The JOOLA Perseus Pro V paddle is a 16mm elongated pickleball paddle made specifically for high-level and competitive players who need reach, power, spin potential, and touch to handle those soft shots. As part of the JOOLA Pro V family, it sits alongside the JOOLA Hyperion Pro V, but the Perseus keeps the straighter elongated profile that has long defined the line.
I took a while to get familiar with both of the signature versions, the Ben Johns model and the Simone Jardim model, and the overall performance profile remained consistent across the two. The main functional difference was the grip size, with the Ben Johns version sporting a bit of a fuller 4.25-inch grip and the Simone Jardim version using a slimmer 4.125-inch grip.
This review goes through how the JOOLA Perseus Pro V paddle performs on drives, serves, dinks, resets, volleys, counters and those tough defensive exchanges. I also get into how the Propulsion Core, KineticFrame, textured carbon fiber face, and Hyperfoam Edge Wall really make a difference in actual play rather than just listing them as features.
Key Takeaways
- The JOOLA Perseus Pro V combines an elongated 16.5-inch shape with a 16mm Propulsion Core for reach, leverage, and controlled power.
- Its textured carbon fiber face supports topspin drives, shaped serves, roll volleys, and controlled slices.
- The KineticFrame gives the throat a slimmer, more responsive structure that helps the paddle return energy and create purposeful acceleration.
- The Hyperfoam Edge Wall broadens the effective hitting area and helps off-center contact remain stable and predictable.
- Both signature versions share the same core dimensions, construction, weight range, and overall on-court character.
- The Ben Johns version suits players who prefer a slightly fuller grip, while the Simone Jardim version favors smaller hands or players who want a slimmer starting circumference.
- The elongated profile prioritizes reach and leverage rather than the broader face area associated with a widebody paddle.
First Impressions and Initial Feel
My first take on the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Paddle was that it felt substantial, but not clumsy. At 8.1 ounces, it had some nice mass behind it, making it steady on blocks and counters, yet still pretty easy to handle when I needed to move quick in the kitchen.
That extra 16.5-inch length is really noticeable. The extra length makes a big difference when trying to reach for a dink on the outside or cutting off a sharp angle with the ball. The 7.5-inch width keeps the shape elongated, and the smooth upper corners of the face make it feel really centered, rather than narrow.
For the first few games, the paddle just felt right when I let its construction do the work for me. I didn't need to try to muscle the ball for pace. Compact swings on counters and speed-ups still had oomph, while fuller swings from the baseline really opened up the leverage of the face.
The 16mm build also made the paddle really smooth in the soft game. Dinks and resets didn't feel disconnected from the power side of the paddle. The ball stayed under control when I went soft, and it just got more lively as I picked up speed. That range is what this paddle is all about.
I tried out both the 16mm Ben Johns and the 16mm Simone Jardim versions. Their performance was actually pretty close, because the shape, face, core, dimensions, handle length and average weight are all the same. The grip size was the only real difference you'd notice.
The Paddle: Design and Construction
The Perseus Pro V Paddle is your old-school paddle with a few performance upgrades. The face is carbon fiber, the core is JOOLA’s Propulsion Core, the throat has the KineticFrame, and the perimeter is reinforced with the Hyperfoam Edge Wall. It is not a full foam paddle or a true foam core design. The main core remains polymer honeycomb, with foam used around the perimeter.
The Propulsion Core is designed to bend and then snap back into place, rather than giving a flat hit. That means easier depth when driving from the baseline and quicker pace when countering at the kitchen. The ball comes off the face with a nice wallop, but the 16mm thickness gives it enough composure for touch shots.
The KineticFrame is in the throat, where the frame gets a bit slimmer and more responsive. JOOLA describes it as flexing to store momentum and release it on impact, and that makes a huge difference when you need to accelerate. On serves, drives, counters and roll volleys, the paddle just pops through contact with a crisp sense of energy transfer. And it is not just about speed. The paddle also feels more intentional because it responds clearly to changes in swing length and tempo.
The Hyperfoam Edge Wall is foam around the perimeter. Its job is to increase stability, create more forgiveness, and give you a bigger effective sweet spot. When you make contact just a little bit off-center, the face stays better supported, which helps off center hits remain on track. That is especially useful in hand battles, defensive blocks, and hurried transition-zone contacts where perfect prep is not always an option.
The textured carbon fiber face adds some extra grip and ball control. It gives you a nice ride on topspin, slices and rolls without changing the basic all-court identity of the paddle. The face texture is most useful when you're deliberately hitting the ball, brushing up on the back of a drive or roll volley produces a nice arc, while cutting under on a return creates some nice slice.
The 5.5-inch handle is big enough to do two-handed backhands, and it provides leverage for players who like to create spin with their wrist and forearm. It's long enough to fit modern stroke mechanics, but it doesn't make the paddle feel disconnected from those quick kitchen exchanges.
Baseline Drives and Serves
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V just feels natural for aggressive baseline play. The long shape gives you some nice leverage, and the Propulsion Core gives you a spring-like response that provides easier access to pace without demanding an oversized swing. On the court, the paddle’s performance really shone when making contact out in front and using a smooth motion that built up speed from low to high. The textured carbon fiber face was a big help in pulling the ball down into the court, while the longer frame provided enough reach to meet the ball before it popped up. I could swing harder when the point called for it, but I did not have to rely on a flat, all-out trajectory every time.
The paddle also did well when changing up the speed of the drive. A full swing got the ball down deep, but a more compact third-shot drive still had enough zip to put the other team's returner in a tough spot. That flexibility is especially important in doubles, because some drives don't need to be all-out finishing shots. Sometimes you just want to force a bad volley and set yourself up for an easy fifth shot.
Serves benefited from the same combination of leverage and spin that made the paddle so effective for drives. Topspin serves had a nice balance of net clearance and a late dip that kept the ball dropping just short of the service line, while slice serves were easy to shape because the face stayed connected with the ball through contact. The paddle's 8.1 oz weight was just heavy enough to get the ball deep without making the serve feel like a chore.
The Ben Johns and Simone Jardim versions of the paddle behaved the same from the baseline in my testing. The main difference was that the grip circumference changed how the paddle felt in my hand, but that didn't change the underlying power, spin, or how it launched the ball.
Kitchen Play: Dinks, Resets, and Volleys
At the kitchen, the 16mm core of the JOOLA Perseus Pro V gave me a nice balance of responsiveness and control. I didn't need to use a lot of arm to move the ball around, so my technique got rewarded for being compact.
On dinks, I was able to guide the ball with a short, controlled stroke, and the face did a great job of letting me know when I was hitting the ball just right. Cross-court dinks benefited from the long reach of the paddle, since I could get to the ball a little earlier or reach a little farther outside my body without giving up court position, and the rounded upper corners of the paddle made it feel natural when I hit the ball near the end of the face.
The Propulsion Core did poke its head up a few times, but it was easy to manage with relaxed hands. When I kept my grip light, the paddle supported soft placement and controlled depth, but when I firmed up at contact, it had enough oomph to turn a dink into a more assertive shot.
Resets were helped out by the 16mm thickness and the perimeter foam. During transition play, I could absorb pace with a compact face angle and redirect the ball into the kitchen. The Hyperfoam Edge Wall was a big help when the ball hit the paddle slightly toward the edge, since it stayed stable enough to keep the reset on a controlled path.
Volleys carried good depth with a minimum of effort. Punch volleys felt solid, and roll volleys benefited from the carbon texture. During fast exchanges, the paddle's 8.1 oz weight gave it enough stability to avoid feeling easily knocked off course at contact.
The shape of the paddle was also a big help at the kitchen. It gave me a little extra reach to snag balls that would have otherwise sailed by, and that was really valuable when I was holding my own during a fast rally.
Transitions Between Offense and Defense
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm is really, really good at moving between offense and defense. It can create pace when I need it, but it's not so eager to force every rally that way.
When I was defending from the transition zone, the paddle gave me enough stability to block hard shots and enough touch to drop the ball short. The 16mm core gave the face a nice, controlled response, while the Hyperfoam Edge Wall helped keep consistency even when I wasn't perfectly on point at contact.
Once the rally got neutral, the KineticFrame and Propulsion Core made it easy to switch up my game. A compact counter could redirect incoming speed, and a little longer motion could turn a floating ball into an attacking shot. The paddle responded to my swing intent without requiring a major mechanical adjustment. It just flowed right along with me.
That adaptability really paid off in hands battles too. On the first defensive contact, I could use a quiet face to absorb pace, and on the next ball, I could accelerate through a counter and create pressure. The paddle's ability to support both actions makes it a great fit for all-court players who don't want to choose between a soft paddle and a power paddle.
Spin and Ball Interaction
The textured carbon fiber face gives the JOOLA Perseus Pro V a bunch of spin potential across several shot types. It's most apparent when I'm swinging with a bit of angle rather than straight at the ball.
On topspin drives, the face helped create a higher safety window over the net while still bringing the ball down inside the baseline, which let me swing with commitment and use shape to control depth. The elongated frame also made upper-face contact more productive, which was useful for me since I naturally contact the ball a bit farther from the handle.
Roll volleys were another strong application of this Joola paddle. A compact, upward motion was just what was needed to get enough rotation on the ball to lift it over the net and bring it down, right onto the opponent's feet. That shot's particularly useful when you're going up against a dink that's a bit too high to put away flat.
Slices stayed under control, not floating unpredictably like on some other paddles. On returns, the face made it easy to cut under the ball and keep the trajectory low. On defensive volleys, a light slice took pace off the shot and changed the rhythm of the rally.
The 5.5-inch handle also helps with spin production. It gives you room for that second-hand backhand player, while one-handed players can use the length of the handle for added leverage. Between the face texture and the handle design, this paddle gives skilled players a lot of ways to shape the ball.
Stability, Sweet Spot, and Forgiveness
The Hyperfoam Edge Wall is the key to the paddle's consistency. By reinforcing the outside edge, it makes the usable sweet spot feel bigger and helps the face stay stable, even when contact is off center. In my testing, the Pro V's effective sweet spot felt a little larger and more settled than the Pro IV, giving it more forgiveness on off center hits. The JOOLA Perseus Pro IV already performs well on off-center hits because its TechFlex Power construction and optimized weight distribution support the face, but the Pro V's softer impact feel made imperfect contact feel especially solid and predictable.
When you're playing in the kitchen and the points are coming at you fast, this stability really shows up. Even if you have to reach for a shot and make contact near the edge of the face, the ball still goes in a predictable direction, making it a lot easier to stay in the point.
Same thing goes for shots in the transition zone. You're often reaching, moving, or changing direction on a defensive shot. And in those situations, the paddle's perimeter support really helps to preserve control and keep the ball from flying long or high.
The elongated shape of this paddle naturally gives it a lot of reach, and the Hyperfoam Edge Wall complements that by giving the face more support all around its edge. That means it feels more accommodating than it would looking at just the 7.5-inch width might suggest.
The 8.1-ounce average weight also helps to keep things stable. There's enough mass behind the face to handle fast incoming pace on counters and volleys, but it's still light enough for doubles play.
Forgiveness on this paddle is more about being consistent than automatically correcting bad shots. Good technique still matters, but the paddle does give you a bit of a safety net when things get tough.
Comfort, Weight, and Feel
Both versions weigh an average of 8.1 ounces and have a perforated, cushioned grip, and over longer sessions, the paddle just feels solid and comfortable in your hand. The weight has some substance to it, without requiring lots of effort to get depth.
The 5.5-inch handle gives you room to adjust your hand position. Choke up a bit to get quickness in the kitchen, or hold on tighter to get more leverage for serves and drives. And two-handed backhand players get a nice space for their supporting hand.
The main difference in comfort between the two models is the grip circumference. The Ben Johns version has a 4.25-inch circumference, while the Simone Jardim version is 4.125.
The Ben Johns grip felt a bit fuller in my hand. It's good for a secure, planted hold, and doesn't require as much build-up if you already like a 4.25-inch grip. The Simone Jardim grip feels slimmer, and gives players a bit more freedom with grip changes if they like that or have smaller hands.
Either way, both grips are cushioned and perforated, so they're both pretty comfortable. It's really just a matter of hand size and what you prefer, rather than any difference in the paddle itself.
The elongated frame does give a bit of an extension feel, but the paddle still feels balanced enough for mixed shot selection. It's real natural in the hands of a player who likes a lot of reach and leverage, but still wants to be able to control things over long sessions.
Ben Johns vs. Simone Jardim Versions
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns and the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim paddles are basically the same thing, built on the same 16mm platform. They are both 16.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide and have the same features: textured carbon fiber face, Propulsion Core, KineticFrame, Hyperfoam Edge Wall, 5.5-inch handle, edge guard, and an average weight of 8.1 ounces.
So, the two paddles have the same playing profile. They're both about reach, responsive power, spin access, perimeter stability, and controlled kitchen play.
Colorways and Included Accessories
For shoppers searching for a pickleball paddle with black face styling, the JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro V pairs a black carbon face with a Blaze Red edge guard and a white handle. That makes it a pickleball paddle with red perimeter detail and, more specifically, a paddle with red edge styling. The Simone Jardim JOOLA Perseus Pro V keeps the paddle with black surface and white handle but changes the perimeter to Breeze Blue, creating a black face and blue edge guard. Both versions arrive with paddle edge guard tape and an overgrip, so the box includes the practical guard tape and grip accessories needed to protect and customize the paddle.
JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns
The Ben Johns version uses a 4.25-inch grip circumference and comes in a pretty snazzy Blaze Red. The fuller handle makes it a better fit for players who like more material in the hand, or who already use a 4.25-inch grip without adding extra overgrip.
On the court, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns Paddle felt stable and secure in just about every situation. Full drives, counters, and firmer volleys were all handled with ease. The grip gave me a real secure connection with the handle, which seemed to pair perfectly with the paddle's leverage and stable surface.
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V Ben Johns Pickleball Paddle is the better bet for anyone with medium-to-large hands, or for players who prefer a grip that feels fuller right out of the box.
JOOLA Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim has a 4.125-inch grip circumference and comes in a pretty blue color called Breeze Blue. The slim handle gives players a bit more room to get creative with grip size by adding an overgrip and will probably feel more natural for anyone with smaller hands.
When I was actually playing with the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim Paddle, changing grip felt super easy and I never felt cramped or restricted. The paddle allowed for nice wrist movement on rolls, slices and shaped serves, and the underlying response was the same as the Ben Johns version.
The Perseus Pro V Simone Jardim Paddle is a good starting point if you prefer a thinner grip, or you like to customize with an overgrip. It doesn't sacrifice any of the core performance qualities of the series.
Which Signature Version Should You Choose?
If you like a 4.25-inch grip and a Blaze Red finish, go with the Ben Johns version. If you prefer a 4.125-inch grip and Breeze Blue, go with the Simone Jardim version.
To be honest, there's not really any reason to choose one over the other when it comes to power, control, spin, forgiveness or stability. The performance is shared between the two. Hand fit is really the deciding factor.
Who the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Is Good For
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V is suited for advanced intermediate, advanced and competitive players who use a modern all-court style. Think drive from the back, volley at the service line and then just chop and change and see what happens. It's also great for players who can rely on nice shots to set up their next move.
Players who like to drive from the baseline will really love the JOOLA Perseus Pro. The paddle can help you hit deep serves and shaped drives, and you should be able to get in early and take control of the ball.
All-court doubles players will also find it a great match. The paddle can soak up pace in transition, redirect speed in the kitchen, and produce nice, controlled touch when the game slows down.
Two-handed backhand players will appreciate the 5 1/2-inch handle. It gives you a bit more room to get your second hand in without sacrificing any of the paddle's reach.
Players who focus on control but still want a bit of pace will also find it pretty useful. The 16mm thickness, perimeter foam and manageable response help with soft shots, while the Propulsion Core gives you extra oomph when you need it.
But if you're built for a very wide face, a super short handle or super lightweight, then you might want to look at a different paddle. This one is designed for reach, leverage, and a balanced all-court game.
Final Thoughts
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V Pickleball Paddle is all about reach, spin and accessible power. It is a straight-up performance paddle and a polished JOOLA Pro option. The 16mm Propulsion Core gives it a lively feel, the KineticFrame helps with speed, and the textured face helps to shape the ball. The Hyperfoam Edge Wall also helps with stability across the whole face.
In actual play, these elements all work together rather than feeling like separate bits of kit. Drives have pace and shape, dinks stay controlled even when you're not trying too hard, resets get a bit extra oomph from the thicker core and perimeter support, counters feel solid, and roll volleys take advantage of that nice long handle.
The Ben Johns and Simone Jardim versions are pretty much identical in terms of performance. The choice is really just between a 4.25-inch grip and a 4.125-inch grip, or a Blaze Red and Breeze Blue finish.
Players who think a professional paddle should have balanced power, reliable touch, spin potential, and a bit of forgiveness should take a close look at the JOOLA Perseus Pro V. Whether it is the best paddle for you depends on your hand fit and ability to generate swing speed, but it is especially good for competitive players who want one paddle to handle everything from aggressive baseline games to quick exchanges in the kitchen to rapid transitions between defense and offence.
FAQs About the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Pickleball Paddle
Is the JOOLA Perseus Pro V a Power Paddle or a Control Paddle?
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V is an all-court paddle that blends responsive power with 16mm control. The Propulsion Core helps generate pace, while the core thickness and Hyperfoam Edge Wall support dinks, drops, resets, and stable blocks. Compared with the Pro IV, the Pro V has a softer, more controlled response and rewards players who create their own swing speed.
What Is the Difference Between the Ben Johns and Simone Jardim Versions?
The primary differences are grip circumference and color. The Ben Johns version has a 4.25-inch grip and Blaze Red finish, while the Simone Jardim version has a 4.125-inch grip and Breeze Blue finish. Their shape, dimensions, face, core, handle length, average weight, and performance construction are the same.
Is the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Good for Spin?
Yes. Its textured carbon fiber face supports topspin drives, shaped serves, roll volleys, slices, and other spin-based shots. The 5.5-inch handle also gives players leverage for wrist, forearm, and two-handed backhand mechanics.
How Forgiving Is the Perseus Pro V Paddle?
The Hyperfoam Edge Wall reinforces the perimeter and broadens the effective hitting area. Off-center contact remains more stable and predictable, which is useful during fast exchanges, defensive blocks, and transition-zone resets. The Pro V felt like it offered more forgiveness and a slightly larger usable sweet spot than the Pro IV, although the difference is more about consistency and solid feedback than an enormous change in face size.
Is the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Suitable for Two-Handed Backhands?
Yes. The 5.5-inch handle provides enough room for many players to use a supporting hand comfortably. The elongated shape also adds reach and leverage on two-handed drives and counters.
Which Grip Size Should I Choose?
Choose the 4.25-inch Ben Johns grip if you prefer a slightly fuller handle. Choose the 4.125-inch Simone Jardim grip if you have smaller hands, prefer a slimmer circumference, or want room to build up the handle with an overgrip.
Is the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Approved for Tournament Play?
Yes. According to the supplied paddle information, both versions are USAP approved and UPA-A certified.
What Type of Player Gets the Most from the JOOLA Perseus Pro V?
The paddle best suits advanced intermediate through competitive players who value elongated reach, spin, responsive power, and enough touch for a complete doubles game. It is particularly well matched to aggressive all-court players who transition frequently between baseline pressure, kitchen control, and fast countering.
What Does the JOOLA Perseus Pro V Cost?
The JOOLA Perseus Pro V costs $299.95, which is generally rounded to $300. Last year’s Pro IV launched at $279.95, so the Pro V is about $20 more and is the most expensive Perseus version so far. Depending on the retailer and generation, a JOOLA pro-level paddle in this family is often priced between $250 and $300.
How Does the Pro V Compare with the Pro IV and Original JOOLA Gen 3?
The Pro V offers a softer, more muted feel than the Pro IV and a more predictable response. In my hands, the effective sweet spot felt larger and more stable, although some testers have found the sweet-spot size similar and mainly noticed the softer feedback. The Pro IV pickleball paddle delivers easier pop, while the Pro V asks you to swing harder to unlock its top-end pace. The Pro V is also less automatically powerful than the original JOOLA Gen 3, but it gives skilled players better control over how that pace is delivered.
How Does the Perseus Pro V Compare with the Perseus Pro IV?
The JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm pickleball paddle is the previous-generation model. Its familiar appearance combines a white edge guard and black surface with a white handle, creating the black-surface, white-edge-guard look associated with the Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV. The white edge guard 16mm model may also be listed as the Perseus Pro IV pickleball paddle or Johns Perseus Pro IV. Its TechFlex Power construction and optimized weight distribution provide a solid feel and better performance on off-center hits, while the Pro V adds KineticFrame and a softer, more controlled impact sensation.
Is the Pro V a Foam Paddle, and What Changed for Durability?
No. The Perseus Pro V is not a full foam paddle. It uses a polymer honeycomb Propulsion Core with a Hyperfoam Edge Wall rather than a complete foam core. JOOLA reportedly added reinforcing layers over the honeycomb and tightened quality-control measures during manufacturing to improve durability compared with earlier Gen 3 designs. Long-term durability still depends on real-world use, but those changes directly address concerns about core crush.
What Does JOOLA’s Warranty Cover if the Paddle Develops Core Crush?
The Pro V includes a 12-month warranty when its NFC chip is registered within 14 days of purchase. Under JOOLA’s current policy, registered NFC paddles with the extended 12-month coverage can receive up to three replacement paddles for approved warranty defects. That can include a core crush issue if JOOLA validates it as a defect in materials or workmanship. Without the extended registration, the standard six-month warranty allows up to two replacements. Claims require JOOLA’s validation and the original proof of purchase.
How Does the Perseus Compare with JOOLA Hyperion Models?
The JOOLA Hyperion Pro V and the Hyperion Pro V pickleball paddle use the same Pro V technology family but have a different shape and balance from the Perseus. The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion Pro V 16mm pickleball paddle uses a white handle, blue and white edge guard, and black surface. That blue-and-white edge guard and black surface give it a different look from the Perseus Pro V’s red or blue perimeter. The Hyperion Pro IV pickleball paddle, also called the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion Pro IV or Ben Johns Hyperion Pro IV, belongs to the previous Pro IV generation. The older Hyperion CFS pickleball paddle uses an earlier construction and should not be confused with the Hyperion Pro V pickleball line.
What Are the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm Pickleball Paddle Specs?
The main 16mm pickleball paddle specs are a 16.5-inch length, 7.5-inch width, 5.5-inch handle, and an average weight of 8.1 ounces. The Ben Johns version has a 4.25-inch grip circumference, while the Simone Jardim version has a 4.125-inch grip. Both use the textured carbon fiber face, Propulsion Core, KineticFrame, and Hyperfoam Edge Wall.
Are There Less Expensive Alternatives to the Pro V?
Yes. Several strong performance paddles cost roughly $150 to $200, which is well below the Pro V’s $300 price. Some players have compared the Pro V’s performance with the Luzz Pro Cannon. That comparison is subjective, and the Pro V still has its own more refined feel, shape, and construction, but it shows that buyers have credible alternatives at lower prices.
