JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV vs Selkirk Power Air Invikta

Two of the best paddles in 2026. Two different philosophies. We tested both back-to-back with the same three testers across 16+ total court hours. Here is everything.

At a glance

Lab measurements head-to-head

The data favors the Perseus, but margins are small enough that play feel matters more than the numbers.

The Perseus Pro IV — overview

The category-defining all-court paddle in 2026. JOOLA’s third major Ben Johns signature, refined over four years of pro feedback. The 16.5” elongated shape, Carbon Friction T700 face, and Reactive Polymer core combine into a paddle that does everything competently and a few things exceptionally.

The feel: Crisp. Reactive. You feel exactly where the ball hit. Some players love this, some find it harsh.

The Power Air Invikta — overview

Selkirk’s premium all-around paddle, defined by its “Air Dynamic Throat” — an aerodynamic cutout that reduces swing speed and helps hand-speed exchanges at the kitchen. 16.5” elongated, T700 raw carbon face, 16mm Air core.

The feel: Soft. Dampened. The ball “lands” on the face rather than rebounding. Some players love this for touch shots, some find it muted.

Head-to-head — Spin

Perseus wins. 1,980 vs 1,860 RPM on our rig — Perseus’s Carbon Friction surface grips marginally better than Selkirk’s raw T700. On-court, our spin-heavy 4.0 tester noticed: third-shot drops with the Perseus had more bite on the bounce. With the Power Air, drops were softer and easier to land but less aggressive.

If your game lives on spin, Perseus.

Head-to-head — Power

Perseus wins. 52 vs 49 mph exit velocity. Modest difference. The Perseus has more plow-through, which matters most on aggressive drives and overheads. The Power Air’s aerodynamic throat helps with swing speed but doesn’t generate the same pop.

If you smash and drive a lot, Perseus.

Head-to-head — Control

Power Air wins. This is where the Air Dynamic Throat matters most. Drops landed where intended more consistently with the Power Air. Hand-speed exchanges at the kitchen line favored the Power Air’s lighter swing path. Our 4.0 tester described it as “the paddle picks the spot for you” — a slight exaggeration, but it captures the difference.

If your game is dink-and-drop, Power Air.

Head-to-head — Comfort

Power Air wins. Marginally lower vibration, marginally softer feel. Both are 8.0+ oz so neither is “comfortable” in the tennis-elbow sense. For long sessions (90+ minutes), our testers had a slight preference for the Power Air.

For arm-pain players, neither of these is the right paddle. The Diadem Warrior Edge is the answer.

Head-to-head — Price & value

Power Air wins slightly. $250 vs $279. $29 isn’t huge in this tier, but Selkirk’s customer service is the best in pickleball — that’s worth something. Selkirk also runs demo programs through Pickleball Central; JOOLA’s demo program exists but is harder to access.

For pure performance per dollar, Power Air wins by a hair. For pure performance, Perseus wins.

Head-to-head — Build & longevity

Effectively a tie. Both are tournament-grade. Both come with 2-year warranties. Both held up to 90 days of testing with minor wear (face spin retention ~92% for Perseus, ~90% for Power Air).

Counterfeits exist for both. Buy direct from the brand or from authorized retailers (Pickleball Central, DICK’S) to avoid issues.

Which is best for you?

Pick the Perseus Pro IV if you:

• Want the single best all-court paddle, money no object
• Play a spin-heavy game (heavy topspin serves, biting third-shot drops)
• Drive the ball at the baseline and want power on tap
• Are a strong 3.5-4.5 player who benefits from a crisp, feedback-rich paddle

Pick the Power Air Invikta if you:

• Play a control-first game (drops, dinks, resets, hand speed)
• Want a softer, more forgiving feel for touch shots
• Value the slightly better comfort over slightly higher peak performance
• Prefer Selkirk’s customer support and demo ecosystem

Who shouldn’t buy either

• Beginners (under 3.0). Both paddles are tournament-tier. The Selkirk SLK Evo Control Max is the right beginner pick at $99.
• Anyone with tennis elbow. Get the Diadem Warrior Edge.
• Budget-constrained buyers. The Friday Original at $89 gets 85% of the performance for a third of the price.

Verdict

The Perseus Pro IV is the slightly better paddle on raw performance. The Power Air Invikta is the slightly more comfortable paddle and slightly better value.

For most strong intermediate-to-advanced players: pick based on your style. Power/spin → Perseus. Control/touch → Power Air. Both are top-tier.

Read next: best pickleball paddles of 2026 or our paddle buyer’s guide.