Sound reduction (Rw)
Budget pod
22 – 26 dB
ZMN Silent Pod
32 dB
Why ZMN
Everyone claims 'silent'. We measure it.
The market is full of silent pods with the word 'silent' on the brochure — and little else. This is an honest page about where the real difference lies, and why a cheap pod ends up costing you more.
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The silence test
What 'silent' actually means.
Sound is measured in decibels (dB). The ear perceives every extra 10 dB as twice as loud. A budget pod brings 65 dB of office noise down to ~42 dB — still clearly audible. A ZMN pod goes to ~28 dB: like a library.
Open-plan office65 dB
Busy café60 dB
Normal conversation at 1m50 dB
Budget pod (inside)42 dB
Library30 dB
ZMN Silent Pod (inside)28 dB
Indicative values at 65 dB ambient office noise. Measured to ISO 23351-1.
Point by point
Where the real difference lies.
Eight concrete points where we're different — with the reasoning. No marketing, just the engineering.
Glass thickness
Budget pod
Single 6mm glass
ZMN Silent Pod
Double 6+6mm laminated
Ventilation
Budget pod
1 fan, often audible (35+ dB)
ZMN Silent Pod
Whisper-quiet CO₂-controlled EC ventilation (<22 dB)
Finish
Budget pod
wood panels with screws
ZMN Silent Pod
aluminium, carbon composite and premium hardware
Seams & sealing
Budget pod
Visible gaps, foam strips
ZMN Silent Pod
Magnetic door profiles, dual rubber lip seals
Service & warranty
Budget pod
One-off sale, limited warranty
ZMN Silent Pod
Installation, maintenance, 2-year warranty
Lead time
Budget pod
4+ weeks
ZMN Silent Pod
Within 10 working days
Certification
Budget pod
Often unclear or missing
ZMN Silent Pod
ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001
Watch out for
Six pitfalls with budget pods.
Whether you buy from us or not — these are the things to check before you sign.
'Silent' with no dB rating
If a supplier doesn't publish an Rw or dB reduction, it's usually because the numbers aren't good. Always ask for them.
A fan that ruins it all
Many budget pods have an audible fan. Result: still unusable for calls. Or worse — people turn it off and sit in 2,000 ppm CO₂.
No on-site service
Pod broken? With budget pods you're often on your own. We're on-site within 48 hours.
Bad door = leaking pod
Wall acoustics are irrelevant if the door doesn't seal. Our doors use the same rubber lip seals as studio doors.
No test location
You don't buy a pod from a PDF. Our showroom in Enschede is always open — feel the difference yourself in 5 minutes.
Hidden costs
Transport, installation, accessories — all prices are itemised in our quote. No surprises.
Total cost of ownership
Cheaper to buy, more expensive to own.
We see the pattern every month: an organisation picks a budget alternative and switches to us within 12 months anyway. That usually costs more than choosing ZMN from the start.
+ €1,800
Average replacement cost within 18 months
− 23%
Productivity in an audible pod (Steelcase, 2023)
2 years
ZMN warranty incl. on-site service
Customers speak
Our pods in practice.
See how Van der Valk Rotterdam-Blijdorp and Damen Dredging use our silent pods on the office floor.
"Binnen onze organisatie hebben wij twee silent pods (2- en 4-persoons) laten plaatsen. Wij en de andere gebruikers zijn zeer tevreden over de kwaliteit, uitstraling en het comfort. Het ZMN team is daarnaast servicegericht, vriendelijk en zeker aan te raden."
Niels - Facilitair adviseur
Gemeente Katwijk
No marketing — visit us
Hear the difference yourself. In 5 minutes.
Our showroom in Enschede is ready. Drop in, close the door, and you'll know instantly why 'cheap' is never silent.