Are you wondering whether to buy a Danbotchi or build your own soundproof room?
For those wanting to set up streaming or recording environments, choosing between commercial products and DIY is an important decision. There are multiple points to compare: price, performance, installation time, rental compatibility, and more.
This article organizes decision criteria with data to help you make the optimal choice for your needs.
Introduction: Why More People Are Struggling with Commercial vs DIY#
In recent years, more people are struggling with whether to “buy a Danbotchi or build their own.” The background includes the following reasons.
Increase in Streamers and Creators#
Streaming activities where sound quality is important, such as VTubers, game commentary, and podcasts, are rapidly increasing. Demand for setting up streaming environments at home is rising, increasing interest in soundproofing measures.
Diversification of Options#
Previously, it was a choice between professional unit-type soundproof rooms (¥1,000,000+) or doing nothing. However, now there are more intermediate options such as Danbotchi (¥100,000-150,000) and DIY soundproof rooms (¥20,000-50,000).
Complexity of Decision Criteria#
There are multiple points to compare beyond just price: performance, installation time, rental compatibility, maintenance, and more. You need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each to make the optimal choice for yourself.
First, Understand the Differences Between “Danbotchi” and “DIY Soundproof Room”#
First, let’s understand the basic differences between Danbotchi and DIY soundproof rooms.
Basic Comparison Table#
| Comparison Item | Danbotchi | DIY Soundproof Room |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Assembly-type simple soundproof room (commercial product) | Build with materials using DIY |
| Average Price | ¥100,000-150,000 | ¥20,000-50,000 (material costs) |
| Soundproofing Performance | D-25 to 30 (simple level) | D-25 to 40 (depends on design) |
| Size | Standard sizes (Wide/Tall, etc.) | Free design to match closet, etc. |
| Installation Time | About 1-2 hours | About 3-5 hours |
| Rental Compatibility | ◎ (no restoration needed) | ○ (depends on construction method) |
| Tools & Skills | Not needed (assembly only) | Required (cutting, attachment, etc.) |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Consumable material replacement needed |
What is Danbotchi?#
Danbotchi is an assembly-type simple soundproof booth developed by Yamaha. It uses cardboard material in a lightweight design that can be assembled by one person, even a woman.
Main Features
- Assembly-type, no construction needed
- Easy restoration (can be disassembled and removed)
- Optimal for streaming and calls
- Manufacturer warranty included
Size Variations
- Wide: 120cm wide × 90cm deep × 190cm tall (¥100,000-120,000)
- Tall: 120cm wide × 90cm deep × 210cm tall (¥130,000-150,000)
What is a DIY Soundproof Room?#
A DIY soundproof room is a soundproof space built by purchasing materials yourself and constructing with DIY. Methods using closets are common.
Main Features
- Achievable at low cost
- Can freely design size
- Can improve gradually
- Rental-compatible depending on construction method
Representative Construction Methods
- Closet soundproof room: Utilize existing closet
- Simple soundproof booth: Create frame with pipe scaffolding
- Oshiire soundproof room: Utilize Japanese-style closet
Soundproofing Performance Comparison — Seeing “Quietness” in Numbers#
Comparing soundproofing performance numerically helps understand actual effectiveness differences.
Danbotchi Sound Insulation Performance#
Danbotchi Sound Insulation Performance: D-25 to 30 equivalent
Danbotchi has simple soundproofing level performance. While it doesn’t have the performance of a complete soundproof room, it can reduce everyday conversation levels.
Actual Measurement Data
- Environmental noise during microphone recording: -12dB reduction
- Sufficient effectiveness for streaming and calls
- Limited for loud voices and instruments
Uses with Expected Effectiveness
- Normal streaming (60-70dB): ◎
- Telework and web meetings: ◎
- Light instrument practice: △ (time consideration needed)
Uses with Limited Effectiveness
- Piano practice: △ (D-50+ recommended)
- Drum practice: × (D-60+ required)
- Loud singing: △ (time consideration needed)
DIY Soundproof Room Sound Insulation Performance#
DIY Soundproof Room Sound Insulation Performance: D-25 to 40 (depends on design)
DIY soundproof room performance varies greatly depending on materials used and construction methods.
Basic Construction (Sound-Absorbing Material Only)
- Soundproofing performance: D-25
- Effectiveness: Equivalent to Danbotchi
Professional Construction (Sound-Absorbing + Sound-Insulating Materials Combined)
- Soundproofing performance: D-35 to 40
- Effectiveness: Superior to Danbotchi
Actual Measurement Data (Closet DIY Case)
- Before construction: D-20
- Sound-absorbing material only: D-25 (+5dB)
- Sound-insulating sheet only: D-28 (+8dB)
- Both combined: D-32 (+12dB)
Uses with Expected Effectiveness
- Normal streaming: ◎ (if D-30+)
- Piano practice: △ (if D-35+, time consideration needed)
- Instrument practice: △ (depends on design)
Sound Absorption Structure Differences#
Danbotchi Structure
- Uniform design: Same structure for all models
- Manufacturer-optimized design
- Stable performance guaranteed
DIY Soundproof Room Structure
- Individual optimization possible: Can change design according to purpose
- Performance adjustable by material combination
- Performance varies by construction quality
Weakness Comparison#
Danbotchi Weaknesses
- Gap treatment: Sound may leak through door gaps
- Ventilation structure: Ventilation needed during long use
- Size constraints: Limited to standard sizes
DIY Soundproof Room Weaknesses
- Gap treatment: Performance varies by construction quality
- Ventilation structure: Design needed (ventilation fan installation, etc.)
- Construction difficulty: Results vary by DIY experience
Actual Case Comparison#
Danbotchi (Environmental Noise During Microphone Recording)
- Improvement: -12dB
- Sufficient for streaming and calls
Closet DIY (Sound-Insulating Sheet + Sound-Absorbing Material Combined)
- Improvement: -18dB
- Higher performance expected
Conclusion
- Basic construction: Equivalent to Danbotchi
- Professional construction: DIY soundproof room superior
- However, results vary greatly by construction quality
Cost Comparison — Visualizing Total and Maintenance Costs#
Comparing costs helps judge long-term return on investment.
Initial Cost Comparison#
| Item | Danbotchi | DIY Soundproof Room |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | ¥100,000-150,000 | ¥20,000-50,000 |
| Tool Costs | Not needed | ¥2,000-5,000 |
| Delivery Costs | Often included | Not needed (materials purchased yourself) |
| Total | ¥100,000-150,000 | ¥22,000-55,000 |
Maintenance Cost Comparison#
| Item | Danbotchi | DIY Soundproof Room |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Costs | Almost none | Consumable material replacement (about ¥1,000/year) |
| Maintenance | Not needed | Regular inspection and replacement needed |
| Repair Costs | Free during warranty period | Self-responsibility |
Sales Routes and Acquisition Methods#
Danbotchi
- Available on Amazon and official online stores
- Delivery and assembly support available
- Manufacturer warranty included
DIY Soundproof Room
- Purchase materials at home centers and online stores
- Procure and construct yourself
- No warranty (self-responsibility)
Cost-Performance Evaluation#
Danbotchi
- Cost-performance evaluation: Peace of mind + Assembly-focused
- Higher initial cost but lower failure risk
- Peace of mind due to manufacturer warranty
DIY Soundproof Room
- Cost-performance evaluation: Freedom + Savings-focused
- Lower initial cost but failure risk exists
- Can keep costs down by constructing yourself
Overall Evaluation
- Cost-focused: DIY — Initial cost is significantly lower
- Want to avoid failure risk: Danbotchi — Has manufacturer warranty
Time and Effort Until Installation — Realistic Choice from “Time-Performance” Perspective#
Let’s compare which is more efficient from time and effort perspectives.
Installation Time Comparison#
Danbotchi
- Assembly-type, completed within 2 hours
- Possible even for one woman
- No tools needed (can assemble with included tools)
DIY Soundproof Room
- Material procurement + cutting + attachment: 3-6 hours
- Varies by DIY experience
- Tools needed (cutter, saw, etc.)
Delivery Route Effort#
Danbotchi
- Large cardboard delivery
- Need to check elevator and hallway width
- Care needed during delivery
DIY Soundproof Room
- Flexible response with material division
- Materials can be purchased in small quantities
- Few delivery constraints
Cleanup and Removal Time Comparison#
Danbotchi
- Disassembly: About 30 minutes
- No restoration needed
- Easy removal
DIY Soundproof Room
- Dismantling: About 1 hour
- Material disposal needed
- Disposal costs may apply
Time-Performance Comparison#
Time-Performance Focused: Danbotchi
- Short installation time
- Can start using immediately
- Less work effort
Free Design Focused: DIY Soundproof Room
- Can freely design size
- Can optimize according to purpose
- Can improve gradually
Which is Best for You? Performance-Based Checklist#
You can determine the optimal choice for you with the following checklist.
Decision Checklist#
| Question | Recommendation if YES |
|---|---|
| Don’t want to damage walls in rental | Danbotchi |
| Want to keep costs as low as possible | DIY Soundproof Room |
| Value appearance and completion | Danbotchi |
| Want to match your room size | DIY Soundproof Room |
| Streaming and recording focused | Danbotchi |
| Want instrument practice and singing too | DIY Soundproof Room (High-Density Design) |
| Want to minimize work time | Danbotchi |
| Like DIY / Good at crafting | DIY Soundproof Room |
| Want manufacturer warranty | Danbotchi |
| Want gradual improvement | DIY Soundproof Room |
Recommendations by Use#
Streaming and Calls
- Recommendation: Danbotchi
- Reason: Easy installation, can start using immediately
- Performance: D-25 to 30 sufficient
Instrument Practice
- Recommendation: DIY Soundproof Room (Professional Construction)
- Reason: Higher performance needed, can freely design size
- Performance: D-35+ recommended
Budget-Focused
- Recommendation: DIY Soundproof Room
- Reason: Initial cost is significantly lower
- Note: Performance varies by construction quality
Time-Focused
- Recommendation: Danbotchi
- Reason: Short installation time, can start using immediately
- Note: Size limited to standards
Actual Usage Reviews and Experience Summary#
You can check real evaluations from actual users’ voices.
VTuber and Streamer Usage Examples#
Voices from Danbotchi Users
- “Sound leakage to adjacent room decreased with Danbotchi” (20s female, VTuber)
- “Easy installation, could start streaming immediately” (30s male, game streamer)
- “Heat builds up in summer, ventilation needed” (20s female, streamer)
Voices from DIY Soundproof Room Users
- “Achieved soundproofing effect with DIY but summer heat buildup is an issue” (30s male, music production)
- “Good cost-performance, could customize to my preference” (20s female, music school student)
- “Construction took time but satisfied” (40s male, podcast)
Real Voices from Amazon Reviews and YouTube Videos#
Danbotchi Reviews
- Performance Experience: “Sufficient effectiveness for streaming” “Limited for loud voices”
- Heat Countermeasures: “Ventilation fan needed in summer” “Care needed during long use”
- Cost: “Good cost-performance” “Peace of mind due to manufacturer warranty”
DIY Soundproof Room Reviews
- Performance Experience: “Effectiveness varies greatly by design” “Construction quality is important”
- Cost: “Material costs are low but takes time” “Can improve gradually”
- Construction: “DIY experience is advantageous” “Somewhat difficult for beginners”
Points Learned from Actual Use#
Danbotchi Notes
- Ventilation needed during long use
- Limited for loud voices and instruments
- Size limited to standards
DIY Soundproof Room Notes
- Performance varies by construction quality
- Regular maintenance needed
- Material selection is important
Summary | “Cost-Performance Focused” or “Completion Focused”#
Let’s summarize the comparison between Danbotchi and DIY soundproof rooms.
Overall Evaluation#
Cost-Performance Focused → DIY Soundproof Room (¥20,000-50,000)
- Initial cost is significantly lower
- Only material costs
- However, performance varies by construction quality
Time-Performance Focused → Danbotchi (¥100,000-150,000)
- Short installation time (within 2 hours)
- Can start using immediately
- Has manufacturer warranty
Performance Difference is Maximum About 10dB
- Danbotchi: D-25 to 30
- DIY Soundproof Room (Professional Construction): D-35 to 40
- Sufficient performance for everyday streaming
Finally: Environment You Can Use Comfortably = Optimal Soundproof Room#
The most important thing in choosing a soundproof room is “creating an environment you can use comfortably”.
People Suited for Danbotchi
- Streaming and calls focused
- Want to minimize installation time
- Want manufacturer warranty
- Want to avoid failure risk
People Suited for DIY Soundproof Room
- Want to keep costs down
- Want to freely design size
- Like DIY
- Want gradual improvement
Important Points
- Both have sufficient effectiveness for everyday streaming and calls
- Both are insufficient for loud sounds (drums, etc.)
- It’s important to choose what suits you
Related Article Links#
- → Related Article: “DIY Soundproof Room from Closet | Simple Guide for Rental Apartments”
- → Related Article: “Points to Note When Installing Soundproof Room in Rental”
- → Comparison Article: “Soundproof Room Recommendations Comparison | Features and Differences by Manufacturer”
- → Basic Knowledge: “Soundproof Room Selection Checklist | By Purpose, Failure Prevention”
- → Price Information: “What is the Price Range for Soundproof Rooms? Costs and Breakdown [2025]”
This article is based on the latest information as of 2025. Product prices and specifications may change, so please check with manufacturers and professionals for the latest information when actually purchasing or constructing.