Quiet pickleballs make the cut? Our expert tested them out.

Pickleball noise is driving some towns to restrict play: Mashpee, Massachusetts, passed an ordinance requiring noise-reduced pickleballs after residents complained about the sharp sound carrying for hours. The latest test compares so-called “silent” balls with standard options. The article notes that players use the ball’s sound for rhythm and pace, and that many competitive players favor certain brands for consistent bounce. It says the sport has expanded rapidly—over 24 million people in the U.S. play pickleball—and quiet balls are made with noise-reducing foam or 3-D-printed polymer instead of standard plastic. The writer tested a three-pack of Franklin silent balls against Franklin X-40s.