1- vs 2-person acoustic phone booth: which one should you choose?

More and more offices are investing in acoustic phone booths to create quiet spaces for phone calls and short video calls without disturbing colleagues. But which size should you choose: a compact single-person phone booth or a roomier two-person option? And is buying new always the best choice, or is second-hand also an option? In this article, Offyce outlines the key differences, requirements, and points to consider.

What exactly is an acoustic meeting booth?

An acoustic phone booth (also called a phone cubicle, phone pod, or acoustic booth) is a small, enclosed cabin that dampens external noise and prevents phone conversations from disturbing the rest of the office. They are typically placed in open-plan offices, where noise pollution is one of the most commonly cited annoyances. Research by Oxford Economics, cited by the knowledge platform Werk & Veiligheid, shows that noise pollution in open-plan offices leads to serious productivity loss as employees are constantly distracted by colleagues' conversations.

A phone booth solves this on two fronts: the user can call or video call undisturbed, and colleagues around them experience no disruption. The sound absorption inside the booth is typically assessed according to NEN-EN-ISO 11654, the standard that defines the sound absorption class of materials.

1-person soundproof booth: who and when?

A 1-person soundproof booth is the most popular choice and is designed for short, individual use: a ten-minute call, a job interview, or a moment of focused work without background noise. Benefits:

• Smallest footprint on the office floor: ideal when space is limited.
• The lowest entry price of the two variants.
• High occupancy rate: because sessions are short, one booth can serve multiple colleagues per day.

Offyce’s own 1-person solution, The Offyce One, is an example: a freestanding acoustic phone booth with approximately 41 dB sound reduction, suitable for phone calls and short video calls.

A 1-person booth is less suitable once conversations are typically held with two people (think of an intake interview with a candidate or a joint customer call), or if the booth is also meant to serve as a quick meeting spot for two colleagues. Check out the acoustic phone booth Groovy S for a concrete example of a 1-person acoustic phone booth.

2-person meeting booth: who is it for and when?

A 2-person phone booth offers space for a brief discussion with a colleague, a one-on-one meeting with a supervisor, or a job interview or client meeting where two people are seated at a table. Features:

• Need more floor space than a 1-person booth — expect about 1.5 to 2 times the footprint.
• Often equipped with a small tabletop, making them suitable for short collaborative screen use.
• Higher purchase price, but more versatile (usable by one or two people).

If a team regularly needs to meet with more than two people, a meeting booth is usually not the right solution—meeting rooms from Offyce are a better alternative. Some manufacturers also offer booths for 3 to 4 people, but these often fall under the category of “acoustic meeting room” rather than “meeting booth,” with corresponding requirements for escape routes and ventilation capacity. Browse the full overview of meeting booths for all available options.

Dimensions and space requirements

There is no uniform legal standard for soundproof booth sizes, but in practice, manufacturers use similar guidelines: a 1-person booth typically occupies about 1 to 1.3 m² of floor space, while a 2-person booth usually takes up 1.8 to 2.5 m². When placing the booth, also ensure sufficient space to fully open the door and a clear walkway beside it, so the booth does not block an escape route.

Ventilation and air quality in a call booth

Since a soundproof booth is fully enclosed to block sound, adequate air ventilation is essential. The Dutch Work and Safety Act (Arbobesluit, article 6.2, ventilation) requires that sufficient uncontaminated air must be present at the workplace, without disruptive drafts, and with functioning ventilation systems. As a practical guideline for office work (light labor), typically 30 m³ of air per person per hour is recommended. Always choose a booth with an active ventilation system (usually a quiet fan linked to the light switch), especially if the booth will be used intensively.

Is a mobile home considered a ‘dwelling space’ under the Dutch Building Decree (Bouwbesluit)?

A frequently asked question is whether a phone booth is legally considered a full-fledged “living space,” with all associated requirements from the Building Decree Living Environment (Bbl, successor to the Building Decree) regarding aspects such as daylight and minimum dimensions. According to regulations, a living space is a room within a living area intended for people to stay in. A phone booth is typically so small and explicitly designed for short-term, occasional use that it is not considered an independent living space in practice — similar to how a restroom is treated separately. This does not negate that occupational health and safety requirements regarding, for example, air renewal (see above) still apply once someone is actually working inside. Unsure about the exact status within your building? Consult your occupational health and safety service or structural advisor, as the explanation may vary by situation.

Buying new or second-hand? Pros and cons

In addition to new options, there are increasingly more second-hand acoustic phone booths on the market, for example from offices that are relocating or downsizing. Considerations:

Second-hand benefits: lower purchase price (often 30-50% cheaper), faster delivery time as the cell already exists, and a more sustainable option as no new raw materials are required.

Second-hand considerations: always check if ventilation and any electrical connections (outlets, lighting) still function properly and safely, ask if warranty or inspection has been transferred, and consider a more limited color and fabric choice compared to a new, custom-ordered example. The delivery time and transport of a used booth (often heavy and fragile) also deserve attention.

Benefits of buying new: full warranty, color/fabric options that match your home style, and often a more modern ventilation and lighting solution.

For organizations with a tight budget or temporary needs (such as a flexible workspace project), second-hand can be an excellent choice. For a permanent, representative space in a client-focused area, new is often the more logical option. Curious about which acoustic solutions further contribute to a quieter office? We’d be happy to help.

Price indication

Budget approximately €3,000-€4,500 for an entry-level 1-person booth, and €5,000-€8,000 or higher for a 2-person variant, depending on finish, ventilation, and upholstery. Second-hand models are typically 30-50% cheaper, but prices vary widely by seller and condition. Always request a tailored quote for an accurate, up-to-date price.

Conclusion: which phone booth suits your office?

Opt for a single-person phone booth if the primary need is for individual phone or video calls and space is limited. Choose a two-person phone booth as soon as conversations with two people (interviews, one-on-one meetings, client discussions) become the norm. Unsure? Start with a brief inventory of actual call behavior in the workplace — often, a mix of both variants proves to be the best solution.

Frequently asked questions

What is an acoustic phone booth?
An acoustic phone booth is a small, soundproof cabin in the office where one or more employees can make or video call undisturbed, without bothering colleagues and without being disturbed themselves.

How large is a call booth?
There is no legal standard size, but in practice, a single-person call booth occupies approximately 1 to 1.3 m² of floor space, and a two-person booth takes up 1.8 to 2.5 m², excluding the space needed to open the door.

Is a phone booth mandatory in an office?
No, a phone booth is not legally required. The Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) does require employers to ensure a healthy and safe workplace in general, and noise disturbance in an open-plan office can be a point of concern — a phone booth is then a practical, but not mandatory, solution.

Should I buy a new or a used cell tower?
It depends on your budget, timeline, and representational needs. Used options are more cost-effective and sustainable, but always check ventilation, electrical systems, and any warranties. New offers greater flexibility and full warranty coverage.

Do I also need a variant for more than 2 people?
For meetings with 3 or more people, a compact acoustic meeting room is often a better alternative than a large phone booth, particularly due to ventilation capacity and escape route requirements.

Sources

• Work & Safety knowledge platform — Oxford Economics study on noise disturbance and productivity loss in open-plan offices.
• NEN-EN-ISO 11654 — standard for sound absorption class of materials.
• Arboportaal, "Ventilation" (Arbobesluit article 6.2) — legal requirements for workplace ventilation: https://www.arboportaal.nl/onderwerpen/fysische-factoren/luchtverversing
• Information Point Living Environment (IPLO), Dutch government platform on the Building Decree for Living Environment (Bbl) — definition and scope of a living space: https://iplo.nl/regelgeving/regels-voor-activiteiten/technische-bouwactiviteit/nieuwbouw/rijksregels/vrije-indeelbaarheid/

Market prices for phone booths are based on indicative ranges from multiple providers and are intentionally not included as a definitive source, as individual commercial listings do not meet the required reliability threshold — always request a tailored quote for an up-to-date, specific price.

Last updated on 24 October 2026 by Stijn Belmans