11SIX24 built its name on value, and the Jelly Bean line is where that reputation started. The Jelly Bean 2 stays true to those control roots, offering a notably softer feel and significantly less pop than the Power 2 variant. Equipped with 11SIX24's signature HexGrit surface and offered across all four core shapes – Pegasus, Vapor, Ultré, and Hurache-X – it's built for players who value precise placement, excellent ball dwell time, and high-end spin over raw power.
At $169.99 (or $159.99 with our discount code), it's a serious control paddle at a price that undercuts most of the premium touch paddles on the market.
My verdict4.0
Control is what defines the Jelly Bean 2, but the long-lasting HexGrit surface is what gives it such incredible value. Spin is out of this world and it won't wear down anytime soon. The only thing keeping this from a 4.5 is that it needs more pop off the face – you have to earn your power here. If you want a paddle to do the work for you in hands battles, look elsewhere. If you want touch, spin, and premium build quality for under $160, this is one of the best values in pickleball right now.
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Buy or pass?
Buy if:
You want a control-oriented, soft feel:
the ball sits on the face slightly longer than the Power 2, allowing you to shape dinks, drops, and targeted drives with immense precision.
You want elite spin with high-dipping action:
the combination of the HexGrit texture and lower power lets you swing fully on drives, causing the ball to dip aggressively right over the net into opponents' feet.
You want premium quality on a budget:
at just $160 after discounts, it delivers robust build quality, premium materials, and longevity that easily outclasses its price tag.
Pass if:
You rely on effortless putaway power:
with a softer face and lower pop, don’t come here looking for one of the best pickleball paddles for power.
You want easy ball acceleration:
if you want the paddle to do the work for you during fast exchanges, the linear power response here requires a full, intentional swing.
You want an even cheaper version:
the original 11SIX24 Jelly Bean is a great paddle if you want a more basic version for under $100.
The Jelly Bean 2 gives 11SIX24's control paddle some bite
11SIX24 made its name with value-priced paddles like the original Jelly Bean. After we had the 11SIX24 Power 2 series, the Jelly Bean 2 is their next step forward – trading in the honeycomb polymer core of the original for a softer, denser EMA foam and a fresh coat of super-durable HexGrit on the face.
On the court, the Jelly Bean 2 shines brightest in the short game and baseline control. Dropping and dinking are great because the ball doesn't rocket off the face unpredictably. When driving from the baseline, you can execute full, aggressive swings without fear of flying balls out. The combination of the lower power ceiling and HexGrit spin makes drives dip sharply. It basically forces you into an 80% power drive where you have to be more intentional.
However, compromises show up during hand battles. When opponents speed the ball up to you, a standard punch counter often lacks the explosive energy needed to put the ball away past them, leading to prolonged rallies. Additionally, because you have to use a full swing to generate power, you might feel a bit more tightness in your back after playing with it for a couple of days.
Adding customized weight toward the top of the paddle helps significantly with getting over the ball, generating torque, and boosting power – though the Hurache-X shape needed this the least.
So, if you want a raw power paddle, there are better options out there. If you want a touch paddle that's also one of the best pickeball paddles for spin – one that will stand the test of time – this is excellent value at just over $150.
Paddle Weight
8.0 to 8.3 oz
Paddle Length
15.82 inches (Pegasus) / 16.25 inches (Vapor) / TBD (Ultré) / 16.5 inches (Hurache-X)
Paddle Width
8.04 inches (Pegasus) / 7.75 inches (Vapor) / TBD (Ultré) / 7.5 inches (Hurache-X)
Handle Length
5.75 inches (Pegasus) / 5.75 inches (Vapor) / 5.625 inches (Ultré) / 6 inches (Hurache-X)
Grip Circumference
4.125 inches
Paddle Face Material
HexGrit textured carbon fiber
Core Material
EMA foam
Core Thickness
16 mm
Sweet Spot
Medium
How the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 plays
| Category | Rating | Notes |
| Power | 7/10 | Not very powerful from full swing shots. Lacks the pop and explosive face feel of modern power paddles, making putaways difficult. Strictly a control/all-core paddle. |
| Control | 9/10 | Excellent precision for drops, targeted baseline drives, and dinks. The ball sits on the face longer than the Power 2, giving you great command over placement. |
| Spin | 10/10 | Absolute winner. The HexGrit surface combined with lower paddle power allows the ball to bite, hold, and dip sharply down at the kitchen line. |
| Forgiveness | 8/10 | Reasonably good, but features noticeable sweet spot issues where off-center hits on the side tend to die flatly due to the low power profile. |
| Weighting | 8/10 | Decent stock feel, but most shapes need extra weight added toward the top to get leverage, torque, and help with power. |
| Grip | 8/10 | Comfortable, thin profile with a long handle supporting two-handed backhands nicely. Gets a little sweaty over time. |
| Durability | 10/10 | Premium build quality with a long-lasting HexGrit surface designed to withstand a year-plus of heavy play. |
| Aerodynamics | 8/10 | Right in a good spot. Despite adding weight to the top, hand speed remains fast enough that you won't lose hands battles. |
✅ Pros
Elite HexGrit spin
The HexGrit surface generates incredible topspin that makes drives and drops dip aggressively right over the net into opponents' feet. It's the same tech that makes the Power 2 one of the best grits on the market, just paired here with a softer core built for touch instead of pop.
This rivals the Honolulu Crystal Blue Grit for the best and most durable in pickleball. It comes as a relief to anyone who's tired of their grit wearing down quickly, making you buy a new paddle every couple months. It's crazy you can get this tech for well under $200.
Surgical control and feel
The ball sits on the face longer than it does on the Power 2, giving you precise, linear feedback and targeting on dinks, drops, and drives.
Outstanding value
A premium construction and super-long-lasting grit for under $150 make it a massive win for budget-conscious control players.
❌ Considerations
Lacks finishing power
Low pop off the face makes it difficult to put away overhead slams and quick counter-punches during fast hands battles. If you want a paddle to help bail you out in speed-ups, look at the Holbrook Fuze or CRBN TruFoam Barrage.
Sweet spot consistency
Edge mishits can cause balls to die short, demanding clean contact. Adding weight toward the top of the paddle helps, but it's something to be aware of out of the box. If you want a more naturally forgiving paddle try the 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power or FLiK F3.
11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 price – is it worth it?
At $169.99 ($159.99 with our discount code), the Jelly Bean 2 undercuts premium control paddles from CRBN and Selkirk by $100 to $150 while still delivering the same HexGrit surface tech that shows up on 11SIX24's higher-end $200+ paddles.
It doesn't have the explosive pop of a power paddle, and it's not the most forgiving control paddle on the market, but for the price, the combination of spin, precision, and build quality is hard to match.
If you're a touch player who's willing to swing fully for your power, the Jelly Bean 2 is one of the best values in pickleball right now.
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Alternatives to the 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2
If the Jelly Bean 2 isn't for you, here are some top paddles worth considering:
More power
11SIX24 Vapor Power 2
Best beginner value
11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean
Also great for control
Bread & Butter Loco
What even more options? Try our 30-second quiz and we'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
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