If you're torn between the GOAT Ben Johns' Perseus and his original Hyperion, you might be wondering whether the $40 difference is really worth it. To help you decide, I've compared specs, pricing, and play feel to give you all the information you need to make the right choice.
JOOLA Perseus vs Hyperion comparison
While they're both elongated paddles from Hyperion, they're also older generations, so there are some key changes between them. The Perseus is a Gen 2 paddle with more recent technical manufacturing capabilities than the Gen 1 Hyperion, which was best-in-class when it came out in the Spring of 2022.
The Hyperion edges out the Perseus on power, spin, and forgiveness, it's a head-heavy paddle that suits more advanced players. The Perseus, on the other hand, is lighter, faster, and more user-friendly for your average intermediate player.
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JOOLA Perseus
To learn more, check out my full JOOLA Perseus review.
Buy if:
You want the lighter paddle:
the Perseus fixes the head-heaviness you get with the Hyperion.
You want a more aerodynamic paddle:
you can swing way faster with the Perseus, helping you to play a quick all-court game and engage in fast hand battles.
You want newer tech:
the Perseus is a more updated paddle with a unibody build to fix snapping issues, a better grip, and a “charged carbon surface” for more pop and energy.
Pass if:
You want the more forgiving of the two:
the Perseus has a small sweet spot, while the Hyperion has a medium-sized one for better forgiveness.
You prioritize spin:
the Hyperion gets more spin than the Perseus, but neither of these paddles can match the competition for the best spin paddle.
You're a power player:
the Perseus and Hyperion are both all-court paddles. If you're after power, check out my list of the best power paddles.
Paddle Weight
7.8-8 oz
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
5.5"
Paddle Face Material
Raw carbon
Core Thickness
14 mm or 16 mm (0.55" or 0.63")
Sweet Spot
Small
JOOLA Hyperion
To learn more, check out my full JOOLA Hyperion review.
Buy if:
You’re on a budget:
the Hyperion ($159.95) is $40 cheaper than the Perseus ($199.95).
You want more power, spin, and forgiveness:
the Hyperion just beats the Perseus in these areas.
You don't mind a heavier paddle:
this is the biggest complaint against the Hyperion's performance but if you're used to playing with head-heavy paddles you won't mind.
Pass if:
You want the better weighted paddle:
the Perseus scores 9/10 for weighting against the 7/10 Hyperion, which is less maneuverable in the kitchen zone.
You're worried about your paddle snapping:
the Perseus comes with a fully encased carbon (unibody) design that makes it less prone to breaking.
You're on a $100 budget:
the Vatic Pro PRISM Flash plays surprisingly close to the Hyperion but costs just $89.99 with our exclusive discount.
Paddle Weight
8.2-8.6 oz (Standard); 7.7-8.1 oz (Swift)
Paddle Width
7.5"
Handle Length
5.5"
Paddle Face Material
Carbon Friction Surface (CFS)
Core Thickness
0.63" (16 mm)
Sweet Spot
Medium
How do the JOOLA Perseus and Hyperion compare?
Power
Joola Perseus
8/10
Joola Hyperion
9/10
The head-heaviness of the Hyperion, which will be a negative for speedy players, helps boost power against the lighter Perseus.
The Perseus does have plenty of power to complement my touch game, so if you're an advanced control player you'll like that it's not a super-soft paddle. If power is the most important part of your game, I'd recommend going with the Hyperion.
Control
Joola Perseus
10/10
Joola Hyperion
10/10
No difference here when it comes to control – it's these paddles' best quality. There's quite a lot of pop with both, but I got used to that pretty quickly. Once you learn to dial it in, you'll find you can get pinpoint accuracy on all types of shots from routine dinks and drops to challenging third-shot drops.
Spin
Joola Perseus
8/10
Joola Hyperion
9/10
Neither of these paddles can generate the 10/10 spin of the Six Zero DBD Infinity or Bread & Butter Filth, but the Hyperion beats the Perseus. I felt it more in my topspin serves and third-shot drops.
JOOLA never really updated their spin tech for the Perseus. Without the power of the Hyperion, its spin is less impressive. If you're an advanced control player, you won't mind so much – it's still enough to hit hard topspin and backspin routinely and keep you competitive.
Forgiveness
Joola Perseus
7.5/10
Joola Hyperion
9/10
The small sweet spot on the Perseus will challenge some players, so expect mishits if you don't hit the ball dead center. The Hyperion has a larger sweet spot and mishits are rare. The extra weight gives the paddle a more stable feel too.
Overall, the Perseus feels good most of the time, and it's more forgiving than advanced power paddles like the Selkirk VANGUARD Power. Still, the Hyperion beats it for forgiveness hands-down.
Price
JOOLA knocked the Perseus down from $250 to $200 and it's good they did. It's now much better value for all-court players who prioritize control. It's thermoformed and will last a lot longer than the Hyperion. You can still find cheaper alternatives that arguably perform better, such as the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy S for $150 (or $134.99 with our exclusive discount code).
The Hyperion was one of the most expensive paddles when it came out at $220 but it's now listed for $159.95. That's a good price for a high-performance carbon paddle. The only thing I'm worried about is its longevity, as there are issues with snapping. Thermoformed paddles like the Perseus and Six Zero DBD have a longer shelf life.
Ultimately, both are fairly priced. The $50 price gap is justified because the Perseus is more modern and long lasting.
JOOLA Perseus vs Hyperion - which is better?
The Hyperion outscores the Perseus on power, spin, and forgiveness. There's a couple of caveats, though: because it's not thermoformed, it's not as durable as the Perseus. Also, the Hyperion will suit more advanced players over your average rec player because it's head heavy.
In my opinion, the Hyperion might still suit power players but it's a bit outdated. Most players – especially rising intermediates who are focused on their touch game – will get a better all-court performance and a more reliable long-lasting paddle with the Perseus.
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Alternatives to the JOOLA Perseus and Hyperion
If neither of these paddles feels like they're right for you, check out some of my other top picks below:
More power
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV
Better spin
Proton Series One
More durable
Bread & Butter Shogun
What even more options? Try my 30-second quiz and I'll recommend the best paddles for your play style and budget.
Find the perfect paddle
I've personally tested over 100 paddles. Take the quiz to see which ones fit your game best.
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