The Phone Booth That Set The Standard: A Full Review Of The Phone Booth By ROOM

I still remember the first time I stepped into a ROOM Phone Booth.

It was 2019, on the 7th floor of NeoCon, arguably the busiest floor of the busiest show in commercial interiors. In between more than 50 meetings, interviews, and conversations, I ducked into the booth for what I thought would be a quick product experience.

Only it wasn’t.

Within seconds, the chaos softened. The noise dissipated. The interiors felt calm, the brand bags on my arms rested gently on the booth floor and my shoulders relaxed. What started as a quick product check turned into something closer to a mini wellness break. I’m fairly certain I stayed longer than I should have as the Founder checked on me several times.

That moment stuck with me, and years later, evaluating The Phone Booth by ROOM through the lens of Allwork.Space’s Pod Test™, it’s clear: this is still one of the top solutions that defined the category.

Before the specifics, meet ROOM

Few products have had as much influence on the workplace privacy category as The Phone Booth by ROOM. Founded before the pandemic, in 2018, ROOM emerged at a time when open-plan offices and coworking centers were struggling to balance collaboration with the growing need for focus, privacy, and virtual communication. 

The company’s flagship product, The Phone Booth, quickly became one of the most recognizable workplace pods on the market, helping to define a category that has since become a staple in offices, coworking spaces, universities, healthcare environments, and public spaces around the world.

Today, ROOM continues to innovate as part of the OFS family of brands, combining its expertise in modular privacy solutions with OFS’s decades-long reputation for workplace furniture and design. While the company has expanded its portfolio to include meeting rooms, focus rooms, and collaborative spaces, The Phone Booth remains its signature product and a category-defining solution that continues to set the benchmark for workplace privacy, flexibility, sustainability, and user experience.

My Review 

1. Acoustic Isolation 

“Behind its clean aesthetic are three layers of acoustic insulation made from 1,000+ recycled plastic bottles and walls wrapped in 100% wool — an impressive sustainability story for specifiers and users alike.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Growth Strategist 

This evaluation took place in a realistic setting with roughly ten people nearby so the ambient noise reflected a true workplace environment rather than an isolated showroom.

With an NIC rating of 32 dB, the booth delivers exactly what most workplaces need: balanced sound isolation.

From inside, outside noise is reduced to a soft, indistinct murmur. Importantly, it’s not total silence and that’s by design. Users remain aware of critical safety cues like fire alarms or emergency announcements.

From the outside, speech privacy is strong and conversations remain confidential.

The magnetic door, featuring an acrylic panel with a tight magnetic seal housed in a metal frame plays a meaningful role, minimizing sound leakage and reinforcing the booth’s overall acoustic integrity.

Bottom line: The Phone Booth delivers a strong, real-world acoustic performance that prioritizes both privacy and safety.

2. Airflow & Comfort 

“The experience is simple, effective, and user-first centric.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Growth Strategist 

It was a warm day during the test but the booth remained consistently comfortable.

Two ultra-quiet ceiling fans (even at full power) work in tandem with an airflow inlet at the base to maintain steady circulation without distraction. In fact, the fans wholly replenish air every 60 seconds which is 5x the rate of a standard conference room.  

Functionally, ROOM gets the power and tech essentials right:

• Two 120V power outlets
• CAT6 RJ45 ethernet port
• Motion sensors
• Clean, intuitive placement just beneath the built-in desk

3. Video Call Readiness 

This is a booth designed for how people actually work today.

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Growth Strategist 

I didn’t just simulate calls, I took two important Microsoft Teams meetings from inside the booth.

The feedback? Immediate and noticeable. Call participants commented on the clarity of my voice noting it was far better than my typical office setup.

Several elements contribute to this:

• Lighting: An overhead LED strip eliminates shadows and creates even, flattering illumination
• Background: The neutral “Surrey” interior keeps the focus on the user without visual distraction
• Acoustics: Clear, contained, and echo-controlled

One of my favorite features is the magnetic wall.

During calls, I was able to position printed documents directly behind my laptop for quick reference which was an unexpectedly powerful productivity boost and user experience upgrade as my line of sight stayed within the realm of my camera. Paired with ROOM’s wooden frame accessory (part of their welcome kit), I also mounted my phone at eye level for a second call, seamlessly switching between devices.  

4. Space Efficiency 

“I don’t travel light. Thankfully the partial door panel hides my backpack, purse, and jacket to maintain a clean, orderly appearance inside and out of the booth.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Growth Strategist 

With a footprint of H 88.8” x W 41.5” x D43.8” the pod feels right for one person and the experience doesn’t feel restrictive.

Even with a backpack, purse, and raincoat in tow, the booth handled it all comfortably. The partial door panel thoughtfully conceals personal belongings from view, helping maintain a clean, polished aesthetic both inside and out. A subtle but impactful detail: the curved edge of the built-in desk near the door, which makes entry and exit noticeably easier — especially when your hands are full.

It’s a small design choice with big usability implications.

5. Operator Durability 

“From an operator’s perspective, this booth is built to last.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Growth Strategist 

The ease begins the minute it arrives. Plug-and-play installation allows for two people (with one tool), to build it in under 60 minutes. 

Despite being in a high-traffic environment and numerous users during two Design Days shows, there were no visible signs of wear. Moreover, replaceable parts extend product lifespan.

One standout operational feature is the motion sensor system, which automatically turns off lighting and fans when the booth is unoccupied which is an energy-saving detail that also extends component life.

ROOM backs all of this up with a 5-year limited warranty, reinforcing confidence in long-term performance. Click here to view the warranty details. 

Strongest Feature: Adoption Likelihood 

This is where ROOM continues to lead.

From a user standpoint, people will use this booth — and not reluctantly. They’ll seek it out.

From a specification standpoint, architects and designers will find it easy to integrate thanks to:

• Clean, modern aesthetic (light and dark palette options)
• Compliance-ready features (including removable sprinkler caps)
• A strong safety and certification story
• Sustainable solution
• Ability to be relocated as the office evolves

From an operator or facilities standpoint:

• Easy to set up and relocate (10-foot  power cord, adjustable leveling feet)
• Option to anchor for permanent installs
• Flexible across office, coworking, and public environments

Certifications & Safety Considerations

ROOM’s Phone Booth is backed by a comprehensive set of certifications, including:

• ETL Listed (UL 962 compliance)
• SCS Indoor Advantage Gold (low VOC emissions)
• BIFMA compliance
• ASTM E84 fire safety testing
• CSA certification (Canada)
• TSCA VI compliance (formaldehyde emissions)

These matter deeply to A&D specifiers and enterprise buyers navigating increasingly complex compliance requirements.

Biggest Limitation

If I had to name one, it’s that it is not complete acoustic isolation. While the acoustic performance is excellent and conversations remain private, users expecting complete silence may be surprised that some ambient workplace noise remains faintly perceptible. 

This is intentional and supports safety awareness, but it’s worth noting for those seeking a fully isolated environment.

Wishlist Item: Adjustable Worksurface

One enhancement I’d love to see in a future version is a height-adjustable desk. The current built-in worksurface is comfortable for most users, but an adjustable option would better accommodate the wide range of body types and heights found in today’s workplaces. 

Plus, I strive to take most of my work calls standing up. For users like me, an adjustable desk would also give users the flexibility to switch between sitting and standing during longer calls or focused work sessions — a feature increasingly expected in modern workplace environments as evidenced by the popularity of sit-stand desks. 

Overall Score & Verdict

The Phone Booth by ROOM earned one of the highest scores in the Allwork.Space Pod Test™, excelling in acoustics, comfort, video call readiness, durability, and workplace adoption.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Whether used for solo calls, virtual meetings, focused work, hybrid offices, or coworking environments, it delivers where it matters most: privacy, usability, comfort, sustainability, and real-world performance.

What makes The Phone Booth stand out is its ability to balance the needs of users, operators, facility managers and specifiers alike. It provides meaningful speech privacy without feeling isolated, a compact footprint without feeling cramped, and a premium experience without sacrificing operational practicality.

It still captures that original feeling I had back in 2019: A place to step away, reset, and think clearly whether it’s in the middle of the busy 7th floor of NeoCon or a full capacity work environment. 

What’s Next for ROOM

ROOM isn’t standing still.

In partnership with OFS and Carolina, they’ve introduced the ROOM x Carolina Phone Booth, a next-generation version designed specifically for healthcare and high-traffic environments.

This evolution includes:

• Performance fabrics backed by Tekloom technology
• High-pressure laminate surfaces
• Powder-coated metal touchpoints for enhanced durability and cleanability

It’s everything you’ll love about The Phone Booth only leveled up for even more demanding environments.

Reviewed following a hands-on visit to the OFS showroom in Fulton Market, Chicago. Michelle Weiss is the Growth Strategist at Allwork.Space.

The Top Pods Picks Badge represents a new standard of excellence in workplace pod design and performance. Awarded to the highest-scoring products in the Allwork Pod Test™, it reflects how well a pod performs in real workplace conditions across the factors that matter most to operators, designers, and end users. Learn more.