When the best pickleball player on the planet switches paddle brands, the entire sport pays attention. That is exactly what happened when Ben Johns left his old sponsor and signed with JOOLA in a deal that industry insiders reported was worth more than a million dollars a year. Almost overnight, everyone from weekend rec players to touring pros started asking the same thing: what paddle does Ben Johns use, and does it actually make a difference? The answer involves more than a single model name, because Ben has played with several paddles over his career and his current gear keeps evolving as technology changes.
In this guide, you will get the complete picture. We will cover the exact paddle he plays with today, the full history of his equipment from his early days to now, the technology packed inside each model, the precise specs (weight, length, handle size, core thickness), how the 14mm and 16mm versions differ, the equipment controversy that shook up the sport, what he adds or does not add to his grip, how his paddle stacks up against rival pro paddles, and the honest truth about whether buying his paddle will help your own game. By the end, you will know more about Ben Johns’ setup than most people at your local courts.
The Straight Answer: Ben Johns Plays a JOOLA Signature Paddle
Ben Johns uses a JOOLA paddle from his own signature line, and for the past several seasons that has meant a JOOLA Perseus model in the 16mm elongated shape, the successor to the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion that launched his partnership with the brand. He has been a JOOLA athlete since late 2022, and every paddle he has competed with since then carries his name on the face.
Here is the important nuance most articles skip. JOOLA does not sell one “Ben Johns paddle.” It sells a family of them. The Hyperion shape was the original signature model. The Perseus arrived later as a thermoformed, higher-power option, and Ben moved over to it. Each of those shapes then got refreshed across multiple generations, with new surfaces, new cores, and new names attached. So the honest answer changes depending on when you ask.
What has stayed consistent is his preference profile. Ben plays an elongated paddle with a longer handle, a thicker 16mm core, and a raw carbon fiber hitting surface. He wants reach, spin, and control first, with power built in through the core and edge construction rather than through a thin, poppy face. If you understand those four preferences, you understand his paddle choice better than someone who just memorizes a model name.
One more thing worth clearing up right away: the paddle you can buy at retail is essentially the same paddle he plays with. Ben has said in interviews that he competes with production models straight off the line, not a secret custom build. Pro paddles do sometimes get weight-matched more carefully, but there is no hidden “pro version” with different materials.
Ben Johns’ Paddle History: From Paddletek to Franklin to JOOLA
Ben Johns did not start his career with a signature paddle. Like most juniors coming up in the sport around 2016 and 2017, he played whatever performed best and whatever a company was willing to put in his hands. Tracing that path helps explain why his current paddle looks the way it does.
The Early Years
In his first competitive seasons, Ben played with composite and graphite paddles from established brands, including Paddletek gear during his teenage rise. These were traditional honeycomb-core paddles with a textured composite face. Raw carbon fiber, the material that dominates today, was not yet the standard. Spin generation was much lower across the board, and the sport’s style reflected that: fewer topspin rolls, fewer aggressive drives off short hops.
The Franklin Era
Ben then signed with Franklin Sports and played a signature Franklin paddle for several seasons, roughly through the end of 2022. This was the period when he became the sport’s dominant force, stacking up triple crowns and holding the world number one ranking in men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles at the same time. The Franklin signature paddle was a solid, well-liked performer, but by late 2022 the paddle market had shifted hard toward raw carbon faces and thicker polymer cores.
The JOOLA Move
In December 2022, JOOLA, a brand best known for table tennis equipment, announced it had signed Ben Johns. Reports at the time described the multi-year contract as the largest endorsement deal in pickleball history. JOOLA launched the Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 alongside the announcement, and it sold out repeatedly during its first months on the market.
Here is how the equipment timeline breaks down:
- Early career: composite and graphite paddles, including Paddletek models
- Roughly 2019 through 2022: Franklin Ben Johns signature paddle
- Late 2022 into 2023: JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16, then the CAS version
- Mid 2023 onward: JOOLA Perseus, the thermoformed elongated model
- Recent seasons: updated Perseus generations, including the 3S and Pro IV families
That progression tells a story about the sport itself. Paddles went from simple pressed sandwiches of foam and fiberglass to thermoformed unibody constructions with foam-injected walls and engineered carbon faces, all in about five years.
Inside the Technology: What Actually Makes His Paddle Work
Model names are marketing. The technology underneath is what changes how a paddle plays. Ben’s JOOLA paddles combine four main engineering pieces, and each one solves a specific problem on the court.
The Carbon Fiber Face
The hitting surface on his signature paddles uses raw, unpainted carbon fiber. JOOLA has branded its versions as Carbon Friction Surface (CFS), Carbon Abrasion Surface (CAS), and later charged-carbon variations. The point of all of them is the same: create a gritty, high-friction surface that grabs the ball so you can generate heavy topspin and biting slice. Raw carbon also has a softer, more muted feel than fiberglass, which improves touch on dinks and resets.
The Polymer Honeycomb Core
Underneath the face sits a polypropylene honeycomb core. JOOLA calls its version a Reactive Honeycomb Polymer Core, and in later generations a Propulsion Core. The core thickness controls the balance between power and control. Ben plays 16mm, the thicker option, which gives a larger sweet spot, better stability on off-center contact, and more forgiveness in soft hands exchanges.
Thermoforming and Foam Walls
Starting with the Perseus, Ben’s paddles use thermoformed unibody construction. Instead of gluing separate pieces together, the whole paddle gets molded and heat-pressed as one unit, then the perimeter gets injected with foam. This stiffens the frame, pushes the sweet spot wider, and adds noticeable pop, especially on drives and counters at the kitchen line. It is the single biggest reason the Perseus feels more powerful than the original Hyperion.
The Handle
Every paddle in his line uses a long handle, about 5.5 inches, paired with JOOLA’s Sure-Grip. The long handle matters more than people realize. It gives room for a two-handed backhand, which Ben and his brother Collin both use, and it lets you choke up or slide back to change leverage mid-point.
Consider a real scenario. You are in a fast hands battle at the net and your opponent jams a ball at your right hip. With a 4.5-inch handle, you have to contort your wrist to get the paddle face around. With a 5.5-inch handle, you can drop your bottom hand on, take a compact two-handed swipe, and redirect the ball with control. That single design choice changes how you can play defense.
Full Specs of the Ben Johns Paddle Lineup
Numbers help. Below is a comparison of the main signature models tied to Ben Johns, with the specs that matter most when you are shopping. Weights are approximate because every paddle varies slightly off the production line, usually by a tenth of an ounce or so.
| Model | Core Thickness | Face | Shape and Size | Handle | Typical Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 | 16mm | Carbon Friction Surface | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 8.0 oz |
| Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 14 | 14mm | Carbon Friction Surface | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 7.8 oz |
| Ben Johns Hyperion CAS 16 | 16mm | Carbon Abrasion Surface | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 8.0 oz |
| Perseus CFS 16 (thermoformed) | 16mm | Charged carbon surface | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 8.0 to 8.4 oz |
| Perseus 3S 16 | 16mm | Carbon abrasion surface | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 8.0 to 8.3 oz |
| Perseus Pro IV 16 | 16mm | Raw carbon, foam-reinforced build | Elongated, 16.5 x 7.5 in | 5.5 in | 8.0 to 8.4 oz |
Notice the shape stays locked at 16.5 inches long by 7.5 inches wide across every model. That is not a coincidence. USA Pickleball rules cap combined length plus width at 24 inches, and 16.5 plus 7.5 hits exactly 24. Ben’s paddles use every legal millimeter of reach.
Grip circumference sits right around 4.125 inches on the stock handle, which lands between a small and medium grip in tennis terms. Most players find it comfortable as-is, and anyone wanting a thicker feel can simply add an overgrip, which adds roughly an eighth of an inch.
Pricing has climbed with each generation. The original Hyperion launched around the 220 dollar mark. Later thermoformed generations pushed into the 250 to 280 dollar range, putting them at the premium end of the market. That price reflects both the technology and the name on the face.
16mm or 14mm: Which Version Fits Your Game
Every model in Ben’s line comes in two core thicknesses, and this is where most buyers get stuck. Ben himself plays the 16mm. But that does not automatically mean 16mm is right for you.
The 16mm core spreads impact energy over a thicker cushion of honeycomb. That means the ball sits on the face a fraction longer, giving you more feel, a wider sweet spot, and better dwell time for spin. The tradeoff is a slightly deadened response on put-away shots. The 14mm core does the opposite: quicker pop, more raw power, more reward for clean contact, and less forgiveness when you miss the center.
Here is a practical way to decide:
- Choose 16mm if you play doubles, live at the kitchen line, rely on dinks and resets, or want maximum stability on blocks and counters
- Choose 16mm if you are new to elongated paddles and want the biggest possible sweet spot while you adjust
- Choose 14mm if you play a lot of singles, hit hard drives from the baseline, or want extra pop on speed-ups
- Choose 14mm if you have a compact swing and want the paddle to supply more of the power
- Choose 14mm if you are moving up from a heavy, lower-powered paddle and want an immediate jump in ball speed
Think about a 3.5-level doubles player who keeps popping up third-shot drops. That player does not need more power. That player needs a bigger, softer landing zone so slightly mishit balls still drop into the kitchen. The 16mm is the smarter buy. Now think about a singles-heavy player who runs down balls and swings from the back of the court. The 14mm gives that player free depth on drives.
Across the paddle market as a whole, roughly two out of three premium paddles sold now use a 16mm core, and that ratio has grown every year as the pro game has shifted toward control-first equipment with power engineered into the frame instead of the face.
The Paddle Approval Controversy That Shook Up the Sport
You cannot fully answer questions about Ben Johns’ equipment without addressing the compliance drama that surrounded JOOLA’s third-generation paddles. It is a genuinely useful story because it explains why paddle rules keep tightening.
JOOLA released its Gen 3 line, including the Perseus 3, with an aggressive new construction that used a foam-injected perimeter designed to boost power and expand the sweet spot. Players immediately noticed how much extra pop the paddles delivered. Then USA Pickleball, which certifies equipment for sanctioned play, revised its testing standards and removed the Gen 3 paddles from its approved list after they failed new deflection and power testing thresholds.
JOOLA responded by engineering revised versions, marketed with an “S” designation, that passed certification. Ben and other JOOLA pros moved onto the compliant versions. Nobody was accused of cheating; the paddles were legal when they were released, and the governing body changed the test afterward. But the episode taught the entire industry a lesson about how fast the compliance goalposts can move.
Why should you care as a buyer? Because a delisted paddle cannot be used in sanctioned tournaments, even if it plays great in rec games. Before you spend 250 dollars on any premium paddle, take two minutes and do the following:
- Search the USA Pickleball approved paddle list for the exact model name and core thickness
- Check that the version you are buying matches the approved listing, since “3” and “3S” are different paddles
- Look for the certification stamp printed on the paddle face or edge guard
- If you play PPA or APP events, confirm the tour’s own equipment rules, which can differ slightly
- Keep your receipt in case a model gets revised mid-season
The broader trend is clear. Governing bodies now test for ball exit speed, deflection, and surface roughness, and they retest paddles after wear. Expect more standardization, not less.
How Ben Sets Up His Paddle: Grip, Weight, and Customization
Plenty of pros heavily modify their gear with lead tape, custom grips, and weight redistribution. Ben Johns is famously light on modification, which surprises people who assume elite players need elaborate setups.
He plays close to stock. He uses the paddle’s factory Sure-Grip, sometimes with an overgrip on top depending on conditions and preference, and he does not load the frame with lead tape to chase extra power or stability. His reasoning has been consistent in interviews: he wants a paddle that feels the same every single time he picks one up, and heavy customization makes replacement paddles harder to match.
What This Means for You
If you have been convinced that you need a customization ritual to compete, take the pressure off. A stock paddle in the right shape and core thickness beats a heavily modified paddle in the wrong shape every time. That said, a few small tweaks are genuinely useful and worth understanding.
- Overgrip: adds about 0.2 ounces and a bit of tackiness, and it is the cheapest way to change how a handle feels
- Grip build-up: a thin sleeve under the grip if your hand is larger and you want less wrist action
- Edge tape at 3 and 9 o’clock: adds stability and a wider sweet spot without much swing weight increase
- Edge tape at 12 o’clock: adds plow-through power but makes the paddle feel heavier and slower in hand battles
- Handle weight: shifts balance toward your hand for faster reactions at the net
A helpful rule: add weight in small increments, no more than a quarter ounce at a time, and play at least two sessions before adding more. Most players who add a full ounce end up with arm fatigue and slower hands within a month.
One more detail about his setup. Ben uses a continental-style grip for most shots and switches for his two-handed backhand, and that long 5.5-inch handle supports both. If you buy his paddle but keep a strictly eastern forehand grip and a one-handed backhand, you may find the extra handle length does not give you much benefit, and a shorter-handled paddle might suit you better.
How His Paddle Compares to Other Top Pro Paddles
Ben’s JOOLA is elite, but it is not the only elite option. The premium paddle market is crowded with excellent thermoformed carbon paddles, and several pros play equipment that competes directly. Understanding those alternatives makes you a smarter buyer.
The most common comparison points fall into three buckets: elongated power paddles, hybrid-shape all-court paddles, and control-first widebodies. Ben’s Perseus sits firmly in the first bucket.
| Paddle Type | Representative Options | Best For | Main Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elongated thermoformed carbon | JOOLA Perseus, CRBN 1X Power Series | Reach, spin, drives, two-handed backhands | Smaller sweet spot near the throat |
| Hybrid shape | JOOLA Scorpeus, CRBN 2X, Six Zero hybrid models | Balanced all-court doubles play | Less reach than elongated |
| Widebody control | Selkirk Vanguard widebody, Paddletek Bantam models | Hand speed, forgiveness, soft game | Less power and reach |
| Foam-core power | Newer full foam-core releases across brands | Maximum ball speed and sweet spot size | Higher price, faster performance decay |
His own brother offers a useful contrast. Collin Johns, one of the best defensive players in the sport, plays a shorter, wider JOOLA shape rather than the elongated Perseus. Same family, same brand, completely different paddle, because Collin’s game leans on hand speed and resets while Ben’s leans on reach and offense. That is proof that copying a pro’s exact model is not the point. Matching the paddle to your style is.
If you are comparing on value, remember that mid-priced paddles from brands like Six Zero, Ronbus, and Vatic Pro deliver a large percentage of the performance for roughly half the money. The gap between a 130 dollar carbon paddle and a 260 dollar carbon paddle is real, but it is smaller than the price difference suggests, especially below the 4.0 skill level.
Common Mistakes, Myths, and Buying Tips
The moment a pro paddle goes viral, misconceptions follow. Here are the errors that cost players money and progress, along with what to do instead.
Myth: The Paddle Makes the Player
Ben Johns won major titles with a Franklin paddle, then kept winning with a JOOLA. He would win with almost anything. Equipment gives you a few percent, not a few levels. If your third-shot drop floats, a new paddle will not fix your contact point.
Mistake: Buying the Elongated Shape Without Adjusting
An elongated paddle moves the sweet spot up toward the tip and shrinks the forgiving area near the throat. Players coming from a widebody often shank balls for the first week and blame the paddle. Give any new shape at least six to eight hours of play before you judge it.
Mistake: Ignoring Swing Weight
Static weight on a scale tells you very little. Swing weight, which measures how heavy a paddle feels in motion, matters far more for hand speed and arm health. Elongated paddles naturally carry higher swing weight because mass sits farther from your hand. If you have had tennis elbow, factor that in.
Mistake: Buying Counterfeits
Popular signature paddles attract fakes. Counterfeit versions show up on marketplace sites at suspiciously low prices, often with sloppy printing, missing certification stamps, or the wrong handle length. Follow these safeguards:
- Buy from the manufacturer or an authorized retailer
- Treat any brand-new premium paddle priced under 60 percent of retail as suspect
- Check that the certification stamp is printed cleanly, not stickered on
- Compare the handle length and paddle dimensions against published specs
- Confirm the seller offers a real warranty and return policy
Best Practice: Demo Before You Commit
Many retailers run demo programs for 10 to 25 dollars, and that fee usually applies toward a purchase. Spending 20 dollars to test a 260 dollar paddle is the single highest-return decision in the whole buying process. Test the 14mm and 16mm back to back on the same day, in the same conditions, against the same opponents.
Also keep expectations realistic about lifespan. Thermoformed carbon paddles lose surface grit and core responsiveness over time. Competitive players who play four or more days a week often notice a real drop-off after four to eight months. Recreational players might get well over a year. Clean the face with a damp cloth after outdoor sessions to preserve texture, and never leave a paddle in a hot car, since heat damages the core and adhesives.
Questions People Ask Most About Ben Johns’ Equipment
These come up constantly in forums, Facebook groups, and at the courts. Here are direct answers.
Can I buy the exact paddle Ben Johns plays with?
Yes. JOOLA sells his signature models directly to the public, and the retail version matches what he competes with. There is no separate pro-only build.
Is his paddle legal for tournaments?
The current models he plays are certified for sanctioned play. Always verify the specific model and core thickness on the USA Pickleball approved list before a tournament, because certifications get updated.
How much does it cost?
Expect roughly 220 to 280 dollars depending on the generation and any promotions. Older generations often drop significantly once a new line launches, which makes previous-model Hyperions and Perseus paddles one of the best values in the sport.
Should a beginner buy it?
Probably not as a first paddle. A beginner benefits more from a forgiving widebody or hybrid shape in the 80 to 150 dollar range. Once you develop consistent contact and know whether you want reach and spin, upgrading makes sense.
Does it really add that much spin?
Raw carbon faces measurably out-spin painted composite faces, often by a wide margin in independent testing. But spin also depends heavily on swing path, ball type, and how worn the face is. A fresh mid-priced carbon paddle can out-spin a worn-out premium one.
What about the 14mm for doubles?
Plenty of strong doubles players prefer 14mm for the extra pop on speed-ups, especially if they already have soft hands. It is a legitimate choice, not a mistake, as long as you accept less forgiveness.
What is changing next in paddle technology?
The industry is moving toward full foam cores, gel and hybrid core materials, and more precise engineering of where the sweet spot sits. At the same time, governing bodies are tightening testing for power and surface roughness. The likely result is a narrower performance gap between top paddles and a bigger emphasis on feel, durability, and consistency rather than raw ball speed.
Final Thoughts on Ben Johns’ Paddle and Your Own Choice
To sum it up: Ben Johns plays a JOOLA signature paddle, currently a Perseus in the 16mm elongated build, after starting his JOOLA run with the Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16. His setup features a raw carbon face for spin, a thick polymer core for control and forgiveness, thermoformed construction with foam-reinforced walls for power, and a long 5.5-inch handle that supports his two-handed backhand. He plays close to stock, without heavy lead tape, and the paddle you can buy is the same one he competes with. Along the way, his equipment history from composite paddles to Franklin to JOOLA mirrors the entire sport’s technology arc.
The bigger takeaway is that the right paddle is the one that fits your game, not the one that fits the world number one. Use Ben’s setup as a reference point, then ask honest questions about your own style: Do you need reach or hand speed? Do you drive or drop? Do you hit a two-handed backhand? Demo before you buy, check the approved paddle list, and give any new shape a fair trial before you judge it. Get those pieces right, and your equipment will finally work with your game instead of against it, which is exactly what the pros have figured out.
