At Spacemann, we design and manufacture both office pods and meeting booths here in the UK. However, sometimes these phrases are used interchangeably, making it confusing and difficult to pinpoint the differences between the two.
Having recognised this confusion, we’ve created this simple guide which distinguishes office pods vs meeting booths and helps you determine which would work best when planning office designs.
Each range is crafted to serve a distinct purpose, helping you deliver workplace designs that look exceptional and perform beautifully. If you’d like to chat through your ideas with a member of our team, give us a call.
Office Pods vs Meeting Booths – Differences and Similarities
Both Office Pods and Meeting Booths are additional structures that can be added to open plan offices and work places to create privacy, but they also have specific differences.
There are a lot of different words used to describe our products. Whether they are referred to as office pods, meeting pods, working pods, meeting booth, collaboration booth or office booth etc. the differences are between the ‘pod’ and the ‘booth’.
Office Pods: The Enclosed Solution for Focus and Privacy
Office pods are the most enclosed and acoustically advanced of the two options and this is the main difference between a pod and a booth. A pod acts as fully self-contained structure, a standalone room within the office. They designed to deliver acoustic comfort, visual privacy, and technical integration.
From a design perspective, office pods are architectural elements. They feature solid or glazed panels, integrated ventilation, lighting, and power access, providing a refined alternative to traditional meeting rooms without the permanence or cost of a full build.
Office pods are ideal for:
- Individual focus rooms for deep work or video calls
- Small meeting spaces for confidential discussions
- Hybrid zones supporting virtual collaboration without background disruption
Acoustically, the aim is control without confinement. The best office pods, such as those in the Spacemann ranges, are engineered to absorb and diffuse sound rather than seal it completely, maintaining comfort and natural air quality.
By introducing office pods into open environments, as a designer, you can create private, flexible spaces that enhance usability without altering the architectural fabric. They offer both spatial agility and long-term value, aligning with the evolving expectations of hybrid workplaces.
At Spacemann, our Silence, Line, and Soft office pod ranges combine high acoustic performance with visual versatility. To work with the designs you have in mind, you can choose from veneered or laminated finishes, aluminium frameworks, or upholstered surfaces to create continuity with surrounding interiors. If you’d like further details of each range, feel free to give us a call.
Meeting Booths: The Semi-Open Zone for Collaboration
Where office pods provide enclosure, meeting booths offer connection. Our booths are not fully enclosed, they have either an opening at one end or have lower walls surrounding them. These semi-open structures allow for discussion, brainstorming, and teamwork without isolating participants from the surrounding environment.
Meeting booths are typically open-fronted, allowing for a natural flow of light and air. Acoustically absorbent upholstery, wall panels, and ceiling canopies help reduce reverberation, providing a calmer soundscape even in high-traffic areas.
Meeting booths work particularly well when you need to:
- Encourage informal collaboration without sacrificing floor space
- Create breakout or touchdown areas in open environments
- Provide semi-private zones near circulation routes
- Blend acoustic performance with visual accessibility
So, in contrast to office pods, meeting booths act as inviting islands within the workspace, places that foster quick connection and agile teamwork. They bring rhythm and flow to large floorplates, guiding people naturally through zones of activity and reflection.
Spacemann’s Line and Soft meeting booth ranges are designed to bring a sense of intimacy and comfort into open-plan layouts. The Soft range, for instance, introduces curved, upholstered forms that soften architectural lines, ideal for interiors with a residential or hospitality aesthetic. The Line range, on the other hand, offers clean geometry and customisable aluminium frameworks suited to more structured commercial settings. Chat with a member of our team if you’d like to discuss your ideas.
Choosing Between Office Pods and Meeting Booths
The decision between specifying an office pod or a meeting booth should always be led by purpose. Both deliver acoustic control, modularity, and design flexibility — but their optimal use cases differ.
| Solution | Best For | Acoustic Control | Design Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Pods | Focused, private or confidential work | High | Enclosed, architectural, self-contained |
| Meeting Booths | Collaborative, semi-private meetings or breakout zones | Medium | Open, social, tactile |
Key Considerations for Interior Designs
At Spacemann, we have designed and developed our range in-line with the requirements for modern office and workplace requirements. By combining acoustic performance with the freedom to customise form, fabric, and finish. Every office pod and meeting booth we create is crafted with sustainability and adaptability at its core, ensuring each solution not only fits today’s requirements but can evolve with tomorrow’s too.
Helping to Balance Flow and Performance
Ultimately, the distinction between office pods and meeting booths comes down to intent and interaction.
- Office pods support focus, confidentiality, and composure — the moments where individuals or small groups or individuals need space to think, meet, or create in peace.
- Meeting booths encourage collaboration and community — they’re the connective tissue of the office, where conversations begin and ideas evolve.
When used together, they enable you to design environments that truly work for every mode of modern work, from deep concentration to dynamic teamwork.
At Spacemann, we collaborate with designers to deliver these outcomes through thoughtful engineering and elegant design. Every detail, from acoustic density to upholstery finish, is considered to ensure the space functions as beautifully as it looks.
To explore technical specifications, CAD models, or finish options for your next project, contact the Spacemann team today and start designing a workspace where privacy and collaboration work in harmony.