Loading...
Loading...
Buy the JOOLA Essentials for first paddles, otherwise the Vanguard Power Air rewards advanced tournament-grade pickleball.
Wildly different price tiers. The JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials is a no-frills entry paddle trading on the Ben Johns name to give beginners some confidence in the brand. It's perfectly fine for a starter or a back-up paddle.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air is one of the most technically advanced pickleball paddles you can buy. The 220-235g elongated shape with Polymer X5 honeycomb core, QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre face, 16mm thickness and the headline Air Dynamic Throat all combine into a tournament weapon. Selkirk note it has a niche feel and the price is at the top of the market, but for advanced players the throat aerodynamics genuinely change how the paddle accelerates through the swing.
Buy the JOOLA Essentials if you're brand new or buying for someone who hasn't yet committed to the sport. Buy the Vanguard Power Air if you're a 4.0+ player with a tournament schedule and you've already worn out a mid-tier paddle. There's no middle ground here: the price difference reflects three years of skill development between target players.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Advanced |
| Weight | — | 220-235g |
| Shape | Standard | Elongated |
| Core | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer X5 honeycomb |
| Surface | Composite | QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre |
| Grip Size | — | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | — | 16mm |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
The main differences are: Shape: JOOLA Ben has Standard vs Elongated. Core: JOOLA Ben has Polymer honeycomb vs Polymer X5 honeycomb. Surface: JOOLA Ben has Composite vs QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre. Overall, the JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials Pickleball Paddle is best for beginners while the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players.
The JOOLA Ben Johns Essentials Pickleball Paddle is the better choice for beginners thanks to its forgiving design and accessible price point. The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle is aimed at advanced players and may be more demanding to use effectively.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle (£170-220) 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 advanced players, the extra investment in the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle can pay off.