The game of soccer is never complete without a referee in the center to officiate and a referee is nobody without having him of the best referee whistles to himself. It is his most important tool in the game. The whistle is used to start a game, pause the game or end it. It also indicates when a goal is scored.
This is how important the whistle is. This is also why extra care has to be put in place to ensure the best referee whistles are available to confines with the laws of the game that should be used.
A good illustration is when a player with a clear chance of scoring is fouled, the whistle is the first point of call to guarantee that the referee has indeed stopped the game in favor of the player that was fouled in the process. The referee whistle is the instrument used to maintain fairness in the game.
This is why it is important to have the best referee whistles for use. We will be considering the best referee whistles around the country.
So what exactly do you look for in a whistle? Aren’t they all practically the same? You might think so, but you would be wrong. It will come as a surprise to many that the referee whistle is completely different from the one kids play with on the street.
Some extra features are present in them that are not seen in ordinary whistles and also have accessories that make them handy on the playing field and valuable to the scorekeepers.
So to determine the best whistle, the features to look out for are, how well it can perform, how easy it is to use, and how well it’s made. No referee will love to be in a situation whereby the whistle-stop working in between a match.
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Fox 40 Classic Official Finger Grip Whistle – Best referee whistles
This whistle makes our list of top five whistles because of a unique feature present in it. That is the ability to wear the whistle. This feature is easily noticed as it has a finger mount which makes it wearable as a ring.
The purpose of this is that referees will be able to wear it as a ring instead of most that will be worn on the neck. There is also something that makes the whistle a very good one, its ability to be very audible from afar.
It is so loud that the Fox 40 produces a shrill 115 decibels, which is more than enough to command attention from any player within earshot.
Finally, this whistle is built to last. Its durability is noticed through its quality of material used to manufacture it, a high-quality ABS plastic, which will hold up in any kind of weather and should last years, if not decades, as long as you take care of it well.
Being plastic also means that moisture will not affect it like it would with metal versions.
Pros
The advantages of this whistle are highlighted as:
Shrill, high-pitched noise
Sturdy, weather-resistant construction
Highly portable and convenient
Finger grip is cushioned for better comfort
Comes in a pack of a dozen
Cons
The major setback the whistle have mainly is the high-pitch sound which can be too loud for some people or get so much disturbance for others. Some also see it as it doesn’t produce sound like the beaded whistle.
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2. Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG Official Whistle
Fox 40 also has another product that makes it into the best five whistle money can buy. The company makes a quality whistle, so no surprises to see more than one of its products dominating the space in the market. The Sonik Blast CMG whistle is more of a traditional whistle used for practice in schools by housemasters.
This type of whistle, unlike the housemaster’s whistle, is not made from metal which will make it rusty quickly. The fancy thing about the Sonik black CMG is that it comes a different color. So there is room for referees to choose a whistle that matches their jersey for the match or their favorite color.
There are seven color types from pink to red to white and everything in between. Thus, if you’re the kind of referee who wants to add a bit of personality to your job, this is an excellent choice. The whistle also does not have any bead attached to it. Like the previous, it is also made of high-quality ABS plastic, which means that it is built to last and won’t break down easily.
Also, the output is higher, with a decibel level of 120, which can be heard up to a mile away. That means that you will automatically command attention on the sidelines, no matter how crazy things may get on the field. This is the type of whistle you will love to have as a referee in a game that might be tensed like a derby.
Pros
The durability of the ABS plastic is a very good selling point for the whistle coupled with its multiple colour choice which can be personalized. The high pitch makes it a whistle that can be used to command presence mile away. It will definitely be a whistle built to last which is why it is patronized by many.
Cons
The fact that it is very loud might be a thing of concern to some people. One big flaw in it is that it doesn’t have a ring hole like finger grip whistle and also does not come with a chain or lanyard. This means that you have to get a chain personally and can be stressful especially if it was to be used in an impromptu game.
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3. Acme Thunderer Official Referee Whistle
There is a say that goes different strokes for different folks. The Acme thunder referee whistle could be used to affirm this saying. This is a whistle completely different from the first two mentioned so far. This because of the material used to manufacture it.
The Acme thunder whistle is a whistle that brings back old memories as it is made of metal. It is a classic, metallic design that will last and provide some of the best output you can find. Best of all, the metal is water-resistant, meaning that it won’t rust or break down over time.
This is like taking technology back to the last century or back-dating technology advancement in the industry. That is what this whistle reminds everyone of. To add to the exceptional quality of the whistle, there is an option to choose between silver and metallic silver as your preferred color. Isn’t this just magnificent
As the name suggests, the acme thunder is like thunder striking when it’s blasted-very loud. The harder you blow, the louder it becomes which makes it one that matches input effort.
It can get loud way up to 130 decibels. It’s also beaded, which means that you get that nice throaty sound that all referees know and love. Its size is also very moderate. It may not be as comfortable as the finger grip model, but it is polished and smooth for a better feel in your hands.
It is a very great whistle which is why it can make it into the list of the best five whistle money can buy.
Pros
It is a very durable whistle as the metal material used to manufacture it makes it one to last very long. The throaty beaded design is one many referees love and its presence will give them joy to want to continue to use it coupled with its well-polished edges. The sound is also very good and loud.
Cons
Many feel the price is too high for the size and material used to manufacture it. The absence of a chain or lanyard to hold it also help reemphasized the overpriced point.
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4. Acme 636 Safety Whistle
There has always been a huge fan of the traditional looking whistle in the market. Many have always been looking for ways to match the present quality of whistles to that of the old generations and still keep a good part of both. One issue many have with the traditional whistle is the heavy metal most are made of.
The Acme 636 safety whistle comes to help solve all these problems. The model of the whistle is a slimmer compared to others’ profile and fits in your fingers much more easily.
As a safety whistle, the 636 is made of high-quality ABS plastic. It also has a ventilated top so that you don’t accidentally block the air when you hold it, which is a big edge it has over other whistle types. The rim is also softly polished so as to feel comfortable within the lips.
In terms of its performance, the 636 can produce up to 110 decibels, which is more than enough for most competitions and games. There is the absence of the bead around the design, meaning that it will have a much higher pitch overall.
There is color variation in the 636 safety whistle which gives room to choose between the five available colors: black, orange, red, yellow, and green. That way you can customize it to match your preference and style.
Pros
The slimness makes it sleek in the hand and easy to use. The top ventilation helps prevents accident in the process of usage. It also rank amongst the whistle with various colour for referees to pick their choice.
Cons
Some sees it as not loud enough especially in a very big open space. It can also be a bit shrill for some users. The absence of the chain or lanyard is seen as a setback to it.
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5. Molten Valkeen Whistle with Flip Grip
To complete the top five best referee whistle is a uniquely different type of whistle. This is the Molten Valkeen whistle. It is a unique whistle that makes it easily recognized and noticeable. The design of the whistle is contrary to how the traditional whistle is being made. The design the Volkeen has taken is that of a flip grip.
This makes it something to be worn around the neck and grab the plastic handle, flip it out, and then blow into it. While this does add an extra step initially, it is perfect for referees who like to hold the whistle in their hands while they’re on the field.
In terms of performance, its pitch is similar to many others with a range of 120 decibels. It belongs to the class of Beadles’ whistles which makes the sound travel farther and with a better pitch. Finally, this feature of the whistle is the real deal that makes it a fit for all. It is made of high-quality ABS plastic encasing a metal chamber. It is very durable, and it is designed for constant use outside, making it ideal for soccer or football games.
Pros
Its durability in construction makes it a favorite. It is very comfortable when held in the hand. Its nice carrying range and output is also a plus for it.
Cons
No chain or lanyard provided. Can be a bit shrill for some users
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How to Choose the best Referee Whistles
When choosing a referee whistle, especially for a first-timer, several things have to be considered in order not to get lost in the process. There are however three things that have to be considered and if well observed, these three things were all mentioned in the qualities of each of the five whistles above.
- Material: there are the traditional whistles made with metals while others with plastics. Many people preferred the modern plastic whistles.
- Decibel Range: the main function of a whistle is to call attention, so how far it can call one’s attention is a factor when purchasing one. To get a sense of how well it will work, you’ll need to look at its decibel level. Most whistles will be between 100 and 120, with the higher end ones going up to 140 decibels.
- Mounting System: in describing the whistles above, it is highlighted what they are held with. Some with a ring hole or the ones you can wear round the neck on a chain or lanyard it all depends on one’s preference.
Everything stated in this piece is to guide a buyer when purchasing a whistle and make an informed decision and none of it to forces them to buy the one that was listed. The listed whistles are however the best in the markets based on the demand and quality of these whistles.