Loading...
Loading...
Buy the Hyperion CFS unless this is a complete beginner's first paddle; the Essentials is a polite gateway, not a keeper.
On paper this is barely a fair fight, and the price gap is now real. The Hyperion CFS 16mm is the paddle Ben Johns dragged to world number one — elongated 215-230g shape, Reactive Honeycomb polymer core and the Carbon Friction Surface that genuinely grips the ball for spin. At £149 it's no longer an impulse buy, but it's still fair money for the tech.
The Essentials sits at £90 and is exactly what the name says — a no-frills, all-skill paddle aimed at the rec-league newcomer who wants a JOOLA badge without the signature mark-up.
My honest take: if you've played more than ten sessions and can keep a dink rally going, the £60-odd stretch to the Hyperion is still worth making. The 16mm core is admittedly a bit stiff in the hand on cold UK mornings, but the spin window is in another league.
If you're buying a first paddle for a partner who's never held one, the Essentials does the job and won't be wasted money if they don't stick.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Weight | 215-230g | — |
| Shape | Elongated | Standard |
| Core | Reactive Honeycomb polymer | Polymer honeycomb |
| Surface | Carbon Friction Surface | Composite |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4" | — |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | — |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
The main differences are: Shape: JOOLA Ben has Elongated vs Standard. Core: JOOLA Ben has Reactive Honeycomb polymer vs Polymer honeycomb. Surface: JOOLA Ben has Carbon Friction Surface vs Composite. Overall, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle is best for intermediate players while the JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle suits beginners.
The JOOLA 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 (£149) costs more than the JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle (£90). 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.