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10 Best Laminate Underlayments 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9 score

360 Sq Ft Acoustical Underlayment with Vapor Barrier for Luxury Vinyl Flooring

The QuietWalk LV Underlayment is a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their flooring experience with luxury vinyl, laminate, or wood floors. One of its standout features is the superior sound reduction offered by the recycled fibers, which can significantly minimize noise transfer between rooms, creating a quieter living environment. This makes it particularly beneficial for apartments or multi-story homes where noise can be a concern.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,493
Thickness
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
371 reviews

Thickness
The underlayment is not too thick, preventing any flexing with LVP joints.
Sound Insulation
Installed in a second floor to avoid bothering neighbors downstairs, and it seems to significantly reduce noise transmission.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
Worked out great for our LVP installation, with just enough cushion to make walking on it pretty quiet.
#2
9.8 score

QuietWalk LV 200 Sq Ft Luxury Vinyl, Laminate, or Wood Underlayment (Float, Glue, or Nail) w/Vapor Barrier- Sound Reduction, Compression Resistant, Moisture Protection 3'x66'8" Roll QW200LV

The QuietWalk LV underlayment is a versatile and well-made option for use with laminate, luxury vinyl, and engineered wood floors. It works with floating, glue-down, or nail-down installations, making it flexible for different flooring types including LVT, WPC, and SPC. Its thickness of about 0.06 inches (roughly 1.5 mm) provides a good balance of cushioning and support without being too bulky. Made from recycled synthetic fibers, it’s dense and compression-resistant, helping protect floor seams and maintain stability under foot traffic and furniture.

Rating
9.8
Moisture Barrier
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
371 reviews

Moisture Barrier
Its vapor barrier and mold resistance provide reliable moisture protection, ideal for concrete subfloors.
Sound Insulation
The underlayment effectively reduces hollow sounds, creating a noticeably quieter floor environment.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
Compatibility with glue-down flooring ensures versatile use across different installation methods.
#3
9.6 score

Wood Fiber Flooring Underlayment, 6mm (1/4 Inch) Thickness - 180 Sq Ft, Natural Soundproofing Insulation, for Laminate, Vinyl, LVT, LVP, or Hardwood

This STEICO Wood Fiber Flooring Underlayment offers a 6mm (1/4 inch) thickness, which is a good middle ground for cushioning and support beneath laminate, vinyl, LVT, LVP, or hardwood floors. Made from natural wood fibers without glue or harmful chemicals, it’s a breathable and eco-friendly choice that helps prevent moisture buildup through its “Vapor Open” technology. It also stands out for soundproofing, having passed strict acoustic tests to reduce noise from footsteps, making it a solid pick if quiet floors are important to you.

Rating
9.6
Thickness
Material
Sound Insulation

Most important from
427 reviews

Thickness
Its thickness and density protect flooring click-lock systems while preventing grout lines or subfloor imperfections from telegraphing through.
Material
Being made from natural wood fibers without chemicals gives peace of mind and aligns with eco-friendly values.
Sound Insulation
The underlayment feels great underfoot—quiet, comfortable, and effectively reduces noise from below.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
Its thickness and density protect flooring click-lock systems while preventing grout lines or subfloor imperfections from telegraphing through.

Top 10 Best Laminate Underlayments 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.9  score

360 Sq Ft Acoustical Underlayment with Vapor Barrier for Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Thickness: 0.06 inches
Material: Recycled Synthetic Fiber
Moisture Barrier: Yes
Sound Insulation: Yes
Compatibility with Flooring Type: Luxury vinyl, laminate, wood

Chosen by 1493 this week

Wood Fiber Flooring Underlayment, 6mm (1/4 Inch) Thickness - 180 Sq Ft, Natural Soundproofing Insulation, for Laminate, Vinyl, LVT, LVP, or Hardwood

Thickness: 6mm (1/4in) thickness
Material: Wood fiber
Moisture Barrier: Not a full moisture barrier
Sound Insulation: Passed acoustic tests to reduce noise
Compatibility with Flooring Type: Laminate, vinyl, LVT, LVP, hardwood

ROBERTS Black Jack Underlayment - 600 sq. ft. Roll - 43" x 167.5' x 2.5 mm

Thickness: 2.5 mm
Material: synthetic materials
Sound Insulation: IIC 70, STC 66
Compatibility with Flooring Type: laminate, engineered wood

FLOORLOT BlueStep Underlayment with Moisture Barrier for Laminate and Wood Floors, (200 sq.ft Roll)

Thickness: 3 Millimeters
Material: cushioned foam
Moisture Barrier: built-in barrier
Sound Insulation: standard absorption
Compatibility with Flooring Type: laminate, engineered, solid hardwood

FLOORLOT GoldMax Premium Floor Underlayment - 200 sqft Roll - 3mm Thick - with Moisture Barrier

Thickness: 3 Millimeters
Material: ixpe
Moisture Barrier: built-in barrier
Sound Insulation: reduces foot traffic noise
Compatibility with Flooring Type: laminate, engineered, solid hardwood

ROBERTS Super Felt Underlayment - 360 sq. ft. Roll - 60" x 72' x 3 mm

Thickness: 3 Millimeters
Material: Heat-treated, recycled fibers
Moisture Barrier: Yes
Compatibility with Flooring Type: Engineered wood, laminate

ROBERTS Serenity Foam Underlayment - 400 sq. ft. Roll - 48" x 100'

Thickness: 3/32 inch
Material: Polyethylene foam
Moisture Barrier: basic moisture barrier
Sound Insulation: somewhat effective
Compatibility with Flooring Type: laminate and engineered wood floors
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Buying Guide for the Best Laminate Underlayments

Choosing the right laminate underlayment is crucial for ensuring the longevity and performance of your laminate flooring. Underlayment provides a smooth surface for the laminate to rest on, helps with sound absorption, and can offer moisture protection. When selecting an underlayment, consider the specific needs of your space, such as the type of subfloor, the level of moisture, and the amount of foot traffic. Understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision that best suits your requirements.
ThicknessThickness refers to how thick the underlayment material is. This is important because thicker underlayments can provide better sound insulation and cushioning underfoot. Underlayments typically range from 2mm to 6mm in thickness. For areas with high foot traffic or where extra comfort is desired, a thicker underlayment (4mm-6mm) is recommended. For standard residential use, a 2mm-3mm underlayment is usually sufficient. Consider your comfort needs and the level of sound insulation you require when choosing the thickness.
MaterialThe material of the underlayment can affect its performance in terms of sound absorption, moisture resistance, and durability. Common materials include foam, cork, and rubber. Foam is lightweight and provides basic cushioning and sound reduction, making it suitable for most residential applications. Cork offers superior sound insulation and is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, ideal for areas where moisture might be a concern. Rubber is highly durable and provides excellent sound insulation, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Choose the material based on the specific needs of your space, such as moisture levels and desired sound insulation.
Moisture BarrierA moisture barrier is a layer within the underlayment that prevents moisture from seeping up from the subfloor into the laminate flooring. This is particularly important in areas prone to moisture, such as basements or bathrooms. Some underlayments come with an integrated moisture barrier, while others may require a separate moisture barrier to be installed. If you are installing laminate flooring in a moisture-prone area, look for underlayments with a built-in moisture barrier to protect your flooring from damage.
Sound InsulationSound insulation refers to the underlayment's ability to reduce noise transmission between floors. This is important in multi-story buildings or apartments where noise can be a concern. Underlayments with higher sound insulation ratings can significantly reduce the noise of footsteps and other impacts. Look for underlayments that are specifically designed for sound insulation if noise reduction is a priority for you. These products often have ratings such as IIC (Impact Insulation Class) and STC (Sound Transmission Class) that indicate their effectiveness.
Compatibility with Flooring TypeNot all underlayments are compatible with all types of laminate flooring. Some laminate floors have specific requirements for underlayment to ensure proper installation and performance. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for both the laminate flooring and the underlayment to ensure compatibility. This will help prevent issues such as improper fitting, reduced durability, or voiding of warranties. Make sure to choose an underlayment that is designed to work with your specific type of laminate flooring.

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