JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV review

If you've been waiting to hear about the newest JOOLA Pro IV paddles, my review is finally in. After testing these paddles early, I can now confirm that the widebody Scorpeus model is the standout in the series for me. It's so good that I'm already calling it my new favorite paddle.

While it's an expensive paddle at $279.95, it's a worthwhile investment for the right player. This is a premium all-court paddle that truly delivers. Read on for my honest JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV review.

If you want one of the best all-court paddles ever made, you'll like the new JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV. Lots of paddles claim to be all-court, but this is the real deal. Its balance of power, control, spin, and forgiveness is some of the best I've seen. It's my new favorite widebody paddle, taking the Paddletek Bantam ESQ-C's spot.

The Scorpeus offers the best spin of the JOOLA Gen 4 paddles, alongside the Agassi Pro. While it doesn't hit as hard as the JOOLA Magnus Pro IV, Hyperion, and Perseus, this is a powerful weapon. It's incredibly fast in hand battles, easy to maneuver, and is one of the most forgiving paddles for power I've seen.

At $279.99, the Scorpeus is as expensive as paddles get. That said, it's 100% worth the investment for the right player. It gives you a real all-court performance, it's made with the latest paddle tech, and it comes from one of the top brands. This is one of the most exciting releases in 2025.

Aside from the price, I only see two reasons why someone would choose a different paddle. Firstly, beginners will struggle with the pop – if you're less experienced, it can cause high balls that get slammed by your opponents.

Secondly, if you'd prefer a little more reach, try the hybrid Six Zero DBD or Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid paddles. For even more reach, check out the Gearbox GX2 Elongated or one of the elongated JOOLA Gen 4 paddles.

The Scorpeus Pro IV is the signature paddle of two of pickleball's biggest pro players: Anna Bright (14 mm model) and Collin Johns (16 mm model). This is far from just marketing, though. This is a top performance paddle. Let's dive into the main features.

This is JOOLA's newest proprietary tech. It's meant to help with weight distribution, paddle flexibility, increased sweet spot, and precision on touch shots. The only thing I'm not so sure about is the flexibility, but everything else checks out.

The surface grabs the ball well and gives you elite spin performance. Whether I'm hitting topspin, slice, or rolling dinks, I can shape the ball reliably.

The grit is built into the paddle, rather than sprayed on, so it should hold up well over time. The surface also provides a soft feel when trying to hit touch shots like dinks and drops.

This is what gives JOOLA paddles their signature pop. While the Scorpeus doesn't have the raw punch of the Paddletek Bantam TKO-C, the power it does have is easy to access and more consistent across different shot types. I can confidently flick, counter, and block because the paddle rebounds the ball with force.

While the Scorpeus isn't quite as explosive as the elongated JOOLA paddles, it still has plenty of power to finish points and drive the ball hard. Overheads, flicks, and counters come off the paddle with pace. It just takes a little more intent to hit with maximum force.

I find myself taking more compact, precise swings to get the most out of it, which makes me a better player overall. This paddle rewards clean mechanics over brute force, and when you hit it right, the power is absolutely there.

If you prioritize power above all else, you might notice the difference. However, the power will be more than enough for most players.

This is where the Scorpeus shines. It's not a pillow-soft Selkirk LUXX Control or Selkirk LABS Project 008, but it's still one of the best power/control blends in the game right now.

You can attack from anywhere while still being able to reset and play soft. My resets, drops, and dink battles are smoother and more consistent with this paddle than with most power paddles I've tested.

The wider shape helps slow the ball down just enough, and I never feel like I have to "baby" the ball to keep it soft. I can get more creative with angles and depth because the paddle gives me real feedback and feel on contact.

The Scorpeus (both the 14 and 16 mm models) has even better spin than the Perseus, Hyperion, and Magnus. I can get under the ball and shape it so well, sending it up and over the net to dip back down and stay in the court. This catches so many people off guard – they assume I can't keep my drives in the court when I start my contact so low beneath the net.

The slice is also really effective at causing unpredictable bounces, especially at the kitchen when I cut the ball with my backhand. The wider face makes it easier to find spin from tough angles, especially when pulled out wide or flicking from the middle.

This is the most forgiving paddle in the Pro IV series. The widebody shape, edge foam, and slightly shorter profile help create a massive, reliable sweet spot. I can hit off-center and still get a good ball.

I have way fewer mishits than with power paddles like the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Power Elongated, especially on quick counters and defensive stretches. The ball doesn't die if you miss slightly on the face, and the feel through contact stays consistent.

Defensive blocks, awkward counters, and last-second flicks all stay on target more often than not. The only way to miss badly is if you hit right at the paddle edges.

The Scorpeus swings fast, stays balanced, and doesn't feel head-heavy. I never feel late to a block or out of position because of the weight. It feels snappier than the Hyperion and a touch more stable than the Magnus, especially during quick exchanges.

The high twist weight makes it feel like you can be more aggressive with your shots, and you can swing fast without mishitting the ball. It's a very well-balanced build. If you wanted to improve the power level, you could add some lead tape without sacrificing hand speed.

The 5.25-inch grip is a little short for me, but not a deal breaker like the 5-inch grip on the Magnus. It's long enough for two-handers, but short enough to allow for a larger paddle face.

The slimmer grip circumference is really comfortable and lets me generate spin and flick shots with ease. It feels secure and tacky in the hand, and it doesn't get sweaty during long sessions.

So far, this paddle has held up just like the other Pro IV paddles. I've had no issues with surface wear or core breakdown. It performs like new even after hours of play.

I'll still be keeping an eye on the propulsion core over time, since JOOLA has had some issues with durability here in the past. If this series holds up better than previous generations, it could be JOOLA's most reliable offering.

The shorter, wider build helps this paddle stay quick in the hand. It cuts through the air better than most standard-shaped paddles with similar weights.

I can flick, counter, and block without feeling slowed down. I feel super confident in hand battles, too. Even defensive swings are easy to execute whenever someone tries to speed a ball past me.

The Scorpeus was built for two of the top pros in pickleball. The 14 mm is used by Anna Bright. She's a mainstay in the top five of the PPA doubles rankings. Meanwhile, the 16 mm model is Collin Johns' paddle. He's famous for winning over 25 titles with his brother Ben Johns.

At $279.99, the Scorpeus Pro IV is priced the same as the rest of JOOLA's Pro IV lineup. If you want a power paddle that also gives you top-tier control and forgiveness, it's worth every penny.

For players who like balance and precision, this is the best value of the entire JOOLA Pro IV line. You won't get quite the same raw force as the Perseus, Hyperion, or Magnus, but it plays smarter, faster, and more reliably in the hands of a well-rounded player.

This is a great fit for doubles players who rely on speed-ups, countering, and resets. Plus, if you want a more forgiving paddle that still has plenty of zip, you'll get a lot out of this paddle.

If the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV isn't for you, here are some alternative paddles I like:

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