PrivacyPods Passed The Office Pod Test A Showroom Can’t Replicate: Real Employees

In a departure from our in-showroom evaluations where conditions are often pristine, I recently went to experience PrivacyPods M two-person pod and L four-person pod solutions at Rethink Electric, a Chicago-area based solar and electrical contractor providing engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services across commercial, industrial and utility-scale projects throughout Illinois. The company has built its reputation around technical expertise, safety, execution and long-term operational efficiency making it a particularly fitting place to see whether another piece of workplace infrastructure (pods) performs as intended, after they had been installed, used and lived with by employees at Rethink Electric.

The client environment gave this Allwork Pod Test™ an added dimension. I could still evaluate acoustics, ventilation, video-call readiness, space efficiency and construction. When it came to evaluating adoption likelihood, there were plenty of real-life insights into what happens months after the installers left.

In the case of these PrivacyPods, the way Rethink Electric adapted them into their workplace experience makes the products even more impressive.

Two Pods, Two Very Different Jobs

The PrivacyPod M is designed as a two-person workspace, measuring 63 inches wide by 54.1 inches deep by 91.6 inches high; however, Rethink Electric made the bold decision to use it for one person. After working inside it myself, I understood why.

The additional space transforms the M Pod from a small, 2-person collaboration pod into something closer to a compact, yet comfortable private office. Its generously sized desk accommodated a desktop monitor (for everyone’s use), my laptop and a folder of notes with ample room left over. I didn’t feel enclosed or constrained, rather I could quickly settle in and get to work.

The PrivacyPod L, meanwhile, functions more conventionally as a four-person meeting space. At 90.6 inches wide by 70.3 inches deep, it provides considerably more room while remaining compact enough to sit within an open office.

The freestanding table inside comfortably accommodated four open laptops. One interior design detail that stood out is that the table begins approximately a foot inside the pod, leaving enough clearance for people to enter and exit without awkwardly maneuvering around the furniture.

It’s important to note that both pods I tested came from PrivacyPod’s Quick-Ship (1-2 week) program, with the standard design configurations consisting of a white exterior and Ash Felt interior. The M Pod (2-person) includes a Swivel Armchair and Working Desk, and the L Pod (4-person) has a 2 bench and Freestanding Meeting Table configuration.

My Review

Acoustic Isolation 

“If clients have specific acoustic needs, PrivacyPod builds to them.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Reviewer

The acoustic experience is where both pods stood out, despite their size differentials.

PrivacyPod states both the M and L are independently tested to ISO 23351-1 Class A, providing approximately 30 dB of speech-level reduction. Our testing with Rethink Electric employees supported that performance.

Allwork.Space colleagues on Teams screen from all parts of the world even commented on the enhanced acoustics even though the pod was in an active open office.

The doors are heavy, but they’re controlled by a slow-close mechanism. Once that door shuts, the acoustic environment changes instantly. External office noise dropped significantly while speech inside remained private and sound leakage seemed non-existent.

In terms of the interior PET acoustic panels, the construction actually scales to the acoustic level a client needs. The Plus models (S Pod Plus, L Pod Plus) include up to 2” deluxe PET panels for even higher performance.

Airflow & Comfort

The M Pod uses three fans with active air exchanges approximately every 41 seconds. The L uses four fans and exchanges its air approximately every 53 seconds. When activated on the highest setting the slight hum noise had the equivalent effect of white noise and actually helped my concentration.

Each pod includes a single control panel for light brightness, light color temperature and fan speed plus two U.S. outlets with USB-A and USB-C fast charging (20W), which I always appreciate.

Occupancy sensors automatically activate the lights when someone enters and shut them off when the pod is vacated. Ventilation also cycles to refresh the interior.

Comfort is where the decision to use the M for one person really pays off. There is considerably more breathing room than in a traditional single-person phone booth, with enough desk surface to make longer work sessions such back-to-back interviews, one-on-ones, or sales calls on zoom realistic.

Video Call Readiness

The M Pod was particularly good for video calls. Its neutral Ash Felt acoustic panels provide a professional, distraction-free camera background. Adjustable lighting lets the user change both intensity and color temperature, while the excellent acoustic isolation provides the kind of audio environment you’d want for an important client, manager or team call.

Physically, the L Pod works extremely well for four-person meetings. However, when it came to the configuration we tested, I wanted more technology in order for it to be a fully integrated hybrid meeting room experience.

PrivacyPod anticipated this need and they do offer Made-to-Order technology upgrades, including Ethernet and Bluetooth audio, and offer a popular L configuration with a partial solid rear wall that can accommodate a mounted monitor or TV.

If hybrid meetings will be one of L Pod’s primary jobs, I would consider one of technology upgrades.

Space Efficiency 

Both pods use their footprints well, but in different ways.

Using a two-person M Pod as a spacious one-person workspace gives the user enough room for serious focused work while still occupying substantially less floor space than a conventional private office.

The L Pod comfortably accommodates four people without feeling unnecessarily oversized.

The fact that both pods are positioned next to each other in Rethink Electric’s office is highly practical and allows a user to conveniently choose their pod accordingly on short notice based upon availability as indicated by green and red lighting at the top of both pods.

Operator Durability 

“Evaluating pods that had already been in use gave us a unique advantage.”

Michelle Weiss, Allwork.Space Reviewer

I wasn’t inspecting untouched showroom surfaces.

For months these PrivacyPods have had employees coming and going, touching the glass, using the furniture and occupying the pods throughout the workday. And they looked good and operated seamlessly.

The shell combines T6061 aviation-grade aluminum framing, laminated safety glass, steel, plywood and gypsum board with PET acoustic paneling.

I also liked several smaller design details: the exposed white and silver hinges, the subtle black gradient along the panel edges and the neutral interior and external treatments.

There’s an even bigger durability test up ahead as Rethink Electric is preparing for an office relocation in another town and they are taking the PrivacyPods with them! Because the pods aren’t permanently attached to the building, they can be disassembled and reassembled.

Adoption Likelihood 

“Due to our office set-up — offices with no ceilings — prior to the arrival of the M and L PrivacyPods, employees would go out to their cars for important calls!”

Tina de Chaud, Business Operations Manager at Rethink Electric

At Rethink Electric, now both pods are used equally. Employees can reserve them through their calendar system or jump into one when it’s available. Occupancy lights communicate whether they’re free, and the company has supplemented the pods with simple etiquette and reservation guidelines, and also added dedicated monitors and cameras for virtual meetings.

Rethink Electric even gave each pod names appropriate for an electrical contractor: Amp for the M Pod and Voltage for the L Pod.

The neutral color palette is calming and lends itself well to the current and future, more modern office environment as well.

Quick-Ship Doesn’t Mean One-Size-Fits-All

The models I evaluated represent PrivacyPod’s baseline offering rather than the full extent of its customization capabilities.

PrivacyPod’s Quick-Ship program offers standard white exteriors and Ash Felt interiors with multiple furniture configurations. The company says these models typically arrive in approximately one to two weeks (often within one week) with free freight and a nationwide install network.

For projects with longer timelines or more specific design requirements, the Made-to-Order program expands the options significantly.

For example, PrivacyPod offers seven exterior and 14 interior options, an extensive add-on catalog, and every size from one to six people, plus ADA models. Stand out add-ons for me include: height adjustable desks, switchable privacy glass, and wireless charging.

Sustainability And Relocatability

For architects, designers, facility managers, coworking owner operators and workplace teams, PrivacyPod also has a noteworthy certification and sustainability story. Specifically, the website indicates its pods carry GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold certifications for low chemical emissions and cites ISO 14067:2018 for product carbon-footprint measurement and ISO 14001:2015 for its environmental management system.

The company also operates an end-of-life recovery program intended to keep used booths and components out of landfills.

And the sustainability feature I find most attractive is that you can take the pod with you.

Traditional meeting rooms become part of the real estate. These pods use no adhesives or permanent fixings, so they disassemble and reassemble cleanly and can move to a new space without any issues.

On the Wishlist

The only change I would like to see pertains to L Pod and it is to add or reposition charging access. The L Pod could benefit from outlets on multiple sides of the table. With several people working simultaneously, cords can end up stretching across the benches and tabletop depending upon where users sit. Distributed charging would make an otherwise very functional table and work experience even better.

Overall: The most important test happened before I arrived

Before these pods arrived, employees took important calls in their cars. Now they walk into Amp or Voltage.

That’s the kind of workplace problem these products were purchased to solve, and they succeeded.

According to Rethink Electric’s Business Operations Manager, months of employee use haven’t revealed maintenance problems, acoustic complaints, ventilation issues or service tickets. Both pods see regular, steady use. Visitors notice them. And Rethink Electric values them enough to take them along when the company moves. We’ll check back after the move — stay tuned.

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.

Reviewed following a hands-on visit to Rethink Electric, Wood Dale, IL. Michelle Weiss is the Growth Strategist at Allwork.Space.