This article was originally written in December 2023. Since that time, we have developed new testing methodologies and criteria for classifying paddles for power, control, and spin and have summarized the test results of several paddles in our article, “Paddle Technical Data“. In this updated article, we revisit the Joola paddle test data and evaluate it against our new testing criteria. While the new test results and paddle classifications do not differ significantly from the previous article, they offer added insight for pickleball players interested in purchasing these paddles. A summary of the paddle technical characteristics used to quantify paddle swing weight, power, control, and spin is provided in our article, “Paddle Technical Characteristics“.
The Joola Hyperion and Joola Perseus are high-end pickleball paddles that have been endorsed by the professional pickleball player, Ben Johns. Except for obvious differences in paddle shape and grip material, what are the real differences between the paddles? Furthermore, how do these paddles compare with the average pickleball paddle? Let’s see if the science can help answer this question.
Manufacturer's Specifications
An overview of the Joola manufacturer’s specifications for the two paddles is provided in Table 1 below. As evident, there do not appear to be any significant differences between the paddles other than the weight, shape, and grip type.
Table 1. Joola Paddle Specifications
Paddle Shape
The first and most obvious difference between the paddles is the shape. Joola claims that the Aero-Curve shape of the Hyperion paddle creates less drag and increases swing speed than (presumably) a conventional-shaped paddle. An approximation for the aerodynamic drag force (Fd) is given by the following equation:
Fd = 0.5 * Cd * A * ρair * v2
Where:
The air density, ρair, is assumed to be constant for both paddles.
Cd is the drag coefficient, which is usually determined experimentally in a wind tunnel. It is a function of the three-dimensional shape of the object, where airfoil shapes will tend to have lower drag coefficients than flat planar objects. The Hyperion and Perseus paddles should have about the same aerodynamic drag coefficient, as the curved upper edge of the Hyperion will not significantly reduce the turbulent boundary layer (vortex shedding) that forms off the edge of the paddle.
We discussed the swing velocity, v in a previous article where we found it to be most affected by the paddle swing weight. It is important to note that in the drag equation, the force increases with the velocity squared. As anyone who has ridden a bicycle knows, the faster you ride, the more energy goes into countering the aerodynamic drag force. Therefore, with all other things being equal, a higher swing speed will create more drag force, not less as the manufacturer has suggested.
A is frontal area of the paddle. If we overlay the shape of the Hyperion paddle on the Perseus paddle we see slight differences at the top of the paddle as shown in Figure 1. These differences find that the Perseus paddle has an area that is 0.94 sq in greater than the Hyperion paddle. It is therefore unlikely that differences in the shapes of the paddles will cause differences in aerodynamic drag force or swing speed.
Weight Characteristics
We analyzed the paddle weight characteristics as described in our “Paddle Technical Data” article and compared them against an average of about 60 paddles. Results are shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Comparison of Paddles against Average
The static weight of both the Hyperion and Perseus are close to the average static weight. Although the Hyperion has a higher static weight than the Perseus, its balance weight is about the same as the Perseus, making them feel about the same when holding them in your hand. The swing weights of both paddles are only slightly greater than the average, making them feel slightly more cumbersome and less maneuverable, resulting in a slightly slower swing speed than the average paddle. Although the Perseus has a lower static weight than the Hyperion, because of the weight distribution of the paddle, it will have a slightly slower swing weight than the Hyperion.
Joola Control, Power, & Spin Ratings
Joola provides a unique and novel means of rating the control, power, and spin capability of their paddles by providing a numerical rating or ranking of each of their paddles. It is not clear, however, how Joola arrived at these numbers or if they were determined through objective testing or subjective evaluation. As shown in Table 3, the Hyperion paddle consistently ranks one point lower than the Perseus paddle for control, power, and spin.
Table 3. Joola Control, Power, & Spin Ratings
As we have discussed in several articles the power and control capabilities of a paddle should fall on a spectrum. That is, paddles that exhibit higher power will have lower control, and vice versa. There do not appear to be any explanations for how Joola provides the numerical ratings for their paddles, however, these ratings do not make sense. If the paddles are rated on a 0-100 scale, we would expect that a paddle that ranks high on the power scale would rank low on the control scale. That is, the sum of the power and control ratings should add up to 100. Paddles that have about equal power and control ratings would therefore have ratings in the 50s and would be classified as “hybrid” paddles.
Pickleball Science Measurements & Ratings
Pickleball Science has devised a series of new testing techniques based on a three-point bending test to better determine the control vs power characteristics of several paddles. Results from our on-going tests for several different paddles are summarized in our article, “Paddle Technical Data”. We have used the three-point bending apparatus to test both the paddle face stiffness and throat stiffness. The paddle face stiffness is measured with a point load applied to the middle of the paddle face, whereas the paddle throat stiffness is measured with a point load applied at the base of the paddle face at the top of the handle.
Paddles with low face and throat stiffness are projected to have more power since they will have a more significant trampoline and diving board effect, which enables the ball to launch off of the paddle face. This is explained in our article, “Paddle Dynamics“. We further combined the paddle face and throat stiffness measurements together with the paddle mass properties to estimate the paddle natural frequency. Paddles with natural frequencies in the 118-125 Hz range are classified as “hybrid” paddles. Paddles with natural frequencies lower than 118 Hz are classified as “power” paddles, and paddles with natural frequencies greater than 125 Hz are classified as “control” paddles. This is explained in our article, “Paddle Natural Frequency and Power“.
As described in our article, “Paddle Spin Capability, Friction, and Stiffness“, paddles with a low core stiffness tend to increase the effective contact area and contact time between the paddle and the ball, thereby enabling greater spin capability. As described in our article, “Paddle Technical Characteristics”, we generalized that paddles with a core stiffness in the 1700 – 2100 lb/in will have average spin capability. Paddles with a core stiffness less than 1700 lb/in will high spin capability, whereas those with a core stiffness greater than 2100 lb/in will have a low spin capability.
Our bending and core stiffness test results for the Joola Hyperion and Perseus paddles compared against an average of about 60 paddles are provided in Table 4 below.
Table 4. Paddle Stiffness Test Results
Overall Assessment
The Joola Hyperion and Joola Perseus paddles* are high-end top-of-the-line paddles that would be suitable for intermediate-to-advanced players. The paddle static and swing weights are about the same or slightly greater than the average paddle, which will allow them to be used by a majority of players, regardless of their skill levels. Our stiffness test results indicate that the Hyperion paddle would be classified as a Hybrid paddle with average spin capability, whereas the Perseus paddle would be classified as a Power paddle with high spin capability. The Hyperion paddle will therefore provide slightly more control than the Perseus paddle with less spin capability and power. The Perseus paddle, on the other hand, might be more suitable for a more experienced player who can reliably hit power shots with a variety of types of spin.
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