Individual or shared soundproof booths: how to make the right choice for your office?

Article published on 23 April 2026

In an increasingly noisy world – open-plan offices, video calls, flex office – finding a quiet space to retreat to has become a real luxury. Soundproof booths therefore offer a solution that is simple, quick to set up and highly effective. But should you opt for an individual booth or prefer a more spacious shared model?

If you’re asking yourself this question, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s a clear guide to understanding the differences, assessing your needs and making the right choice. We’ll also take this opportunity to introduce you to the Essentielle models, designed to adapt to all working setups.

Why acoustic booths have changed everything

With the rise of hybrid working and the explosion in video meetings, companies are looking to create flexible spaces without undertaking major refurbishments. The acoustic booth meets this need perfectly. It creates a private space within the open-plan office, without partitioning off or isolating staff from the rest of the team.

But you still need to choose the right size. And, between individual booths and shared booths, the uses differ.

Individual acoustic booth: the modern worker’s cocoon

Do you need to make calls in complete privacy? To have back-to-back video calls without disturbing your colleagues? To get away to finalise a project without being interrupted?

The individual acoustic booth is made for you.

With its 0.9 m² footprint, it fits easily into any space and can be moved in a matter of minutes. Compact, mobile, yet very well insulated, it offers a true haven for concentration.

At Essentielle, two models are available:

  • The S model: perfect for occasional calls or video calls 
  • The S Office model: designed for seated work with an integrated bench 
Cabine acoustique insonorisée France individuelle

Shared acoustic booth: the alternative to meeting rooms

Are group discussions a regular occurrence in your company? Do you organise one-to-one video calls, quick team updates or co-creation sessions? Then it’s best to opt for a shared booth, designed to accommodate 2 to 6 people.

The benefits:

  • Encourages collaboration without tying up a large room
  • Offers a friendly and quiet environment
  • Ideal for a flex office or modular workspace

The Essentielle models available:

  • The M model (up to 2 people) – 1.8 m² 
  • The L model (up to 4 people) – 2.4 m² 
  • The XL model (up to 6 people) – 3 m² 
Modèle XL - cabines acoustiques insonorisées made in France dans la Drôme

How to choose between individual and shared? The right criteria

Before investing, take a moment to assess your needs:

Type of use

Individual work: for making calls, writing in complete concentration or taking part in a video conference without being disturbed, the individual booth is ideal.

Quick or small group meetings: for a one-to-one chat or a quick meeting, opt for the M-sized booth, designed to encourage collaboration without taking up an entire meeting room.

Team meetings: for regular team updates or group work sessions, the L or XL booths offer the necessary space and comfort, whilst maintaining good acoustics.

Frequency

Frequent calls spread throughout the day? It’s best to provide several individual booths to ensure everyone has easy access without disrupting the communal space.

Meetings with 2, 3 or 4 people several times a day? Invest in a shared booth (M or L size) to keep discussions flowing without monopolising your meeting rooms.

Available space

Essentielle booths adapt to all needs: from 0.9 m² for individual models to 3 m² for XL sizes.

Mobile thanks to their castors and fully dismantlable, they are ideal if you plan to move or reorganise your spaces regularly, or in the event of a move.

Comfort and ergonomics

Every Essentielle soundproof booth meets the same quality standards:

  • Sound insulation of up to –30.3 dB,
  • Powerful ventilation of 750 m³/h to ensure a constant supply of fresh air,
  • A full range of connections: 220 V sockets, USB-C, USB-A and RJ45 ports,
  • LED lighting with a touch-sensitive dimmer to suit your needs.

The result: a comfortable and well-equipped space, even for video calls that go on for ages.

Essentielle les cabines acoustiques insonorisées made in France dans la Drôme

Essentielle: the booth designed for practicality and environmental impact

Manufactured in a workshop in the Drôme region, Essentielle booths are part of a strong environmental commitment:

  • Wood sourced from PEFC-certified forests,
  • 100% recycled foam and Oeko-Tex fabric,
  • A design focused on mobility and ease of dismantling, in line with Cradle to Cradle principles,
  • An Eco Impact A rating attesting to a low environmental impact.

And, because sustainability goes hand in hand with reliability: the cubicles come with a 3-year warranty and responsive customer service. A practical, sustainable and stylish cubicle, designed for the workplaces of today (and tomorrow).

And what about the budget?

The price of an Essentielle cubicle may seem high upfront, but over time, the return on investment is quick:

  • Less than €300 per month for a fully paid-off individual cubicle,
  • 30 to 50% savings compared to fitting out a traditional partitioned office,
  • Tangible gains in productivity, staff well-being and space organisation.

The result: a flexible, sustainable and cost-effective solution for your offices.

Atelier de fabrication cabines acoustiques Essentielle

Mix formats, maximise uses

There’s no need to choose between individual and shared cubicles: the right mix is often both.

For example, 1 S cubicle + 1 L cubicle are enough to cover 90% of uses in an SME or a co-working space.

For optimal efficiency, install them at the heart of active areas, where they are accessible without disrupting traffic flow.

The result: spaces that are always available, used to good effect, and a much smoother daily workflow.

Frequently asked questions

Can the booths be moved easily? Yes, all Essentielle booths are on castors.

Can you stay in them for long periods? Yes, thanks to efficient ventilation, they are suitable for extended sessions.Can different booths be mixed within the same space? Absolutely. It is even recommended to adapt the formats to different uses.

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