Image: JOOLA
JOOLA
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14mm
Exact variant covered
- Exact model
- Perseus Pro IV 14mm
- Generation
- Pro IV
- Revision
- USAP 'Perseus IV 14mm' (2025-01-22)
Evidence is attached only when a source names this variant; ambiguous mentions are held back.
At a glance
Who it suits
The evidence points to advanced and rising intermediate players who can manage pop, especially those who play aggressively at the kitchen with pokes, speed-ups and flicks.[3, 8, 9]
Pickleball Studio suggests that players with smaller hands consider the 14mm.[8]
Where creators agree
- Control5 of 5 creators
- Pop4 of 4 creators
- Hand speed3 of 3 creators
- Handle and grip2 of 2 creators
- Power2 of 2 creators
- Touch3 of 3 creators
Where they split
- Sweet spot1 positive, 1 negative
What the evidence says
Creators describe the Perseus Pro IV 14mm as a poppy, quick-swinging paddle built for attacking at the kitchen line.[2, 3, 8] Several reviewers found it easier to control than the 16mm because of its lower launch angle and more predictable response. Pickleheads disagrees in part, saying it can punish flat hitters and may need lead tape for stability.[1, 2, 3, 4, 8] Sources split most on the soft game. John Kew called it intuitive, while other creators reported harder dinks and resets and a firm, hollow feel with little cushion.[1, 2, 3, 9] Creators who covered forgiveness call it plush and forgiving on off-center hits, though Pickleheads notes slight dead spots near the handle.[3, 4] On overhead putaways, The Kitchen Pickle gives the edge to the 16mm.[4] Durability is still an open question. 1 of 53 consumer items analyzed reported core crushing after just under 4 months, and Pickleheads points to the history of JOOLA propulsion cores breaking down and delaminating over time.[3, 7]
More on player fit
Beginners and some intermediates are likely to struggle with its pop and power, and flat hitters may find it punishing.[3] Players who want a softer feel with more dwell time are pointed to the 16mm instead.[3]
Trait by trait
Each bar counts creator voices on that trait by their current stance: positive, neutral or mixed, negative. A longer bar means more creators spoke to it. Open a row for their words.
Control5 positive of 5 voices
Braydon Unsicker (Pickleball Effect) positive
“I personally thought the 14mm was easier to control because the ball didn’t seem to jump out as quickly, and it had a lower launch angle”
Pickleball Studio positive
“so maybe that's part of why the 14 mm feels more predictable to me.”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“The control is solid for a power paddle but it's not as easy to finesse shots as with a paddle like the Selkirk 008.”
Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio) positive
“The 14mm feels slightly stiffer and harsher but easier to play with.”
Alex Lantz (The Kitchen Pickleball) positive
“I was able to be really precise with those aggressive attacks because the ball was holding on the face for a split second longer.”
Pop4 positive of 4 voices
Johnkew Pickleball positive
“and good hand speed, then the 14 mm”
Pickleball Studio positive
“when I was at the kitchen line, the 14 mm felt poppier”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) strongly positive
“the 14 mm version has more pop than the 16 mm, making it a strong paddle for fast counters and attacking volleys.”
Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio) strongly positive
“But at the kitchen line, the 14mm felt poppier allowing more aggressive play.”
Hand speed3 positive of 3 voices
Pickleball Studio positive
“I also enjoyed that the 14 mm was quicker to swing in the hand.”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“This paddle is fast enough for me to feel confident in hand battles.”
Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio) positive
“Comparing hand speed, I enjoyed the 14mm’s quicker swing.”
Touch3 negative of 3 voices
Braydon Unsicker (Pickleball Effect) negative
“The 14mm Pro IV still retained a mostly firm, hollow feel.”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) negative
“The 14 mm doesn't have much cushion, so try the 16 mm for a softer feel with more dwell time.”
Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio) negative
“I did so with the Pro IV 14mm, and while it was fine, certain dinks and resets were harder to pull off.”
Handle and grip2 positive of 2 voices
Pickleball Studio positive
“So, if you do have smaller hands, you may want to consider the 14 mm,”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“The grip is comfortable, sweat-resistant, and with a good amount of cushioning.”
Power2 positive of 2 voices
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) strongly positive
“I have the 14 mm version and it's one of the most explosive paddles I've played with.”
Alex Lantz (The Kitchen Pickleball) positive
“it does have more putaway power on overheads than the 14mm”
Sweet spot1 positive · 1 negative of 2 voices
Pickleball Studio negative
“So, the 14 mms are probably going to be for slightly more advanced players,”
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“It's surprisingly forgiving too (even more than the JOOLA Perseus 3) thanks to the added foam near the throat which gives a consistent bounce.”
Delamination1 negative of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) negative
“there's always a risk of delamination over time, which could impact long-term value.”
Durability1 neutral or mixed of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) neutral
“This paddle shows no immediate signs of wear, but JOOLA paddles with propulsion cores have a history of breaking down over time.”
Spin1 positive of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) strongly positive
“the Carbon Friction Surface (CFS) grips the ball well, letting me shape shots with heavy topspin and slice.”
Stability1 negative of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) negative
“You'll probably need to customize with lead tape to get more stability and control.”
Value1 positive of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“This comes with a premium price tag ($279.95), but it's 100% worth it for the right player.”
Weight and balance1 positive of 1 voice
Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads) positive
“Both feel well-balanced and not too head-heavy, which makes them comfortable to swing, with minimal wrist strain.”
Follow-up videos extend a creator's timeline; they never count as a new voice.
Owner feedback
53 items analyzed from 1 source, published Aug 1, 2025 to Aug 1, 2025. Counts are mentions among the items analyzed, not a share of all owners.
Creators
6 independent creator voices. Disclosure chips come from each video or article's own description.
- Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads)
13 stances on this paddle
Positive on control, pop, hand speed, handle and grip
Negative on touch, delamination, stability
Affiliate linkDiscount codeSponsored“the 14 mm version has more pop than the 16 mm, making it a strong paddle for fast counters and attacking volleys.”
Mar 12, 2025SourceAffiliate linkDiscount codeSponsored - Pickleball Studio
5 stances on this paddle
Positive on control, pop, hand speed, handle and grip
Negative on sweet spot
Affiliate linkDiscount code“so maybe that's part of why the 14 mm feels more predictable to me.”
Mar 4, 2025 at 10:08SourceAffiliate linkDiscount code - Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio)
4 stances on this paddle
Positive on control, pop, hand speed
Negative on touch
Affiliate linkDiscount code“But at the kitchen line, the 14mm felt poppier allowing more aggressive play.”
Mar 25, 2025SourceAffiliate linkDiscount code - Alex Lantz (The Kitchen Pickleball)
2 stances on this paddle
Positive on control, power
Affiliate linkDiscount code“I was able to be really precise with those aggressive attacks because the ball was holding on the face for a split second longer.”
Mar 4, 2025SourceAffiliate linkDiscount code - Braydon Unsicker (Pickleball Effect)
2 stances on this paddle
Positive on control
Negative on touch
Discount codeFree unitSponsored“I personally thought the 14mm was easier to control because the ball didn’t seem to jump out as quickly, and it had a lower launch angle”
Mar 4, 2025SourceDiscount codeFree unitSponsored - Johnkew Pickleball
1 stance on this paddle
Positive on pop
Affiliate linkDiscount code“and good hand speed, then the 14 mm”
Mar 4, 2025 at 9:19SourceAffiliate linkDiscount code
Pro associations
No dated pro association with this exact paddle yet.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Status | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core thickness | 14 mm | Verified | 5 6 |
| UPA-A approved list | yes (model # P14G4D, added 2025-08-28) | Verified | 5 |
| USAP approved list | yes (listed 2025-01-22 as 'Perseus IV 14mm') | Verified | 6 |
Verified means the brand figure and an independent measurement or governing-body list agree. Brand reported means only the brand states it.
Close comparisons
Evidence gaps
- 54 mention(s) could not be matched to this exact variant and are held for review.
Sources 9
Titles are the publishers' own.
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV Review: How It Compares to the Perseus 3S creator article by Braydon Unsicker (Pickleball Effect), Mar 4, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full article text.
- JOOLA Perseus & Agassi Pro IV Review creator article by Chris Olson (Pickleball Studio), Mar 25, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full article text.
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV - pickleball paddle review creator article by Stephen Mijangos (Pickleheads), Mar 12, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full article text.
- Expert review: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV offers upgrade in feel, stability from 3S series creator article by Alex Lantz (The Kitchen Pickleball), Mar 4, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full article text.
- UPA-A Certified Paddles List governing body, undated. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026. Analyzed: full list page as served (certified list).
- USA Pickleball approved paddle list, model search 'Perseus' governing body, undated. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full search result page.
- Top-level comment on 'Perseus Pro IV Review | Still Worth The Hype 5 Months Later?' consumer comment, Aug 1, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: single comment, full text; drawn from 284 top-level comments retrieved on this line's review videos on 2026-11-02, 53 keyword-screened, 53 read in full; owner experience only.
- Joola Perseus & Agassi Pro IV In-depth Review creator video by Pickleball Studio, Mar 4, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full transcript (machine transcription by Gemini video understanding, timed [mm:ss] segments); quotes verified against this transcript.
- JOOLA Perseus IV Just Dropped - What You NEED TO KNOW Before Buying creator video by Johnkew Pickleball, Mar 4, 2025. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026. Analyzed: full transcript (machine transcription by Gemini video understanding, timed [mm:ss] segments); quotes verified against this transcript.
Changelog 1
- page: none to published
Latest evidence: Aug 1, 2025. Page last rebuilt: Nov 2, 2026. Sources analyzed: 9 of 12 available.