The whistle is both a friend and an enemy when you are watching a basketball game. And more times than we all wanted, the whistle’s sound has decided its fair share of games. With that being said, the whistle may be the most overlooked investment of a basketball coach. Without using a reasonably good whistle, coaches could possibly damage their voice in the long run. That is why we are urging basketball coaches out there to get yourselves a coach whistle, and we hope that this article would point you in the right direction. Here are our choices for the best coaches whistle for basketball:

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Our Favorites for the Best Coaches Whistle for Basketball

Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip Official Whistle

The Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip Official Whistle is one of the world’s best-selling coach and professional referee whistle. It is as loud as you’ll hear from a whistle. Some purchasers jokingly say its sound can be heard halfway across the world, but you get the idea. This small machine packs a lot of decibel punch.

What Makes It Unique:

• Only 2.4 inches in length
• Its design essentially makes it jam and Fox 40 Classic Whistle With Mouth Grip
• The mouth grip prevents the whistle from slipping

Of what use would a whistle be if you can’t hear it? Many of the purchasers of the Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip Official Whistle claims it’s probably the loudest whistle they ever heard. Of course, that’s a double-edged sword, but for the purpose of coaching or refereeing basketball games (or other sports), there is no better choice if you’re looking for something loud. It is not an exaggeration when we say it is a must-have for coaches and referees alike!

Why Buy The Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip Official Whistle:

• The price is low for a well-built whistle.
• Serves multiple purposes. Many who have purchased the whistle are not only sports coaches and referees, but also lifeguards, lunch ladies, traffic police, and moms who want some measure of protection for their children.
• One college coach who bought the whistle claims it is the best whistle he ever used. He particularly liked the whistle’s cushion and bought it in bulk, so he will never use another type and brand again.

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Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG Whistle 

The Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG Whistle is not the cheapest whistle out there, but it definitely is worth every penny. It is one of the best coaches whistles as far as ratings go, and a more in-depth look into its features and characteristics tells us why.

What Makes It Unique:

• Produces a sound of over 120 decibels
• It is so loud it can be used in large football stadiums and car races.
• Designed to be freeze and jam-free

As mentioned earlier, the Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG Whistle has designs that may cost up to four times the price of a regular whistle. For someone who’s on a tight budget, that may be a little impractical, but if you’re looking for performance, you are not going to be disappointed.

Why Buy the Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG Whistle:

• Made from 100% ABS plastic that will make the whistle impervious to moisture
• Has a nice and soft rubber coating that makes it easier to bite down
• It can be obnoxiously loud, which is something that you need if you’re coaching or refereeing basketball.

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Acme Tornado 635 Pealess Whistle 

Made by Acme Tornado, the 635 pealess whistle has one of the most unique designs you will see in a whistle. It is incredibly durable that one purchaser has twice experienced getting the whistle knocked out of his hands by short-distance kicks, and it turned out fine. The same can’t be said for his hands because it got badly sore from those same ball-kicks for two days!

What Makes It Unique:

• The design itself screams “unique,” and is probably the only whistle that doesn’t look like one.
• Made by Acme, a company that has manufactured whistles for over 130 years.
• It is very lightweight, weighing only 11 grams.

Since the Acme Tornado 635 Pealess Whistle has a unique shape, some may find it awkward carrying it with them. Overall, some may not like how different it is with other shapes, so if you’re not a “think out of the box” type of person, the design and its sound may not be for you.

Why Buy the Acme Tornado 635 Pealess Whistle: 

• One purchaser used the model for 14 years without any problems.
• Has a distinctive sound that is easy to pick up.
• The unique design makes it stay easy between the teeth.

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Our Runner Ups for the Best Coaches Whistle for Basketball

BLARIX Guard Pea Whistle and Lanyard 

If you like the sound of a pea whistle (even though it may freeze up in extreme cold), we recommend trying out the BLARIX Guard Pea Whistle and Lanyard. It is relatively inexpensive, comes in a bright red color, and pretty loud. 

What Makes It Unique:

• It is affordable, durable, and lets off a smooth-sounding tone.
• Comes with a lanyard with a comfortably long cord

The BLARIX Guard Pea Whistle and Lanyard is a basic pea whistle, but sometimes, you have to stick with what works. That’s precisely what this whistle is– it just does the job as you expect it to be.

Why Buy The BLARIX Guard Pea Whistle and Lanyard:

• You don’t need to use every inch of your lung capacity to produce a loud and clear sound.
• Its loudness borders in the obnoxious territory, but isn’t that how whistles should work?

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Golvery Referee Coach Metal Whistles, Extra Loud Whistle with Lanyard

Here is a fairly-priced metal whistle for those who don’t like the toy-like feel of plastic whistles: Golvery Referee Coach Metal Whistles, Extra Loud Whistle with Lanyard. Here are some things you need to know about the product.

What Makes It Unique:

• Made with premium and food-grade stainless steel that ensures sturdiness and safety.
• Already comes with two metal whistles with lanyards.
• Even if its metal, it only weighs 15 grams.

Durability is the calling card for most metal whistles, and the Golvery Referee Coach Metal Whistles are no different. Some claim it feels like a toy, or it’s not loud enough, but you can’t please everybody. This is a crisp-sounding metal whistle that is both affordable and durable.

Why Buy the Golvery Referee Coach Metal Whistles, Extra Loud Whistle with Lanyard:

• Guaranteed to withstand normal, everyday use.
• You get two whistles for the price of one.

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Our Value Picks for the Best Coaches Whistle for Basketball

FineGood 7 Pack Plastic Coaches Referee Whistles with Lanyards, 1 Pcs Stainless Steel Metal

Speaking of value picks, if eight whistles for roughly the price of one is not the definition of “”value,”” then what is? Each of these whistles comes with a lanyard and comes in various colors such as red, yellow, orange, black, and more!

What Makes It Unique:

• Eight whistles (including one metal whistle) at this price is totally unheard of.
• You can still hear the sound of the whistle in the middle of a Las Vegas nightclub!

Of course, you wouldn’t expect this whistle to last as long as their premium counterparts, but if you’re a coach who loses his whistles most of the time, it would be best to order this set, so you have plenty of backups. Most of Amazon’s complaints have something to do with incorrect shipping, but overall, this whistle gets the job done without any fuss.

Why Buy the FineGood Coaches Referee Whistles with Lanyards: 

• The variety of colors is lovely, and while it is not the most durable whistle in the world, it’s not as flimsy as it looks.
• It can also be used outside of sports and officiating, such as an emergency whistle for kids and the elderly.

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Fox 40 Classic Whistle 

The Fox 40 Classic Whistle is basically just the Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip Official Whistle without the mouth grip. It all boils down to preference because not everyone wanted a cushioned mouth grip. Other than that, it’s the same powerful multi-purpose whistle that would not break your budget. 

What Makes It Unique:

• Comes in 10 colors, some of which are very bright that you can’t possibly lose it!
• One of the loudest whistles manufactured and can produce sounds of up to 115 decibels and maybe more.
• It can be heard from a mile away.

Like what we said, preferences are what it boils down to, and some people may not like how loud and high-pitched the whistle is. Some also do not like that it’s made in plastic while some would prefer a whistle with the “pea” or the ball-like thing inside. With that being said, the Fox 40 Classic Whistle gets the job done and more.

Why Buy The Fox 40 Classic Whistle:

• It is relatively durable and works even when wet.
• May be used not only for coaching and officiating purposes but in other fields as well.
• Uses ABS plastic, the kind that is proven to be durable even in cold conditions.

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Why You Should Invest in Quality Coaches Whistle for Basketball

There are a lot of reasons why you should invest in quality coaches whistle for basketball. In coaching basketball, there are many times during practice that you have to stop the play when you need it to. Investing in a loud and well-made whistle that easily cuts through the noises in a gymnasium makes sure of that. 

Another reason why you need to invest in the best coaches whistle is it is more hygienic. You have your own whistle, and you alone are going to use it. Use a random whistle kept by the equipment manager, and God knows who or what is in there. Remember, health is wealth, and having your own professional referee whistle to use, will ensure your safety from nasty mouth infections and whatnot.

Needless to say, a coach whistle is not just a useless accessory. If you are coaching serious basketball, it is a necessary tool.

FAQ on the Best Coaches Whistle for Basketball

What Whistles Do NBA Referees Use?

The Fox 40 Classic and Mini are popular choices for basketball referees among all levels, including the NBA. The reason for this choice is because of the shrill tone and durability of these whistles. 

What Makes a Whistle Good?

To consider a whistle a good one, it must be reliable. It has to be loud enough to catch the players’ attention on the court and cut through the noise of 15,000 screaming fans. 

What is the Loudest Referee Whistle?

The loudest referee whistle recorded is the Valkeen, recorded at 127.6 decibels, followed closely by the Flox Blast at 127.3 decibels. The Acme T2000 (126.8 dB), Fox Classic (124.3 dB), and Fox Mini (124.3 dB) round out the top 5.

How to Choose the Best Coaches Whistle for Basketball

We could not reiterate enough that choosing the best coaches whistle for you all boils down to personal preferences. The best part about all of this is, whistles are not painfully expensive, so you can try two or three at once and find out which works best for you.

Of course, how loud the whistle is one of the top factors, but you should also look at its durability, design (pea or pealess), and how hard it is to produce a loud enough sound. Hopefully, this review would steer you in the right direction in your search for the best coaches whistle for basketball.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Coaches Whistles for Basketball

Putting everything together, in this guide we reviewed the following:

Whether it’s used for coaching or officiating, the whistle is a vital piece of equipment in basketball. There certainly wouldn’t be any order in practices and real games if not for the whistle.

We highly recommend the Fox 40 Classic CMG, Fox 40 Sonik Blast, and the Acme Tornado 635 Pealess Whistle in our favorites. The Fox 40s are essentially the whistle used by every basketball referee, including the NBA and FIBA. We included the 635 Pealess Whistle in there because of its unique design and sound. However, we feel that these three checked the most important boxes in looking for coaches and referees whistle.

Under the runners-up category, the BLARIX Guard Pea Whistle and the Golvery Referee Coach Metal Whistles fit the bill. The Guard Pea Whistle may look like a toy, but it’s much more durable than it seems. The Golvery Metal Whistles are, well, metal, and some may not actually like stainless steel whistles.

Last but not least, the Finegood Whistles that come with a pack of eight and the Fox 40 Classic made the list of the value picks. The Fox 40 is basically the Fox 40 CMG without the mouthguard, so expect the topnotch performance. On the other hand, you can’t find a similar value on the Finegood Whistles, which has seven plastic whistles plus a metal one. That pretty much ensures you won’t have to buy another whistle in years.

Whatever whistle you choose based on your needs and personal preferences, the seven whistles mentioned here are probably in the upper echelon of the best coaches whistle for basketball. The Fox 40s are some of the most popular ones used by professional referees, and since it’s not that expensive, you can probably start your search for the best coaches whistle from that product.

Because you read this post, you may also like our basketball gear reviews here.

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