Anti-vibration pads: rubber, silicone or felt — what actually absorbs vibration

- The material decides almost everything: how much the pad absorbs, how long it lasts, and whether it flattens under weight. - High-resilience rubber absorbs and springs back under load — it's still doing its job months later. - Silicone absorbs well at first, but it deforms sooner under heavy appliances. - Felt and foam are the cheap option for mild noise, not for a washing machine that walks across the floor. - If a pad deforms and never returns, it stops absorbing — and it leaves the machine resting on an uneven surface.

Why the material matters more than thickness

A pad absorbs vibration by deforming and springing back. If it deforms and does not recover, it stops absorbing vibrations, and the appliance will rest on an uneven surface. This is why low-quality soft rubber works well for the first few weeks and degrades afterwards.

Material comparison

Material

Absorption

Durability under load

Floor grip

Suitable when…

High-resilience rubber

Good and long-lasting

High

High

Heavy household appliances, daily use

Silicone

Good at first

Medium

Medium

Light household appliances

Felt / foam

Low

Low

Low

Mild noise, tight budget

Rigid plastic

Almost none

High

Variable

Not for vibration absorption, used for levelling

Where rubber pads fit

They strike a balance: they absorb vibration without sagging and retain grip to stop the appliance from sliding. This is the right choice for the common scenario where you have both noise and movement. If there is only a faint hum and the machine does not shift, softer solutions will suffice.

How to choose: three key questions

Is the appliance heavy?

The heavier the load, the more important the material’s resilience. Under a washing machine, felt will flatten within weeks.

Does the appliance slide as well as vibrate?

Then base grip is just as important as vibration absorption: look for non-slip bases.

Is it a floating floor or tiled floor?

Both transmit vibrations efficiently. On concrete floors the noise reduction gain is smaller, yet stability still improves.

Frequently asked questions

One for each foot. Mixing different materials under the same appliance creates uneven support.

Yes, the same principle applies to all appliances with feet.

No. Tilt the appliance slightly and fit one pad under each foot.

High-resilience rubber pads keep their shape for years. We recommend checking them once a year to make sure they have not shifted.

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