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10 Best Laminate Underlayments 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,250
Thickness
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
365 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.

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.

Another great aspect is its compression resistance. This underlayment effectively supports the seams of your flooring, ensuring that it won’t flatten over time even with consistent foot traffic. Additionally, it includes a moisture barrier that protects your floors from potential damage due to moisture vapor emissions, making it suitable for use over both concrete and wood subfloors.

Moreover, the product is environmentally friendly, made from recycled synthetic fibers without harmful VOCs, which is a plus for indoor air quality. It’s also compatible with in-floor radiant heating systems, allowing for even heat distribution while protecting your flooring from thermal shock.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,250
Thickness
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
365 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

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

Rating
9.8
Moisture Barrier
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
365 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.

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.

The sound insulation is a strong point, as the recycled fiber helps reduce impact noise, creating a quieter environment, which is ideal for multi-level homes or apartments. Moisture protection is another highlight; it includes a 6-mil vapor barrier plus DriWick technology that actively wicks away moisture from wood or concrete subfloors, reducing the risk of floor damage. Additionally, it is compatible with in-floor radiant heating systems, which is useful if you have or plan to install such heating.

A minor consideration is the thickness, which might be thinner than some other underlayments designed for more insulation or cushioning, but this also helps keep the floor height reasonable. While it’s priced as a quality mid-range option, those looking for maximum soundproofing might consider thicker or foam-based alternatives. This underlayment is a solid choice for anyone seeking moisture protection, sound reduction, and durability across various flooring types, especially in homes with moisture concerns or radiant heating.

Rating
9.8
Moisture Barrier
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
365 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

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

Rating
9.6
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
783 reviews

Sound Insulation
Provides a soft feel underfoot and significantly reduces noise, achieving the desired sound insulation.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
The underlayment performs well over various subfloors, including cement and linoleum, without the need for an additional vapor barrier.

The ROBERTS Black Jack Underlayment is designed for use under laminate and engineered wood flooring, making it a versatile option for many homeowners. With a thickness of 2.5 mm, it provides a good balance of cushioning and support. The large 600 sq. ft. roll is cost-effective compared to buying multiple smaller rolls, which is a plus for those covering large areas. This underlayment is particularly suitable for use over radiant heated floors, adding to its versatility.

One of its standout features is the sound insulation, with an IIC rating of 70 and an STC rating of 66, which means it effectively reduces noise transmission, making it a good choice for multi-story homes or apartments. Installation is made easier with the included plastic overlap and adhesive strip, although beginners might still find it a bit challenging without prior experience. Since it is made from synthetic materials, it may not be the best choice for those looking for eco-friendly options. Additionally, while it is effective at reducing sound, it might not completely eliminate noise for those needing extreme soundproofing.

In conclusion, the ROBERTS Black Jack Underlayment is a reliable and cost-effective option that provides good sound insulation and is easy to install, making it a suitable choice for most laminate and engineered wood flooring projects.

Rating
9.6
Sound Insulation
Compatibility with Flooring Type

Most important from
783 reviews

Sound Insulation
Provides a soft feel underfoot and significantly reduces noise, achieving the desired sound insulation.
Compatibility with Flooring Type
The underlayment performs well over various subfloors, including cement and linoleum, without the need for an additional vapor barrier.

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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