The Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm Review

The Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm: My Unexpected New Favorite

I have tested hundreds of pickleball paddles, so it takes a lot for one to impress me. In fact, with all the controversies surrounding Joola over the last year, from core crushing and the questionable submission processes, to them spinning the situation in their favor, I was pretty much fed up with the brand. My favorite paddle used to be the Hyperion C2, which was also made by this brand, but the drama made me hesitant to even test the Perseus Pro 4 16mm.

But like a moth to the flame, I decided to try the new Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm, even with its steep $279.95 price tag (easily over $300 after taxes and shipping). I figured if I’m going to keep reviewing new paddles, I might as well see if they had actually changed anything. My thoughts after taking it to the court? Wow. This paddle might be what the original Gen 3 paddles should have been all along.

This review is based on me playing the paddle in a stock setup with no added lead tape or weight, plus a single overgrip. I’m an intermediate level player who values control over power, and I’ve been seeking a paddle that offers a smoother energy transfer without compromising spin or forgiveness. The Perseus Pro 4 16mm checked many of those boxes. Below is my comprehensive breakdown of its performance, design, and everything else you need to know.

Specifications

• Weight Range: ~8.1 – 8.3 oz (review unit weighed 8.2 oz stock)
• Dimensions (L x W): 16.5″ x 7.5″ (elongated shape)
• Thickness: 16 mm
• Material: Raw carbon fiber face with a dual-layer “propulsion” core and Tech Flex Power (TFP) foam in the throat
• Handle Length: 5.5″ (plenty of room for two handed backhands)
• Grip Circumference: 4.25″ (corrected from previous Gen 3 thickness issues)

Perseus Pro 4 16mm Performance Analysis

Before diving deeper into each performance aspect, let me say that the Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm delivers a much smoother feel than the 14mm version, and it strikes a good balance between raw power and manageability.

Control / Feel

This paddle provides a remarkably plush, controlled feel. It has a comfortable dwell time that allows the ball to stay on the face just long enough to shape shots, control pace, and keep your returns low. In other words, it’s not overly jumpy when you make softer contact.

Power

The Perseus Pro 4 16mm still packs a lot of pop, but it’s a more refined kind of power than you get from the 14mm version or some other ultra thin paddles. Thanks to the thicker core and TFP foam at the throat, the energy transfer feels smoother and more predictable. You can hit powerful drives from the baseline without constantly worrying about launching the ball long.

Spin

When I first opened the box and rubbed my hand on the paddle face, I was disappointed by how smooth it felt. But that was deceiving. In play, this raw carbon fiber surface grabs the ball effectively, producing spin in the mid 2000s RPM range. The longer dwell time also helps with generating topspin on drives and extra bite on cut or slice shots.

Pop

The 16mm build provides a quick, lively pop, yet it’s controlled enough that I didn’t experience those accidental “pop ups” on resets. This is key for the soft game. You get a crisp response that is manageable on blocks and dinks, and still explosive enough for counterattacks at the net.

Forgiveness

Compared to the 14mm version, the sweet spot is noticeably larger. Off center hits feel less punishing, and the paddle barely twists in my hand even on awkward contacts. This improvement in forgiveness likely comes from the combination of the thicker core, TFP foam, and improved structural integrity that Joola claims to have introduced in this model.

Maneuverability

With a swing weight around 118–121, the Perseus Pro 4 16mm isn’t a featherweight but is still decently agile for an elongated design. The added stability from the foam does slightly raise the swing weight, so you might not get lightning fast hand speed if you’re used to very light paddles. In my experience, the trade off is well worth the extra stability on blocks, counters, and lunging volley exchanges.

Perseus Pro 4 16mm In Depth Review

Design & Build Quality

Joola has made several notable tweaks here. The most significant is the Tech Flex Power (TFP) system, a high density foam added at the throat and lower corners of the paddle. This foam effectively narrows the honeycomb channel from handle to head, enabling more flex and helping expand the sweet spot. It also adds a little weight where many players already place lead tape, improving overall stability.

The face material is raw carbon fiber, which many competitive players prefer for its ability to generate spin and consistent response. While the grit is not as tactile as some other raw carbon paddles, the friction is still enough to shape the ball confidently. In addition, Joola claims to have addressed past quality control (QC) issues like core crushing, handle snapping, and inconsistent grit application. So far, my paddle shows no signs of those troubles, but long term durability will be the real test.

Perseus Pro 4 16mm On Court Performance

Once I got on the court, all my previous reservations about Joola melted away. This paddle plays more like a refined version of the original 3S series, with smoother power and a larger sweet spot.

Baseline Play: From the baseline, I found a plush feel and easy power. The ball sinks into the paddle face slightly, translating to a more controlled energy transfer. My serves, third shot drives, and drops felt consistent and reliable. It’s not as explosively hot as some retired models like the Mod TA15, but the power is definitely there for offensive shots.

Transition Zone: As I moved into mid court (the transition zone), I noticed how easy it was to reset or neutralize the point. The 16mm core and foam integration absorb pace effectively, which means fewer erratic pop ups when blocking an opponent’s drive. This added forgiveness made me more confident stepping in and taking the ball on the rise, knowing I wouldn’t launch it out of bounds.

Kitchen Play: At the net, the Perseus Pro 4 16mm gave me excellent touch on dinks, thanks to its dwell time. It’s also surprisingly stable on counter volleys, where I could rely on a crisp, controllable pop. Yes, an elongated design may feel slightly slower in lightning fast hand battles, but the trade off is the stability and confidence you get on off center contacts.

Control

Precision is a standout strength. The paddle’s dwell time really lets you feel the ball, aiding in softer touches and well placed shots. High level players who require exact targeting will appreciate how the ball doesn’t spring off prematurely.

Power

You can crush balls off the bounce or generate speed on overheads without fear of overcooking them. It’s definitely among the most powerful paddles on the market, but it doesn’t cross into uncontrollable territory. That distinction is important if you’re the type who sometimes struggles keeping drives in.

Spin

Even though the surface doesn’t feel gritty, I had no trouble imparting topspin on my drives or cutting under the ball for slices. The paddle is dual certified (USAP and UPA) in its standard form, meaning the grit is within legal USAP limits. A UPA only version is rumored to have even more texture for those who don’t compete in USAP sanctioned events.

Pop

While earlier Joola models could be borderline too poppy, the Perseus Pro 4 16mm smooths things out. You still get that crisp and lively feel, but it’s tempered enough to keep your resets and blocks controlled. When you do want to ramp up the pace, the power is definitely available.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness was a big selling point for me. On lesser paddles, hitting near the throat or edges can lead to unpredictable rebounds. With the added TFP foam, this model addresses that issue effectively. Off center hits had minimal twisting or jarring feedback, and I didn’t have to constantly readjust my grip.

Maneuverability

The swing weight is about 118–121, so it’s not the absolute quickest in frantic net exchanges. Still, as someone who appreciates an elongated shape, I found it nimble enough. If you’re used to super fast 14mm paddles, you might experience a brief adjustment period, but the stability gains are a worthy trade.

Perseus Pro 4 16mm Pros and Cons

• Pros
  • Smoother, more refined power compared to the 14mm version
  • Expanded sweet spot and exceptional forgiveness on off center hits
  • Improved dwell time for spin generation and superior control
  • Solid, stable feel that twists less in your hand
  • Claims of improved durability and QC to address previous issues
  • Dual certifications (USAP + UPA) with a UPA -only version coming for more grit
  • Co designed with Joola sponsored pros (Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Anna Bright, Dekel Bar, Tyson McGuffin)
• Cons
  • Price is quite high at $279.95 (over $300 with taxes and shipping)
  • Slightly higher swing weight reduces ultra fast hand speed
  • Long term durability improvements are promising but still under observation
  • Powerful nature may challenge players who struggle with pop ups in the short game

Player Feedback

Real world feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Advanced players who tried the Perseus Pro 4 16mm noted that its enhanced sweet spot allowed them to block and volley with more confidence. Intermediate players praised its softer, more pocketed feel for dinks while still raving about the power on overheads. In particular, a friend of mine who plays tournaments said the paddle twists far less on off center hits than previous Joola paddles, which is crucial in those high speed reaction rallies.

Joola’s sponsored pros like Ben Johns and Anna Bright also reportedly influenced the design by requesting more ball pocketing, a larger sweet spot, and improved stability in the throat region, features that the TFP foam specifically addresses.

Performance Comparison: Perseus Pro 4 16mm vs. Gen 3s Perseus 16mm

• Power: The Pro 4 is slightly more powerful overall, though the older Gen 3s felt a bit poppier and stiffer.
• Sweet Spot: The TFP foam in the Pro 4 greatly expands the sweet spot, making off center hits more comfortable.
• Spin: Thanks to added dwell time, the Pro 4 offers more spin potential than the Gen 3s.
• Feel: The Pro 4 feels softer and more plush, whereas Gen 3s had a more rigid response.
• Swing Weight: Reduced from around 121 (Gen 3s) to about 118 in the Pro 4, improving maneuverability.

Comparable Paddles

• Joola Mod TA15: Shares that somewhat hollow, thuddy feel, but the Mod is hotter and stiffer. The Perseus Pro 4 16mm plays like a more balanced, tamer version, offering greater control and a friendlier sweet spot.
• CRBN Trufoam: Has a fully foam-filled core, resulting in a very dense feel. The Perseus Pro 4 16mm only has additional foam at the throat, so it remains a bit lighter and less “thick” in hand.
• Hyperion C2: Another favorite from Jola, but the Perseus Pro 4 16mm offers a smoother power delivery, and improved throat stability.

Q&A

Final Word on the Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm

Although I was initially reluctant, given the brand’s controversies, this paddle left a strong impression on me. It reminds me of what Joola’s Gen 3s models tried to accomplish but with important refinements that fix many of the older issues. I’d rank it among the top 3 power paddles currently on the market, alongside other well known raw carbon designs.

The improved sweet spot, better feel, and refined power delivery make it not just a slugger’s dream, but also a solid choice for players who want to slow the game down and work on touch shots. If you liked the Gen 3s or the Mod TA15 but wanted more control and a smoother feel, you’ll likely enjoy the Perseus Pro 4 16mm even more. If you’re part of Joola’s refresh program or already a big fan of their paddles, this upgrade is definitely worth a look. Still hesitant? keep an eye out for real world durability reports, but so far, the signs are positive.

Ultimately, if you enjoy a plush, stable, and powerful paddle, you should strongly consider the Joola Perseus Pro 4 16mm. I’m glad I gave this brand another shot, because this time, they’ve genuinely impressed me.