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Buy the Essentials only as a true starter or guest paddle; the Hyperion CFS is the proper Ben Johns experience.
Same name on the badge, different leagues. The Ben Johns Essentials at £40 is JOOLA's entry paddle — it borrows the branding but the construction is built to a budget. The Hyperion CFS at £75-100 is Ben's actual competition paddle: 215-230g, elongated, 16mm Reactive Honeycomb polymer core, Carbon Friction Surface for serious spin.
The straight call:
The Hyperion's elongated shape and 16mm thickness can feel stiff to a new player — don't jump straight to it if you've never held a pickleball paddle. But once you've played 10-20 sessions, the Essentials will hold you back. The Carbon Friction Surface is the meaningful upgrade — you'll notice the spin difference within a single session.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Weight | — | 215-230g |
| Shape | Standard | Elongated |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Reactive Honeycomb polymer |
| Surface | Composite | Carbon Friction Surface |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | — | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Shape: JOOLA Ben has Standard vs Elongated. Core: JOOLA Ben has Polymer honeycomb vs Reactive Honeycomb polymer. Surface: JOOLA Ben has Composite vs Carbon Friction Surface. Overall, the JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials Pickleball Paddle is best for beginners while the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players.
The JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials Pickleball Paddle is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle is aimed at intermediate players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle (£75-100) costs more than the JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials Pickleball Paddle (£40). Whether the premium is worth it depends on your skill level — if you are intermediate players, the extra investment in the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle can pay off.