Pickle Goddesses has covered it before, but it’s time to revisit the topic.

As much as we hate to admit it, the fact of the matter is that pickleball is noisy! Its distinctive plastic balls create loud, resonant plonks, and those seemingly tiny noises have become massive problems.

Let’s Address Noise Concerns

For starters, let’s quickly review why pickleball courts often seem noisier than other playing fields.

Most HOAs have 50–55 decibel level limits. Unfortunately, the hard ball and solid court surface combine to create games that have clocked in at 50–70 decibels! That noise is further compounded by court layouts, which often place more than one full pickleball court within a relatively small area.

Why Do Noise Complaints Matter?

Now, we know what you’re thinking.

“Why should it matter? It’s not within a harmful decibel range, and most facilities ban early morning play.”

Unfortunately, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the sport as we are! Ultimately, many residential areas suffer from constant noise and high-pitch intrusions from nearby public courts. This creates tension between the public and any hopefully facilities development program. While we, as pickleball players, would love some new courts, local homeowners have the right to want a quiet living situation.

How Have We (Traditionally) Tackled the Sport’s Sound Output?

With that in mind, most pickleball courts plan for that noise.

Noiseproofing begins with how pickleball courts are designed and constructed. Many high-end public pickleball courts use specialized surfacing solutions to reduce noise through absorption. Similarly, many play areas integrate multifunctional noise reduction techniques and sound barriers. Examples of such measures include:

• Bushes, shrubs, and trees add to the beauty of the courts while also absorbing the distinct sound.
• Court layouts keep traffic flowing and present a measure of crowd control, reducing the risk of rowdy pickleball gatherings.
• Fences and gates reduce the risk of stray balls and provide a buffer for louder sounds.
• Time restrictions help pickleball players find the right time to play and prevent traffic congestion for neighbors.

The Rise of Officially Sanctioned Quiet Pickleball Equipment

Unfortunately, these measures failed to eliminate most of the noise concerns. Both neighbors and acoustic experts continued to raise concerns about the sport’s sound output. This led to repeated shutdowns of prominent pickleball courts and even more tension within communities.

So, USA Pickleball stepped in to help.

On September 25, 2023, USA Pickleball’s CEO, Mike Nealy, announced the official recognition of a “Quiet Category” for pickleball equipment manufacturers. These products must reduce noise by at least 50%. He also urged manufacturers to develop competitive-level quiet pickleball equipment.

Large-Scale Investments in Quieter Pickleball

But that’s not all! The late-autumn announcement also included details for increased oversight. USA Pickleball’s leaders also proposed new guidelines for site maintenance and evaluation. While the specifics are still undergoing revisions, the outcome remains the same. These new efforts will (hopefully) strengthen the bond between pickleball and its communities.

More importantly, this enhanced effort to create equipment that reduces the overall sound of the game will promote a more welcoming environment for hopeful pickleball courts.

How One Man Has Opened the Market for Quieter Paddles

We can’t go further without mentioning the tireless efforts of Bob Unetich, founder of Pickleball Sound Mitigation, LLC! His many experiments have yielded a wealth of noise-reducing knowledge, much of which is powering the newfound push for quieter equipment.

His studies show that most of the sound comes from the balls and paddles.

Softer balls produce less noise. However, foam pickleballs are poor replacements for the real thing. Thus, he’s proposed newer, softer materials for the beloved wiffle-like balls.

Unetich also found that a thicker paddle produces less sound. Unfortunately, most entry-level pickleball paddles are thin and noisy. They’re affordable options, yet they drive wedges between players and their communities. Thus, Unetich and USA Pickleball have begun incentivizing the creation of more affordable and quieter pickleball paddles.

USA Pickleball Approved Quiet Pickleball Equipment

Unfortunately, this recent announcement lacks many approved manufacturers.

The work has begun, but we’re still waiting for manufacturers to make the switch. Until then, there are few options on the market. As of February 2024, there is only one USA Pickleball-approved quiet pickleball paddle, the OWL Paddle, with a hefty price tag of $145–$160!

However, pickleball continues to evolve! USA Pickleball hopes to approve many more quiet pickleball equipment for both professional and recreational play. The organization has also announced partnerships with multiple manufacturers, so keep your eyes peeled for more news!

You can also stay up to date by checking in on Pickle Goddesses! We’re always adding new news, updates, and product recommendations to our blog. More importantly, we’re spreading the love of pickleball far and wide! So, don’t be afraid to share this post and tell your friends about Pickle Goddesses.