The Best Sports Whistles

Buying Guide

The pandemic shifted protocols across all activities and pastimes, including sports. For athletes, COVID-19 precautions often included wearing masks indoors and social distancing. Referees followed those rules, but in doing so, they called attention to an essential part of sports at all levels: the whistle.

To blow a whistle, referees had to remove their masks, which posed a problem for those who couldn’t practice social distancing. Further, referees who shared whistles had to fully sanitize their surfaces before handoff. The latter brought about a demand for mouthpiece covers that could provide the protection referees needed.

Another option that’s emerged in recent years is the handheld whistle. These battery-powered devices require no contact with the mouth at all. You simply press a button, and a noise erupts from the device. These handheld whistles are just as powerful as traditional whistles, and they also provide the sound athletes are used to hearing.

But there are some factors to look at in a whistle. You’ll want one that’s loud enough to capture the attention of athletes, but that sound needs to be high-quality as well. A tone that’s loud for the sake of being loud will prove grating after a while. It’s also important to bear in mind that studies have shown that whistles can damage the ears, especially with regular use. Referees might want to consider wearing earplugs to prevent permanent hearing damage.

Once you’ve narrowed down the type of whistle you want, you’ll need to look at the accessories that come with them. You’ll likely need a way to wear the whistle so you don’t have to carry it throughout the game. Lanyards seem to be the most popular choice, but you can also find wristband coils for wearing it around your wrist or a lobster clasp for attaching it to a belt loop.

• There are two major types of whistles. One type has something called a “pea,” which is a ball bearing in the chamber that vibrates as air passes over it. Another uses a slot at the top of the whistle to make the noise when air passes through. Both have value, but some find pea whistles to have a more pleasant and variable sound. They are also less prone to bacteria, but are also quieter and the pea can get stuck.
• Although silver is the color most often associated with whistles, you can find them in a variety of colors. Some are plastic, while others are stainless steel coated in a material that provides the color. You’ll often find them in black, but you can also buy whistles in bright colors.
• Whistles are often sold in sets. This will give you a spare in case you use one. If you’re equipping a group of referees with whistles, this can be a great way to ensure consistency.
• With plastic whistles, look for thicker plastic that will hold up over many uses. This is especially important if you’ll be tossing your whistle into your bag with all your other gear.
• Those who are concerned about chemicals in plastics can find nontoxic plastics or stick with stainless steel.
• Lifeguards and those who find they’re often outdoors in rainstorms may need to look for a whistle that’s built to hold up in contact with water. Stainless steel and plastic are typically both water resistant.
• Whistles can be uncomfortable. You can buy mouth guards to soften the area that comes into contact with your lips and teeth. If you spend a lot of time whistling, a mouth guard might be a wise investment.
• Pay close attention to the decibel output of any whistle you choose. Most are rated up to a certain decibel, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get that. Louder isn’t always better if the sound isn’t top quality. You’ll want a whistle with a pure sound that captures the attention of players.