11six24 Jelly Bean 2 Review: A Soft Control Paddle With Long-Lasting Spin

Introduction

The 11six24 Jelly Bean 2 is a new pickleball paddle that does not try to be the most powerful option on the market. Instead, it leans into a soft, control-oriented feel with long-lasting spin. It is not the most game-changing paddle available, but it fills a specific role for a specific type of player, and for that group it works very well.

The paddle uses 11six24’s Hex Grit technology, which is designed to hold its texture far longer than standard raw carbon fiber faces. It also moves away from polymer honeycomb construction and now uses a full foam core with a new EMA foam. The result is a paddle that feels dense, absorbs pace from opponents, and gives players more margin on soft shots.

Who the Jelly Bean 2 Is For

The Jelly Bean 2 is aimed at players who prioritize control over power. It sits on the lower end of the all-court category, and some players may even consider it a true control paddle. It is one of the softest, most control-oriented paddles released this year, with noticeably less pop than other all-court options like the Friday Aura, the Selkirk Omni, the Six Zero Coral, or the J2K Coral Pro.

This paddle suits players who struggle with popping the ball up at the kitchen line, whether on resets, blocks, or dinks. The lack of pop gives more margin on those shots, allowing players to swing a little more without making a big mistake. It also rewards players who like to shape the ball and manipulate pace rather than relying on raw power.

Players who already generate their own power will have no problem with the Jelly Bean 2. It can hit reasonably hard from the baseline, but it requires a bigger swing to produce the same pace as a power paddle. For players who struggle on the offensive side, this paddle will not help them add power.

Main Strengths

The biggest strength of the Jelly Bean 2 is its long-lasting spin. The Hex Grit face held up remarkably well in extended testing. A paddle that was tracked over 500 games started at 2122 RPM and only dropped to 2117 RPM after that usage. For comparison, regular raw carbon fiber paddles tested up to 100 games dropped from about 2000 RPM down to between 1400 and 1600 RPM. That is a significant difference in spin retention.

The soft feel of the paddle is another major strength. It absorbs a lot of pace from opponents, which makes blocking and resetting easier. Players who like to extend points and frustrate opponents with consistent soft shots will appreciate how forgiving the paddle feels.

The full foam core also adds to the overall package. The paddle feels dense and solid, and it pairs well with the Hex Grit face to create a controlled, predictable response on every shot.

Spin and Shot Shaping

Because the Jelly Bean 2 is less powerful, players can hit the ball harder and accelerate quicker on drops and dinks without making a big mistake. This gives the ball more time to spin and drop, which makes roll drops from the baseline particularly effective. Shots tend to dip at opponents’ feet more consistently than with higher-powered paddles.

The combination of Hex Grit and the soft profile makes the Jelly Bean 2 excellent at generating spin. Compared to other control and all-court paddles, it ranks at the top for spin, slightly ahead of the J2K Coral Pro. The softer face gives the ball more time to bite before crossing the net, which improves shot shaping for players who like to work the ball.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The sweet spot on the Jelly Bean 2 is squarely average. It is not a bad sweet spot, but it is not exceptional either. There are many paddles on the market today with larger, more forgiving sweet spots. Players who miss off-center on resets may find that the paddle does not return as much pace as expected. Adding weight at the 3 and 9 positions could help broaden the sweet spot, but the paddle plays well enough stock for most players in its target demographic.

The lack of pop is also something to consider. Players who are used to high-pop paddles like the RPM Q2, the Boomstick, or the Black Opal will find the Jelly Bean 2 a drastic change. It requires more deliberate swings on resets and blocks, and it will not flick the ball over the net on its own. Players who rely on quick counters and aggressive net play may find it too soft.

There is also some variance in swing weight between units. The tested units ranged from 108 to 116 swing weight depending on shape, but some units from other sources have measured as high as 122. Most paddles stay within a few points of each other, so this is worth keeping in mind if swing weight is a priority.

Buying Advice

The Jelly Bean 2 is an easy recommendation for players who still use an older paddle like the Volair Mach 2 Forza or the original Jelly Bean. The longer-lasting spin, the foam core, and the overall control profile make it a strong upgrade for that group.

It is also a great fit for players in the 3.0 to 3.5 range who lose points because they pop balls up or miss resets, rather than because they cannot hit hard enough. For those players, a control paddle can genuinely improve their game.

Players who already own a recent paddle and are happy with it do not need to rush out and buy the Jelly Bean 2. It is not a paddle that everyone needs. It fills a specific niche, and it does so very well, but it is not designed to replace high-power options.

Conclusion

The 11six24 Jelly Bean 2 is a well-executed control paddle with excellent spin retention and a soft, forgiving feel. It is not the most powerful paddle on the market, and it does not try to be. Instead, it serves players who want more margin on soft shots and who enjoy shaping the ball over extended points.

With Hex Grit technology and a full foam core, it offers a combination that few other paddles provide. For the right player, the Jelly Bean 2 is a great choice.