John Kew reviews the latest quiet pickleball paddles in this comprehensive video test. In this honest review John and Eddie compare The Silencer and Saint paddles to another more well known quiet paddle and were surprised by how Whisper Paddles were their top choice!
As a physician, I’m thrilled to see so many people enjoying
the social and physical benefits of pickleball. At the same time, I’m deeply concerned that the noise impact on nearby residents is far more serious than anyone anticipated.
A few years ago, two tennis courts near our home were converted to six busy pickleball courts just 50 feet away. I loved playing—even tore my Achilles tendon—but over time, my family and I came to understand the toll of constant noise in our home.
As I heard how others were affected, patterns emerged suggesting the noise was leading to health-related concerns. This led me to collaborate with Dr. Daniel Fink and others on research exploring the potential link between pickleball noise and health.
Pickleball may be the fastest-growing sport in America, but it’s also one of the loudest. Even five years after the sport's major boom, municipalities and communities face backlash against the signature pop of the ball hitting the paddle.
Pickleball noise is a major problem which may ultimately limit the growth of the sport and reduce its popularity, especially where free outdoor courts are limited and players need to play indoors for a fee.
So, how do you stop pickleball noise in a way which benefits both those who are affected by the noise as well as the players?
Impulse noise is more annoying than broadband continuous noise . Early press reports suggest pickleball noise may affect nearby residents' mental health Research to be presented at the May 2025 Acoustical Society of America meeting suggests a risk of significant mental and neurologic health impacts for those living near pickleball courts .