Pea whistles & pealess whistles: What’s the difference?

ACME Whistles, originally known under the name of founder Joseph Hudson, has been manufacturing whistles for more than 150 years and occupies a unique position in history. What started off small has grown to become a world-class company that is known for innovation and industry-leading ideas, and is going from strength to strength to this day.

We are proud of our manufacturing history and to have played an important role in some pivotal times for the UK, Europe and further afield. For example, our Metropolitan Police whistle is a true icon that had an impact on the development of modern policing, and the ACME Thunderer is widely used in many top level sports tournaments around the world.

These are just a few examples of the important yet often overlooked role that whistles have held over the course of recent history, forming part of the ACME Whistles story. One thing we are often asked about is the differences between our most popular whistles; more specifically, what the differences are between pea whistles and pealess whistles, and how each kind works.

Classic pea whistles

Pea whistles are a centuries old technology that consists of a whistle body with a freely moving pea inside. As air is blown into the mouthpiece of the pea whistle, the pea will vibrate against the inside of the whistle’s body. The body is usually made from a resonant material such as metal or plastic, though you may sometimes see them made from natural materials like wood, though these are often bulky, heavy and impractical.

Unlike pealess whistles, whistles that contain a pea are able to produce a distinct trilling sound that increases their versatility and the range of calls they can make. While they are known as pea whistles, the ‘pea’ inside is usually made from cork or plastic in modern whistles. Our most famous pea whistle is the ACME Thunderer which is a true classic. We make these in our UK-based factory using traditional methods to ensure they are all of a superior quality,

Pealess whistles

In contrast to pea whistles, pealess whistles do not contain a pea and work in a way that is more similar to a flute. Air is passed through the whistle body through specially shaped chambers to produce a clean sound. As there are no moving parts, the sound produced by a pealess whistle will be more consistent and the whistle will not be able to produce the variable, trilling call that pea whistles are known for.

Our most popular pealess whistle is the ACME Tornado which is one of the loudest in our range. It is a great alternative to the Thunderer if you need a whistle for harsh environments such as marine, aquatic, and very cold situations. This is because the lack of moving parts in a pealess whistle means that they are less prone to damage from moisture and the pea will not freeze to the inside of the whistle body in very cold temperatures.

Which kind of whistle is best?

When it comes to choosing a whistle you may be wondering whether a pea whistle or a pealess whistle is best, and the short answer is that it depends entirely on what you need it for. Choose a pea whistle if:

  • You need a whistle that has a variable call
  • You won’t be using the whistle in very cold and wet conditions
  • You prefer a classic whistle with an iconic sound
  • You want a whistle that will produce a sound with little effort

Choose a pealess whistle if:

  • You plan to use the whistle very cold or wet conditions
  • You don’t need a whistle that can produce a variety of sounds
  • You need a very loud whistle
  • You prefer a whistle that needs a strong, consistent air flow to produce a sound