Best Pickleball Paddle in 2026: Selkirk vs JOOLA From a Racket Coach

Tomás Reyes

I am a padel coach first, but a lot of my US students also play pickleball, and they keep asking me which paddle to buy. I have spent the last two seasons testing the main Selkirk and JOOLA paddles alongside them. Here are my notes, and the longer guide is on the best pickleball paddle 2026 page.

The two brands that matter most

Selkirk and JOOLA dominate US pickleball. Both make excellent paddles, but they feel different.

Selkirk: known for its Invikta elongated shapes, thick honeycomb cores and a controlled, plush feel on the LUXX Control Air line.
JOOLA: known for the Perseus and Hyperion paddles played by Ben Johns and Simone Jardim, with textured carbon faces and lots of spin.

Selkirk LUXX Control Air Invikta: elongated, 7.9 to 8.3 oz, Florek carbon face with a thick X7 honeycomb core. Excellent for dinking and resets.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air Invikta: elongated, 7.7 to 8.1 oz, fiberglass and carbon hybrid face. More pop on drives.
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus: elongated, about 8.1 oz average, textured carbon face, honeycomb core with a foam edge wall. Spin and power.
JOOLA Simone Jardim Hyperion: similar construction with a slightly different shape. A good all-rounder.

How to choose

If you play a soft game built on dinks and resets, pick the Selkirk LUXX Control Air.
If you drive and attack from the baseline, pick the JOOLA Perseus or Selkirk Vanguard Power Air.
If you are not sure, the JOOLA Hyperion is the most balanced of the group.

My Selkirk vs JOOLA comparison goes deeper on feel and durability.

Weight and grip

Most adults are comfortable between 7.8 and 8.3 oz. Heavier paddles add stability on blocks but slow your hands at the kitchen. Grip size matters more than people think. If you are between sizes, go smaller and build it up with an overgrip.

Price

Good Selkirk and JOOLA paddles sit around $190 to $230. They last much longer than cheap paddles, which lose their pop within a few months of regular play.

Coming from padel?

Pickleball paddles are far lighter than padel rackets (around 8 oz vs 360 g plus), so expect your timing to feel early for the first session. Elongated shapes feel closest to a padel teardrop. If you are still deciding which sport to commit to, read my padel vs pickleball comparison.

Questions students ask me about paddles

Is an elongated paddle harder to use? Slightly, because the sweet spot sits higher and the face is narrower. Most players adjust within a week, and the extra reach is worth it.

Does textured carbon wear out? The texture smooths slowly with heavy use. Expect spin to drop a little after many months of regular play. Cleaning the face after each session keeps it working longer.

Should beginners buy a premium paddle? A beginner does not need the most expensive model, but a quality carbon paddle from a known brand lasts far longer than a cheap one and keeps its feel.

My testing notes

I played each of the four paddles listed above for at least three weeks of doubles. The Selkirk LUXX Control Air gave me the most reliable resets and soft dinks. The JOOLA Perseus was the best for driving and counterattacking. The Selkirk Vanguard Power Air sat between them with a lively feel. The JOOLA Hyperion was the paddle I could pick up and play well with on any day. If you only buy one, choose based on whether you prefer to slow the game down or speed it up.

Quick checklist before you buy a paddle

Decide whether you are a control player or a power player.
Check the weight range and pick the lighter end if you are unsure.
Measure your grip size against the brand's chart.
Confirm the model is on the USA Pickleball approved list if you play events.
Buy from a store with a return window, so you can switch if the feel is wrong after a few sessions.

Where to buy

Padelnox stocks Selkirk, JOOLA and CRBN paddles from genuine brand stock, with free tracked shipping on orders over $99 and 30-day returns on unused items. For the JOOLA side specifically, see my notes on the JOOLA Perseus vs Hyperion.

More coach notes

Still deciding within Selkirk? My Vanguard Power Air vs LUXX Control Air comparison breaks down the two most popular Selkirk paddles.

Tomás Reyes is an FIP-certified padel coach with 14 years on court in Valencia and Madrid, coaching in the US since 2023.