Pickleball Effect: The Podcast

Braydon Unsicker
  • 4.2 (10)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Join Braydon Unsicker and Aaron Ghena on the Pickleball Effect Podcast for honest, data driven takes on paddles, gear, trends, and the business of pickleball. Real testing, real opinions, and conversations that actually help you play better and understand the game.

  1. 2d ago

    New Paddles: Boulder Opal, UnMarked 2026, LUZZ Inferno 2 & Quanta Pro

    We break down several new paddles, including the LUZZ Inferno 2, Six Zero Boulder Opal, Quanta Pro, and the surprisingly good Mark UnMarked 2026. Plus, I share new grit durability results from five different brands and what stood out in testing. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 Tungsten Tape Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g54OBD 👉 Tungsten Tape Shopify: ​​https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/pickleball-effect-weighted-tungsten-tape-1-gram-per-inch-safe-alternative-to-lead-tape?variant=46219251613920  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 04:38 Cheaper tungsten tape is available 06:35 Special delivery - Selkirk bags, Quanta Pro, Engage Axiom 08:19 Special delivery - Inferno 2, Boulder Opal, Wilson, Poppers 09:59 Aaron it Out - MLP quarters update 14:12 Read it on Reddit - live reactions 21:24 Paddle Babble - 5 grit durability test results 28:36 Mark UnMarked 2026 - this one is good 30:33 Aaron first impressions 33:24 Braydon first impressions 39:37 Six Zero Black Opal 46:49 Ronbus Quanta Pro 50:42 LUZZ Inferno 2 stats __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Hot List hub page: https://pickleballeffect.com/hot-list/  New Hot List Power page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/best-power-pickleball-paddles-pickleball-effects-hot-list/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Mark UnMarked 2026 (launches Aug 26): https://markpickleball.com?sca_ref=6258187.LVz22xOG9U  Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect  Six Zero Boulder Opal: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/boulder-opal?sca_ref=9892574.6WfkgoNKloc0yI&sca_source=yt  LUZZ Inferno 2: https://luzzpickleball.com/products/luzz-inferno2-m1?sca_ref=9809117.VbWrtANPhw&sca_source=yt  All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  2. Aug 11

    11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 Impressions, Apes Zen Grit Test, & Reddit Recs | EP 135

    11SIX24 revamped its Jelly Bean series with durable HexGrit and a new foam core material and we have our take on how it plays. We also dig into PPA’s new ranking system, and share our grit durability test results for Pickleball Apes. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 03:02 Cheaper tungsten tape is coming 04:20 Ronbus anniversary sale 06:20 Special delivery - Mark UnMarked, Engage X2 Pro, Nike GP 08:34 Aaron it Out - PPA launches World Rankings 18:12 Reddit paddle recommendations 24:23 Paddle Recon - what paddles got approved 27:54 Paddle Babble - Jelly Bean 2 short tech overview 28:48 Performance stats 30:01 Aaron first impressions 34:47 Braydon first impressions 40:09 Compared to JB1, Power 2, Coral Pro 46:38 Apes Zen grit durability test results 49:24 Meeting with Gearbox __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Paddle Database page: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect  11SIX24: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&%3Bsca_source=review&sca_source=review#038;sca_source=coupon  Pickleball Apes Zen S+: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4608508.ipmCfUFGpV&sca_source=stats  Gearbox: https://gearboxsports.com/?rfsn=7676489.281577  All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  3. Aug 4

    Just When You Thought Foam Peaked... Apes Zen S+ & 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 Preview | EP 134

    Foam paddles are still evolving. We break down what makes the Pickleball Apes Zen S+ and 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 different from the foam builds we’ve seen so far. We also preview the MLP playoffs and discuss another negative Proton headline. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 Active Tac Overgrips Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pRV3K8  👉 Active Tac Overgrips store: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/active-tac-overgrip-6-pack-ring?variant=53761859485920  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:33 Active Tac grips are here 05:31 Special delivery - Jelly Bean 2, Geau Bag, Thrive Ignite 09:30 Stride Orthotics, GX2 Power colorway 12:47 Aaron it Out - MLP playoffs preview 15:07 Proton lawsuit with player 18:38 RPM lawsuit with JOOLA 20:51 Paddle Babble - Apes Zen S+ tech 23:59 Static & performance stats & impact feel 28:38 Aaron first impressions 33:03 Braydon first impressions 42:07 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2 tech 47:11 Thrive Ignite Elongated 48:39 Paddles in the work __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Paddle Directory and pages: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/ Follow Pickleball Pundits: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballpundits/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Active Tac Overgrips Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pRV3K8  Active Tac Overgrips store: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/active-tac-overgrip-6-pack-ring?variant=53761859485920  Pickleball Apes Zen S+: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4608508.ipmCfUFGpV&sca_source=stats  Thrive Ignite Elongated: https://thrivepb.com/products/ignite-elongated-foam-new/?sca_ref=5610194.6jsyCS8G5F  BNB Loco sales: https://www.bnbpickleball.com/?irclickid=z7sxc2zguxycWhd042UQL24mUkuSHvXHCyx2zM0&sharedid=&irpid=5059526&irgwc=1&afsrc=1  All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  4. Jul 21

    These Paddles Will Make a Comeback + Steal These Shots From Pros | EP 133

    👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:53 Weekly update - Claude is Braydon’s new friend 08:01 How AI is affecting reviews 14:04 Special delivery - Active Tac, Haworth Sig, Mission First 16:46 Under Review - Top three skills/shots amateurs should steal from pros 20:00 #1 Pre shot preparation 23:10 #2 Backhand slick dink & drop 25:57 #3 The short hop 31:27 Aaron it Out - Drafting our full pickleball kit (a cruel game) 44:47 Paddle Babble - Playing with Anna Bright 128 SW setup 52:20 Ronbus Tenon update 56:48 Five paddles that will resurge with durable grit __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Paddle Directory and pages: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/ Follow Pickleball Pundits: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballpundits/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Ask in comments for links to gear mentioned or look up brands here: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  5. Jul 14

    Ronbus Tenon Grit Test, Pakle Fuse + USAP Finally Doing Spin Test | EP 132

    👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 02:04 Weekly update - best jeopardy scores 04:05 Braydon is a banger 07:36 Special delivery 12:26 Under Review - Anna Bright’s heavy widebody setup 20:06 Aaron it Out - USAP finally doing spin testing! 28:17 Do brands need to certify with UPA anymore? 32:05 Answering Reddit paddle comparison questions 32:40 Coral Pro Hybrid vs Power 2 Ultre 33:58 $300 budget for bag and paddle birthday gift 36:40 Good on demand all court paddle 38:24 What are the latest hyped control paddles 39:56 Aura Pro vs Power 2 Ultre 41:24 Paddle Babble - Catherine Parenteu playing LUZZ Glider 42:49 Ronbus Tenon performance stats & play impressions 52:02 Tenon grit retention results 54:37 Aaron’s Pakle play impressions 1:02:01 Pakle vs Spartus Spitfire 1:03:11 Head Pro Boom EX 1:05:37 Selkirk CourtStrike 3.0 shoes __________________________________________ 👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Selkirk CourtStrike 3.0 shoes (code inf-braydonu): https://www.selkirk.com/collections/courtstrike-3-0/?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=yt  Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect Six Zero Coral Pro: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-pro?sca_ref=9892574.6WfkgoNKloc0yI&sca_source=yt  11SIX24 Power 2 Ultre: https://11six24.com/collections/power-paddles/products/ultre-power-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=pr  Friday Aura Pro: https://fridaypickle.com/products/aura-pro-paddle?snowball=pbeffect  CRBN: https://www.crbnpickleball.com/discount/10EFFECT  Honolulu Pickleball: https://808pickle.com/?sca_ref=5946671.20PzzMr8tb  Pakle Pickleball: https://paklepickleball.com/discount/BRAYDONUNSICKER?rs_ref=lHCnu22r   👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  6. Jul 7

    Can You Beat Us at Pickleball Jeopardy? + Is Pickleball Really Dying? | EP 131

    👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Play Pickleball Jeopardy: https://pickle-jeopordy.base44.app  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 03:04 Weekly update - 4th, website updates 06:46 Why less releases lately, Special Delivery 10:05 Under Review - 14 vs 16mm foam paddle feel 23:27 Aaron it Out - Why nobody is playing pickleball anymore debate 25:21 Boomers are aging out & growth has slowed 30:19 Padel is taking over & paddle business is cracking 35:40 Pickleball franchises are dying 38:58 Paddle Babble - Ronbus Tenon 41:27 Pickleball Jeopardy! 42:08 Paddle History 45:33 Reviewer History 47:27 Pro Player History 51:35 Random Questions __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Paddle Comparison Tool (now filter by impact feel): https://comparison.pickleballeffect.com/  How to pick a paddle article: https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/other/the-definitive-guide-for-choosing-a-pickleball-paddle/  Why nobody is playing pickleball video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNiOhjB7hNI  Play Pickleball Jeopardy: https://pickle-jeopordy.base44.app 👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect 👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  7. Jun 30

    Spartus Spitfire, Paddles for Less Arm Strain, and Aaron’s Gameshow | EP 130

    Spartus is releasing the first budget paddle we've tested with a highly durable grit texture. We break down the data and how it plays. We also dive into the best paddles for tennis elbow and do a gameshow Aaron created to test Braydon against his own brain.  👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 04:05 Special delivery 04:36 Under Review - Best paddles for arm comfort 10:19 Aaron it Out - Scoreboard falls on pro player 15:15 NFL stars seen playing pickleball 17:50 Aaron’s gameshow testing Braydon’s brain 30:13 Paddle Babble - Spartus Spitfire 30:54 Grit retention results 34:39 Performance stats, tech & feel 37:41 Aaron’s take 47:19 Three reasons it’s unique 48:28 VS Inferno, J6CR, Hurache-X, P1 54:05 Neonic Swift FLX 56:38 RPM Friction Pro V2 58:58 Paddletek TKO-X __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: PE Paddle Comfort Index Article: https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/best-pickleball-paddles-for-tennis-elbow-and-arm-comfort/  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Six Zero Coral Pro: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/6-0-six-zero-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&tab=products#/productsFilter:custom_collection:Coral$2520Pro  Spartus: https://gospartus.com/?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=discount RPM Friction Pro V2: https://collabs.shop/aj1u3i  Neonic: https://neonicpickleball.com?sca_ref=4377451.jlzqfvnOEH  Paddletek: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/paddletek-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

  8. Jun 23

    Addressing Gen 4 Hype, Market Shifts & Why Head Might Be Ready to Start Winning | EP 129

    👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 See all PE promo codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 02:30 Braydon paddle setups library & Matt to an all-court 07:52 Special delivery 09:17 Under Review - Highest spinning paddle & RPM Q2 setups 11:38 RPM Q2 elongated setups 16:56 RPM Q2 widebody setups 19:30 Aaron it Out - Why Tyra was traded 23:50 Are Gen 4 paddles all hype? 30:06 Aaron preaches in favor of gen 4 37:02 Paddle recon: what paddles are coming 40:23 Paddle Babble - Tama seen playing with Coral Pro 41:19 State of paddle market thoughts 43:52 Head will be legacy brand that rises 53:42 Scoop Sidewinder 56:27 Our current personal top 3 paddles __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Braydon’s paddle setup library: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/setup-library  Matt Reny paddle journey article: https://pickleballeffect.com/resources/my-pickleball-paddle-journey-what-3-0-to-4-5-actually-looked-like/  Paddle Tuning Strips (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/tuning-tape-strips  Paddle Cap Coins (code PBEFFECT): https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/cap-coins  👉 Links to paddles mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT RPM Q2: https://collabs.shop/ywmxhl  Six Zero Coral Pro: https://pickleballcentral.com/paddles/by-brand/6-0-six-zero-pickleball-paddles/?oid=9&affid=7945169&source_id=promo&tab=products#/productsFilter:custom_collection:Coral$2520Pro  Honolulu J2CR: https://808pickle.com/collections/honolulu-foam/products/j2cr-crystal-blue-endurance-surface%E2%84%A2-pre-order?sca_ref=5946671.20PzzMr8tb&variant=51746641445184  Thrive Ignite: https://thrivepb.com/products/products-https-thrivepb-com-products-fury-hybrid-15-5-mm-gen-3-5-power-series-6-month-warranty-copy?sca_ref=5610194.6jsyCS8G5F&sca_source=written  Spartus P1 Standard: https://gospartus.com/collections/paddles/products/p1-standard?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=yt  Head Pickleball: https://www.head.com/en_US/pickleball  👉 Support the channel:  Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  👉 Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/  👉 Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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4.2
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Join Braydon Unsicker and Aaron Ghena on the Pickleball Effect Podcast for honest, data driven takes on paddles, gear, trends, and the business of pickleball. Real testing, real opinions, and conversations that actually help you play better and understand the game.

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