JOOLA Pro V vs Selkirk Boomstik (2027): Which Premium Paddle Wins?

Two of the most talked-about premium paddles from the two biggest brands in pickleball. Here’s a detailed comparison of power, control, spin and who each one suits.

Quick Comparison

Short on time? Here are all the picks at a glance. Tap View price on Amazon for today’s price, or scroll down for the full breakdown.

Quick Comparison

Short on time? Here are all the picks at a glance. Tap View price on Amazon for today’s price, or scroll down for the full breakdown.

Quick Comparison

Short on time? Here are all the picks at a glance. Tap View price on Amazon for today’s price, or scroll down for the full breakdown.

Quick Comparison

Short on time? Here are all the picks at a glance. Tap View price on Amazon for today’s price, or scroll down for the full breakdown.

Head-to-head

	JOOLA Pro V	Selkirk Boomstik
Brand line	JOOLA flagship (Perseus)	Selkirk Labs (experimental)
Face	Raw textured carbon fiber	Raw carbon
Construction	KineticFrame	Labs power design
Power	Very high	Excellent
Control	High	Good
Feel	Lively but controlled	Solid, firm
Spin	Very high	High
Amazon rating	4.4 (162)	Too new to rate
Track record	Long (5th Perseus generation)	Newer Labs project

Two different philosophies

These paddles come from the two biggest brands in pickleball, but they are built with different goals.

The JOOLA Pro V is JOOLA’s flagship all-rounder. It is the fifth generation of the Perseus line, refined over years of pro-tour feedback. Its KineticFrame construction aims to add easy power while keeping the paddle calm on soft shots, so you can play every shot in the game with one paddle.

The Selkirk Boomstik comes from Selkirk Labs, Selkirk’s experimental program. Labs paddles push specific ideas further than mainstream models, and the Boomstik’s idea is power. It is designed to make the ball explode off the face, and published reviews rate its power as excellent, its control as good but not elite and its feel as solid rather than soft.

Power

Winner: Boomstik (narrowly). Both are powerful paddles. The Boomstik is designed to maximize pace, while the Pro V balances pace with control. If your only measure is raw power, the Boomstik has the edge. The Pro V is close behind and easier to control at the same time.

Control and touch

Winner: Pro V. This is the decisive category for most players. The Pro V’s KineticFrame stays calmer on dinks, drops and resets. The Boomstik asks for softer hands and cleaner contact on soft shots.

Spin

Winner: Pro V (slightly). Both use raw carbon faces with strong spin. The Pro V’s raw textured surface is among the spinniest faces available.

Feel

Depends on preference. The Pro V feels lively but composed. The Boomstik feels solid and firm. Players who like direct, firm feedback may prefer the Boomstik; players who want a little more cushion may prefer the Pro V.

Forgiveness

Close. Both are performance paddles aimed at experienced players. The Pro V’s elongated shape has a narrower sweet spot than wide-body paddles, and the Boomstik’s power focus makes mishits on soft shots more costly.

Track record and reviews

Winner: Pro V. The Pro V has 160+ Amazon reviews and a 4.4-star rating, plus the long history of the Perseus line. The Boomstik is newer and had no Amazon rating when we checked. If proven reliability matters to you, the Pro V is the safer choice.

Price

Both sit in the premium tier. The Pro V is the most expensive mainstream paddle on Amazon. The Boomstik’s price varies more between retailers because it is a Labs paddle. Check current prices using the buttons above.

Shot-by-shot comparison

Shot	JOOLA Pro V	Selkirk Boomstik
Serve	Deep, spinny, easy pace	Deep, powerful
Return	Easy depth with control	Big depth; can sail if over-hit
Third-shot drop	Easier to keep soft	Requires soft hands
Third-shot drive	Excellent	Excellent, slightly heavier
Dinking	Controlled and spin-friendly	Firm; needs touch
Hand battles	Quick, stable	Punishing counters
Resets	Calmer	Harder
Overheads	Excellent	Excellent

Who should buy the JOOLA Pro V?

• All-court players who want one paddle for every shot
• 3.5+ players building complete games
• Players who value proven reliability and a long review history
• Former tennis players who like an elongated shape and two-handed backhands

Read our full JOOLA Pro V review.

Who should buy the Selkirk Boomstik?

• Aggressive attackers who win with drives and put-aways
• Singles players who need pace on passing shots
• Selkirk fans who want the brand’s most powerful option
• Experienced players with a solid soft game who want more firepower

Read our full Selkirk Boomstik review.

By player level

Level	Our pick	Why
3.0–3.5	Pro V (16mm)	More forgiving on soft shots
3.5–4.0	Pro V	Complete all-court performance
4.0+ attacker	Either; Boomstik for max power	Depends on style
4.0+ all-court	Pro V	Power plus touch

JOOLA vs Selkirk: the bigger picture

JOOLA and Selkirk are the two biggest premium brands in pickleball. JOOLA leans towards power and pro-tour technology, with the Pro V as the most expensive mainstream paddle on Amazon. Selkirk offers a wider spread: the soft, precise LUXX control line, the experimental Labs program (home of the Boomstik) and the value-focused SLK line.

If you like Selkirk but want a more controlled paddle than the Boomstik, look at the LUXX Control. If you like JOOLA but want something faster in hand than the Pro V, look at the JOOLA 3S. See both brand guides: JOOLA and Selkirk.

Alternatives to both

Power paddle vs all-court paddle: what is the difference?

Understanding these two categories makes the choice much easier.

An all-court paddle like the JOOLA Pro V tries to do everything well. It gives you enough power to drive and put balls away, enough control to dink and drop, and enough spin to shape the ball. Its goal is to never be the weak link in any part of your game.

A power paddle like the Boomstik prioritizes pace. It makes it easier to hit through opponents, win hand battles and finish points, but it asks more of your soft game. Power paddles are most rewarding for players whose drops, dinks and resets are already reliable.

Most recreational and intermediate players benefit more from an all-court paddle, because most points at those levels are decided by errors in the soft game. Advanced attacking players are the ones who get the most from a dedicated power paddle.

What to consider before choosing

1. How do you win points? If it is with patience and placement, choose the Pro V. If it is with pace and putaways, consider the Boomstik.
2. How reliable is your soft game? The more reliable it is, the more you can benefit from extra power.
3. Do you want a proven paddle? The Pro V has a much longer track record.
4. Do you like a firm or a lively feel? The Boomstik is firmer; the Pro V is livelier but composed.
5. Do you prefer JOOLA or Selkirk? Brand loyalty, warranty experience and feel preferences all matter.

How to adapt to either paddle

Moving to the Pro V

Expect easier power than most paddles you have used. Shorten your swing on returns and drops for the first few sessions, then let the KineticFrame do more of the work on drives. Spin comes easily, so experiment with topspin rolls.

Moving to the Boomstik

Expect a firm, powerful response. Focus on soft hands at the kitchen and practise resets from the transition zone. Use topspin on drives to keep the extra pace in the court.

Caring for a premium paddle

Both paddles rely on raw carbon faces for spin, so keep them clean with a damp microfiber cloth or paddle eraser. Store them in a cover, keep them out of hot cars and watch for dead spots over time. See How Long Does a Pickleball Paddle Last?

Common questions

Which has more power, Pro V or Boomstik?

Both are very powerful. The Boomstik leans harder into power at the expense of some control; the Pro V balances power with touch.

Which is better for doubles?

For most doubles players, the Pro V, because doubles rewards a strong soft game. Aggressive doubles players who love to attack may enjoy the Boomstik.

Which is better for singles?

Singles rewards pace and depth, so the Boomstik can be very effective. The Pro V is also strong in singles thanks to its power and reach.

Can I use either in tournaments?

Check the current USA Pickleball approved list for the exact model and version before playing sanctioned events.

Our scores

Category	JOOLA Pro V	Selkirk Boomstik
Power	9.5	9.7
Control	9.2	8.0
Spin	9.6	9.2
Forgiveness	8.6	8.2
Track record	9.5	7.5
Overall	9.6	8.8

These are our editorial scores based on design, published reviews and buyer feedback.

Key takeaways

• The JOOLA Pro V is the better all-rounder thanks to its balance of power and touch.
• The Selkirk Boomstik leans harder into raw power at the cost of some control.
• Both use raw carbon faces with strong spin.
• The Pro V has a much longer Amazon review history than the newer Boomstik.
• Choose the Boomstik only if your soft game is already reliable and you want maximum pace.

Final verdict

The JOOLA Pro V is the better paddle for most players: powerful, controlled, spin-heavy and proven. The Selkirk Boomstik is a specialist’s weapon for players who want maximum power and are comfortable trading a little control for it. If you are unsure, choose the Pro V.

Compare both with every top paddle in our ranking of the 10 most expensive pickleball paddles, or see JOOLA Pro V vs Pro IV if you are considering a value alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the JOOLA Pro V better than the Selkirk Boomstik?

For most players, yes: it balances power and control better and has a longer review history. The Boomstik suits pure power players.

Which has more power, Pro V or Boomstik?

Both are very powerful; the Boomstik leans harder into power.

Which is better for doubles?

The Pro V for most doubles players, thanks to its better touch on soft shots.

Is the Selkirk Boomstik worth it?

For aggressive players who want maximum power from Selkirk, yes.