New Year's Eve Noisemakers: Festive Sounds for Your 2025 Bash

Planning a big countdown? During our review, these Deluxe Fringe Blowouts impressed us with a generous 24-count pack for easy guest handouts. We found the metallic foil fringe catches light and looks great in photos, giving your midnight shots a shimmery pop without any LEDs. The medium estimated loudness is festive but not overpowering, ideal for apartments or venues that prefer noise under control, but the lightweight plastic-and-paper build can feel flimsy and small parts make them unsuitable for very young children.

For a small gathering or topping off your stash, BuySeasons' Foil Horns deliver classic party-horn pep at an easy price in a lightweight 5-count pack. In our testing, they were impressively loud for their size and the plastic mouthpiece felt comfortable, but the foil and cardstock body seemed flimsy and creased with enthusiastic use. With only five per pack, our experience shows it's wise to buy multiple sets for bigger groups and to have a few spares in case a horn tears mid-party.

For medium-size gatherings, this 36-pack of gold foil party horns brings a cohesive, festive look and plenty of high-volume pep to share at midnight. During our review, they sounded appropriately loud for a countdown, but the thin foil/cardstock bodies creased easily and the single-use style mouthpieces could loosen with prolonged use. Our experience shows they're best for one big night rather than repeated events; if you need durability, consider sturdier plastic horns for the backup box.

If you're outfitting a crowd, this 24-pack of plastic sport whistles with matching lanyards makes handing out noisemakers fast and organized. In our testing, the blast was very loud and crisp, around the 110-120 dB range, great for outdoor countdowns but a bit much indoors or for small kids. The ABS/PE build and no-frills design keep costs low, though they feel lighter than metal whistles and don't offer light-up flair; our experience shows the lanyards and compact size make carrying, collecting, and reusing simple.

When you want a kazoo that cuts through a crowd, the Kazoobie Wazoo's snap-in megaphone bell delivers big projection and one of the loudest voices we tested. During our review, the sturdy plastic construction handled casual bumps well, though a few users report parts separating or occasional duds out of the box. The tone can skew harsher and less musical than classic kazoos, so our experience shows it's perfect for party shenanigans but not for nuanced, low-range lines on stage.

Brightly colored and budget-friendly, Spritz Kazoo Party Favors are easy to drop into goody bags when you want a low-cost, kid-friendly noisemaker. During our review, many units produced little to no kazoo-like buzz, and some buyers even received fewer than the promised 12 pieces, so quality control can be hit-or-miss. With low loudness and simple plastic construction, they're fine for quiet, kid-centric rooms, but for a dependable countdown buzz we'd choose a higher-performing kazoo and keep a backup pack handy.

Want the look of a midnight champagne burst without the cork? Amscan's Champagne Bottle Confetti Popper delivers a fun visual shower with a quick twist-and-pop. During our review, the confetti effect felt party-perfect for photos and entrances, though its actual noise is minimal compared with horns or bells. Plan for cleanup - the confetti can be messy - and keep a backup or two since some buyers report inconsistent pops or occasional duds. No batteries or LEDs to manage, just a single-use burst for the big moment.

Styled like tiny glittery champagne bottles, these confetti poppers add a photo-ready flourish to the countdown and blast metallic paper for a celebratory effect. In our testing, the pop is more visual than loud, and they're designed for outdoor use, so plan on taking the party to the balcony, patio, or street. Because they're single-use and some units can fail to fire, our experience shows it's worth buying extras to cover misfires and repeat moments.

This Multicolor LED Whistle 12-pack makes it easy to equip guests with light-up sound at about $15 for a dozen. During our review, the flashing LEDs stood out in low light, and the medium whistle volume was festive without being earsplitting. That said, the soft BPA-free plastic can feel flimsy, and some buyers report dead lights or nonworking units. Batteries aren't replaceable, so when the lights quit you still have a whistle, but the glow won't last forever.

If you need budget-friendly favors by the dozen, the 10-inch LED Handclapper is tough to beat at around $1.25 each. In our testing, the built-in LEDs added a fun glow for dim dance floors, while the medium clapping sound kept the energy up without being overwhelming. It's lightweight plastic, which helps with shipping and handing out en masse, but components can feel flimsy and may crack under rough use. Batteries are small and replaceable, yet not rechargeable, and the volume isn't on par with metal noisemakers.

If you want big visual energy without blaring noise, the ColorHome 16-inch foam glow sticks deliver crowd-pleasing light with three modes: fast, slow, and alternating. We found them easy to wave and spot in photos, and they arrive ready to go with batteries preinstalled and replaceable. They are not waterproof, so avoid pools or rain, and some buyers report a few broken or nonworking sticks in packs. The foam shell and battery cap can be fragile, and sound output is low versus traditional horns or bells.

Looking for spectacle without the ear-ringing volume, we found this sound-activated LED foam wand nails the vibe by pulsing multicolor lights in sync with music. Out of the box it includes replaceable button-cell batteries and the soft foam build feels safe to wave in crowded spaces. It produces little to no audible noise and some units arrive defective, so our experience shows it's smart to order a few extras and avoid rough handling of the plastic end caps.

Compact and kid-ready, the 6-inch Remo Rhythm Club Tambourine fits small hands and keeps volume reasonable, making it a friendly pick for apartments and family parties. In our testing, the durable Acousticon/plastic frame and pre-tuned suede head held up to enthusiastic play, while the metal jingles provided a clear but not overwhelming shimmer. It isn't built for pro stages, offers no tuning, and projects less than larger models, but for classrooms and living-room countdowns it's a solid, affordable win.

If you want the loudest cheer at midnight, Rhode Island Novelty's 3-inch Metal Cowbell brings a high-volume clang that cuts through any party. In our testing, the all-metal build held up to enthusiastic shaking, making it a reliable pick for countdowns and sporting events alike. It is affordable for singles or multipacks, but watch for rough edges or paint that can chip, plus occasional loose or missing clappers. Some pieces arrive with a slightly bent top loop or mounting hole, which typically does not affect function but can look imperfect.

If you want a musical-grade noisemaker, the Meinl TMT1B-BK hand tambourine delivers bright, cutting projection from solid brass jingles that easily ride above a crowd or band. In our testing, the crescent ABS frame with cushioned grip felt comfortable for extended shaking, and its weather-resistant build handles outdoor events. It's loud and somewhat heavier than basic tambourines, and we've seen grip padding wear with heavy use, so it's overkill for quiet rooms but excellent for stages and parades.

For a kids' corner at your New Year's bash, the Hape Percussion Duo brings sturdy wood construction and non-toxic finishes you can feel good about. We like that you get both a clapper and guiro with a play stick, offering varied rhythms without any batteries or LEDs to manage. Just know the gentle, low-volume sound is better for toddler play or quieter moments than cutting through a crowded midnight countdown. Because of small parts and the 12-months-plus guidance, it's not ideal for very young children unsupervised.

Prefer an eco-minded pick for younger guests? PlanToys' Clatter uses sustainably sourced rubberwood and water-based dyes for a sturdy, planet-friendly build. Our experience shows it produces cheerful click-clack rhythms with a medium volume that keeps kids engaged without overwhelming the room. Size and design are aimed at toddlers, so it is not the best choice if you want an ear-splitting noisemaker for midnight. As a clapper, there are no batteries or LEDs to manage, just simple, durable mechanics made for small hands.

For families hosting a house party, Melissa & Doug's Band-in-a-Box turns kids into a tiny parade with tambourine, maracas, clacker, kazoo, castanets, and triangle. In our testing, the set delivered medium-to-high volume that carries in a group, and it needs zero batteries so it's ready right out of the box. The mostly wood build feels solid, though pieces can chip or break with rough play, and a few instruments can sound weak or a bit off-key.

Planning a Disney-themed countdown? Amscan's Mickey Mouse Blowouts feature official artwork and an 8-count pack ideal for small parties or goody bags. We found the removable Mickey medallion to be a cute keepsake for crafts afterward, and the medium-volume toot is plenty festive for kids. Just note the paper/cardstock build can tear with heavy use, and at about five inches closed they are shorter than many standard blowouts. Returns may be limited since the item is marked non-refundable for hygiene reasons, so consider buying an extra pack as backup.

Star Wars fans will love the themed graphics, and this 8-pack makes it easy to set the table or fill favor bags with matching blowouts. In our testing, they produced very little to no sound; these are more visual than auditory, and the paper/cardstock tubes bent or deflated quickly with energetic use. Because they include small parts and aren't recommended for kids under three, our experience shows they're better as decor-friendly props than as true countdown noisemakers.