Block Unwanted Air With the Best Door Draft Stoppers
Buying Guide: Door Draft Stoppers
For someone buying a door draft stopper for the first time, things might get a little confusing, especially considering the variety in the market. To get your hands on the finest product, follow our buying guide below tips.
What To Look for When Buying a Door Draft Stopper
Looks aren’t everything, especially while buying a door draft stopper. Therefore, make sure to search for the following factors while selecting one.
Type
Before buying a door draft stopper, make sure you know which type you need. If you want to seal the door gap permanently, we recommend a strip door draft stopper, as they are not easily detachable and require minimal maintenance. However, if you’re looking for something for temporary use, you should choose between a slide-under and a snake door draft stopper.
Material
The ideal fabric for a cushioned door draft stopper is fleece fabric. Unlike velvet or cotton, it is water-resistant and doesn’t accumulate dust or dirt. For the filling, we usually recommend sand with glass beads, as this gives you the option to customize weight, plus it is more economical. In the case of a strip stopper, silicone or rubber are ideal materials due to their flexibility and durability.
Size
Most door draft stoppers, especially cushioned ones, come in various sizes, as the sizes are not adjustable. For this reason, we recommend buyers take measurements of their doors first, before heading to make purchases. Some people also neglect the width of the stopper, which matters a lot, so we recommend looking at different stopper widths before making a final choice.
Extra features
This factor is optional, but extra features can add value to your door draft stopper. Therefore, when buying one, look for storage loops, complimentary adhesives, tools if required, and the right color. These things make a big difference when installing the product and determine the overall look of the door and the room, so make sure to consider these carefully.
Types of Door Draft Stoppers
Although all door draft stoppers serve the same purpose, they have unique builds. The construction or design of these stoppers can be categorized into the following types.
Slide-under-door draft stoppers
The slide-under door draft stoppers are fabric covers filled with foam or cotton. They are installed by sliding under the door gap and sealing them very effectively. These stoppers are also easily detachable, but are a bit bulky and can get dirty easily. Some of these stoppers offer noise cancellation, while others don’t.
Strip door draft stoppers
The strip door draft stoppers are usually in the form of a flat strip. They are made of rubber, silicone, or plastic and come with an adhesive, usually velcro. These stoppers are extremely flexible, easy to install, and low maintenance. These are typically thin, which allows you to trim them easily, customizing the size according to your needs.
Snake door draft stoppers
Snake door draft stoppers are the most popular type because of their ergonomic design and storage facility. They are made of soft, velvet-like fabric and are filled with either sand or foam with glass beads at times to add weight. They also have weight adjustment options, and you can install them using velcro strips. These stoppers seal the gap effectively, but they get dirty easily and are also bulky.
Benefits of a Door Draft Stopper
Door draft stoppers are a unique invention and a great substitute for rolled-up towels or mats. Here’s how they can help you in your everyday life.
Block lights
If you are used to sleeping in the dark, the tiny ray of light entering your room from beneath the door can be extremely infuriating. You can always DIY a solution, but that’s not always enough, which is why the door draft stoppers are very popular. They block the incoming light perfectly and seal the room with darkness whenever you want.
Keeps the bugs out
A door draft stopper is not a great substitute for a bug-repellent, but it does keep them out of the room. Since the gap under the door is a golden path for the bugs and insects, you should prevent them from entering your room or house in the first place with a door draft stopper.
Insulation
A door draft stopper is a genius invention to insulate a room. In the winter, when the cold air is getting in from under the door, you can install a door draft stopper and prevent it from entering the room. Similarly, in the summers, when it is too hot, or the cold air from the air conditioner is escaping, use the stopper to maintain the room’s temperature.
Noise cancelation
Not all door draft stoppers offer noise cancellation, but many do. These stoppers are an effective and affordable way to soundproof your room. Since rubber, silicone, and sand filling have sound-absorbing properties, they can block the noise from getting out of the room and vice versa.
Detailing the Top Door Draft Stoppers of 2024
Holikme Door Draft Stopper – Best Overall
Although door draft stoppers relieve you from problematic breezes, they can be hard to install, which is why the Holikme Door Draft Stopper is our go-to recommendation.
Although door draft stoppers relieve you from problematic breezes, they can be hard to install, which is why the Holikme Door Draft Stopper is our go-to recommendation. Unlike other door draft stoppers, this one doesn’t require tools or nails. You can simply stick it to the door with the velcro tape that comes with it.
This product is made of high-quality fabric with straps on either side for convenient storage. The soft and velvety fabric is filled with sand and has a bean-bag-like texture that weighs just a few pounds, so it can easily fit any door. This product also features noise canceling technology. This product secured the top position on this list mainly because of its easy-to-install design.
Pros
- It is easily detachable
- Features a non-slip design
- Has an elegant appearance
- Weight bags allow weight adjustment
Cons
- May stick to the door
Suptikes Door Draft Stopper – Most Durable
Most door draft stoppers with a solid structure aren’t that durable, as they are made of poor-quality material.
Most door draft stoppers with a solid structure aren’t that durable, as they are made of poor-quality material. The Suptikes Door Draft Stopper is quite the opposite of these low-quality stoppers. Its quality construction and thickness make it durable yet affordable. It owes the thickness to its triple-layer build that holds not only the shape of this product but also blocks noise.
It features four steps for simple installation that requires peeling and pasting the door draft on the surface with the adhesive that comes with the package. The silicone adhesive is adjustable and will hold its form for a long time.
Pros
- Comes in four color options
- Free push pins for installation
- Rubber material makes it flexible
- Features sturdy adhesiveness
Cons
- Size isn’t suitable for all doors
MAGZO Door Draft Stopper – Most Sizes
Not all high-quality door draft stoppers are available in your desired size, but this MAGZO Door Draft Stopper is.
Not all high-quality door draft stoppers are available in your desired size, but this MAGZO Door Draft Stopper is. It excels in quality and variety, as it has eight sizes and five unique colors. The product features a snake-like design thanks to its flexibility. It is constructed from fleece fabric and has a generous polyester wadding and glass beads filling.
You can count on the velcro, as it has supreme adhesiveness and is detachable. As for the door draft stopper, you can store it on hanging loops using the sturdy straps on both ends. It cancels noise, blocks light, and prevents bugs from passing under the gap in the door. This product is machine washable, and you can hand-wash it as well.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- Features excellent durability
- It fits perfectly
- The fabric has a smooth finish
Cons
- It is a bit heavy
GroTheory Door Draft Stopper – Most Affordable
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly door stopper, you should try the GroTheory Door Draft Stopper.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly door stopper, you should try the GroTheory Door Draft Stopper. This product is the most affordable one on our list, and it doesn’t compromise quality or performance. It is constructed from high-quality silicone, which is ideal for flexibility and durability. The three-layer design of this product ensures sturdiness and additional weight for support.
This draft stopper is suitable for big and small doors. The product comes in a rolled strip, and you can stick it to the door with adhesive. This product is capable of sound-proofing your entire space, making it easier to focus in silence.
Pros
- Comes with a complimentary 3M glue
- It is well-constructed
- Extremely easy to trim
- It features a lightweight
Cons
- It gets dirty pretty easily
Evelots Door Draft Stopper – Most Ergonomic Design
Ordinary door draft stoppers usually don’t work with heavy metal doors, so for those, try the Evelots Door Draft Stopper.
Ordinary door draft stoppers usually don’t work with heavy metal doors, so for those, try the Evelots Door Draft Stopper. This product is suitable for metal doors mainly because of its magnetic adhesion, but that’s not the key feature. It has an ergonomic design that raises its value compared to its competitors. Unlike other products, this one features magnets and metal clips for installation.
You can install and uninstall the product without having to worry about any glue or velcro leftovers on the door. It is ideal for most regular door sizes. This product also features easy storage, thanks to the durable loops for hanging. It is available in a four-piece set, and you can even use it on windows.
Pros
- It requires no assembly
- Fabric is very thick
- Offers value for the price
- Insulates the room perfectly
Cons
- Works with metal doors only
People Also Asked
A: The only difference between an under-door seal and a door draft stopper is their installation, as they both have the same benefits. The under-door seal is fixed to the bottom of the door and cannot be detached, while a door draft stopper is easy to install and detach. They also differ in material, as under-door seals consist of a rubber strip with an aluminum holder.
A: Door draft stoppers are made of different materials, but none of these materials will damage your door. The soft ones made of fabric won't damage your door, apart from the glue or velcro marks that can appear after you peel them off. Rubber or silicone stoppers can add scratches to the floor if installed improperly.
A: Some people might find door draft stoppers unnecessary, but they are worth the purchase if you need them. If the gap below the door irritates you, or you want to insulate or soundproof the room, draft stoppers will do the job. They can be helpful during severe weather conditions and are a must-try, especially for cold weather.
A: Whether you use door draft stoppers regularly or not, they can get dirty pretty easily, especially fabric ones. You can machine wash your fabric stoppers. As for silicone stoppers, a damp cloth dipped in an anti-bacterial solution can do the job.
