Pickleball is catching on everywhere. It’s fun to play and easy to set up a court. But that noise…! The ‘pop’ of pickleball echoes – so are there quiet pickleball racquets?
You’ll be familiar with the distinctive ‘pop’ sound of the ball striking the paddle. This is amplified by solid polymer cores and hard surfaces.
Pickleball popping has even sparked noise complaints in residential areas, causing tensions between players and nearby neighbors.
That’s basically why we wrote this article, to introduce you to quiet pickleball racquets which can be a gamechanger.
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Are there quiet pickleball paddles?
Can you enjoy pickleball quietly? You’ll be pleased to know, there are options to ‘stop the pop’.
Most pickleball paddles are made with rigid materials like graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass, and often have a hard polymer honeycomb core.
These combinations are meant for power and precision. Good for your pickleball game, but bad for noise, as they tend to produce a sharp, loud impact sound when the ball makes contact.
Multiply that sound across four players in a heated match, and the decibel levels quickly climb.
Fortunately, manufacturers have begun designing paddles with sound-dampening materials. USA Pickleball has even launched a designated Quiet Category. Don’t worry, these noise reduction features don’t sacrifice performance!
The quiet paddles or low noise paddles you’ll find often feature:
🏓 Polymer honeycomb cores
🏓 Fiberglass faces
🏓 Thicker paddle thickness
🏓 Vibration-dampening features such as edge guard dampening and acoustic foam inserts
3 best quiet pickleball paddles
#1 – Diadem Hush Paddle
- Lab tested and approved by USA Pickleball
- Reduces noise by 40%
- ‘The World’s Quietest Pickleball Paddle’
The Diadem Hush Paddle is the “world’s quietest paddle,” reducing noise by 40%.
This finding comes from laboratory testing by USA Pickleball; the governing body of the sport. Because it is 40% quieter than the industry standard, the Diadem Hush Paddle has been given Quiet-Approved certification by the same organisation.
So why is it possibly the best option for quiet gameplay and noise-sensitive settings? It’s down to the eTPU foam face that incorporates anti-dampening Kraibon technology, as well as an advanced two-piece moulding system that offers vibration dampening.
If you want to make pickleball quieter without compromising the standard of your drives and dinks, the Diadem Hush Paddle is your approved and accredited choice.
Best for: Tested and approved choice
#2 – The Owl
- Designated in Quiet Category by USA Pickleball
- Covered in unique Acoustine sheath, and layered construction for vibration dampening
- Excellent control and spin
For quietness and playability, The Owl is another good option you should consider.
Also in the USA Pickleball designated Quiet Category, The Owl is approved for all USAP tournament and league events.
Where does The Owl find its quietness? That’s from the proprietary material that is only found in this paddle – including Acoustine sheath that isn’t used anywhere else.
Tennis legend John McEnroe is a fan, saying: “Unlike me, it is quiet but like me the OWL really performs and you know how much I like to win!”
Playability-wise, The Owl features a larger sweet spot for more accuracy with your impacts from off-center. It is designed to excel in the control and spin departments, and also features layered construction to dampen vibrations and make your arm more comfortable.
Best for: Intermediates
#3 – Master Athletics Q1
- Low-pitched noise on impact
- More similar to tennis ball sound
- Rubber skin dampener
- Foam core to reduce echo
The ‘Q’ in Master Athletics Q1 stands for Quiet – this is the Quiet One.
If you prefer the noise of a tennis ball to a pickle ball – and who doesn’t?! – you’ll be pleased to know that the Master Athletics Q1 can lower the pitch of the ‘pop’ so much that it is closer to being a tennis ball.
That’s courtesy of a rubber skin that dampens the impact and a foam core which does a solid job of reducing echo. It is also carbon molded, and one of the advantages of this one-piece construction is that it limits vibration.
In terms of playability, there is a large sweetspot thanks to a rimless design. An upshot of the ultra-soft surface is also more grip, which makes spin easier.
Best for: Quiet option for optimum control and spin
How to play quiet pickleball
It’s not just the paddles. There are other quiet types of equipment, and measures you can take to keep noise down.
These include:
🌕 Noise-reduced balls
Standard outdoor pickleballs have hard plastic shells that amplify sound. Some companies offer softer, low-noise pickleballs designed specifically for quiet play, particularly for indoor or residential use.
These balls produce less sound on impact and when bouncing. These balls compress slightly on contact, absorbing energy and significantly reducing the volume of both paddle strikes and ground bounces.
They’re especially well-suited for indoor courts, driveways, garages, or backyard setups where minimizing noise is a top priority.
🌕 Soft or cushioned courts
Hard courts made of asphalt or concrete are the loudest surfaces, especially outdoors, where sound carries further. If you’re playing in a noise-sensitive area, look for alternative surfaces.
Some pickleball facilities now use cushioned court surfaces or sound-absorbing court tiles, which not only reduce ball bounce noise but also are easier on players’ joints.
🌕 Limit loud communication
Noise during pickleball games doesn’t just come from equipment – players’ voices can also add to the disruption, especially in open-air or echo-prone settings.
Keep voice volume moderate when calling shots or communicating with your partner. Use hand signals when possible to minimize shouting.
Avoid paddle tapping. While tapping paddles after a game is a traditional sign of sportsmanship, consider a silent thumbs-up or verbal acknowledgment instead, especially if multiple games are going on nearby.
Respect quiet hours. Playing early in the morning or late into the evening can draw complaints, even with quiet paddles.
