11SIX24 made a name for themselves earlier in the year with their Hurache Control + paddle. I did a review for that paddle and was impressed but thought it might just be a flash in the pan type thing from the brand. Well, they just proved me wrong.
They are now making a splash in the widebody paddle shape space with their new Monarch series and I don’t think 11SIX24 is going anywhere any time soon. The series consists of three models, the All Court, Control, and Jelly Bean. They all have the same widebody shape and extended handle length of 5.75” but use different facing material combinations. Widebody paddles are known for their oversized sweet spots and easy maneuverability. But they’re not known for their offense. The Monarch All Court is bringing more offense to widebody paddles while the Control and Jelly Bean are competing in the control space. Not to mention these are also priced very competitively with the Jelly Bean in particular being a good control paddle in general and only costs $90 after discount.
I’ll tell you right now that I’m a fan of the All-Court and think it fills a need in the widebody space and I can’t think of a better widebody paddle than the Jelly Bean at or around $100.
After drilling and playing with the paddles for over two weeks, here are my thoughts on their performance.
Table of Contents
Monarch All Court 16mm Review
- Weight: 8-8.3oz
- Swingweight: 109-11 (low)
- Twistweight: 7.4 avg (very high)
- Shape: 15.8″ x 8.04″ (widebody)
- Face: CFC Surface – Three layers. Two Toray T700 carbon fiber layers sandwiching one fiberglass layer.
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 5.75″
- Core: 16mm Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Special Features: Thermoformed, perimeter foam
- Price: $139.99 ($129.99 with code 10EFFECT)
- Warranty: Six months
Performance wise, the Monarch All Court stuck out the most to me and fills a need in the widebody space by giving you more offense combined with a longer handle. Two of the most prominent widebody/standard shaped paddles that give you more offense are the Engage Pursuit EX models and the Paddletek ALW 12.7 and both of those have shorter handles so it’s nice to have an offensive widebody paddle option that gives you a longer handle at 5.75” Not to mention the other two are priced over $200 while the All Court is only $130 after discount. I will say that the Engage and Paddletek both offer more power and pop than the All Court but the All Court isn’t far off and is certainly more than most widebody paddles.
Like the name says, this is an all-court style paddle that has good power on drives and a medium pop level on punch volleys. It has a similar level of pop to the Mach 2 Forza 14 where it gives you some help to finish points but isn’t so much where you’re hitting too many balls long or it’s super difficult to reset and slow the ball down. The paddle is fast and forgiving, especially from side to side. Despite its extended handle, it is not heavier or less forgiving when compared to other widebody paddles. This was a surprise since paddles with longer handles are usually more head heavy and less forgiving than their shorter handle counterparts. I like that the power of the paddle isn’t coming from extra weight but rather the layup and design of the facing layers. This way you get a little more offense without sacrificing hand speed. It’s a good combo.
Its swingweight of 110 and twistweight of 7.4 are both on par for what you’d expect from a widebody. Widebody paddles are known for their forgiveness, and the Monarch All Court paddle is no exception, it felt stable and solid. However, it’s important to note that this shape sacrifices some length and coverage in exchange for the added forgiveness and improved hand speed. It takes some time to adjust to if you’re used to elongated paddles.
Straight out of the box, the paddle has a plush feel in the center but is stiffer around the edges. However, the feel of the paddle changes over time, becoming softer and settling on a medium-stiff feel. It’s not as stiff as some paddles like the J2K while not as soft as others like the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16mm. The Monarch All Court paddle is designed to provide extra pop and power, making it a bit harder to control than other control-type widebody paddles. However, its forgiving nature improves its consistency and control rating over other paddles in the all-court category.
The spin of the paddle is excellent, averaging around 1980 RPMs in my tests. However, based on personal experience, I felt it provided even more spin, particularly off my serves, which appeared extra dippy with this paddle.
Who is it good for? If you’ve been playing with a widebody paddle and are looking for more offense from it then this is definitely one to consider. If you’re currently playing a hybrid or elongated paddle and are interested in trying a widebody shape but have been hesitant because of the drop off in offense then this is a good one to try too.
(Get $10 off with code 10EFFECT)
Monarch Control 16mm Review
- Weight: 8-8.3oz
- Swingweight: 109-111 (low)
- Twistweight: 7.4 (very high)
- Shape: 15.8″ x 8.04″ (widebody)
- Face: Four layers of Tory T700 carbon fiber toped with a kevlar layer.
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 5.75″
- Core: 16mm Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Special Features: Thermoformed, perimeter foam
- Price: $149.99 ($139.99 with code 10EFFECT)
- Warranty: Six months
The Monarch Control is thermoformed like the All Court but has a different amount and type of facing layers than the All Court version. The Control has three layers of carbon fiber that is topped with a layer of kevlar while the All Court has a carbon fiber, fiberglass, carbon fiber lay up.
The Control plays with less power and pop compared to the All Court and absorbs pace a little better making it easier to keep resets and dinks down. It falls into the control category though I wouldn’t say it’s as control oriented as the Volair Mach 2 Forza 16 or the PIKKL Hurricane 16mm. It gives you a little more pop at the net compared to those.
Like the other paddles in the series, it is maneuverable, forgiving, and spinny. Feel wise it also had a little stiffer feel to it not far off from the All Court version though a little toned down and is stiffer in feel compared to the Jelly Bean. Playing with it will enhance your control and reduce mishits. Defending drives and resetting the ball feels like a breeze. Then it’s high spin rating enables you to attack low, be aggressive, and create angles. Though you do need to generate some of your own power on drives, serves, and returns. It’s not a pillow, but it’s not a hard hitting paddle either.
It stacks up well in the widebody control space though there wasn’t anything in particular about it where I’m like you should pick this over other good control style widebody paddles. The one thing that sets it apart from other similar style paddles is that it has a more responsive or stiffer feel to it in comparison which some people like and some people don’t. Just a preference thing.
Who is it good for? This is a good option for players looking for a control style paddle but don’t like the softer, plusher feel that typically accompanies them.
(Get $10 off with code 10EFFECT)
Monarch Jelly Bean 16mm Review
- Weight: 8-8.3oz avg
- Swingweight: 109-111 (low)
- Twistweight: 7.4 (very high)
- Shape: 15.8″ x 8.04″ (widebody)
- Face: CFC Surface – Three layers. Two Toray T700 carbon fiber layers sandwiching one fiberglass layer.
- Grip Circumference: 4.25″
- Handle Length: 5.75″
- Core: 16mm Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Special Features: Perimeter foam (not thermoformed)
- Price: $99.99 ($89.99 with code 10EFFECT)
- Warranty: Six months
The Jelly Bean is not thermoformed like the other two but it does have the perimeter foam injection and features the same facing layers as the All Court verison with a carbon fiber, fiberglass, and carbon fiber set up. Because it’s not thermoformed it’s not as powerful and poppy as the All Court version and has a softer, more dense feel to it instead of a stiffer feel.
I would classify this paddle as a control paddle, although I wouldn’t describe it as a pure control paddle like a Selkirk LUXX Epic or something. It delivered more power and pop than I anticipated, showing similar results in my power and pop tests as the Control model. However, during playtesting, I felt like I was getting more power from the Jelly Bean, with the key distinction between it and the Control model being the overall feel. The Jelly Bean paddle has a softer and denser feel, whereas the Control paddle feels slightly stiffer and provides a more hollow sensation upon contact.
Outside of the feel you get similar playing characteristics as the Control model. That means good maneuverability, pace absorption and forgiveness. It enhances your ability to control the pace of play and reduces errors. The spin is good as well though my spin measurements came a little lower for it than the Control with an average of 1950 RPMs though I didn’t feel like it made it any less effective to find angles and hit my shots.
Because the paddle isn’t thermoformed I like that they added a layer of fiberglass in there to give it a little boost in power and pop and to give it a bit of a lively feeling to it. Cold pressed style paddles are known for feeling softer and then when you combine it with a widebody shape like this it can feel extremely soft which is fine for indoor play but during hot summer days outside it makes the paddle feel soft and marshmallowy. The layer of fiberglass keeps it from getting overly soft.
You have to mention that the paddle only costs $90 after discount which is extremely low and makes the paddle very attractive. I feel like it’s underpriced. I can’t think of a better widebody paddle than this one at this price point and see myself recommending this one often.
How is the paddle so cheap? It’s cheaper for a few reasons. One, it’s not thermoformed which is more cost effective to make. Two, 11SIX24 is a smaller, direct to consumer brand so they don’t have to increase their margins to make money from wholesale deals. And three, 11SIX24 is just flat out making less money per sale as a way to develop a competitive edge on their competition. They aren’t skimping out with cheaper materials or anything, they are just able to cut costs with the things mentioned above.
Who is it good for? If you are seeking your first performance-level paddle to enhance your control and spin potential while keeping the cost under $100, consider choosing either this one or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash. They are both very good control paddles regardless of price. Additionally, if you are a seasoned player who values control, forgiveness, hand speed, and a plush feel, you will appreciate this paddle as well.
(Get $10 off with code 10EFFECT)
Is 5.75" Handle Length Too Long?
The 5.75” handle length may sound long, but it doesn’t feel overly long and is similar to other widebodies with 5.5” handle lengths, such as the Volair Mach 2, PIKKL Hurricane, and Ronbus R2. When compared side by side, the Monarch All Court paddle does appear a hair longer than these paddles though nothing drastic. This is all to say while I like that it’s longer in general, I don’t feel like it adds to or takes away anything when compared to paddles with 5.5″ handle lengths.
Should You Play With A Widebody Shape?
Lately, I’ve found myself gravitating towards widebody paddle shapes. They offer a softer feedback that is more forgiving which comes into play a lot for amateur players like myself. Additionally, they tend to be lighter and more maneuverable than longer paddles. With the increasing availability of widebody paddles in different handle lengths and performance profiles, there are now more options to choose from. While hybrid and elongated shapes are more common, I believe that more people should consider trying out widebody paddles. By opting for a widebody paddle, you can enjoy increased forgiveness and paddle speed, though it may come at the expense of some reach. Ultimately, I believe that this trade-off benefits more players than it hinders.
If you’ve never used a widebody paddle before, it may take about a week to adjust to the shorter length. So if you decide to try one out, be sure to give yourself some time before determining whether it’s the right fit for you.
Final Thoughts
I was a fan of the Monarch All-Court and Jelly Bean and will be recommending them to players when it makes sense. 11SIX24 did a good job of differentiating these with their performance and price. I suspect we’ll continue to see 11SIX24 continue to grow their market share and catalog.
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If you think 11SIX24 has the right paddle for you, pick one up with the code 10EFFECT for $10 off your purchase.
Shop 11SIX24Braydon competes at the 5.0 level and plays in 5-10 tournaments a year. He plays/drills 3 to 4 times a week and would play more if time allowed it.
