Final Verdict

The Suptikes 2-Pack Door Draft Stopper earned our overall top spot for its indoor-outdoor versatility, effective draft prevention, and easy-to-install design. For a more heavy-duty yet stylish option, opt for the Decorealm Door Draft Stopper.

How to Shop for Door Draft Stoppers Like a Pro

Type

Before you decide which door draft stopper you want to buy, research the type that best fits your door. There are plenty of options to choose from, but basically, it boils down to whether you need it for interior or exterior doors, how it sticks to your door, and what material the door draft stopper is made of.

Typically, door draft stoppers fit under the door with adhesives, velcro, or magnets, and cylindrical or snake draft guards that blend with your home decor. “The most important thing is that it seals all the air coming in and out from underneath the door,” says Shine. “The thicker the draft stopper is, the more effective it will be.”

Material

When you are looking for a door draft stopper, think about the size of your door, the type of door you have (whether it’s interior or exterior), and the size of the door gap. Silicone, rubber, fabric, and metal are the most common materials. Experts differ slightly on what is the best material, but the consensus seems to be that silicone and rubber are affordable, easy to install, and flexible enough to seal grooves and gaps better than fabric door draft stoppers.

“The more solid the material, the better it will be at stopping air from entering,” Shine says. “But, that also means it’s worse at conforming to curves and gaps.”

Installation

According to Smith, hiring a professional to install a door draft stopper for your home is unnecessary. “First, measure the height and width of the opening where you want the draft stopper installed. This will ensure that the grippers are correctly placed,” says Smith. “Next, choose an appropriate size draft stopper and mount it on the wall near or below your door’s frame. Finally, close your door to test the installation and ensure that the draft stopper works correctly. You can always adjust if needed.”

Questions You Might Ask

Do door stoppers actually save energy?

The average home can save up to 10 percent if they install door draft stoppers. However, this figure can vary depending on factors such as the type of door draft stopper you use, how old your home is, how large the gaps are, whether you live in a warm or cold climate, and temperature preferences on your thermostat.

“For maximum efficiency, door draft stoppers should be used in conjunction with other energy-saving measures such as adding insulation to the home, sealing air leaks, and/or installing a programmable thermostat,” Smith says.

Should you use door stoppers on interior or exterior doors?

You might have only seen door draft stoppers on exterior doors, but did you know you can use them on interior doors too? “Door draft stoppers are equally impactful on interior doors,” says DiMartino. “Interior doors tend to have a larger gap between the bottom of the door and the floor threshold. Thus, warm or cool air has a higher chance of leaving the room even when an interior door is closed.” DiMartino recommends door draft stoppers for attics with walk-up steps, guest rooms, and storage rooms that you don’t use on a daily basis.

Do door draft stoppers go on the inside or outside?

Door draft stoppers usually go inside the door. Even so, there are cylinder-shaped door draft stoppers that can be slipped under the door and seen on both sides. According to DiMartino, homeowners who opt for this kind of door draft stopper should be mindful that the outside-facing side will be exposed to elements like rain and snow, and may need to be replaced more frequently.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Nor’adila Hepburn, a contributing writer for Real Simple with two years of experience writing product reviews and home and lifestyle content. To put together this list, she spent hours researching door draft stopper products online and delving into their role in reducing energy consumption in your home. She also received tips from Adam Smith, founder and CEO of Eco Energy Geek, Erin Shine, founder of Attainable Home, and Michael DiMartino, senior vice president of installations at Power Home Remodeling.