Article: JOOLA Pro V Full Lineup Review: Is This the Best Paddle Family of the Year?
JOOLA Pro V Full Lineup Review: Is This the Best Paddle Family of the Year?
The JOOLA Pro IV was one of the best-selling paddle families of last year.
The question with the Pro V wasn't whether people would be interested — it was whether JOOLA could improve on something that was already working.
Having hit every paddle in the lineup: yes. And in some cases, by more than we expected.
What Changed: The Linear Flex Mechanism
Every paddle in the Pro V lineup shares one key innovation. Previous generations used either a trampoline effect (center face compression) or a diving board effect (full face flex back and forth). The Pro V does neither.
JOOLA's new linear flex moves the entire paddle face forward as a unit — no bowing, no tip deflection. The result is a more consistent angle at contact and a distinct snap through the ball rather than that whippy, diving-board sensation. You feel the difference immediately.
They also kept the Gen 3 honeycomb core rather than moving to Gen 4 — a deliberate choice, given that Gen 4 manufacturing consistency is still being figured out industry-wide. And they've added a carbon fiber shield where the foam meets the honeycomb at the top of the paddle, directly addressing the core crushing that plagued the Pro IV.
Ben Johns Perseus 16mm — The One to Start With
The Pro IV Perseus 16 was too stiff for a lot of players. The Pro V version fixes that — noticeably less stiff, with the linear flex giving it a snappy, consistent feel that the Pro IV lacked. Ball shaping is excellent, the drive-to-drop transition is smooth, and it plays well completely stock. JOOLA also shipped it slightly lighter than the Pro IV, leaving room to weight it up if you want more plow-through.
Who it's for: Elongated paddle players who want power, spin, and a forgiving feel right out of the box.
Ben Johns Perseus 14mm — More Power, Less Forgiveness
A meaningful improvement over the Pro IV version, which was genuinely hard to recommend. The sweet spot is larger, power is more accessible, and the drive-drop transition is cleaner. That said, it's still a 14mm — stiffer and less forgiving than the 16mm, with more plow-through than snap.
Who it's for: Players who specifically want a light, stiff, high-power elongated paddle. If the 14mm category isn't already your preference, start with the 16.
JOOLA Agassi 16mm — The Surprise of the Lineup
The Agassi wasn't on many people's radar — and it probably should be. It's an elongated paddle with a tennis-influenced throat shape and noticeably more dwell time than the Perseus. Drops are significantly easier, control on touch shots is excellent, and power is still fully there. The wider throat takes some adjustment if you're coming from a conventional paddle, but for tennis converts it's the most natural-feeling option in the lineup.
Who it's for: Tennis players crossing over to pickleball, and Perseus users who want more dwell and control without losing power.
Anna Bright Scorpius 14mm — Wide Body Done Right
The Scorpius was the standout of the Pro IV lineup, and the Pro V builds on it. Massive sweet spot for a 14mm — it plays closer to a 16mm in feel and forgiveness. Touch, dwell, and spin are all excellent. The trade-off is outright power; wide body geometry produces less whip than elongated, which is physics, not a flaw. Thinner handle than the Colin Johns version.
Who it's for: Net-dominant players who prioritize consistency and touch. Anyone who liked the Pro IV Scorpius.
Colin Johns Scorpius 16mm — Nearly Identical, Slightly More Dwell
Plays very similarly to the Anna Bright 14mm. The 16mm core adds marginally more dwell and slightly less pop — a subtler difference than the 14/16 split on the Perseus. The main differentiator is the thicker handle, which matters a lot to players who find standard pickleball grips too thin.
Who it's for: Wide body players who want a thicker handle or a marginally softer feel than the Anna Bright.
JOOLA Kosmos 14mm — A Genuinely New Shape
JOOLA's first true hybrid shape — wider than elongated, more tapered than wide body. Tyson McGuffin's pro model. Stiff as you'd expect from 14mm, but with a dwell quality that makes the ball feel like it loads into the face rather than bouncing off it. Quick in hand, stable on drives, solid spin — not at the ceiling of an RPM Friction Pro, but genuinely good.
Who it's for: Players who've never felt fully at home in either elongated or wide body. Anyone who wants a quick, net-friendly paddle that still holds up at the baseline.
JOOLA Kosmos 16mm — Top of the Bag
Federico Staksrud's pro model, and arguably the best paddle in the lineup. More compression than the 14mm — the ball loads noticeably deeper into the face. Power is effortless, the transition to soft touch is instantaneous, and the contact feels the same every single time. That consistency is what builds confidence quickly. Ships light enough to add tape if you want, but plays well enough stock that you don't need to.
Who it's for: Players who want the most complete paddle in the Pro V family. Our current top pick.
The Bottom Line
| Paddle | Best For |
|---|---|
| Perseus 16mm | Power + feel, stock-ready elongated |
| Perseus 14mm | Stiff, light, high-power elongated |
| Agassi 16mm | Tennis converts, more dwell than Perseus |
| Scorpius 14mm (Anna Bright) | Touch, consistency, thin handle |
| Scorpius 16mm (Colin Johns) | Wide body with a thicker handle |
| Kosmos 14mm | Hybrid shape, quick hands |
| Kosmos 16mm | Most complete paddle in the lineup |
The Pro V is the best thing JOOLA has released. The linear flex mechanism makes every paddle more consistent than its predecessor, and the carbon fiber core reinforcement directly addresses the Pro IV's durability problems. There isn't a bad option in the family — but the Kosmos 16 is where we'd start.
All JOOLA Pro V paddles are available at Ontario Pickleball Academy. Our coaches have court time on every model and can help you find the right fit before you commit.
