The Best Two-Way Radios for Pickleball
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your court, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for pickleball courts?
Court 3 has been waiting over ten minutes for a ref to show up...
Players on Court 6 have been done for a while, but no one’s cleared it for the next group...
Meanwhile, maintenance needs help fixing a broken net, but can’t get ahold of anyone.
The staff is there—but they’re not connected.
These are all common issues in a pickleball court - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your court, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small courts, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger courts (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Pickleball Courts:
- Front Desk & Check-In For coordinating player arrivals, walk-ins, and court assignments.
- Court Operations Used by referees, court monitors, and floor staff to report no-shows, court readiness, or equipment issues.
- Maintenance & Facility Support For handling net repairs, lighting problems, and general upkeep or cleaning requests.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great pickleball court radio?
Long Battery Life - Staff are moving all day—radios need to last through full shifts without constant recharging.
Clear Audio Quality - Courts get noisy. Radios should have crisp sound and noise-canceling features so nothing gets lost in the background buzz.
Durability - Drops happen. Look for rugged, weather-resistant radios that can handle wear and tear.
Hands-Free Options - Headsets or VOX (voice-activated transmission) let staff communicate without stopping play or dropping gear.
Compact and Lightweight - Staff should be able to clip it on and forget it’s there until they need it.
Easy to Use - Push-to-talk should be fast and intuitive—no one has time for complicated tech mid-shift.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Pickleball Courts
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for ourts of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Courts
For typical layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life.
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The Motorola CLS1410 lives up to its name. CLS stands for Clear, Light, and Simple, and that’s what you’re getting with this device.
This is a UHF Radio with four channels (or this 1 channel version), which will allow you to divide your staff and give the managers their own private channel.
It has 15 floors of indoor range with up to two miles of clear communication outside.
This device features Audible Call Alerts and Vibracall technology.
It’s also an easy device to set up thanks to simplified cloning.
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life.
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The Kenwood PKT300 would be a perfect radio for your pickleball court if you...
- Work in an area less than 275,000 square feet
- Need to send a signal around steel and concrete
- Require hands-free operation
This is a UHF radio with six channels. You can segment your staff into six different groups for more effective communication.
The PKT300 pushes out sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 275,000 square feet.
You’re going to have power throughout the day. It also comes with a standing charging tray, a wall charger that plugs into power outlets, and a belt clip.
This is a radio that performs under harsh or stressful conditions with a strength of signal which easily gets around concrete and steel.
This is one easy-to-use, sturdy radio.
The VOX feature also allows you to operate the device hands-free.
Larger Courts - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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With 10 channels, you can segment a much larger staff.
You're also able to save money on these radios because there is no FCC licensing. That means you won't have to pay any government fees to use your devices.
This is a portable two-way radio with an indoor range of up to 300,000 square feet or 20 floors. That range is ideal for most larger spaces.
Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your court – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!