JOOLA Dual Certified vs Gen 4 Pickleball Paddles: What’s Actually Different?
The Joola Dual Certified Pickleball Paddles
When JOOLA rolled out its new dual certified paddles, a lot of players scratched their heads. “If it’s the same tech,” one of my students asked, “why are the duals $80 cheaper?” That question has been echoing across message boards, pro shops, and late-night kitchen sessions since launch. So let’s break down what actually changed with the Joola Dual Certified Pickleball Paddles – and what didn’t.
I remember holding the first Joola Pro IV I tested on a Louisiana pickleball court that still smelled faintly of new plastic. Heavy, crisp, fast. When the JOOLA 3S Dual landed in my hands months later, the feel was similar – but the sticker price wasn’t. That difference isn’t just about paint. It’s about positioning, legality, subtle tuning, and the way these paddles break in after a few sessions.
Tournament Legality and Spin
The 3S’s original aggressive grit gave way to Pro IV’s dwell-time spin – two very different feels.
The original Gen 4 Pro IV was built for UPA-A dominance. But unlike its predecessor, it didn’t rely on extreme grit to generate spin. Instead, its spin came primarily from dwell time – the ball sitting on the paddle a fraction longer during contact. By contrast, the original 3S had a surface so gritty it could literally hang onto your shirt fabric. It was one of the grittiest paddles Joola ever produced.
The new dual certified 3S paddles fall between these extremes. Their surface has been smoothed to meet USA Pickleball texture limits, but the core still has plenty of pop. That makes them fully legal across major tours – a deliberate strategic trade-off.
In real play, the smoother face of the 3S Dual means you have to exaggerate your brush and follow-through to generate the same shape and bite. It’s an easy adaptation, and once players make that adjustment, the paddle feels familiar – same core pop, just a different top layer.
Feel and Playability
TFP foam tech makes Pro IV smoother, but 3S Dual retains plenty of power and stability.
The Pro IV introduced TFP (Tech Flex Power) – foam inserts in the throat that shift balance lower and reduce the hollow feel many players complained about in earlier Joola paddles. That translates into a bigger sweet spot, better resets, and cleaner dinks. It’s also the reason Pro IV generates spin through dwell time rather than rough surface grit.
The dual certified 3S paddles stick with the classic Propulsion Core. No TFP here. But that doesn’t mean they’re weak – they still deliver that signature pop, just with a slightly stiffer response. Reviewers who played both side by side note that TFP is not a gimmick: it meaningfully reduces dead spots and softens mishits, especially near the handle. If you loved the original 3S feel, you’ll feel at home here – but if you crave smoother response and forgiveness, the Pro IV wins this category.
Another subtle but important detail: Joola paddles, including both the original 3S and Pro IV, are known to feel a bit firm out of the box but soften noticeably after a few sessions. That same break-in pattern is present with the 3S Dual. So if the first hit feels tight, don’t panic – that’s part of the curve, not a red flag.
Price and Market Positioning
The $80 price gap isn’t a fluke – it’s deliberate positioning between a premium flagship and a value tournament paddle.
When Joola launched Pro IV at $279, it was staking a claim at the top of the competitive paddle market. By pricing the dual certified 3S paddles around $199, they opened a legal, powerful option to a much wider base. It’s smart segmentation, not discount bin strategy.
Industry chatter points to another layer: cheaper foam-core power paddles (like Quanta, V-Sol, Cannon) are pushing prices down across the board. Retail insiders have described the 3S Dual as a “stopgap” product meant to keep Joola’s footprint wide while the market shifts. And reviewers have been blunt: “For under $200, you’re getting a paddle that plays within striking distance of the flagship.” When price and performance align like this, adoption tends to snowball.
| Feature | JOOLA 3S Dual | JOOLA Pro IV |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | USAP + UPA-A (Dual) | Primarily UPA-A (Dual & UPA-only variants) |
| Surface Grit | Reduced to meet USAP standards | Low grit, spin from dwell time |
| Technology | Propulsion Core | TFP Foam + Propulsion Core |
| Balance & Feel | Head-heavier, more pop | Lower swingweight, smoother feel |
| Price | $199 | $279 |
Construction and Durability
Pro IV invests in internal refinements, while 3S Dual relies on proven, older tooling.
The Pro IV’s foam throat isn’t just about feel – it stabilizes the face over time, reducing dead spots. That makes it more consistent over its lifespan. The 3S Dual is built on legacy molds, which means lower production cost and a known performance curve. It’s a smart reuse, not a shortcut.
But there’s a harder truth here: early Gen 3 paddles like the original 3S and MOD series were notorious for core crush and performance drop-off after a few months. Joola claims improved build quality in the Pro IV line addresses exactly that issue. So if durability matters to you, the Pro IV has the clear advantage – not in marketing language, but in lived user experience.
Why This Matters Now
Dual certification is more than a label – it’s a shift in how brands compete for serious rec players.
The rapid growth of pickleball means more players crossing from local leagues into sanctioned play. That creates demand for paddles that are legal everywhere without sacrificing playability. By dual certifying, Joola is betting that most players prefer “good enough spin and full legality” over “maximum spin with legal risk.”
It’s a classic performance vs compliance trade. And right now, compliance is winning.
Player Choice Framework
If you’re choosing between Pro IV and 3S Dual, it boils down to playstyle, goals, and budget.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- If you value maximum spin, premium feel, and durability → Pro IV.
- If you want tournament legality, familiar 3S feel, and a better price → 3S Dual.
- If you’re unsure → choose 3S Dual first. It’s more forgiving to your wallet and your game.
Checklist: Which Paddle Fits You?
This checklist helps players pick based on real priorities, not hype.
- Do you regularly play sanctioned tournaments? → Dual Certified 3S.
- Are you chasing spin and control at the top end? → Pro IV.
- Do you prefer faster hands at the kitchen? → Pro IV.
- Do you like classic pop and don’t mind extra swingweight? → 3S Dual.
Who’s Actually Using the 3S Dual
Top-level pros haven’t abandoned the 3S Dual – some still prefer its stiffer feel and pop.
Several pros are actively using 3S Dual paddles in competition. Vivian Glozman uses the Hyperion 3S Dual for maneuverability. John Lucian Goins wields the Perseus 3S Dual for its blend of control and power. And Tyson McGuffin himself still prefers the Magnus 3S Dual, saying “it gave me more pop than the Pro IV, and it’s never lacked feel.”
This isn’t just marketing fluff – it’s a sign that the 3S Dual sits in a sweet spot where legality, price, and performance intersect.
Community Takes & Public Perception
The paddle community is split – and the debate reveals how the market really views these two lines.
Some players flat-out call the Pro IV overrated or “too muted” on spin, and that lines up with how the paddle was designed – low grit, higher dwell time. Others praise it for its balance and sweet spot. Many describe the 3S as “stiffer with more pop” but less forgiving. There’s also chatter about a future “Pro V” line in 2026 – a sign JOOLA may not see Pro IV as the final word in their performance ladder.
Video testers have also pointed out that the 3S Dual’s on-court performance feels nearly identical to the original, aside from slightly smoother texture. And because it comes in at $199, many believe it could surpass the Pro IV in player adoption simply because it plays close to the flagship at a lower cost.
One consistent thread in these conversations: people trust the 3S for raw power and spin, and the Pro IV for control, feel, and longevity. That’s not marketing talk – it’s how actual players describe their experience in forums, Facebook groups, and YouTube reviews.
Forecast & Anecdote
Picture this: one paddle lineup, two audiences, one clear market play.
A 4.0 player in a PPA tournament holding a 3S Dual, feeling confident because there’s no question about legality. Across the net, a Pro IV player angles a drive that arcs with just a touch more bite. Both are competing with high-end gear – but one paid $80 less for peace of mind.
This isn’t the end of the grit wars, but it might be the start of something smarter: manufacturers splitting their lines between compliance-first and performance-max. And as sanctioning bodies tighten standards, more players will move toward dual certification – not because it’s flashy, but because it’s safe.
Final thought: With so many new foam-core paddles hitting the market that blend power and durability, ask yourself this – do you really want to gamble on a Gen 3 paddle that might core crush in a few months? If your answer’s no, the upgrade path is already paved.
JOOLA Dual Certified FAQ
Because it uses existing tech and simpler finishing, while Pro IV has added foam tech and premium positioning.
The Pro IV offers smoother feel and dwell-based spin; the 3S Dual delivers similar pop at lower cost.
Yes. The 3S Dual is dual certified, while Pro IV has both dual and UPA-only variants.
Only slightly out of the box. Once broken in, the power difference is minimal and hardly noticeable.
Use a more exaggerated brush stroke and follow-through to compensate for the smoother surface.
Related Reading
Bottom line: if you want full tournament legality at a lower price, the 3S Dual is a smart buy. If you want dwell-driven spin, balance refinement, and a flagship build, Pro IV still wears the crown. Choose based on your priorities, not the hype sticker.
