With dwell-based power and a full variety of shapes and cores, the JOOLA Pro V and Holbrook Fuze look similar on paper, yet feel like two different philosophies on the court.
JOOLA is the Goliath of pickleball with superstar pros like Ben Johns playing with their paddles. Competitive players measure everything against JOOLA and some would consider the Perseus Pro V the new gold standard. The Holbrook Fuze, on the other hand, is a newer name in the space at a lower price point, yet it offers a serious cash-saving alternative.
These paddles impressed me in extensive tests, with both earning 5 out of 5 stars and spots in our best pickleball paddles guide.
Here's how they stack up when compared against each other.
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Specs at a glance
| JOOLA Perseus Pro V | Holbrook Fuze (elongated) | |
| Price | $300 | $230 (under $200 with our codes) |
| Weight | 7.9 to 8.1 oz | 7.8 to 8 oz |
| Length | 16.5 inches | 16.5 inches |
| Width | 7.5 inches | 7.5 inches |
| Handle | 5.5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Core | Propulsion core (polymer honeycomb with KineticFrame) | Dual-density foam |
| Face | Textured carbon fiber | CAC (carbon-aramid-carbon) |
| Thickness | 14 or 16 mm | 14 or 16 mm |
Head-to-head performance
| Category | JOOLA Pro V (out of 10) |
Holbrook Fuze (out of 10) |
| Power | 9 | 10 |
| Control | 9 | 10 |
| Spin | 10 | 9 |
| Forgiveness | 9 | 9.5 |
| Weighting | 9 | 10 |
| Grip | 8 | 9 |
| Durability | 8 | 9 |
| Aerodynamics | 8 | 10 |
| Total | 70/80 | 76.5/80 |
It's an incredibly close race, but the Fuze wins seven of eight categories. The Pro V's one clear advantage is spin, where the textured carbon fiber face earns a perfect 10.
Similarities
Before getting into the differences, it's worth understanding what makes these paddles similar, because they share more than you might expect.
Both come in a wide variety of models. You can get all three paddle shapes: elongated, hybrid, and widebody, with a choice of 14 or 16 mm cores. Both weigh around 8 ounces. And both deliver dwell-based power. That means the ball doesn't snap off the face like a pop-based paddle, instead lingering a moment before sending over the net. You feel connected to the shot, placing it and shaping it.
If you want strong pop, neither of these is for you. But if you want feel and controlled aggression, both deliver it at the highest level.
Differences
The main difference between the two paddles comes from the core technology they use. The Holbrook Fuze has a dual-density foam core. The JOOLA Pro V has a polymer honeycomb core with JOOLA's new KineticFrame technology, which is a patent-pending frame structure in the throat that flexes to store and release energy on impact.
Both approaches work well. The KineticFrame gives the Pro V an effortless power feel and improved energy absorption on touch shots. But the foam core gives the Fuze an even more controlled feel to match the awesome power, as well as a durability edge I can't ignore.
While it's not been long enough for me to tell and the JOOLA Pro V comes with quality control improvements, I've seen earlier JOOLA paddles develop delamination over time. A full-foam paddle is just harder to kill and less prone to core crushing.
Where each paddle wins
Spin: JOOLA Pro V
This is where the Pro V separates itself. It’s one of the best pickleball paddles for spin. The textured carbon fiber face grabs the ball like very few paddles I've tested. I was hitting topspin lobs from the kitchen that cleared my opponents' hands and still landed in. My serves had that heavy dip toward the baseline. My speed-ups were dipping instead of floating.
The Fuze's CAC face (carbon-aramid-carbon) is built more for touch and forgiveness than raw grit. It scores a 9 on spin, which is excellent. But the Pro V's 10 is a real advantage for players who rely on spin to finish points.
Speed: Holbrook Fuze
I've never played with a 16 mm elongated paddle that moves this fast. The Fuze is, aerodynamically, in a completely different class than the Pro V. Opponents stopped speeding up to me because I was getting to everything. My reaction time at the kitchen improved noticeably.
The Pro V scores an 8 on aerodynamics. That's not bad. But compared to the Fuze's 10, you feel it in fast exchanges. If you play a quick, aggressive net game, this gap matters.
Power + Control: Holbrook Fuze
I scored the Fuze a 10 on power and control. In fact, it’s one of the only paddles to make our guides for both the best pickleball paddles for power and the best paddles for control.
That combination is incredibly rare. I filmed one session and ran my stats through AI: out of 90 shots, I missed three. My drives were keeping opponents scrambling. My drops were on point.
The Pro V earns a 9 on each. In practice, the difference is small. But the Fuze makes power feel effortless in a way that impressed me. You don't have to think about it. You just swing, and the ball does what you want.
Value: Holbrook Fuze
The Pro V is $300. The Fuze is $230, and with our discount codes at the Holbrook store and Pickleball Central, you're paying under $200. That's more than $100 saved on a paddle that scores higher in seven categories and has a more durable core. That's hard to argue with for most players.
Still, the JOOLA Pro V has many, many fans. Here are some reasons to choose each paddle.
Buy JOOLA Pro V if:
Spin is central to your game:
the textured carbon fiber face is in a class of its own. If topspin serves, dipping speed-ups, and rolling lobs are core to how you win points, the Pro V's 10/10 spin rating is hard to match.
You play at an advanced or elite level:
the Pro V rewards players who can feel the difference in refinement. The KineticFrame technology and plush, cushioned response is built for players who want to shape every shot.
You're already in the JOOLA ecosystem:
if you're coming off the JOOLA Pro IV, the transition is seamless. Same feel, more performance. No adjustment period.
You're not worried about longevity:
at $300, you're paying for peak performance. If you're the kind of player who replaces paddles every season anyway, the durability question matters less.
Buy Holbrook Fuze if:
You want the best overall package:
seven of eight categories for a total of 76.5 out of 80. The numbers don't lie, and the foam core means it's likely to outlast the Pro V too.
Speed at the kitchen is a must:
I've never played with a 16 mm elongated paddle this aerodynamic. If you live at the net and need to react fast, the Fuze's 10/10 on aerodynamics is a real edge.
You play at any level:
beginner, intermediate, advanced – I'd put the Fuze in anyone's hands. The power and control are effortless enough for newer players and elite enough for competitive ones.
You want to save up to $100:
with our discount codes, you're paying under $200 for a paddle that outperforms most paddles at twice the price. This is one of the best-value pickleball paddles ever.
If you want to learn more about each of these paddles, check out our dedicated, in-depth reviews, written fresh from testing them on the courts.
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