopping for a soundproof office pod, looking at internal and external isolation performance is important. A high-quality pod will limit reverberation time to 0.1 – 0.3 seconds, improving audibility during phone calls and meetings. A lower-quality pod may have a longer reverberation time, increasing ambient noise and distractions. When selecting a pod, ensure the manufacturer provides reliable information about the internal reverberation time so that you can compare and choose the best option for your workspace needs.