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. 4d ago

    JOOLA Foam Paddle is Coming, Other New Paddles, & Franklin X-44 Ball | EP 139

    September is packed with new releases. We share our first impressions of the Enhance EPP Turbo ArmorGrit and Gearbox Pressure X, take a look at Franklin’s new X-44 ball coming later this year, and speculate on what JOOLA’s mystery foam paddle might be. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:20 Earbud enlightenment, secret project progression, fitting quiz 09:29 Special delivery - Enhance Turbo, Diadem Edge Flex 11:09 Aaron it Out - Johnsons take down #1 seed 15:35 I read it on Reddit - Jorja’s erne 18:35 I read it on Reddit - Coral Pro to USAP, pb on ocean liner  22:25 I read it on Reddit - Hilarious pickleball addiction progression & paddle pic in car 24:41 Paddle Babble - JOOLA mystery foam paddle 34:28 Aaron’s beef with RPM Jade 37:01 Gearbox Pressure X 48:01 Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit 58:42 Franklin X-44 first impressions 1:08:33 Stock grip impact on balance point __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/  Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Enhance: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/PBEFFECT Franklin: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/XY9jna Gearbox: https://gearboxsports.com/?rfsn=7676489.281577 JOOLA (code doesn’t apply): https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=La4dKLtAAD 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. Sep 1

    Ranking the Best Paddles of the Summer + Vatic Pro Owner Daryl Wang

    We sit down with the owner of Vatic Pro to talk about the new V-Sol Tour series, how the brand has evolved, and what’s coming next. We also rank our top 5 paddle releases of the summer and share our on-court impressions of the V-Sol Tour paddles. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 Upcoming PE Labor Day Sale here: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:57 New web pages, Aaron’s league 06:44 Special delivery - Franklin balls, Gearbox, Proton 11:17 Aaron it Out - Vatic Pro owner interview 12:40 The vision for the V-Sol Tour 15:35 How are they able to only charge $100? 19:56 Are some paddles being phased out and what’s coming next? 22:00 How did EverGrit pass certification, it’s so gritty? 23.03 Will Vatic ever do UPA certification? 23:57 About Vatic Pro growth over last three years 26:42 Thoughts on acquisitions & where R&D comes from 34:20 Paddle Recon 39:30 Paddle Babble - Ranking Summer paddle releases 56:05 Vatic V-Sol Tour gameplay impressions __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/  Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2: https://11six24.com/collections/frontpage/products/vapor-jelly-bean-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=stats Engage Axiom: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-elongated-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECT Mark UnMarked 2026: https://markpickleball.com/products/unmarked-2026?sca_ref=6258187.LVz22xOG9U&sca_source=stats Pickleball Apes Zen S+: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4608508.ipmCfUFGpV&sca_source=stats Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect Spartus Spitfire: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=stats Vatic Pro: https://vaticpro.com/?sca_ref=3260078.CzQXcNupcD&sca_source=review#038;sca_source=coupontable 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 25

    Vatic Pro V-Sol Tour First Impressions & New Selkirk Bags | EP 137

    Vatic Pro is launching a new durable grit budget paddle with the V-Sol Tour, and we compare it to other popular budget options. We also debate whether the Selkirk x Tesla collab was genius or just a gimmick, and dive into Selkirk’s new luxury pickleball bags. 👉 Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save  👉 Active Tac Overgrips Amazon: https://amzn.to/46l4dpy 👉 Active Tac Shopify: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/products/active-tac-overgrip-6-pack-ring?variant=53761859485920  __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 02:37 Paddle type refinement and Activ Tac feedback 10:52 Special delivery - Foam paddle 13:16 Aaron it Out - MLP finals preview 18:00 From stroke to PPA gold 20:18 Tesla x Selkirk: genius or gimmick 24:23 Volair potentially licensing HexGrit 26:26 Paddle Babble - 2 paddles releasing this week 28:03 Vatic V-Sol Tour. What’s new? 29:00 Grit durability & performance 33:26 V-Sol Tour vs Spartus Spitfire vs Ronbus Quanta Pro 37:31 Which one do we pick & final thoughts 43:45 Engage Axiom first impressions 45:40 We get nit picky on the new Selkirk Bags __________________________________________ 👉 Links to stuff mentioned: Paddle database with new paddle types: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/  👉 Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: Mark UnMarked 2026 (launches Aug 26): https://markpickleball.com?sca_ref=6258187.LVz22xOG9U  Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect  Vatic Pro: https://vaticpro.com/?sca_ref=3260078.CzQXcNupcD&sca_source=review#038;sca_source=coupontable  Engage Axiom: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-elongated-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECT  Bags: ADV Flex Bag: https://www.getadv.com/products/flex-backpack?snowball=BRAYDON14972  Selkirk Team Bag 25L (promo code INF-BRAYDONU): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-pro-line-2-0-team-backpack-25l?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=yt&variant=45940837220454  Selkirk Tour Bag 35L (promo code INF-BRAYDONU): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-pro-line-2-0-tour-backpack-35l?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=yt&variant=45940837154918  Selkirk Duffle Bag 45L (promo code INF-BRAYDONU): https://www.selkirk.com/products/selkirk-pro-line-2-0-duffle-45l?sca_ref=1945879.KgYa6r1ANw&sca_source=yt&variant=45940837351526  All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/

  4. Aug 18

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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4.2
out of 5
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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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