Dynamat Alternative – Is Dynamat The Best Sound Deadening Material?

Though the Dynamat brand maintains the dominant market share in-car audio and automotive restoration acoustic solutions, a number of other alternatives have popped up to challenge the king’s prominence on the suppression stage. What are the differences between these options and Dynamat? Which one is right for your ride? Is all sound-deadening the same?

The answers to these questions will be found in the following comparisons that pit Dynamat against the aforementioned competition.

Dynamat Alternatives That We Recommend

Sound Deadening Calculator

But, let’s first look at the table so we can calculate how much material is needed per vehicle class (in sqft.)

What Are Dynamat Alternatives?

To be fair, we have found that both Dynamat and its comparative counterparts offer benefits to the end-user that make it difficult to choose a “winner,” so to speak, so we are going to break this comparison overview down based on various factors including effectiveness/thickness, ease of installation, material and cost…in a “Dynamat versus X Brand” type of format.

Dynamat vs. Noico

As another Dynamat alternative, Noico offers up to 36 square feet of coverage in a dimension of 21.5 x 11.5 x 2.8-inches – a bit shorter than Dynamat but still up to the job.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

While both Dynamat and Noico offer heat-resistant sound-deadening solutions, Noico’s product is 80-millimeters thick, making it significantly denser than even Dynamat (and thereby offering up to 50-percent better insulation). The winner, in this case, is definitely Noico. In the negative column, Noico is asphalt-based, so it’s susceptible to melting in extreme climates.

Ease of Installation

Once again, Noico has the upper hand when compared to Dynamat in this area; while Dynamat, as we have covered, seems to be on the trickier side in terms of installation simplicity, Noico represents a beginner-friendly product that most novices can put in themselves.

Usage Diversity

It’s recommended that Noico be used only on motor vehicles for soundproofing duties, so the edge here goes to Dynamat.

Affordability

Noico can be had for just under $1.8 per-square-foot on Amazon in a package with 36 total square-feet – more than enough to cover an average-sized car. To say this is “budget-friendly” is something of an understatement; compare this to Dynamat, which goes for around $150 for nine sheets of aluminum-coated, heat-resistant soundproofing, and you have 36 square feet of total coverage at about $4.30 per-square-foot…but this is more likely to be about $5 per-square-foot. Winner? Noico.

Dynamat vs. Kilmat

Kilmat is ideal for those not requiring as much sound-deadening in their car or truck, and represents a good budget alternative to Dynamat.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

Made of butyl and foil, Kilmat is an effective sound-deadening mat, and at 80-millimeters thick, it should be as effective as Noico in this regard, making it better than Dynamat in most instances.

Ease of Installation

According to feedback from installers and pros, Kilmat requires a steady hand and a lot of patience when applying it, and the material tends to be a bit “unwieldy.” This puts it about on-par when compared to Dynamat…perhaps in the “bit more challenging” category.

Usage Diversity

Clearly, Dynamat wins here, as most reports say Kilmat should only be used on cars or trucks.

Affordability

Perhaps more cost-effective when compared to Dynamat, as the product comes as 80 millimeters of material at $1.5 per-square-foot.

Dynamat vs. HushMat

One of the more recognized of the Dynamat competitors is a product called HushMat, known by installers and competitors everywhere for its included kit that helps install the material a lot easier. The kit comes with a knife, roller, control decal, and mats, of course, eliminating the expense of having to shell out for these items separately.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

While both of these products do the job of cutting down on road noise and annoying rattles, Dynamat is significantly thicker and sturdier than HushMat, making it the better choice for serious noise-canceling projects. They are also both based on butyl material, improving elasticity and offering heat-resistance.

Ease of Installation

Dynamat is considered by many pros to be a bit tricky in terms of install ease, and it’s also harder to cut into because of its inherent thickness. HushMat, in comparison, is one of the easiest deadeners to install on the market, being significantly thinner than Dynamat, thus making cutting and installing less of a chore. In this category, HushMat comes out as the winner.

Usage Diversity

HushMat is limited to use in automotive sound-deadening projects, while Dynamat can be used for a wide variety of problems including vibrations in home theater environments and more. Winner: Dynamat.

Affordability

HushMat comes in at approximately $2 per-square-foot, with a door and floor kit available for $4 per-square-foot, making it somewhat more economical than Dynamat (which is priced as a more premium product).

Dynamat vs. FatMat

Another alternative to Dynamat, the FatMat deadener boasts a 50-millimeter thickness for even the most demanding installs…but does it suppress noise as well as the “king?”

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

At 50-millimeters thick (as aforementioned), FatMat is thinner in makeup compared to Dynamat, and while this makes installation easier, it doesn’t cancel road noise or vibration quite as well. And, like Noico, FatMat’s asphalt-based structure isn’t that good with high temperatures. The nod here has to go to Dynamat.

Ease of Installation

FatMat is a bit easier to install than Dynamat, as we hinted at above, though its asphalt base requires heat to apply. There have also been some reports by users that the material sometimes seeps out when being installed…thus, this category is really a draw; FatMat does go in easier than Dynamat, but there are some drawbacks for the novice.

Usage Diversity

According to the manufacturer, FatMat can not only be used for automobiles but in homes, boats, campers, computer environments, and even kitchen sinks. Like Dynamat, it boasts some universal applications.

Affordability

FatMat is relatively cheap, but it’s still more expensive than some of the other options in our roundup. At about $1.5 to $2 per-square-foot of material, it’s really neither here nor there when compared to Dynamat.

Dynamat vs. Boom Mat

As yet another Dynamat competitor, Boom Mat comes in two thickness levels, four-millimeter and two-millimeter, and which you choose will depend on how much noise you need to isolate from the cabin.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

Because Boom Mat comes in the aforementioned dual thickness options – four-millimeter and two-millimeter – it represents a somewhat more flexible choice than Dynamat. What’s more, the product is made of viscoelastic polymer protected by an aluminum wear surface, making it one of the more effective solutions on the market. We’d have to call this one a draw when compared to Dynamat.

Ease of Installation

Boom Mat is known for its ease of installation properties, as all you need to do is trim the material to the desired size, peel the backing and apply it to a clean surface. The edge here goes to Boom Mat.

Usage Diversity

According to Design Engineering, makers of Boom Mat, the product can be used not only in automotive environments but for commercial and industrial applications, as well. This lands it about on-par with Dynamat in this regard.

Affordability

Dynamat, in its “Extreme” guise, will cost you about $249 for 36 square-feet of material, while Boom Mat should run somewhere in the area of $198 for 36 square-feet, making the latter the slightly more cost-effective choice.

Dynamat vs. Second Skin

Second Skin’s automotive sound-deadening material dampens metal and stops structural noise in butyl rubber sheet form.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

As a product weighing in with a two-millimeter total thickness, Second Skin is made of 100-percent butyl rubber with an annealed black aluminum constraint layer – translating to industry-leading heat deflection, lightweight sound-deadening properties and high-performance characteristics on-par with Dynamat.

Ease of Installation

Simple to install, Second Skin wins this category as compared to Dynamat.

Usage Diversity

As a product designed to deaden sheet metal, aluminum, or prepared fiberglass, Second Skin is generally recommended just for automotive projects; this gives the nod to Dynamat in this category.

Affordability

In its most popular packaging size – 40 square-feet – Second Skin costs $169.99 on Amazon, but the product is available in a variety of sizes and prices, including 10 square-feet, 20 square feet, and 80 square feet. Depending on the size of your project, this could represent either a better or less-cost-effective solution compared to Dynamat.

Dynamat vs. SoundSkins

SoundSkins offers a slightly more affordable option compared to Dynamat, with an aesthetically-appealing matte finish.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

Coated with a high-quality adhesive and made from quality foam and butyl – both waterproof, heatproof, and long-lasting – SoundSkins is 0.059-inches thick compared to Dynamat, which is 0.069-inches thick. Verdict? Both of these will do the same job when it comes to sound-deadening effectiveness.

Ease of Installation

SoundSkins is easier to install comparatively, coming as a large single piece with a high-strength, commercial-grade adhesive; indeed, ease of installation seems to be SoundSkins’ forte, as even beginners have reported being comfortable using the material. SoundSkins has the upper hand here.

Usage Diversity

SoundSkins seems to be relegated to automotive use, so Dynamat wins in this area.

Affordability

Both products – SoundSkins and Dynamat – cost around $3 per-square-foot (depending on where you shop), so there’s no clear winner in this department.

Dynamat vs. LizardSkin

LizardSkin is a bit different from Dynamat – or other sheet-based sound-dampeners – in that, it comes as a “sound control spray,” (see more sound deadening sprays) making it a bit messy but easier to apply with the right precautions. Plus, you can cover more areas of your vehicle with it.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

You can spray up to 0.40 to 0.60-inches of LizardSkin compared to Dynamat’s 0.067-inches of thickness, so it can be argued that LizardSkin is somewhat “thicker” (though the product comes as a “ceramic insulation” or “CI” material in two-gallon buckets). Now, compared with Dynamat, LizardSkin has the capability of covering all areas of a car body’s frame, in addition to ribs, so no parts are left untreated – plus, there are no issues of moisture being trapped as compared to mat-based solutions. Here, the advantage leans towards LizardSkin, but only by a small margin.

Ease of Installation

Though preparation is elaborate, the entire process of applying LizardSkin is easy and takes less time than Dynamat. What’s more, no cutting is required, thus there are no risks of injuries from cuts and such – however, things can get really messy with LizardSkin if you’re not careful, and extensive precautions are recommended. This makes ease of installation compared with Dynamat something of a push; LizardSkin may be easier to apply, but it can get complicated if you’re not used to working with such a material.

Usage Diversity

With LizardSkin being mainly for automobiles, Dynamat gets the nod here.

Affordability

To Dynamat an entire car, it could cost up to $450 – or more. Compare that with LizardSkin coming in at about $300 for a whole vehicle, and the affordability round is won by LizardSkin.

Dynamat vs. Stinger Roadkill

There are some in the pro-car audio community who consider Stinger Roadkill – especially in its Expert guise – to be the best automotive sound-deadening material option out there. The product uses a self-adhesive butyl rubber membrane with an aluminum outer layer.

Effectiveness/Thickness Factor

The Stinger is slightly thicker and heavier than Dynamat’s premium Extreme product, but the foil on the Dynamat is stronger, thus rendering these two pretty much equal in terms of dampening effectiveness.

Ease of Installation

Stinger Roadkill offers easy installation with a simple cut process that makes it a winner compared to Dynamat.

Usage Diversity

Again, Dynamat wins in this area, as Stinger’s product has been designed solely for automotive projects.

Affordability

The value proposition here lands on Stinger Roadkill, as this product is 33-percent heavier but costs 40-percent less than Dynamat. Roadkill is available in packages of nine 18 x 32-inch sheets at a total of 36 square-feet for $98.99.

Dynamat Alternatives Conclusion

Dynamat’s competition is putting up a good fight. They have led the industry for years, but now there are some great alternatives.

If you still want a good quality product and are willing to dish out a bit of money, HushMat is a great middle-ground.

Especially for those who are looking to cover their car themselves, the custom car kits make the application faster and easier.

You are still going to spend a lot of money on full coverage though, but you’ll get a result similar to Dynamat at the end of it.

If you really don’t have the budget for a high-end product, then Noico is the next best thing.

A lot of people prefer FatMat, but I don’t like the idea of asphalt leaking off fumes in my car. Noico should do the trick just fine at a super low price.

I hope these alternatives have helped to make your decisions easier. Soundproofing your car is really worth it and I guarantee you’ll be impressed by how much more powerful your sound system becomes.

Note: DO NOT USE ROOFING MATERIAL!

I know, all caps are a little aggressive, but roofing material seems to be doing the rounds in all of the forums lately. Even if you just want it to complement your sound deadening, don’t do it.

Roofing materials are not meant to go in cars. They won’t be able to hold up to the harsh changes in temperature or withstand oil and water. The cheap ones are not fire retardant in the slightest and can be a big risk if you get into an accident.

If you still think you know better, consider this; on a hot day, the temperature will rise inside your car and these roofing materials are going to start leaking fumes and adhesive. Only buy stuff that is specifically made for cars.

Review of Dynamat Products

Here is a comprehensive look at all the Dynamat car products. I’ve given you a brief description of the dampeners as per the company website.

One of the great things about Dynamat is that they have an extensive range of products. The deading exterior sound is different for each car. It depends on age, engine type and makes.

Of course, if you want the best protection money can buy, you can go wild and cover your cabin with all the layers possible, but I love that Dynamat gives you a choice. Their products are all designed to work with each other, so you won’t get into any compatibility problems.

Dynamat Xtreme

This is Dynamat’s highest efficiency sound dampening material. The company claims it is their most effective product for stopping noise and vibrations in your car.

It is a thin, super sticky butyl rubber, bonded to an aluminum alloy skin. Formulated with Vector Chemistry, this is Dynamat’s best sound control product.

The product is easy to cut and install, the rubber and aluminum will stretch as you need it without any tearing. It contours well to your car, and will easily stick to any surface without any extra prep.

The material will never drip and its odor-free. If you get your car covered by a professional, this is generally what they will use.

Installation:

This product should be applied to any interior fiberglass or sheet metal within your car. You can line your; doors, floor, trunk and roof.

Peel and stick the dynamite to the surface without any extra prep. It comes in a variety of kits that can be used for different areas.

The website suggests you should follow this up with Dynaliner for maximum sound protection

• Speaker Kit – 2 sheets 10”x10”
• Door Kit – 4 sheets of 12”x36”
• Trunk Kit – 5 sheets 18”x32”
• Hex Pak – 1 sheet of 18”x32”
• Bulk Pak – 9 sheets of 18”x32”
• Mega Pak – 9 sheets of 24”x48”

Dynamat SuperLite

This product is like Dynamat Xtreme, but it’s 30% lighter and 30% thinner with less sound reduction. It is made with the same sticky butyl rubber Constraint Layer Dampener (CLD) but is bonded to bright blue.

This product is lighter, so its sound dampening abilities are sub-par, but it still performs well. It’s a great option for those who want to keep their car’s overall weight down.

Installation

Just as simple to install as the Xtreme, Peel, and stick the SuperLite version where you need it. It’s a little easier to maneuver because of the weight difference.

You can use it on your doors, trunk, roof, and floors.

It only comes in 2 packs.

• Tri-Pak – 3 sheets 18”x32”
• Bulk Pak 12 sheets of 18”x32”

Dynaliner

Dynaliner is a lightweight thermal insulator intended for use on top of Dynamat Xtreme. It is made to insulate your car, reducing heat while resisting oil and water.

It is made from cell rubber, a material that packs thousands of cells close together to reduce air infiltration.

The material is soft, self-adhesive that is resistant to crushing or tearing.

It has the highest heat blocking abilities available in a single layer, and when combined with Dynamat Xtreme, it doubles the total thermal resistance ability.

Installation

Like the other Dynamat products, this is a peel and stick adhesive sheet. It’s designed to be applied over Dynamat Xtreme and can be placed in your; roof, firewall, floor, quarter panels, doors, and hood.

It comes in 3 different weights and it is suggested that you use the thickest one you can.

• 1/8″ Thick Dynaliner – 1 sheet of 32”x54”
• 1/4″ Thick Dynaliner – 1 sheet of 32”x54”
• 1/2″ Thick Dynaliner – 1 sheet of 32”x54”

DynaPad

Dynapad is designed to further dampen any outside noises. It is a heavy, one pound per square foot mat that is 3/4″ thick.

It is made of a four-layer composite barrier and uses Dissimilar Layer Insulating technology.

This is further enhanced by two layers of acoustic sound soaker foam and is covered by an oil and water-resistant poly facing.

This pad will focus on removing low-frequency sounds from your exhaust and other traffic.

Installation

Unlike other products, this is intended to be used as an underpad car mat. Place it on the floor of your cabin and the rear deck for optimal results. Dynapad only comes in one size.

• 1 sheet of 3/4″ thickness, measuring 32”x54”

It is intended for use over a layer of Dynamat Xtreme (Add Dynaliner for the best experience).

Hoodliner

Hoodliner is designed to drastically reduce the amount of noise your car’s engine outputs. It is made from a 3/4″ acoustic sound soaker foam with a reflective, reinforced aluminized skin.

The acoustic foam works by converting sound waves into heat energy. The liner has a combination of open and closed cells that dissipate the sound waves.

The balance of open and closed is the trick here, as too many of the one would result in less sound dampening.

The foam is cast in sheets, assuring balance absorbance throughout the entire panel. The aluminized skin is cleanable and is oil and water-resistant to a 97% heat reflection.

Although this product was designed for the hoods of cars, it’s useful in isolating any engine sounds. For example, it could be used to dampen the sound of a boat’s motor or personal generator

Installation

Hoodliner has a high tack pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows for easy peel and sticks applications. It only comes in one size

• 1 sheet of 3/4″ thickness, measuring 32”x54”

It is recommended to be used in conjunction with Dynamat Xtreme, and if a black finish is desired, it can be covered with Dynaliner.

Dynaplate

Dynaplate is a solid but flexible aluminum sheet. Great to use when you don’t want to bulk your interior up, 2 sheet application provides sound dampening comparable to the Xtreme.

It’s self-adhesive, and you can easily use it for difficult to cover spaces and maximize your soundproofing.

It is very thin and light, but still strong and you can use it on floors, roofs, woofer enclosures, and anywhere else you can think of.

It is specifically engineered for SPL competition rules and power classes of dB Drag racing, USACi, IASCA, and IdBL.

The two-layer setup will reinforce structural panels and prevent ballooning common on SPL cars.

Installation

Dynaplate is self-adhesive and easy to apply and shape to your specification. It can be used to cover entire panels or patch up hard-to-reach areas. You can only buy it in one standard pack:

• 3 sheets measuring 24”x 30”

DynaTape

A pretty straightforward accessory, this is a great tool to help you give your project a professional finish.

The tape is made of 2mm thick aluminum and can be used with other Dynamat products to seal seams and attach wiring.

It’s also great at containing unwanted butyl migration and neatening up mistakes.

• The tape is 1.5” wide and 30ft long

What Do Users Think of Dynamat

So, after looking at the wide range of interchangeable products, you have to think about how they actually hold up. Do they really help absorb outside sounds in your car?

And is it worth it to layer like they suggest (the company suggests you go for a layer of Xtreme, Dynaliner, DynaPad, and Hoodliner for the ultimate protection)?

I looked at a ton of reviews on a variety of sites, trying to understand why some people love it, and others not so much.

It turns out it’s really easy to spot why some users have issues. I came up with a few pros and cons that should shed some light on you.

Pros

• Its fire-retardant and will stand the test of time. A point-blank blowtorch in the same spot for 10 seconds didn’t even leave a mark
• It’s an industry standard and most professional places will be able to apply it to you
• There are so many products, you can really customize your proofing
• It is undoubtedly good quality
• No chemical fumes
• Oil and water-resistant
• Improves rigidity
• Can be used for multiple purposes
• You don’t need a crazy amount to get good results

Cons

• Some people feel it doesn’t reduce sound enough. But, that’s usually because they haven’t covered the car enough.
• It doesn’t play well with others, so don’t use other products in conjunction with it
• It can set you back a good amount of money, this stuff doesn’t come cheap
• If you don’t cover the seams, the butyl coating might start seeping out
• It can add a lot of weight to your car

Cost

Dynamat is expensive, and you can add any number of layers to make it even more so. Here is a rough estimate of what it will cost you to do an average car.

Whole Car: around $600

Doors Only: around $120

In Conclusion

As you can see, there are many other alternatives to Dynamat, and all of them are cheaper. But just how much cheaper can you go, and is it worth the drop in quality?

Dynamat is definitely the most expensive product on the market. However, it remains the top choice among professionals.

I believe this is because it really is the highest quality product that money can buy. It won’t break or get damaged, and it’ll improve the rigidity of your car’s structure.

Dynamat offers such a large range of products, so you’ll be able to choose exactly what you need.

The hood liner is a great product that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s specifically made to deaden the sound of engines (diesel owners will know how important this is) and won’t be a fire risk.

On the topic of fire, Dynamat is one of the few products that are truly heat resistant. It can stand a lot of heat and provides a great insulation layer.

One of the downsides to Dynamat is that you must cover a lot of surface area. It’s suggested that you start by covering at least 30% to see any reduction in sound. The cost can quickly add up.

On the flip side, when a car is fully covered, the dampening effect is pretty amazing. Is it worth it? If you want the best audio quality out of your system, then you bet it is!

FAQ

Does Dynamat work for road noise?

Dynamat was built for this specifically in mind. While some people may complain that it doesn’t deafen the sound enough, in most cases investigates it isn’t that the product isn’t incapable, but more of they did not install the recommended amount.

Is Dynamat fireproof?

Of course, it’s fireproof. It can also stay just as durable as the day it was completely manufactured for years. Withstanding a point-blank blowtorch in the same spot for 10 seconds with no damage, it can bring protection along with the insulation.

How much does it cost to install Dynamat?

Dynamat can cost as much as 600$ for the entire car (again given that you pay for the correct amount of coverage for your car) and up to 120$ if you just want the installation to be on the doors.

Is Dynamat worth the money?

In all honesty, I’d say that’s a solid yes. It can withstand 10 years of service and considering all its other features it can be a very valuable asset, making the investment well worth it.

How do I remove Dynamat?

There are many ways to remove Dynamat from your ride, but one of the most common procedures for doing so is to just use a heat gun and a putty knife, gently removing the material while being careful to not remove paint with it.

Other ways include using a putty knife with brake fuel and even goo gone.

In conclusion, I would buy Dynamat. It’s a great investment that will serve you for the average amount of time a normal person has their cars. Dynamat is not only a noise-canceling device for your vehicle, but it even offers some bit of protection to go along with it. When compared to their other competitors out there (well over 12), it’s truly the best option given what others lack in comparison.

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