What is JOOLA’s first hybrid paddle, the “Kosmos”?
Released by JOOLA in March 2026,Kosmos Pro Vthis is the company’s first commercially available hybrid pickleball paddle. It is a new shape fusing the forms of the existing popular modelsPerseusandand Scorpius,developed under the concept of the “ultimate all-around paddle.”
On the pro tour,Federico StaksrudandTyson McGuffinuse it as their signature model, so its performance is being put to the test immediately in PPA Tour competition.
Spec details—the intent behind the flat top
The basic specs of the Kosmos Pro V are as follows.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.3 inches |
| Width | 7.7 inches |
| Thickness | Two versions: 14 mm / 16 mm |
| Core | Gen 3 Propulsion Core |
| Frame | KineticFrame |
What stands out is the adoption of aflat top.While many other companies’ hybrid paddles use a curved top, JOOLA chose a flat top. According to the company’s engineers, the flat top is meant to “increase stability and forgiveness.” It concedes maneuverability to the curved top, but you can sense a design philosophy that prioritizes hitting stability.
The paddle uses the approved-standard maximum size to the full, securing the wide hitting area characteristic of a hybrid type.
KineticFrame technology—the decisive difference from conventional paddles
Featured across all models in the Pro V series,KineticFrameit is designed so the frame flexes and rebounds at impact. Whereas conventional paddles bend at the neck like a “diving board,” with KineticFrame the paddle headmoves parallel to its original position.。
This behavior tends to keep the launch angle of the shot consistent, achievinghighly repeatable shot control.On dinks and drop shots in particular, dwell time (the contact time with the ball) becomes longer, reportedly increasing the freedom of shot shaping.
16 mm or 14 mm—which should you choose?
The Kosmos Pro V comes in two thicknesses, 16 mm and 14 mm. Here is how to use each by purpose.
- 16mm: Long dwell time and a soft feel. For players who prioritize a soft game such as dinks and drops
- 14mm: A poppy feel that gives you an edge in hands battles (fast rallies at the net). For players with an aggressive style
In review-site evaluations, the 16 mm version scores highly across the board: drive/serve 9/10, dink/drop 9.5/10, reset 9.5/10, and flick/speed-up 10/10. On the other hand, there is a note that “compared with top power paddles, its raw power is a little modest,” showing that it is all-around rather than purely power-focused.
Pros’ impressions—Staksrud and McGuffin
Staksrud put the Kosmos Pro V into competition on the PPA Tour this season andPPA Sacramento Openis also entered as the No. 2 seed in men’s singles at the tournament. In addition to power shots that leverage his height, KineticFrame’s stability supports his touch at the net.
McGuffin is a veteran with multiple career titles on the PPA Tour, and he is reported to have made the transition from the Perseus type to the Kosmos smoothly.
The trend of hybrid paddles and the competition
Hybrid paddles have rapidly become a trend since the second half of 2025, with multiple brands such as Selkirk, CRBN, and Electrum entering the field. The reason JOOLA draws attention despite being a latecomer lies in its combination of proprietary technologies: Gen 3 Propulsion Core and KineticFrame.
Note that JOOLA is currentlypursuing patent-infringement lawsuits against 11 brands over its Propulsion Core technology,so the technological competition in the paddle market has reached the courtroom. The outcome of this litigation could ripple across the entire hybrid paddle market.
How to get one in Japan
JOOLA paddles are carried by authorized domestic distributors and some online shops. The launch timing of the Kosmos Pro V in Japan has not been officially announced, butlooking at the 2026 paddle trends,the domestic distribution of new overseas models is trending toward acceleration, and it is expected to become available in the near future.
Points to know before buying
Because KineticFrame technology has a distinctive frame behavior, transitioning from a conventional paddle requires an adjustment period. Players switching from a hard polymer-core paddle in particular should allow several sessions to get used to the difference in feel. It is designed so that the higher a player’s skill level, the more they can draw out its performance by making fine adjustments.
Summary
The JOOLA Kosmos Pro V is an ambitious piece that JOOLA has confidently brought to the hybrid paddle market. It combines the best of the Perseus and Scorpius in its shape with the proprietary technologies KineticFrame and Gen 3 Propulsion Core. For players aiming to balance power and control, it is a strong option.
FAQ
Q. Between the 16 mm and 14 mm of the JOOLA Kosmos Pro V, which do you recommend?
A. If you prioritize the soft game (dinks and drops), the 16 mm is a good fit; if you want net-side hands battles or an aggressive style, the 14 mm suits you. Those who want to use it all-around are safest starting with the 16 mm.
Q. What is KineticFrame?
A. It is a frame technology featured in the JOOLA Pro V series. At impact, the paddle head flexes so that it moves in parallel, keeping the launch angle of the shot stable. By extending dwell time, it enables delicate shot control.
Q. How does it differ from other hybrid paddles?
A. The biggest difference is the adoption of a flat top. While many other companies’ hybrids use a curved top, JOOLA chose a flat top to prioritize stability and forgiveness. The combination with the Gen 3 Propulsion Core is another unique strength.
