The Blue Zones Pickleball Paddle List
Quieter Paddles for the Environment
List updated: February 14, 2023
Introduction: The following paddles have been selected and qualified for ‘Blue List’ status through a testing procedure that uses a combination of metrics in addition to loudness (sound pressure). This includes measuring the ‘pitch’ and duration of the sound produced when a pickleball is struck by a paddle (the “decay time”).
This new version of the Blue List categorizes paddles as Reduced Sound, which means quieter than ordinary paddles, and Extra Quiet, plus it includes paddle covers that can be added to any paddle to reduce the sound level produced.
The metrics and criteria were selected after reviewing with players and non-players the sound characteristics of a typical pickleball hit, including input from some who consider impulse sounds of this type to be annoying. The categories were established by PSM LLC as a means of recommending paddles to communities and pickleball clubs that are attempting to mitigate the sound of pickleball to an acceptable level without overly restricting a player’s paddle preferences.
Test Procedure: PSM LLC is a pickleball acoustics consulting firm. We have assembled a tall (16 feet) echo free (or anechoic) ball drop chamber for testing pickleballs and paddles. An ordinary tournament approved pickleball is dropped into the chamber and it reaches a speed of about 19 mph just before it strikes a rigidly mounted paddle at a very slight angle to cause the bouncing ball to travel away from the paddle face.
A calibrated microphone is mounted in this chamber and a computer outside of the chamber analyzes the microphone output using REW and Audacity software
Criteria: The paddles on this list are in two categories, “Reduced Sound” and “Extra Quiet”. Reduced Sound paddles have a measured sound level of at least 3 decibels below typical ½ inch thick honeycomb poly-core fiberglass face models and a prime “pitch” below 900 Hz. Extra Quiet paddles are quieter still, with a sound level of 8 decibels, or more, below ordinary models and a main pitch below 700 Hz. In addition, all these paddles have vibration decay times of the primary vibration mode (to less than 10% of its initial peak value) of under 5 milliseconds. This ensures that there is no well-defined “pitch” to the sound produced.
Using This List: PSM LLC updates this list as it tests and identifies additional paddles that meet the criteria and as suppliers release the models.
Updating This List: To arrange additional paddle or pickleball testing, contact PSM LLC via email at rmu@pickleballsound.com.
For an updated version of The Blue List, see the Pickleball Sound Labs web page at pickleballsoundlabs.com as well as the Pickleball Sound Mitigation Facebook group page. The Pickleball Paddle Blue List is copyright free.
The Blue Zones Pickleball Paddle List
| Paddle Vendor | Paddle Model Name |
|---|---|
| CRBN | 1 & 2 |
| CRBN Pickleball Rocks Edition | Marked “Recreational Play Only” |
| Diadem | Warrior |
| E6 | 16s |
| Electrum | E Pro II |
| Focus | Silencer |
| Gearbox | CX11, CX14, GX5 & GX6 |
| Joola | Ben Johns 16mm, Radius |
| Joola | Simone Jardim 16mm |
| One More | Vibe |
| One More | Pro Custom |
| One Shot | Stealth |
| PIKKL | Vantage Pro 16mm |
| Pro Drive | DRIVE |
| Pro Kennex | Pro Speed |
| Pro Kennex | Pro Speed |
| Pro Pickleball | Infinity Widebody 16 MM |
| TMPR | Tantrum and TC-16 |
| Versix | Pro XL |
| Wild Monkeys | Grizzly |
| Wowlly | Surge XL |
| Wolfe | Bite |
These older models meet the criteria but availability is unknown
| Patriot Pickleball | Sniper |
|---|---|
| Your Pickleball Place | Maxor |
| Your Pickleball Place | Whisper QT |
Notes:
1) This model is not USA Pickleball Approved for sanctioned tournament play
2) Formerly Ben Johns model