JOOLA released the Pro V collection on March 3, 2026 at $299, replacing the Pro IV as the flagship. The most useful review of it, from the lab that measured both, concludes you should probably buy the Pro IV.
That is not a contrarian take we are manufacturing for attention. It is Chris Olson at Pickleball Studio, who rated the Perseus Pro V 6 out of 10 and wrote that this “might be the first time that I recommend most people buy the older model over the new one.” When the paddle costs $299 and the model it replaces sells for $229 to $250, that is worth understanding before you spend.
How we sourced this: we have not played the Pro V. What follows synthesizes published measurements and reviews from Pickleball Studio and Matt’s Pickleball, plus JOOLA’s own release details. Every figure is attributed. Nothing here is our own on-court testing.
What the measurements say
Pickleball Studio measured the four main Pro V shapes on the same equipment, which makes the comparison between them meaningful.
| Pickleball Studio measurements | Perseus 16mm | Scorpeus 16mm | Scorpeus 14mm | Kosmos 16mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Static weight | 8.04 oz | 8.05 oz | 7.87 oz | 8.11 oz |
| Swing weight | 116 | 111.7 | 111.1 | 114 |
| Twist weight | 6.04 | 7.03 | 6.76 | 6.53 |
| Balance | 242 mm | 236 mm | 234 mm | 241 mm |
| Spin | 2170 RPM | 2102 RPM | 2124 RPM | 2188 RPM |
| Price | $299 | $299.99 | $299.99 | $299 |
Matt’s Pickleball, testing separately, measured the Perseus Pro V 14mm at 2289 RPM of spin, 60.4 MPH and 7.88 oz static. As always, treat spin figures as a ranking within one tester’s own set rather than a portable absolute – the rigs differ and so do the numbers.
Two things jump out of that table, and neither is in JOOLA’s marketing.
The Perseus has the lowest twist weight in the line at 6.04. The Scorpeus is a full point higher at 7.03. That is a large gap, and it means the Scorpeus is meaningfully more forgiving on off-centre contact while costing the same money. If you have been buying Perseus because it is the name you know, the Scorpeus is probably the better paddle for you.
The Perseus also has the highest swing weight at 116. Combined with the lowest twist weight, that is a demanding combination: slower to get into position and less forgiving when you get there late. It is a paddle for players who are already hitting the middle of the face consistently. We wrote a full explainer on what swing weight and twist weight actually change if those numbers are new to you.
Why the lab says buy the old one
Olson’s assessment is that the Pro V is “one of the smallest iterations” a major brand has shipped, and “more like a lateral change” than an upgrade. The specifics:
- Power is essentially unchanged. Described as “very, very similar” to the Pro IV.
- The feel is softer – the main real difference – but the gap narrows significantly after break-in.
- The new KineticFrame throat flex did not deliver. Olson reports no noticeable accuracy improvement in testing.
- Core crushing remains a concern on this construction.
Worth being precise about generations here, because JOOLA’s own naming misleads. Pickleball Studio classifies the Pro IV as a Gen 3 paddle – polymer honeycomb with dual-layer foam – despite the marketing implying otherwise. The Pro V does not change that underlying category. You are paying a flagship price for an iteration, not a new platform.
The two people who should buy it anyway
Olson names two, and they are worth repeating because they are real:
- You want the Kosmos shape. It is JOOLA’s new hybrid, it does not exist in the Pro IV line, and at 114 swing weight with 6.53 twist weight it is a more balanced paddle than the Perseus. If the shape is what you are after, the Pro V is the only way to get it.
- You already like the Pro IV and want it softer. That is the one genuine improvement, and if plush feel is what you have been missing, this delivers it.
Everyone else is paying roughly $50 to $70 for a softer feel that partly disappears once the paddle breaks in.
Which shape, if you are buying
Kosmos 16mm – the sensible default. 114 swing weight, 6.53 twist weight, the most balanced numbers in the line. Don’t buy it if you specifically need the extra reach of an elongated shape.
Scorpeus 16mm – the forgiving one. 7.03 twist weight is the highest here by a clear margin and the swing weight is lower than the Perseus. For most players below 4.5 this is the better paddle regardless of what the pros use. Don’t buy it if you want maximum reach.
Perseus 16mm – the signature shape and the most demanding. Highest swing weight, lowest twist weight. Don’t buy it if your contact is not already consistent, and do not buy it just because it is the famous one.
Scorpeus 14mm – thinner core, marginally lower swing weight, less forgiving than the 16mm. Don’t buy it if you are unsure about 14mm; the 16mm is the safer purchase for nearly everyone.
Our guide to paddle shapes and what each one does covers the underlying trade, and if you are not sure which bracket you are in, the skill ratings explainer is the fastest honest check.
Two alternatives worth comparing
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV – around $229 to $250. The paddle this replaces, and the one the lab that tested both actually recommends. The trade: a firmer feel, and you are buying a model that is now the step-down line, so long-term availability is less certain.
Six Zero Coral 16mm – $200. A foam-core all-court paddle at a hundred dollars less, USA Pickleball approved, and rated at or near the top of most 2026 lists. The trade: a different feel entirely, and none of the JOOLA warranty support. But at $99 saved against a paddle the lab calls a lateral move, it deserves the comparison.
If $299 was never realistic, our guide to paddles under $100 covers what is genuinely worth buying at the other end, including the honest note that several only reach that price with a discount code.
Before you buy any flagship
Check it is legal where you play. Certification and tournament eligibility are two different questions in 2026, and a paddle being sold everywhere does not mean it is approved for the events you enter. We keep the current picture on our paddle certification page, and it is worth a look against the official list before any tournament entry.
Worth noting too that the Perseus is the signature line associated with Ben Johns, and signature association tells you nothing about whether a paddle suits your game. The measurements above are more useful than the endorsement.
Where to buy
JOOLA sells direct and the line is widely stocked. Amazon carries it, though listings mix the Pro IV and Pro V and the thickness options freely – check the model and the millimetre figure on the listing before ordering, because a Pro IV at Pro V pricing is a common trap.
If the older model is the smarter buy, price-check the Perseus Pro IV and the Six Zero Coral against it.
The short version
The Pro V is a good paddle and a poor upgrade. The measurements sit inside touching distance of the model it replaces, the one genuinely new feature did not show up in independent testing, and the lab that measured both says buy the older one. If you want the Kosmos shape or you specifically want a softer Pro IV, buy it. Otherwise the Pro IV at $229 or a Coral at $200 will serve you better, and the difference buys a lot of court time.
Prices and certification status change. Last verified August 31, 2026.
How we review gear — including how we get the paddles we test and what the money never touches — is documented in our review methodology.