I Tested JOOLA Pro V vs Pro IV Power Across Skill Levels. Here’s What Happened

By Braydon
March 18, 2026

Which One Actually Hits Harder?

I’ve been hearing a lot of mixed feedback on this.

Some reviews and players say the JOOLA Pro V is just as powerful, or even more powerful, than the JOOLA Pro IV. Others say it’s clearly toned down.

So instead of guessing based on feel, I wanted to test it.

I’ve already covered the Pro V’s tech and construction in my full review which details the Pro IV’s diving board flex system vs the Pro V’s platform flex system. This article is focused on one thing:

Which paddle actually produces more power?

The Test & Results
Key Takeaway
What the Data Suggests
Which One Should You Choose

The Test

To get a clearer answer, I ran a simple test:

4 players at different skill levels (based on DUPR)
Each player hit 8 full-effort serves in an indoor environment
Tested with a new Perseus Pro IV and a new Perseus Pro V
Measured and averaged serve speed

The goal wasn’t perfect lab conditions. It was to see how these paddles perform across real players with different swing speeds.

The Results

Note: Green = higher speed | Red = lower speed

DUPR	Pro IV (mph)	Pro V (mph)	Difference
5.8	58.3	58.2	-0.1
5.7	60.5	61.3	+0.8
4.7	57.8	57.4	-0.4
4.3	54.3	52.6	-1.7

The Key Takeaway

There isn’t a clear, across-the-board winner.

At the highest level, the paddles were essentially the same
At one high-level data point, the Pro V was slightly faster
At lower levels, the Pro IV produced more power

So if you’re hearing conflicting opinions about these paddles, this is probably why.

Different players are getting different results.

What the Data Suggests About Swing Speed

Looking closer, there’s a pattern.

The one player who averaged over 60 mph actually saw an increase in power with the Pro V while the other highest level showed basically equal results.

But as you move down in level, and likely swing speed, the Pro IV starts to pull ahead.

That points to a key difference in how these paddles generate power:

The harder you swing, the more the Pro V keeps up or even pulls ahead.
The less you generate yourself, the more the Pro IV gives back.

In other words:

The Pro IV provides more built-in pop and helps create speed but it has a ceiling
The Pro V relies more on player input but scales better with it

What’s Actually Going On

This lines up with how each paddle feels on court.

Pro IV

More trampoline effect
More immediate pop
Easier access to power on shorter or less efficient swings

Pro V

More linear, controlled response
Less trampoline, more “you get what you put in”
Rewards faster, cleaner swings

A simple way to think about it:

Pro IV = assisted power
Pro V = scalable power

Shop JOOLA Paddles

Why the Pro IV Hits Harder for Many Players

The biggest difference showed up at the lower levels. The paddle’s diving board flex system vs platform based flex system showed more power at this level.

The 4.3 player saw a 1.7 mph drop going from the Pro IV to the Pro V.

That’s meaningful.

For players who aren’t consistently generating high swing speed or clean contact:

The Pro IV helps create speed
The Pro V expects you to create it

So in those cases, the IV isn’t just feeling more powerful, it actually is.

How are the Paddles Reacting For Higher Level Players?

At higher swing speeds, the Pro V starts to scale with you. Its platform based flex system responds more directly to how hard you swing, which makes it more dynamic and consistent in the hands of players who can generate their own pace.

Rather than relying on built-in pop, the Pro V activates based on what you put into it. The harder and cleaner you swing, the more it gives back.

At this level:

Players are consistently generating high swing speed
Contact quality is more repeatable
Less help is needed from the paddle to create power

Because of that, the Pro IV’s extra pop matters less, and the Pro V is able to keep up, or even slightly pull ahead in some cases while adding in an extra layer of predictablity.

At that point, the decision shifts away from raw output and more toward feel, control and predictability which the Pro V has more of at higher levels.

Which One Should You Choose?

This really comes down to how much power you’re able to generate on your own.

Higher-Level Players

If you’re an advanced player with higher swing speed, you’ll likely get more out of the Pro V.

It scales with you. The harder and cleaner you swing, the more it gives back. That makes it feel more dynamic and connected, especially when you’re consistently generating your own pace.

This is the group that can actually take advantage of what the Pro V is designed to do.

Lower to Mid-Level Players

If you’re not consistently generating high swing speed, you’ll likely get more power out of the Pro IV.

It provides more built-in pop and helps create speed for you, especially on shorter or less efficient swings.

With the Pro V, if you’re not able to fully scale into it yet, it tends to behave more like an all-court paddle. More controlled, more linear, but without the same easy access to power.

And in that case, there are a lot of all-court options that can give you a similar type of performance at a lower price point.

Shop JOOLA Paddles

Reviewer Profile

Braydon Unsicker is the founder of Pickleball Effect and has been reviewing pickleball gear since 2020. He’s known for independent, data-backed paddle reviews and hands-on testing that help players cut through marketing claims and make smarter equipment decisions.