Best Quiet Pickleball Paddles

Playing pickleball can produce noises heard at over 70-85 decibels and are leading to noise complaints within residential neighborhoods. If pickleball is too noisy for you, your in luck because we’ve put together a list of the top quietest pickleball paddles currently on the market.

Owl Pickleball Paddle

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Price *$169.00	Sold ByOwl	Shop Amazon

89 Overall Score

The Owl Paddle is the first ever "quiet approved" pickleball paddle approved by USAPA. This paddle is encased in a felt like cloth to dampen the loud popping sounds when hitting the ball. The sound difference is noticeably quieter. It has a much deeper sound than a high pitched pop. The owl paddle is very light with a swing weight under 111, which is quiet impressive. The paddle is definitely geared to a control player and has a softer feel. If you are looking for more power, we would recommend some lead tape on this paddle and opting for the PX series. We were surprised that the owl paddle has a surprisingly high spin rate of 2,000+ RPM's. The cloth grips the ball well and offers a large sweet spot. The Owl paddle is a great option for those looking for a quiet, softer feel and back hand rolls.

Product Details

Specifications

Dimensions: 15.8"x7.9"Weight: 7.9ozHandle Length: 4.6" or 5"Thickness: 16mm and 13mmCore: Polypropylene Honeycomb Face: Fiberglass/Nylon Composite

Pros

USAPA ApprovedQuiet5.6 Twist Weight

Cons

Not as much power

Gearbox Pro Series Pickleball Paddle

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Price *$274.99	Sold ByGearbox	Shop Website

90 Overall Score

The Gearbox Pro series is one of our favorite pickleball paddles and it so happens to be on the quieter side. It does so with its patented SSTCore and Sound Dampening technology which does a fantastic job at absorbing sound. Their quiet tech sound technology claims to create lower decibel stealthy shots while reducing paddle vibration. The Pro control paddle overall feels better than the power series and has a dampening sensation to soft shots and resets. The sound is similar to a thud than a high pitched whack.

Product Details

Specifications

Dimensions: 16"x7 3/8"Weight: 8ozHandle Length: 5.5"Grip Circumference : 4"Thickness: 14mmFace Material: Toray T700 Carbon FiberCore: Carbon Fiber

Pros

1-year warrantyUSAPA Approved

Cons

Diadem Warrior Pickleball Paddle

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Price *$229.95	Sold ByDiadem	Shop Amazon

96 Overall Score

Overview: With the replaceable Paddle Armor protecting the edge and the etched surface enhancing spin, the Diadem Warrior V2 pickleball paddle offers unmatched strength, spin, and control. Its edgeless design and 3X L-core provide durability and powerful spins. Despite its thickness, it's lighter and less head heavy than the original. Ideal for players who prefer a heavier, firm feel, it performs well in resets, blocks, and drives.

Performance: There is a lot to love with the Diadem Warrior. The handle feels great in the hand, similar to a tapered tennis racket. The paddle excels at soft game being more of a control paddle, however we found that it still had a ton of power due to the 3X - L core and spins of up to 1,600 RPM. Overall the paddle feels very good and doesn’t have a lot of vibration on contact.

Product Details

Specifications

Weight: 8.25 ozHandle Length: 5.3"Grip: Taper TechCore: Polypropylene honeycomb & Aramid honeycomb Face Material: Etched (liquid) carbon fiber-T700

Pros

Known for stability, power and spinUSAPA approvedLarge sweet spot6 month limited warrantyGood pop

Cons

Cover is purchased separatelyCost

Top 3 characteristics to look for in a quiet pickleball paddle:

1. Core Material: The quietest core for a pickleball paddle is EVA foam. However, EVA foam is currently not approved  by USPAPA as it is too stiff. Polymer cores are the next closest paddle to being soft and quiet.
2. Core Thickness: The thicker the paddle the lower the noise. This is because more mass will absorb the impact resulting in noise reduction. Aim for paddles 16mm+.
3. Face Surface: Graphite, Carbon Fiber, and now Owls felt surface will generally be the quietest hitting surfaces. Avoid wood or fiberglass faces as they will produce more noise.