What Pulsar Instruments does

Pulsar Instruments is a UK-based manufacturer of occupational and environmental noise and vibration measurement equipment, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Hunmanby, North Yorkshire. The company designs and sells Class 1 and Class 2 sound level meters (Nova range), personal noise dosimeters (NoisePen, NoiseBadge, and an Intrinsically Safe variant), acoustic calibrators, human vibration meters (vB²), personal dust monitors (XD1+), and noise-activated warning signs (SafeEar). Its products are engineered to comply with IEC 61672-1:2013, IEC 60942, and UK/EU occupational noise and vibration regulations, making them the standard purchase for safety officers who must demonstrate regulatory compliance.

The company's revenue model is overwhelmingly hardware-driven, with one-time unit sales across a price spectrum of approximately £350–£5,300, complemented by bundled Safety Officer kits (£1,610–£2,000+), an outdoor environmental monitoring kit, and a recurring UKAS and traceable calibration service that must be purchased annually to maintain the 7-year warranty. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via a multi-currency e-commerce website (Stripe-backed), phone, live chat, email, and a global distributor network; a paid online Noise Awareness Course (£99) provides a small adjacent digital revenue stream. A licence-free AnalyzerPlus software package is bundled with instruments to support data analysis and reporting.

Pulsar serves a horizontal, fragmented customer base across multiple verticals — occupational health and safety, construction, environmental consultancy, healthcare, education, hospitality, automotive testing, and HAVS/dust monitoring — with named case-study customers including Leeds Direct Arena, Glangwili General Hospital, and the British Orthopaedic Surgeons Group. The company has no external funding, no parent company, and operates with 1–10 employees, making it a small, bootstrapped specialist relying on regulatory tailwinds, brand longevity, and a recalibration-driven service annuity.

Name

Pulsar Instruments

Legal name

Pulsar Instruments

Website

https://pulsarinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pulsar Instruments is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer founded in 1969 that designs and sells occupational and environmental noise, vibration, and dust measurement instruments to safety officers, consultants, and regulated industries worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Noise Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (8112)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Noise & Vibration Exposure Monitoring (Hearing Conservation) (EUAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Noise & Vibration Monitoring (Environmental/Community/Construction) (EUAHACAG), Environmental & Safety Monitoring Instruments (Air quality, emissions, radiation, noise, gas detection) (IMAGAFAJ), Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH), Industrial Hygiene & Exposure Control (Noise, Dust, Respiratory) (EDABAEAC)

Keywords

• Noise measurement equipment
• Sound level meters
• Noise dosimeters
• Acoustic calibrators
• Vibration monitoring instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Filey

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Sound Level Meters: Sale of Nova sound level meters in Class 1 and Class 2 variants. Available as meter-only or complete kits with acoustic calibrator and carrying case. Prices range from £1,100 to £2,600+.
2. Hardware Sales - Noise Dosimeters: Sale of noise dosimeters including NoisePen, NoiseBadge, and Intrinsically Safe NoiseBadge. Prices range from £510 to £550 per unit.
3. Hardware Sales - Acoustic Calibrators: Sale of Class 1 and Class 2 acoustic calibrators including single-level and dual-level models. Prices range from £350 to £1,000.
4. Hardware Sales - Noise Warning Signs: Sale of SafeEar noise-activated warning signs in multiple designs. Price at £380 per unit.
5. Noise Measurement Kits: Bundled kits combining sound level meters with dosimeters and accessories. Safety Officer kits range from £1,610 to £1,650. Outdoor environmental kits from £2,000.
6. Calibration Services: Traceable and UKAS calibration services with 5-working-day turnaround. Annual calibration recommended for warranty extension up to 7 years.
7. Training Course - Noise Awareness: Online noise awareness course priced at £99 GBP. Six modules covering noise regulations, measurement theory, and control measures. Approximately 3 hours to complete.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pulsar Instruments manufactures and supplies occupational and environmental noise and vibration measurement equipment, including IEC 61672-1:2013 compliant Class 1 and Class 2 sound level meters (Nova range), personal noise dosimeters (NoiseBadge, NoisePen, including intrinsically safe variants), acoustic calibrators, human vibration meters (vB²), personal dust monitors (XD1+), and noise-activated warning signs (SafeEar). The company also provides bundled safety officer kits, traceable and UKAS calibration services, a Noise Awareness training course, license-free AnalyzerPlus analysis software, and a 7-year extended warranty program tied to annual calibration.

Product overview

Pulsar Instruments is a manufacturer of occupational and environmental noise measurement equipment founded in 1969. The product portfolio consists of standalone measurement instruments organized into core product categories: Nova Sound Level Meters (Environmental, Noise at Work, and Basic models in Class 1 and Class 2), Noise Dosimeters (NoiseBadge and NoisePen variants including intrinsically safe versions), Human Vibration Meters (vB²), Dust Monitors (XD1+), and Noise Warning Signs (SafeEar). These instruments are complemented by Noise Measurement Kits that bundle instruments with accessories for specific applications (Safety Officer kits for workplace assessments, Outdoor Environmental kit for long-term monitoring). Accessories include Acoustic Calibrators, microphone components, cables, charging equipment, and carrying cases. The company also offers AnalyzerPlus licence-free analysis software, calibration services with UKAS certification, a 7-year warranty program, and an online Noise Awareness training course. Products comply with IEC standards for sound level meters and acoustic calibrators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nova: Sound level meter range including Nova Basic, Nova Noise at Work, and Nova Environmental models for occupational and environmental noise assessments
• NoisePen
• NoiseBadge
• SafeEar
• vB²

Products and services

• Nova Environmental Sound Level Meter Class 1 and Class 2 IEC 61672-1:2013 compliant sound level meter designed for environmental noise assessments, measuring LAeq, LCpeak, and Ln values with 1:1 octave band analysis, data logging, and compatible with outdoor monitoring kits. Priced from £2,600.
• Nova Noise at Work Sound Level Meter High-performance integrating-averaging sound level meter for occupational and industrial noise assessments, calculating LAeq and LCpeak values with 1:1 octave band analysis to support hearing protection selection. Available in Class 1 and Class 2 variants from £1,600.
• Nova Basic Sound Level Meter Entry-level low-cost decibel meter from the Nova range, providing simple SPL measurements for basic noise level testing and quick spot checks. Priced from £1,100.
• NoisePen Personal Noise Dosimeter Compact, easy-to-use personal noise dosimeter for routine occupational noise monitoring, measuring LAeq, LCPeak or LZPeak with Fast, Slow or No time-weightings in 70-140 dB(A) and 90-143 dB(C) ranges; up to 30 hours of recording. Priced from £510.
• NoiseBadge Noise Dosimeter Robust shoulder-mounted personal noise dosimeter with metal casing for worker noise exposure measurement in construction, demolition, and heavy manufacturing environments. Priced from £510.
• NoiseBadge Intrinsically Safe Noise Dosimeter Certified intrinsically safe noise dosimeter for hazardous or potentially explosive atmospheres including mining and petrochemical facilities. Priced from £550.
• SafeEar Noise-activated Warning Signs Noise-activated warning signs that provide instant visual alerts when sound levels exceed chosen thresholds, available in multiple designs (Shhh Quiet Zone, Caution, Warning, Hearing Protection) and languages for hearing protection zones and quiet environments. Priced from £380 per unit.
• Pulsar vB² Human Vibration Meter Hand-arm and whole-body vibration meter for identifying vibration levels and risk from power tools, supporting HAVS (Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome) risk assessment with vibration exposure level and time tracking. Priced from £3,400 to £5,300.
• XD1+ Personal Dust Monitor Real-time personal dust exposure monitor for airborne particulate measurement, helping assess worker exposure and support better dust control in workplace environments such as construction, quarrying, stonecutting, and woodworking. Priced at £986.
• Safety Officer's Kits (NoisePen / NoiseBadge / Intrinsically Safe variants) Bundled kits combining a Nova Sound Level Meter with NoisePen, NoiseBadge, or Intrinsically Safe NoiseBadge dosimeters (configurable 1-5 badges) for comprehensive occupational noise assessments by safety officers in standard or hazardous environments. Priced from £1,610 to £1,650.
• Outdoor Environmental Noise Monitoring Kit Weatherproof case system for long-term unattended outdoor noise monitoring, providing up to 14 days of continuous operation with a hermetically sealed outdoor preamplifier and rugged lockable case. Priced from £2,000, with Nova Environmental add-on from £3,200.
• Dual-Level Acoustic Calibrator IEC 60942 compliant dual-level acoustic calibrator providing a 1 kHz reference tone at 94 dB (for sound level meters) and 114 dB (for noise dosimeters). Priced from £500 to £1,000.
• Acoustic Calibrator IEC 60942 compliant single-level acoustic calibrator providing a 1 kHz reference tone at 94 dB for field calibration of sound level meters. Priced from £350.
• Calibration Service Professional traceable and UKAS calibration service for Pulsar noise and vibration instruments, with a 5-working-day turnaround and annual calibration required to extend warranty up to 7 years.
• Noise Awareness Course Online noise awareness training course with six modules covering noise regulations, measurement theory, and control measures; approximately 3 hours to complete with certificate upon completion. Priced at £99.
• 7-Year Warranty Program Extended warranty program offering up to 7-year warranty on Pulsar instruments, contingent on the instrument being returned annually for calibration.
• AnalyzerPlus Software Licence-free noise analysis and reporting software included with Pulsar Nova sound level meters and noise dosimeters for managing, analysing and reporting noise exposure data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Glangwili General Hospital halved noise at night in ICU using SafeEar, reducing patient delirium cases
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered growth, core and case study.

• Two New Middle East DistributorsgrowthChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 October 2023As part of Pulsar Instruments' ongoing commitment to expanding in the Middle East, two new regional distributors were announced to help customers in their countries directly after thorough market research.
• Authorised Repair Centre in AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 May 2023Partnership with a new authorized repair centre in Australia to enhance service offerings in the region. This provides local support and repair services for Australian customers.
• Glangwili General Hospital, Walescase studyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCase study partnership where the hospital used Pulsar SafeEar noise-activated warning signs to halve noise at night in intensive care units, resulting in reduced patient delirium cases.
• Leeds Direct Arenacase studyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCase study partnership where Leeds Arena health and safety team used the Nova noise measurement system to monitor and control staff exposure to excessive noise levels.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cirrus Research plc: UK-based manufacturer of sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and acoustic calibrators for occupational and environmental noise monitoring. Directly comparable to Pulsar on product range (Class 1/2 SLMs, personal dosimeters), target buyer (safety officers, environmental consultants), and regulatory positioning under Noise at Work Regulations.
• Svantek: Polish manufacturer of Class 1/2 sound level meters (Svan 104/106), personal noise dosimeters (Svan 104A), and human vibration meters (Svan 311/312). Competes directly with Pulsar's Nova range and Pulsar vB² vibration meter, with stronger CE/ATEX certification focus and growing European presence.
• TSI Quest (Quest Technologies): Manufacturer of personal noise dosimeters (NoisePro, Edge), sound level meters, and heat stress monitors used in occupational health programs. Direct competitor to Pulsar's NoisePen and NoiseBadge dosimeter ranges, particularly in US and global industrial hygiene markets.
• Casella (IDEAL Industries): UK-based occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring specialist offering sound level meters (CEL-63x series), personal noise dosimeters (dBadge2), and dust monitors (Casella TUFF). Direct peer to Pulsar across the same occupational/environmental measurement segments with overlapping product categories.
• Metrel d.d. Slovenian-based manufacturer of electrical and environmental measurement instruments, including sound level meters and vibration monitoring tools. Overlaps with Pulsar in industrial noise measurement for compliance testing under EU regulations.

Broad incumbents

• Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global market leader in sound and vibration measurement instruments, owned by Hottinger Brüel & Kjær. Competes in the same noise/vibration measurement category as Pulsar but with a much broader portfolio including Type 1 sound level meters, multichannel analyzers, and integrated solutions across R&D, environmental, and occupational segments.
• 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety: Large incumbent offering personal protective equipment and hearing conservation programs, including noise dosimetry through the E-A-RTone range and SoundPro/Edge sound level meters (acquired from QUEST). Direct overlap with Pulsar's NoisePen/NoiseBadge dosimetry and broader occupational hygiene scale and channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PulsarMeters

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pulsar Instruments