JOOLA Perseus & Agassi Pro IV Review
Specs
Price: $279.99
Shape: Perseus (Elongated, 16.5” x 7.5”), Agassi Pro (Elongated, 16.5” x 7.5”)
Thickness: 16mm, 14mm
Core: Polypropylene with dual-layer foam
Face: Carbon Fiber
Handle Length: 5.5”
Grip: 4.25” (16mm), 4.125” (14mm)
Static Weight: 8.1oz average
Swing Weight: 118 (Perseus 16mm), 113 (Perseus 14mm), 117 (Agassi 16mm)
Twist Weight: 6.14 (Perseus 16mm), 5.9 (Perseus 14mm), 6.17 (Agassi 16mm)
RPM: 2048 (Perseus 16mm), 2018 (Perseus 14mm), 1997 (Agassi 16mm)
Warranty: 1 Year
Design: Gen 3 (Propulsion core - dual layer foam), Tech Flex - Power (additional filler material, increases flexibility of face)
Quick Notes
First off, the Perseus and new Agassi shape are only available during this initial launch. This review doesn’t contain information about the Scorpeus, Magnus, or Hyperion.
Second and more important, the Pro IVs have dual certification, meaning there are two versions of them. At launch, the dual-certified version is the only one available. It’s certified for both USAP and UPA-A tournaments. Then, in Q2 2025, the UPA-A-only version will be released.
The only difference is that the UPA-A version will have more grit. USAP is stricter about grit tolerance, so JOOLA made a version with less grit to be dual-certified.
This is confusing and unfortunate because of two governing bodies with different rules. In cases like this, where one tour allows a higher spec, companies will provide their players with full advantages.
It's unfortunate for the everyday player, so to keep it simple:
If you're an amateur, you want the dual-certified version with a USAP stamp.
If you're a pro who only plays PPA tournaments, then you should use the UPA-A-only version.
This is important because the dual-certification versions are, in fact, smoother.
I haven't played with a UPA-A-only version, so I don’t really know the grit difference. But the numbers on the dual paddles were only just fine—they were solidly in the low to mid-2000s. I’d put it squarely among the other raw carbon fiber paddles.
So don’t expect something that will be super gritty like the Gen 3s. I’d still put the CRBN TruFoam above the Perseus Pro IV for grit and spin.
From 3S to Pro IV
If you've played with a 3S, you already know if you love or hate the Pro IV.
If you didn’t like the 3S, then the Pro IV won’t change your opinion.
If you loved the 3S, then the Pro IV is a no-brainer.
Unlike the Mod but like the 3S, the Pro IV does not have an intentionally crushed core from the factory. The cores are properly sized, so the power is decreased as well as the chance of controversy.
Second, grip sizes are proper this time. Last year, the 16mm models had thicker grips that were around 4.4 inches in circumference. Now, the 16mm models are a proper 4.25 inches, and the 14mm models are 4.125 inches for smaller hands.
Third, JOOLA is introducing Tech Flex - Power (TFP) in addition to the already popular Propulsion Core. TFP is a filler material located in the core at the throat. It increases the flexibility of the paddle face, resulting in more dwell time, forgiveness, and enhanced ball feel. TFP is the key difference between the Pro IV and 3S.
Now, what was odd is that the twist weights weren't better on the Pro IVs when compared to our 3S models. The TFP filler material did not increase the twist weight as expected. Instead, only the static weight was bumped up.
In summary, the Tech Flex - Power tech only affects how the ball feels off the face rather than being a specific performance enhancement. While this difference is typically a personal preference, I thought the bottom areas of the paddle felt better than a 3S.
Durability & Quality Control
Throughout JOOLA’s history, there has ALWAYS been some controversy—whether it was grit consistency, handles snapping on the OG Hyperion, or the core crushing from the initial Gen 3s. They said they've heard the complaints and are ensuring things are consistent and issue-free.
Now, does that mean there will never be an issue? No. That's just manufacturing—any product is bound to have something slip through the cracks. Either way, this is very promising. JOOLA is on the right track to earn public trust by focusing on quality control.
That said, I’m writing this review with only two weeks of play on these new paddles. So, finding an issue is not likely, and I can’t promise with any certainty that these are actually more durable.
And even if they are, it’s unrealistic to expect zero core crushing. Maybe one day, a company will prove me wrong, but I’ve been told many times that the issue was solved only for it to rear its ugly head once again. With really heavy-hitting players, paddles are bound to break, which is the nature of things.
Now, we did cut open our Pro IV 16mm Perseus to see if there was any core compression, and I was impressed. This is a very healthy-looking core for a thermoformed paddle.
Above is what a compressed core looks like compared to a healthy one, and there's a big difference. Different waves and squiggly marks are on the crushed core versus the Pro IV core below. But like I said, I didn’t put much time on these, so durability isn’t completely solved.
As far as a break-in period, it exists on these, but it's more subtle. Over the time that we've hit these, we haven't noticed much change.
Even so, I'm going to emphasize this. If you’re concerned with durability or QC, you should wait a few months after the initial launch. Sometimes, it’s best to see how it all pans out.
Performance
14mm vs. 16mm
Like the Gen 3 and 3S, I gravitated towards the 14mm over the 16mm. I liked how the 14mm felt stiffer with less dwell time.
With the 16mm, I second-guessed how hard to hit resets out of fear of going long. The 16mm’s longer dwell time likely caused this difference.
In general:
The 16mm feels softer and more pleasant due to the increased ball pocketing.
The 14mm feels slightly stiffer and harsher but easier to play with.
If you liked the 16mm previously on the 3S, you should still lean towards the 16mm with the Pro IV—and vice versa for the 14mm.
Comparing hand speed, I enjoyed the 14mm’s quicker swing. Since our unit had a 113 swing weight, there was plenty of room to customize without going overboard. And while the 16mm was only 118, it felt slower to use. It wasn’t slow by any means, but there’s a difference next to the 14mm.
As expected, the 16mm drove the ball harder. But at the kitchen line, the 14mm felt poppier allowing more aggressive play. In general, these paddles are very aggressive power paddles and are still at the top of legal, raw power. I expect 5.0 play and qualifier brackets to be completely flooded with Pro IVs.
Personally, it’s not my first choice to take to a tournament. This past weekend, I did so with the Pro IV 14mm, and while it was fine, certain dinks and resets were harder to pull off. On top of that, I was far less confident.
Finding a paddle that you can play confidently with and not be aware of is the goal everyone should strive for. For me, I was thinking about the paddle too much, and that’s not my preference.
Paddle Feel and Sweet Spot
These are power paddles. If you struggle with pop-ups or soft game in general, you won’t want one. These are at the top of legal pop and power, so they are not easy to use.
As far as the sweet spot, it feels more stable with the new TFP. Hitting lower on the face doesn't feel as jarring as it used to. It’s not an oversized sweet spot, but for a power paddle, it's more than acceptable compared to others.
Now, the new Agassi shape. The first time I saw this thing, I expected to hate it. It’s not visually appealing and reminds me of a canoe oar. But looks aren't everything, so I gave it a fair shot. I actually preferred it over the 16mm Perseus by a good amount.
To clarify, the Agassi Pro has all the same features that the other Pro IV models have—it's just a different shape and nothing else. Side by side with a Perseus, they really don't look that different.
For performance, it's similar to the 16mm Perseus, but it seemed to play more predictably and controlled. I'm not sure why, though. Maybe the shape as a whole, but considering they're both elongated, it can’t be that different.
Overall, they are similar paddles. It’s just that the Agassi feels toned down slightly in pop and power. Personally, the Perseus 16mm is too much for me to play with, so I enjoyed the Agassi shape.
Don’t sleep on this model, especially if you’ve been turned off by Perseus shapes before. If you can demo it, I highly recommend giving it a chance.
Setup
I customized the 16mm Agassi and the Perseus 14mm with the same setup. Using 1g/inch tungsten tape, I applied a 5 to 6-inch strip starting at the throat and then up. Since these paddles don’t need more power, I started low to maintain the swing weight.
This weight setup achieved what I wanted: Added solidity to the paddle, especially on resets. So, if you want a small enhancement, I recommend this setup. If you’re not worried about increasing the swing weight or power, placing weight at 3 and 9 o’clock would achieve that.
As far as the 16mm Perseus, it didn’t need the weight. It was already heavier, so I didn’t modify it at all.
Comparisons
Let’s compare the Perseus models to some other popular power paddles.
JOOLA Mod
Starting with the Mod, since many are working with the refresh program. If you want Mod power, this isn’t it. Since the Mods had intentional crushed cores, it’s impossible to match that power.
If you were hoping for a paddle that still packs a punch but has more control, then the Pro IV will do that very well, just like the 3S. So, Mod users must set expectations properly—these paddles aren’t an exact replacement, especially with the new regulations.
11SIX24 Power Series
The Pro IV hits harder. However, the 11SIX24’s consistency and ease of use are better. They feel stiffer, and you know what you’ll get no matter how you swing.
On the Pro IVs, you may occasionally question how hard you should swing. One related big difference is how much you can feel the ball sink in with the 16mm Pro IV.
Overall, the 11SIX24 Power Series does a great job of combining slightly lower power with a larger sweet spot. Plus, at $100 cheaper, it’s more accessible and easier to most amateurs. However, if you want to max out pop and power, then the JOOLAs are the way to go—you’re just going to pay a premium.
Paddletek Bantam
Most of you probably know the common advantages and disadvantages. But if you need a refresher, the biggest con of the Bantam compared to the Pro IV is sweet spot size.
Of all in the power category, this is the biggest problem the Bantams suffer from. It takes a higher-level player to take full advantage of it, whereas the Pro IV is easier to use. If you can’t consistently hit the sweet spot, you lose the maximum power potential.
Otherwise, the Bantam and Pro IV are the closest in pop and power. The 12.7mm Bantam might have a slight edge, especially since it is easier to achieve the pop. The Bantams also feel more hollow and sort of cheaper when hit. This stands out as you go from center to edges.
However, the Bantams play very consistently over their lifespan. Usually, the only reason you’ll replace one is because of the grit wearing down. So, if you don’t want to deal with any break-in, then the PaddleTek Bantams are for you.
Proton Sports Project Flamingo
The Proton Flamingo is interesting to compare since it’s constructed similarly to 3S, just with a little less dual-edge foam. The cell sizes are also slightly smaller on the Flamingo, but overall, similar designs.
We haven’t done a full review on the Flamingo, but we’ve been playtesting it. So far, it has changed from how it came out of the box. Brand new, it felt more firm and not that special or hard-hitting. But now, it has changed and loosened up.
As you may know, I’m not a fan of paddles doing this, particularly due to reports of people core-crushing their Flamingos. Since nothing was advertised to be more durable than other Gen 3s, it doesn’t give me much confidence in its design.
So proceed at your own risk and know that the durability is still very much in question. However, with that warning out of the way, here’s how the paddles compare.
The Flamingo has less dwell time and plays stiffer than the 16mm Perseus. This made the paddle easier to play with and more consistent for dinks and resets.
In many ways, it reminded me of the 11SIX24 Power Series. Stiff and consistent but less power than the JOOLA Pro IV.
At the end of the day, most of these comparisons will come down to how durable the JOOLAs end up being. If they core crush less, I would choose the Pro IV all day. But until we see more units in the wild, we won’t know for sure. $300 with durability or consistency concerns is an issue.
Closing Thoughts
The 3S was and still is one of the most popular power paddles at pro and amateur levels. So, if you could take the 3S and make it more durable with a larger sweet spot, what more do you need?
That’s exactly what JOOLA did with the Pro IV, and it’s not surprising or disappointing. It’s one of the best pure power paddles you can buy right now. It will be just as popular, if not more popular than the 3S.
That said, I want to reiterate that nobody knows how durable these are yet. If you’re not worried or part of the JOOLA refresh program, get the Perseus Pro IV. You will enjoy it. But for everyone else, you should wait to see what happens with the QC and durability.
I've seen this story way too many times, and it will take a lot more than statements or presentations to convince me. JOOLA still has much to do to earn the public’s trust back. People are frustrated—and rightfully so. All paddles will eventually break, but how quickly has yet to be proven.
You should consider the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV if:
You’re willing to pay for the latest and greatest.
Liked the 3S and want something more durable and solid-feeling.
Want certification for all tournaments.
Need the highest pop and power you can get your hands on.
Overall, JOOLA hasn’t broken any new ground or found a way to change the game. But the Pro IV is a very nice revision that upgrades one of the most popular power paddles ever.
It’s a no-brainer purchase if you want top legal power and can afford the premium price tag.
Interested in buying one?
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