Let’s face it, duck callers. A single reed is a single reed. A double reed, a double. Even when the late Phil Robertson introduced his Triple Threat triple reed, it was and is to this day, a triple-reeded duck call. Duck calls as hunting implements have stayed the same over the decades. They’re singular of purpose. Though perhaps not mirror images of one another, there’s no denying the fact that duck calls look essentially the same.
The same, yes. But duck calls, while seemingly untouched through the years, have undeniably changed. Wood gave way to plastic, plastic to acrylic, and variations in tone boards all result in different sound profiles. Today, there are dozens upon dozens of excellent duck calls available. These profiles here are but some of the most popular from a collection of the finest craftsmen in the industry.
How We Tested the Best Duck Calls
Testing the best duck calls on the market requires lots of time in the duck blind. That’s exactly what I did for this test in my home state of Washington. I tested these calls in different hunting scenarios and weather conditions, and across a variety of species. At the end of testing, the ones that made this list earned their spots as reliable and realistic-sounding duck calls worthy of waterfowl hunters anywhere.
Kwakman Calls Cajun Double ($135 / kwakmancalls.com)
Cajun Double Reed
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Double Reed
- Call Material: Acrylic
- Price: $135
Pros:
- Easy to blow
- Realistic sounds
- Fairly priced
Cons:
- Call looks may not be for everyone
Since Washington’s 2025 waterfowl season began in mid-October, I’ve been carrying the Kwakamn Calls Cajun Double. To be honest, part of my attraction to the Cajun Double is its look; it reminds me of the old OLT D-2 my Old Man used to carry. And this one sounds just as good—raspy, ducky, and forgiving, even for those who ‘overly dampen’ a double reed. For a modest price point, you get a premium acrylic call that experienced and beginner callers alike benefit from.
Tim Grounds’ D Overhauler ($125 / timgrounds.com)
D Overhauler
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Single Reed
- Call Material: Acrylic
- Price: $125
Pros:
- Impressive volume
- Good raspy sound
- Very user-friendly
Cons:
- Takes some practice to master with quieter notes
Like his late and legendary father Tim, Hunter Grounds crafts some of the most recognizable duck and goose calls on the market. And the D’ Overhauler is no exception. The D’Overhauler has everything a caller needs: volume, subtlety, control, rasp, realism, and a top-notch user-friendliness rating, all thanks in part to an innovative tone board design that allows the reed to ‘flex,’ creating a sound so true you’d swear there’s a Mama Mallard hiding inside.
Legendary Gear Nose Dive ($150 / legendarygearusa.com)
Nose Dive
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Double Reed or Delrin
- Call Material: Acrylic
- Price: Acrylic $150 and Delrin $89
Pros:
- Available in Acrylic or Delrin for different price points
- Great low-end sound
- Whiny rasp realism
Cons:
- Acrylic will set you back more than the Delrin
I’ve known George Lynch, the man behind Legendary Gear, for a quarter century now, and have come to realize there’s a common denominator behind the calls the man creates—they’re good. Take the Nosedive. Available in either acrylic or rugged Delrin, this easy-to-blow double reed, pardon the cliché, is all duck. Speed and user-friendliness on the low end, but with a realistic whiny rasp that carries throughout to the highs, the Nosedive delivers under an infinite range of conditions and calling styles. If you’re looking for one call that will do it all, not to mention one you can pass along to the grandson or daughter, your search is over.
Buck Gardner 6-in-1 Whistle ($7 / buckgardner.com)
6-in-1 Whistle
Key Features:
- Reed Type: No reed
- Call Material: Poly
- Price: $7
Pros:
- Wide range of sounds
- Very budget-friendly
- No moving parts to tune
Cons:
- Pintail call may be difficult for some
I got my 6-in-1 from the late Champion of Champions, Buck Gardner, himself—a wonderful and talented man—back in the day. It’s a fantastically simple call, with no moving parts and plenty of volume unless. What do you get for your $7 with the 6-in-1? You get a drake mallard, pintail, widgeon, green-wing teal, wood duck squeal/whine, and a bob white quail. How do I sum this one up? Get one. Done.
Bill Saunders The Clutch ($60/Poly – $125/Acrylic / billsaunderscalls.com)
The Clutch
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Single Reed
- Call Material: Acrylic or Poly
- Price: Acrylic $125 and Poly $60
Pros:
- Wide mouth piece makes for a more forgiving single reed
- Realistic sound
- Great volume
Cons:
- Acrylic is significantly more than the poly option
I like Saunders’ calls, e.g., his Refuge Series, EZ7, and Triple B short reed. Why? Because I can run them, they sound real, and they work in my orbit. The same holds true for Saunders’ new top seller/fan favorite, The Clutch. Available in polycarbonate or acrylic, this single reed just sounds like a mallard duck. I’ve struggled with single reeds in the past, locking them up mid-QUACK; however, The Clutch doesn’t do that to me. This one does everything I need it to do with plenty of range, reaching across the Washington tides or for those up close mornings in the flooded willows.
Field Proven Hybrid Double Shot ($65 / fieldprovencalls.com)
Hybrid Double Shot
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Double Reed
- Call Material: Wood Mouthpiece and Polymer Tone Board
- Price: $65
Pros:
- Classic styling
- Consistent sound profile from the polymer tone board
- Affordable
Cons:
- Lacks volume compared to acrylic calls
When call designers Clay and Field Hudnall combine traditional call-making techniques with state-of-the-art technology, the mad science result is mind-blowing. The brothers have taken their now-legendary “Double Shot” double reed duck call and created a hybrid that consists of an old school Osage mouthpiece and a hand-tuned thermoplastic polymer tone board. The creation is a double reed that has the performance qualities of a custom call, but is priced for the budget-minded.
Zink Calls ATM Green Machine ($30 / zinkcalls.com)
ATM Green Machine
Key Features:
- Reed Type: Double Reed
- Call Material: Poly
- Price: $30
Pros:
- Easy call to blow
- Great bottom end
- Very budget-friendly
Cons:
- There are better options for advanced callers
Designed as a companion piece to the wildly popular PH-2, Zink Calls’ ATM Green Machine double reed features the same smooth mallard sound callers have grown to love, but with greater volume and a radically improved bottom-end feeding chuckle. This call features Zink’s Z-CUT no-stick tone channel, a revolutionary design that allows for range, while virtually eliminating the irritating reed-lock common with lesser calls. Field-tested and perfected over the years, the ATM is an excellent choice, whether you’re just getting started or have several seasons under your wader belt.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between single and double reed calls?
The difference between single and double reed calls lies in the internal “guts” of the call. A single reed, as its name implies, has one reed, whereas the double has two reeds. While each will make ducky sounds, double reeds tend to be easier to blow and learn on. The “duck” requires less work because the two reeds resonate against each other. In addition, these calls have great low-end sound. Single reeds, on the other hand, require a bit more inflection to get the duck sound but offer a wider range in notes and incredible top-end sound.
Q: Should I choose a wood, poly, or acrylic call?
When it comes to call materials, there are generally three choices for waterfowlers: wood, polycarbonate, and acrylic. Depending on what you want out of a call, different materials may be right for you. Wood calls are generally the raspiest of the three, compared to poly and acrylic. They also excel at delivering softer notes. The only downside is that wood is a natural material and is susceptible to swelling, which can alter the sound. Poly and acrylic, on the other hand, won’t swell and maintain their sound in all conditions. Polycarbonate is generally used in budget-friendly calls and is softer than acrylic. This translates to a slightly raspier sound but sacrifices volume compared to acrylic calls.
Final Thoughts
Duck calls are like shotguns; highly debated, and everyone has an opinion about what they think is the best. While this list doesn’t cover every call out there, it’s been carefully curated year after year in the duck blind. These calls cover a variety of price points, calling styles, and species. Any call from this list will be a great addition to your lanyard.