In the last few years, the pickleball world has been completely reshaped by one brand: JOOLA. After dominating the professional table tennis scene for decades, JOOLA burst into pickleball by signing the undisputed world #1 player, Ben Johns. This single move sent a shockwave through the sport, and suddenly, “premium” paddles had a new, high-performance benchmark.
This “Ben Johns effect” has created massive brand recognition. But while players flock to Ben’s signature $250+ JOOLA Hyperion paddle, a quieter, more important revolution has been happening at the entry-level. That revolution is the JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle.
While it may carry the same prestigious brand name as the paddle used by the world’s best, the Essentials paddle is designed for a completely different player: the beginner.
In a market flooded with no-name, low-quality wooden paddles and cheap Amazon sets, the JOOLA Essentials asks a simple question: What if a beginner’s “first paddle” was made with the same design philosophy and quality control as a professional one?
As an Amazon affiliate site, our job is to find the best value for our readers. Is the JOOLA Essentials just a marketing gimmick riding on Ben Johns’ coattails? Or is it truly the new gold standard for beginner and budget-conscious players? We’ve analyzed the specs, synthesized user feedback, and broken down the technology to create this 2,000+ word deep dive.
Quick Verdict: The New Gold Standard for Beginners
If you’re new to the sport and just want to know what to buy, here’s the bottom line.
The JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle is arguably the best budget pickleball paddle for beginners on the market today. It is a USAPA-approved paddle that masterfully prioritizes control, forgiveness, and touch over raw power.
Its genius lies in its construction: a soft Response Polymer Core (which absorbs vibration and provides a soft feel) paired with a textured Fiberglass Surface (which helps “grip” the ball to learn spin). This combination, built on a standard 15.5″ x 7.9″ frame, creates a massive sweet spot and a soft, forgiving feel that is perfect for learning the game.
Its primary trade-off is power. This is not a power paddle. Players looking to blast the ball will be disappointed. But for beginners, this is a feature, not a bug—it forces you to learn proper form instead of relying on a “hot” paddle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unbeatable Value (Premium brand for ~$60) | ❌ Lacks Power (Not for “bangers”) |
| ✅ Exceptional Control & Touch | ❌ Handle is Thin/Short (4″ grip) |
| ✅ Massive, Forgiving Sweet Spot | ❌ Grip Can Be Slippery (May need an overgrip) |
| ✅ Good Spin Potential (Textured fiberglass face) | ❌ Not an “Advanced” Paddle (You will outgrow it) |
| ✅ Soft Feel & Quiet (Polymer core) | ❌ Does Not Come With a Paddle Cover |
| ✅ Durable (Features “Edge-Shield” protection) |
Bottom Line: The JOOLA Essentials is the smartest “first paddle” purchase a new player can make. It’s a high-quality, forgiving, and control-oriented paddle from a top-tier brand, all at a price that is almost impossible to beat. It provides an excellent, reliable learning experience that cheap wooden or aluminum paddles simply cannot match.
Technical Specifications: The Beginner’s Blueprint
Let’s look at the specs. This combination of materials and dimensions is a deliberate, time-tested formula for creating a “control” paddle.
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Core Material | Response Honeycomb Polymer | The standard for “control” paddles. A soft plastic honeycomb that absorbs energy, reduces vibration, and provides a “soft” feel. |
| Face Material | Fiberglass (Composite) | A textured surface that is “softer” than graphite. It allows the ball to dwell on the face longer, enhancing control and spin potential. |
| Average Weight | 8.0 oz | Sources list a range of 7.8 – 8.2 oz. This is a perfect mid-weight, offering a great blend of stability and maneuverability. |
| Paddle Length | 15.5 inches | The standard, traditional paddle length. |
| Paddle Width | 7.9 inches | A wide, generous width that contributes to the large, forgiving sweet spot. |
| Core Thickness | 12mm | A thinner core, which actually provides a bit more “pop” and feedback than thicker 14mm or 16mm cores, balancing the soft face. |
| Handle Length | 5 inches | A standard length, but feels short due to the grip style. |
| Grip Circumference | 4 inches | This is quite thin! It’s great for smaller hands but will feel small for most men (see Ergonomics section). |
| Grip Style | Sure-Grip (Perforated Anti-Slip Ridge) | A specialized grip with a raised “ridge” for finger placement. |
| Edge Guard | Edge-Shield Protection | A sturdy, durable edge guard that protects the paddle core. |
| USAPA Approved | Yes | Fully legal for all tournament play. |
Let’s Be Clear: Does Ben Johns Use This Paddle?
This is the most important question to answer, and it’s a point of major confusion in product marketing.
No. Ben Johns does not use the JOOLA Essentials paddle.
Ben Johns, the world’s #1 player, uses a premium, professional-grade paddle, the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16. That paddle is a $250+, 16mm thick, thermoformed raw carbon fiber monster designed for elite levels of spin and power.
The JOOLA Essentials is the brand’s $60 entry-level paddle.
So, why is this connection important? Because you are buying into the JOOLA ecosystem. The research, development, and quality control that go into making Ben Johns’ paddle “trickle down” to their entry-level products. You are getting a paddle designed by a company that knows, at the highest level, what makes a paddle perform.
Think of it like cars. Mercedes-Benz makes $300,000+ Formula 1 cars, and they also make a $40,000 A-Class sedan. The A-Class isn’t a Formula 1 car, but you buy it knowing the engineering, safety, and quality standards of the brand are present.
The JOOLA Essentials is the same. You are getting a premium brand’s version of a beginner paddle, which is a massive step up from a no-name brand.
Deep Dive: The Engine of Control (Core & Face)
To understand the Essentials, you must understand its parts. The combination of a polymer core and a fiberglass face is the classic recipe for a control-oriented paddle.
The Heart of Control: The Response Polymer Core
The engine of the JOOLA Essentials is its Response Honeycomb Polymer Core. This is the most common core material in pickleball today for one simple reason: it works.
- What it is: A soft plastic material formed into a honeycomb structure.
- What it does: It absorbs energy. When the ball hits the paddle, the polymer core compresses slightly, like a high-tech cushion. This “dampening” effect does two things:
- Reduces Vibration: It’s soft on the arm and elbow.
- Increases Dwell Time: The ball stays on the paddle face for a fraction of a second longer, giving the player more “feel” and control over the shot’s direction.
This is the complete opposite of a Nomex core (like in the Onix Z5), which is hard and designed to reflect energy (creating “pop”). The polymer core is all about taming the ball. For a beginner learning to dink, drop, and place their shots, this is the most important feature a paddle can have.
The Skin of Spin: The Fiberglass (Composite) Face
The polymer core is paired with a fiberglass surface. This is another deliberate choice for a beginner-friendly, control-oriented paddle.
- What it is: A composite material that is “softer” and more flexible than graphite or carbon fiber.
- What it does: Fiberglass has two key benefits:
- Texture: The face itself has a “gritty” or “textured” feel. This texture helps “grip” the ball, allowing a new player to start experimenting with and learning how to apply topspin and backspin.
- Softness: Like the polymer core, the fiberglass face also has more “flex” and “give” than a stiff graphite face. This again contributes to that soft, controlled feel, enhancing the paddle’s “touch” at the net.
When you combine the soft polymer core (for absorption) with the textured fiberglass face (for spin and touch), you get a paddle that is purpose-built to be forgiving and easy to control.
On-Court Performance: A Rating Breakdown
We rated the JOOLA Essentials across the key performance categories for its target audience: beginners and budget-conscious intermediate players.
Control & Forgiveness: 10/10
This is the paddle’s superstar category. It’s the reason you buy it.
- Dinking & The Short Game: This paddle is a “dink-friendly” machine. The soft core and face absorb energy beautifully, making it much easier to control your dinks and prevent them from “popping up” into your opponent’s smash zone.
- Forgiveness: The 7.9″ width and polymer core create a large, consistent, and forgiving sweet spot. Even when you hit the ball off-center, the paddle dampens the vibration and helps the shot go (mostly) where you intended. This is critical for building confidence in new players.
- Resets & Drops: Trying to hit a soft third-shot drop or “reset” a hard-hit ball is significantly easier with this paddle. Its job is to slow the ball down, which is the hardest skill to learn in pickleball.
Spin: 7/10
For a budget paddle, the spin is surprisingly good.
- Learning Spin: The textured fiberglass face provides a noticeable “grip” on the ball. For beginners learning the “brushing” motion for topspin, this paddle provides immediate, positive feedback. You can see the ball dip.
- Limitations: This is not a high-spin paddle in the modern sense. It cannot compete with the revolutionary spin from $200+ raw carbon fiber paddles. But for its price point, it’s at the top of its class.
Power: 4/10
Here is the paddle’s one true weakness and its biggest trade-off.
- Serves & Drives: You have to generate your own power. The soft core and 12mm thickness mean that the paddle absorbs energy… it doesn’t create it. If you are a “banger” who wants to hit hard drives and serves, you will find this paddle feels “mushy” or “dead.”
- Why This is Good for Beginners: This is a feature, not a bug. It forces new players to learn proper swing mechanics (using their legs, core, and follow-through) to generate power, rather than relying on a “hot” paddle to do the work. This builds a much better foundation for their long-term game.
Hand Speed & Maneuverability: 8/10
At an average weight of 8.0 oz, the Essentials is perfectly balanced.
- At the Net: It is not “head-heavy” and feels light in the hand. It’s easy to maneuver in fast volley exchanges at the kitchen line.
- Fatigue: The mid-weight and shock-absorbing core make this paddle very comfortable to play with for long periods. It’s light enough to prevent arm fatigue but has enough mass to feel stable and solid on contact.
Ergonomics and Build Quality
How does the paddle actually feel in your hand, and how long will it last?
The Handle & Grip: Love It or Hate It
This is the paddle’s most polarizing feature.
- The Grip: The paddle comes with JOOLA’s “Sure-Grip.” This is a ridged grip, meaning it has a pronounced, raised line (or lines) that spiral down the handle, designed to give your fingers a “track” to sit in. Some players love this, feeling it gives them a more secure hold. Other players hate it, finding the ridges uncomfortable and obtrusive.
- The Size (4″ Circumference): This is a very thin grip. For players with smaller hands (many women and juniors), this is a fantastic feature. For players with average to large hands (most men), this grip will feel tiny and you will almost certainly need to add an overgrip (or two) to build it up to a comfortable size.
- The “Slippery” Con: Some users report the stock grip can become slippery when it gets sweaty. This is another problem that is easily solved by adding a $5 overgrip, which is a common practice for almost all players anyway.
Durability & Aesthetics
- Durability: The paddle is very well-built for its price. It features JOOLA’s “Edge-Shield Protection,” which is a robust edge guard that effectively protects the core from ground strikes and paddle clashes. This paddle will last a beginner a long, long time.
- Aesthetics: It’s a sharp-looking paddle. The clean, professional JOOLA branding (in black, white, and yellow) makes it look like a much more expensive, “serious” paddle than its $60 price tag suggests. You will look the part on day one.
- Noise: It’s a polymer core, so it’s on the quieter side. It produces a soft, satisfying “thwack” instead of the loud, high-pitched “CRACK!” of a Nomex paddle like the Onix Z5. Your neighbors will thank you.
Who is the JOOLA Essentials Really For? (And Who Should Avoid It?)
This paddle is an A+ for a specific player and a C- for another.
✅ Buy the JOOLA Essentials If…
- You are a True Beginner: This is, in our opinion, the best “first real paddle” you can buy. It’s inexpensive, USAPA-approved, and teaches you the game the right way by focusing on control, touch, and form.
- You are on a Tight Budget: For ~$60, you are getting a paddle from a world-class brand that performs as well as (or better than) many $100-$120 paddles from a few years ago. The value is off the charts.
- You are a “Control” Player: If you are a more “defensive” or “strategic” player who wants to win by dinking and placing the ball, this paddle’s soft game is its greatest strength.
- You Have Smaller Hands: The 4″ grip is a rare and welcome feature for players who find standard grips too bulky.
- You are Buying a Gift: If you’re trying to get a friend or family member into the sport, this is a can’t-miss gift that they will love (and that won’t break the bank).
❌ Avoid the JOOLA Essentials If…
- You are a “Power Player” or “Banger”: You will hate this paddle. You will feel like you’re playing with a pillow. You need a paddle with a harder core (like the Onix Z5) or a thermoformed carbon fiber paddle.
- You are an Advanced Player (4.0+): You have already developed your game and will be looking for more specialized tools, like thicker cores (14mm-16mm) for more control or raw carbon fiber for elite spin.
- You Have Very Large Hands: You can (and should) add an overgrip, but you may be better off starting with a paddle that has a 4.25″ or 4.5″ base grip.
How the Z5 Compares: Key Alternatives
This paddle exists in a very competitive “beginner” market. Here’s how it stacks up.
- JOOLA Essentials vs. Onix Z5 Graphite (The “Beginner” Showdown): This is the most important comparison for a new player. Both are iconic, affordable, and great for beginners, but they are polar opposites.
| Feature | JOOLA Essentials | Onix Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Control & Touch | Power & Pop |
| Core | Soft Polymer (Absorbs energy) | Hard Nomex (Reflects energy) |
| Face | Fiberglass (Textured, Soft) | Graphite (Stiff, Crisp) |
| Feel | Soft, Cushioned, “Dwell Time” | Crisp, Responsive, “Hot” |
| Sound | Quiet “Thwack” | Loud “CRACK!” |
| Best For… | Learning dinks, drops, resets. | Learning serves, drives, smashes. |
**Verdict:** If you want to learn the "soft game" and control, get the **JOOLA Essentials**. If you are a former tennis player who just wants to hit the ball hard and have fun, get the **Onix Z5**.
- JOOLA Essentials vs. Other Amazon Brands (e.g., Vulcan V330): The Essentials is a direct competitor to other “premium-beginner” paddles like the Vulcan V330 or the Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid. While those are also good paddles, the JOOLA name carries a bit more prestige, and the value-for-price is, in our opinion, slightly better. The 4.6-out-of-5-star global rating on Amazon, with thousands of reviews, confirms its widespread customer satisfaction.
- JOOLA Essentials vs. Premium Paddles (e.g., JOOLA Hyperion): What do you get for spending $150 more? With a premium paddle, you get specialization. You get a thicker 16mm core for even more control, a raw carbon fiber face for elite spin, and a thermoformed body for more power. The Essentials is a jack-of-all-trades for beginners; the Hyperion is a specialized weapon for experts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the JOOLA Essentials USAPA approved for tournaments? A: Yes. It is fully approved by USA Pickleball (formerly USAPA) and is legal for all sanctioned tournament play.
Q: Does the paddle come with a cover? A: No. At this price point, a cover is not included. This is a common “con” mentioned by users, but it’s how the paddle remains so affordable.
Q: I have tennis elbow. Is this a good paddle for me? A: Yes, this is an excellent choice. The soft Response Polymer Core is specifically designed to absorb vibration and shock, making it much gentler on the arm and elbow than hard Nomex paddles.
Q: Is this a good paddle for a child or junior player? A: Yes, it’s a fantastic choice. The 8.0 oz mid-weight is light enough for them to handle, and the thin 4″ grip is perfect for smaller hands.
Final Verdict: The Smartest $60 You Can Spend in Pickleball
After this deep dive, our conclusion is simple: The JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle is the new gold standard for beginners.
It has successfully disrupted the entry-level market by offering a premium product at a bare-bones price. It rejects the “power-first” temptation that many new players have and instead provides the tool they actually need: a forgiving, high-control paddle that teaches the soft game.
While you may eventually “graduate” to a more powerful or spin-focused paddle, the Essentials is the perfect “first-semester” professor. It’s the paddle that will teach you how to play pickleball, not just how to hit it hard.
For its combination of control, forgiveness, quality, and price, the JOOLA Essentials is the most-recommended, most-trusted, and smartest “first paddle” purchase you can make.