Honolulu J2k vs J2Ti Review
You can’t make a wrong choice with one of 2024’s more talked about paddles.
The J2 series is hybrid not only in shape but also in playstyle. With it, Honolulu has created some really compelling all-court paddles.
Not only that, but they’ve provided two virtually identical options in either Kevlar or “Titanium” to suit any player’s preferences. Truly anybody under the sun can pick one up and adapt to the J2k or J2Ti very well.
Specs
Price: $155 (Code: PBSTUDIOK for $135 on J2k or PBSTUDIO for $140 on J2Ti)
Shape: Hybrid (16.2” x 7.8")
Thickness: 16mm
Core: Polymer
Face: Kevlar (J2k), Carbon Fiber + PET (polyester threads) formally called “Titanium” (J2Ti)
Handle: 5.5” (plays more like 5.3”)
Grip: 4.125”
Static Weight: 8.0-8.4 oz
Swing Weight: 113 (J2k), 114 (J2Ti)
Twist Weight: 6.95 (J2k), 6.87 (J2Ti)
RPM: 1935 (J2k), 1980 (J2Ti)
Warranty: 6 Month
Design: Thermoformed, Unique Face Materials
“Titanium”
To clear up any initial confusion, technically, there is no real titanium in the J2Ti paddle. The surface is carbon fiber woven with polyester thread plus a peel-ply layer for spin.
The use of the “titanium” label is now commonplace within the industry for surfaces using these specific materials. If you’re curious why, you can watch an explanation by Pickleball Pursuit here.
J2k vs J2Ti
From the specs, it’s plain to see these two paddles are virtually identical. The only distinction is the face materials used in their names.
I found they played very similar with the main difference being how each paddle feels when striking the ball.
The J2k feels:
Stiffer.
The ball wants to jump off very quickly.
The J2Ti feels:
More plush, muted, and softer.
The ball wants to sink and dwell a little longer.
On the court, the stiffer J2k has more pop and power at the kitchen line. The Kevlar aids offensive attacks with hand battles or flicks.
However, in exchange for its slight power edge, some may experience a drop in the soft game. While for others (like myself), it fits their playstyle and is well-balanced between power and control. In fact, my ability to reset the ball has been at an all-time high with this paddle.
As for the J2Ti, its plushness makes resetting and dinking feel natural. There’s no need to baby the ball much, and those coming from control paddles won’t need an adjustment period.
This muted feeling does come at the expense of pop. Offense at the kitchen will be harder, but bigger swings are more reliable. You can swing freely without concern for long balls.
Another benefit of this softer paddle is the increased ability to shape shots like hybrid-drive drops or top spin dinks. The ball is perceived to stay on the face longer making these shots feel easier.
In the end, both the J2k and J2Ti fall squarely into the all-court category and are more similar than different. So when deciding between the two, you only need to choose stiff or soft.
You won’t make a mistake as either option is an amazing hybrid all-court paddle. Don’t only buy into the hype for the newer J2Ti. In my opinion, its “uniqueness” won’t change the game nor is it the better version. Pick for your playstyle and preferences only.
Sweet Spot
With these paddles being the same shape and largely of the same construction (different face material only), you can expect them to perform identically in the sweet spot. To me, they are probably the most forgiving hybrid paddles on the market.
These sweet spots are nearly the same size as many wide-body or standard-shaped paddles. That plus the hybrid shape’s extra length makes both J2’s extremely appealing. This is why they’ve been so popular and will continue to be.
Durability
I cut open a few Honolulu paddles to check out their internals. On several models, I noticed that the core was looking slightly deformed. Although there was no crunching prior, you can plainly see that the core doesn’t look solid.
This could mean two things:
I got a few unlucky duds.
The manufacturing of the J2k is not consistent, and some paddles slip through the cracks.
In an age where consistency and longevity seem severely neglected, this was important for me to bring up. Now, take that with a grain of salt as none of the paddles I playtested broke.
So I’m not sure if this is a larger issue, but given the history of other companies, it’s worth noting. Basically, every thermoformed paddle can have core deformation naturally happen. The main difference is how often it occurs.
Some companies prioritize a lower crush rate than others. For example, Six Zero had a decent amount of issues early into their launch, but as of this year, there are far fewer core-crushing stories.
In the end, I want you to use this information as you will. It’s important to have as much knowledge to make an educated decision when choosing your next purchase.
Closing Thoughts
Both are very good hybrid paddles, and you can’t go wrong with either version. It’ll come down to your preferences and what suits your playstyle best.
Similar to what I said when reviewing the Jelly Bean, it’s difficult to find something to complain about with the J2 performance. You’d have to dig deep to find a specific complaint hidden away.
You should choose the J2k if:
You like stiffer feeling paddles.
Want more pop.
Prefer being offensive at the net.
Don’t need the paddle to aid you in the soft game of resets and blocks.
You should choose the J2Ti if:
You like a muted-feeling paddle.
Prefer the sensation of more dwell time through a softer face.
Want a paddle that aids you in the soft game.
Don’t have issues generating your own power.
The vast majority will play good Pickleball with these hybrid-shaped paddles. They’re the perfect step up from control while still bringing enough power for higher-level players.
Interested in buying one?
If you plan to pick one of these up, you can use code PBSTUDIO (or PBSTUDIOK) to save 10% on your order with the link below.