Most French employees say they are greatly bothered by noise at work. Here’s an example:
A sales rep is negotiating a contract over the phone. Two colleagues burst out laughing three meters away. The 3 p.m. meeting becomes unbearable, as it is so unproductive.
This is a typical day in an open-plan office: concentration and collaboration on the same floor. A difficult balance to strike.
The phone booth is the perfect solution to this tension. It is a closed, mobile, and fully equipped acoustic space that can be set up in the heart of the open-plan office to provide a quiet haven. Without partitioning. Without even requiring construction work.
What is a phone box in the office?
Phone box, acoustic booth, phone booth: sorting out the terms
Phone box, phonebooth, phone booth, acoustic booth, acoustic box, office phone booth, acoustic bubble, soundproof booth. All these terms refer to the same thing: a micro-acoustic booth designed for offices.
The term comes from English. It is the literal translation of “phone booth,” popularized by London’s red phone booths. At Essentielle, we refer to them as “acoustic booths.” Because today, this furniture serves purposes beyond just phone calls: video conferencing, meetings for two or six people, focused work, or confidential HR discussions.
How does the soundproofing in a phone box work?
A high-quality acoustic booth relies on four technical components.
- The 8 mm Silence laminated glass. Its double layer breaks up sound waves across the entire glass surface.
- High-density acoustic foam. It absorbs mid-range frequencies, those of the human voice.
- Soundproof seals. They ensure a tight seal around the door, which closes magnetically.
- The acoustic airflow acts as a sound trap. Air circulates without letting noise through.
Measured result: up to a 30.3 dB reduction in speech level. This is equivalent to reducing a lively conversation (60 dB) to the level of a whisper (30 dB).
A booth designed for modern open-plan office environments
Open-plan offices have become widespread since the 2000s. The phone booth addresses this tension between open collaboration and the need for isolation. It can be found in all professional settings: traditional open-plan offices, flex offices, coworking spaces, reception areas, break rooms, and R&D floors.
But, in practical terms, what does a phone booth bring to your offices? Here are the four measurable benefits of a well-chosen solution.
The four concrete benefits of a phone booth in your offices
Reducing noise and noise fatigue among teams
Chronic noise in the office takes a physiological toll. It fragments attention. Several studies have documented this effect. A phone booth tackles the problem at the source. It removes loud conversations from the workspace. Less noise for those at their desks, more peace and quiet for those on calls. The effect is cumulative across the entire open-plan office.
Ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive conversations
Certain conversations require privacy. A confidential customer call. An HR interview. A business negotiation. A meeting with a lawyer. A discussion with a doctor. The phone booth ensures double soundproofing. No noise escapes. And the user is not disturbed by outside noise. Given professional confidentiality, this acoustic privacy becomes a compliance issue, not just a matter of comfort.
Improving concentration and productivity
It takes an average of 23 minutes to regain a state of deep concentration after an interruption (https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1357054.1357072). Multiply that by the number of interruptions in a typical day in an open-plan office, and the cost becomes significant. The phone booth allows for focused work without changing floors or booking a room. You walk in, close the door, and get to work. Direct managerial benefit: fewer interruptions mean more deep work, and thus higher-quality deliverables.
A cost-effective alternative to renovation work
Let’s compare. A closed meeting room requires at least 8 to 12 m², a partitioning quote of over 10,000 euros, and 2 to 3 months of construction. An Essentielle phone booth fits into 0.9 to 3 m², is delivered in 2 to 6 weeks, and takes 40 to 60 minutes to assemble. No major construction work required. Best of all, it’s reversible. The booth can be moved, resold, and recycled. A fixed partition cannot. Your offices evolve; your equipment adapts.
What are the uses for installing a phone box in the office?
Phone calls and video conferences without disturbing others
This is the primary use. The connectivity is designed for: 1 220V outlet, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port for charging laptops and phones, and 1 RJ45 port for stable network connectivity during video calls. The 800-lumen warm white (3000 K) LED spot lighting flatters your face on camera.
Quick meetings for two, four, or six people
No need to reserve the meeting room for a 15-minute update. The Essentielle M, L, and XL models enable these quick updates without any logistical hassle. Ergonomic table, built-in benches, and a dedicated outlet if a monitor stand is added.
Focused work and high-value-added tasks
Drafting a deliverable. Preparing for an executive committee meeting. Analyzing a complex case. The phone box becomes a temporary office to switch into focus mode. It’s an internal “third space” within the company, halfway between the open office and the closed meeting room.
A space for recovery and well-being at work
This use is less emphasized by manufacturers, and wrongly so. A few quiet minutes between meetings. A discreet personal call. A breathing session. The phone box becomes a tool for quality of life at work (QLW), a place to recharge without leaving the office.
The different types of phone booths for the office
The solo phone booth (1 person): for calls and concentration
Compact design, with a floor area of about 1 m². Equipped with a standing counter or a bench seat, depending on the intended use. Ideal for busy open-plan offices, in a hallway, or near desks. Its limitation: not well-suited for long periods of sitting if it does not have a bench seat.
The duo booth (2 people): interviews and collaborative video calls
Approximately 1.8 m² in size. It facilitates face-to-face interaction: sales meetings, weekly team check-ins, and mentoring sessions. A table and two benches facing each other define the space.
The meeting booth (4 to 6 people): a mobile room requiring no construction
Size: 2.4 to 3 m². This is a true alternative to a fixed meeting room, with the key advantage of being movable as needed. The integrated screen mount option makes it suitable for group video calls.
Closed phone booth vs. semi-open acoustic alcove: which to choose?
Two approaches are at odds.
The closed phone booth guarantees total soundproofing and maximum privacy. This is the Essentielle model. In contrast, the acoustic alcove is a semi-open space equipped with sound-absorbing walls. It is less expensive but provides far less soundproofing. It is best suited for collaborative break areas, not for sensitive calls.
Our recommendation: the closed booth for calls and video conferences, the alcove for break areas. Essentielle offers exclusively closed booths, as this is the only format that guarantees a 30.3 dB sound reduction.
Essentielle Phone Box: 5 models made in France
Essentielle designs and manufactures its range of acoustic booths in its workshop in Valence, Drôme. Five models cover all office needs, from individual call stations to mobile meeting rooms for six people. All share the same technical foundation: a mobile base, silent ventilation, and full connectivity.
Essentielle S, the compact solo phone box
For 1 person, standing call station format. Ideal for busy open-plan offices, for quick calls and short video conferences. Assembly by 2 people in 40 minutes.
Essentielle S Bureau, the 1-person booth with bench
Same footprint as the S (0.9 m²), but equipped with a built-in bench. Key difference: the S is designed for short, frequent calls while standing. The S Bureau is for longer seated sessions. Assembly by 2 people in 45 minutes.
Essentielle M, the two-person booth
For 2 people facing each other. Key uses: interviews, sales meetings, mentoring, coaching sessions. Assembly by 2 people in 60 minutes.
Essentielle L, the mobile 4-person meeting room
For 4 people sitting comfortably.
Essentielle XL, the 6-person collaborative booth
For 6 people. Target audience: project teams, monthly executive committee meetings, regular brainstorming sessions, without tying up a permanent meeting room.
Comparison chart of the Essentielle range
| Model | Capacity |
| Essentielle S | 1 person |
| Essentielle S Office | 1 person |
| Essential M | 2 people |
| Essential L | 4 people |
| Essential XL | 6 people |
How to choose the right office phone system? 4 Essentielle Criteria
1. Determine the number of users and the duration of use
Three questions to ask yourself.
- What is the maximum number of people in the booth?
- What is the average duration of use?
- What is the primary use (calls, video calls, meetings, focused work)?
The standard sizing rule is simple. One booth for every 10 to 15 workstations in a standard open-plan office. One booth for every 8 workstations for sales teams that make a lot of calls.
2. Check the quality of ventilation
This is the criterion most often overlooked. Yet ventilation makes all the difference in terms of how long the booth can be used.
Key metrics to aim for: air renewal in under 40 seconds, maximum CO₂ variation of 200 ppm compared to outdoor air. Without effective ventilation, the booth becomes unbreathable within 15 minutes. And an uncomfortable booth is an underutilized booth.
3. Consider connectivity and interior comfort
There are five essentials: a 220V outlet, USB-C for laptop charging, USB-A, RJ45 for stable video calls, and adjustable LED lighting. The touch-sensitive control panel allows you to adjust ventilation and lighting from inside the cabin.
Also check the ergonomics: tablet height suited to the use (standing vs. sitting), seat depth, and the quality of the fabric and carpet.
4. Opt for a mobile, demountable booth
Your offices are evolving. Relocations, rearrangements, team growth. A fixed booth holds you back. A mobile booth moves with you.
At Essentielle, the base is extra-flat with built-in casters and adjustable levers. A clip-on panel at the front allows for technical access in case of maintenance. Complete disassembly and reassembly in new premises remain possible.
How much will an office phone booth cost in 2026?
Market price ranges by size
Four main categories define the market.
- Entry-level solo: €2,000 to €4,000 (excl. tax). Often with limited acoustic performance and poor ventilation.
- Mid-range solo: €4,000 to €7,000 (excl. tax). This is the segment where Essentielle S is positioned.
- Two-person booth: €6,000 to €12,000 (excl. tax). Essentielle M falls within this range.
- 4- to 6-person booth: €9,000 to €20,000 (excl. tax). This includes the Essentielle L and Essentielle XL.
Above €20,000 (excluding tax), we enter the large-format luxury segment.
Options that affect the price
Three main options are available from Essentielle.
- Glass back panel (large 8 mm Silence laminated glass panel):
- Screen mount with dedicated 220V outlet and cable grommet:
- Gabriel Chili Category B fabric (M1 fire-rated, 100% post-consumer recycled polyester):
Options can be combined.
What return on investment can you expect?
The ROI of a phone booth is based on two factors:
- restored productivity,
- and reduced turnover due to noise-related discomfort.
Why choose an Essentielle acoustic booth?
100% French manufacturing in the Drôme
The Essentielle workshop spans 9,000 m² in Valence. Eighty employees work there using a constantly updated fleet of machinery. Supplies are sourced locally: foam from Ardèche, seating from Isère, glass and electrical components from Drôme, and carpet cutting in Isère.
This manufacturing process is certified Origine France Garantie.
Three benefits for customers:
- a short supply chain that reduces the carbon footprint,
- direct support for domestic employment,
- and superior responsiveness in production.
Acoustic performance
Speech level reduction reaches up to -30.3 dB.
Four technical features ensure this performance:
- 8 mm Silence laminated glass,
- high-density acoustic foam,
- soundproof seals around the door, acoustic airflow in a sound trap.
Installation recommendations are provided (ceiling clearance, clearance around the unit, surrounding furniture) to ensure performance.
Express delivery, quick assembly, mobile booth
Express delivery in 2 weeks for standard finishes. 6 weeks for a custom configuration tailored to your brand identity.
The base with built-in casters and 8 adjustable levers allow for easy movement. Your booth moves with you as you relocate or rearrange your space. A clip-on panel on the front provides technical access for service calls.
Transform the chronic noise of the open-plan office into acoustic comfort, without any construction work. That is the challenge the phone box addresses.
