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Buy the Hyperion unless you specifically want the Air Dynamic Throat tech and have the budget for the Selkirk's premium.
The Hyperion at £75-100 is the people's champion of pickleball paddles: elongated, 16mm, Carbon Friction Surface, and a Reactive Honeycomb polymer core that delivers consistent control and spin. Ben Johns endorses it because it actually does the job at the top level, and the price-to-performance ratio is the best in the category.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at £170-220 is the boutique alternative. Its Air Dynamic Throat reduces drag through the swing, the QuadFlex Hybrid carbon face is genuinely premium, and the X5 polymer core is built for sustained power without losing touch.
A few practical points:
For most players the Hyperion is the smarter buy because you get tournament performance for half the price.
Hand-written editorial — not auto-generated. By Gary, RacketRise.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pickleball Paddles | Pickleball Paddles |
| Sport | Pickleball | Pickleball |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Weight | 215-230g | 220-235g |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Core | Reactive Honeycomb polymer | Polymer X5 honeycomb |
| Surface | Carbon Friction Surface | QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre |
| Grip Size | 4 1/4" | 4 1/4" |
| Core Thickness | 16mm | 16mm |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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The main differences are: Weight: JOOLA Ben has 215-230g vs 220-235g. Core: JOOLA Ben has Reactive Honeycomb polymer vs Polymer X5 honeycomb. Surface: JOOLA Ben has Carbon Friction Surface vs QuadFlex Hybrid carbon fibre. Overall, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle is best for intermediate players while the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players.
Neither is specifically designed for beginners — the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle suits intermediate players and the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle suits advanced players. Beginners may find both challenging.
The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Pickleball Paddle (£170-220) costs more than the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm Pickleball Paddle (£75-100). 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.