JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV - pickleball paddle review

If you're a JOOLA fan, or a power player, you'll want to hear about the latest paddle in Ben Johns' signature Perseus line. As with any new JOOLA and Ben Johns release, this is one of the most hyped paddles right now.

I'm really excited to share my thoughts after testing it for myself. Read my JOOLA Perseus Pro IV review to see if it's worth $279.95 and if it finally solves the issues plaguing recent JOOLA paddles.

The JOOLA Perseus Pro IV is built for bangers. This elongated paddle replaces the JOOLA Perseus 3 and Perseus Mod-TA 15, which were delisted by USA Pickleball for "illegal" levels of power. JOOLA managed to keep their propulsion core tech here, so the Pro IV has the same explosive power and pop while staying legal for tournaments.

It's also one of the best spin paddles I've used. Spin is almost as good as the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C's but it's more than enough to keep your opponents off balance. It's surprisingly forgiving too (even more than the JOOLA Perseus 3) thanks to the added foam near the throat which gives a consistent bounce.

Watch my first thoughts here:

The paddle's power is a double-edged sword. While it's great for attacking, it makes it easy to overhit the ball. If you can keep your angles low and disciplined, you'll be rewarded. However, it can be punishing for those who tend to hit flat, especially the 14 mm model. If you struggle with pop, check my list of the best control paddles.

This comes with a premium price tag ($279.95), but it's 100% worth it for the right player. It's built for higher-level players who are more adept at controlling pop and who are used to optimizing their paddles with tape.

If you're new to pickleball, I'd recommend a beginner pickleball paddle first. If you're a banger, though, this is a serious contender. It's one of the most explosive paddles (while still being legal), and a great choice for tournaments too.

The Perseus has a sleek, modern design with a professional look. It looks like a high-end paddle, which matches its premium price tag. It stays clean too and doesn't collect dust as easily as some other carbon fiber paddles.

It has an elongated shape and comes in two models: 14 mm and 16 mm. Both feel well-balanced and not too head-heavy, which makes them comfortable to swing, with minimal wrist strain. The 14 mm doesn't have much cushion, so try the 16 mm for a softer feel with more dwell time.

Let's dive into the main features.

JOOLA claims that the TFP tech optimizes weight distribution, increasing the paddle's flexibility for better precision and control. While I don't feel a massive difference in flexibility, the weight does feel well-balanced, preventing the paddle from being too head-heavy.

This helps with reaction speed at the kitchen. However, I still have to adjust my angles to keep powerful shots from flying long.

The CFS is designed to increase spin, and it does a solid job at gripping the ball. Topspin drives feel like they have a solid downward bite to them, and I can generate enough spin to shape my serves and passing shots effectively.

It's not quite as spin-friendly as the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C or Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0, but it's on a par with most power paddles.

The propulsion core is a standout feature. The added foam is meant to help store and release energy more efficiently, similar to how a tennis racket's string bed flexes. I can confirm it works—the power is 10/10.

This gives you extra power, especially when swinging aggressively on drives and counters. The paddle really feels explosive when attacking.

The 16 mm version has slightly more controlled power, but the 14 mm excels in pop and explosiveness. It's great for aggressive baseliners and players who like to drive the ball. I can generate heavy, deep serves that force weak returns, giving me easy opportunities to attack.

Third-shot drives feel crisp and fast, especially when combined with topspin. The power and spin combo makes driving easy, and shake-and-bake strategies are extremely effective as both the drives and putaways have plenty of pop.

With so much pop on this paddle, I can flick speed-ups past my opponents with minimal effort, using just my wrist to generate surprising pace. The responsiveness of the core allows me to counter aggressive attacks with quick, compact movements. However, it did take some control adjustments to keep my counters from sailing long.

The control is solid for a power paddle but it's not as easy to finesse shots as with a paddle like the Selkirk 008. At the start, I found myself occasionally sending drives and counters past the baseline if I wasn't fully controlling my swing.

My third-shot drops and resets into the kitchen took extra practice to keep them low, and dinking isn't as seamless as with paddles that have more dwell time.

However, with proper technique, you can still play a solid soft game. I learned to adjust the angle of my paddle more than usual on touch shots to keep them low and controlled at the kitchen.

I'm impressed with the spin here, despite the 14 mm model not having the longest dwell time. I like to hit looping drops with a lot of topspin and I can shape the ball well with this paddle. Whether I'm slicing a drop shot, or rolling a two-handed backhand dink, I can get the ball spinning really well.

On my drives, I can load up on topspin and dip the ball sharply at my opponent's feet, making it tough for them to return with control. My serves also have great shape, allowing me to hit deep, kicking topspin serves.

The foam edge boosts this paddle's forgiveness, and it's more forgiving than some of the top power paddles like the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power Elongated. There are slight dead spots near the handle and these are more noticeable because the paddle hits so hard.

When you get a full swing in but the ball doesn't fly off (because you missed the sweet spot), it's surprising. Overall, though, the ball reacts predictably across most of the hitting surface.

This paddle feels well balanced. It's a very average weight and feels comfortable while swinging.

It's not the lightest or most aerodynamic paddle I've tested, but I like that it can hit hard without having to be super head-heavy. It doesn't require a huge backswing to generate pace, which makes it feel efficient during play.

The grip is comfortable, sweat-resistant, and with a good amount of cushioning. It's long enough for two-handed backhands and skinny enough to not feel too bulky in my hand.

This paddle shows no immediate signs of wear, but JOOLA paddles with propulsion cores have a history of breaking down over time. Time will tell if this one holds up better.

This paddle is fast enough for me to feel confident in hand battles. It flies through the air quickly enough to cover a lot of the court and be an aggressive poacher of pop-ups.

If I were to play with this long term, I'd add weight to the throat and sides of the paddle to give it more control. The base paddle is light enough to do that without worrying about it being too slow or having too much drag.

At $279.95, the Perseus Pro IV is a big investment. It's one of the best power paddles available, and is ideal for intermediate to advanced players who play with an aggressive style and want easy access to power and spin.

If you like to drive the ball from the baseline, attack at the kitchen, and use speed-ups as a weapon, this paddle will help you execute those strategies effectively.

Tennis players transitioning to pickleball will also like the feel of this paddle, as the power and spin capabilities make it easy to replicate a heavy topspin game. The Perseus Pro IV is also a great option if you're after a paddle that maximizes power but still has a bit of forgiveness.

However, if you want something that blends power with better touch and finesse, you might prefer the Six Zero DBD Control or Paddletek ESQ-C. Beginners and early intermediates should try softer paddles like the PIKKL Hurricane Pro or 11SIX24 Pegasus Jelly Bean.

My main concern here is durability. While the "Propulsion Core" gives this a lively feel, there's always a risk of delamination over time, which could impact long-term value. If durability holds up, then the price is justified. If not, there are cheaper power-focused alternatives that might be a safer bet.

If the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV isn't for you, here are some other paddles I recommend:

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