JOOLA, a German table-tennis and pickleball brand, rolled out its new intermediate paddle line “Vision” in seven models. The price range is 89.95 to 119.95 dollars (about 13,500 to 18,000 yen). Positioned as “step-up paddles” for players who can’t reach the higher-end Hyperion CGS or Perseus CGS, it combines three shapes and three technology grades. A campaign titled “Play With Vision” has also launched at the same time.
The full picture of the seven models—a system of 3 shapes x 3 grades
The KitchenAccording to the reporting, the Vision line is split into three grades—“Vision,” “Heat Vision,” and “Double Vision”—each with models in different shapes.
| Model Name | Grade | Shape | Price | Main traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vision | Vision (entry) | Hyperion | $89.95 | 16 mm thick, cold-press construction, textured carbon-fiber face |
| Heat Vision Agassi | Heat Vision (mid) | Agassi | $99.95 | For tennis converts, suited to a two-handed backhand |
| Heat Vision Perseus | Heat Vision (mid) | Perseus | $99.95 | Long face, power-focused, attacking at the kitchen line |
| Heat Vision Scorpeus | Heat Vision (mid) | Scorpeus | $99.95 | Wide body, defensive, suited to hands battles |
| Double Vision Hyperion | Double Vision (premium) | Hyperion | $119.95 | Aramid face material, long dwell time, SK Film built in |
| Double Vision Perseus | Double Vision (premium) | Perseus | $119.95 | Aramid face material, balancing power and cushioning |
| Double Vision Scorpeus | Double Vision (premium) | Scorpeus | $119.95 | Aramid face material, the stability of a wide body |
The three shapes—how to choose by play style
The core of the Vision line is that JOOLA has brought down to the mid-price range the three shapes it established in its higher-end lines.
The Hyperion shapeis the standard shape emphasizing precision and spin. At 16 mm thick, it suits dink-centered control players. It is JOOLA’s signature shape, a balanced typeKosmos Pro Valso adopted here.
The Perseus shapeis a long-faced power type. The face is long vertically, ideal for aggressive play that leverages reach and swing speed. It suits players who make frequent use of fast play and smashes from the kitchen line.
The Scorpeus shapeis a wide-body defensive type. The face is wide horizontally, with a large sweet-spot area. It shows its true worth in hands battles (fast volley exchanges at the net) and reaction-based play.
Technical differentiation—SK Film and Aramid face material
The technical differences among the three grades are as follows.
| Item | Vision | Heat Vision | Double Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Cold press | Thermoforming | Thermoforming |
| Face material | Textured carbon fiber | Carbon fiber + SK Film | Aramid + SK Film |
| Vibration absorption | Standard | SK Film layer | SK Film layer + Aramid |
| Feel | Firm | Stable | Soft, long dwell time |
| Price | $89.95 | $99.95 | $119.95 |
SK Film is a vibration-absorbing layer that reduces unpleasant vibration at impact and improves the stability of the feel. The aramid face material adopted in the Double Vision is a material softer than carbon that extends the ball’s contact time (dwell time), balancing controllability and spin generation.
Local reaction—“Intermediate players have more options now”
In the U.S. pickleball community, there are many favorable voices about the Vision line’s pricing.
One reviewer commented, “JOOLA’s CGS line was over 200 dollars and out of reach, but with Vision you can try the same shapes for around 100 dollars. For intermediate players it’s a long-awaited line.” Another player rated it: “If the Double Vision Perseus’s combination of aramid and SK Film is 120 dollars, you get a feel that other brands’ paddles in the same price range don’t have.”
On the other hand, there were also cautious opinions such as, “You can’t judge how much of a performance gap there is with the higher-end models without seeing hitting tests.”
Impact on Japanese players—touching “JOOLA quality” in the 10,000-yen range
In Japan, official distribution of JOOLA’s pickleball paddles is limited, but the Vision line’s price range of 89.95 to 119.95 dollars works out to around 15,000 to 20,000 yen including shipping even via personal import.
It is worth comparing against11Six24andFriday Pickleballsimilarly priced models distributed domestically. In particular, since JOOLA’s thermoforming construction has a track record in higher-end models, the completeness of the downgraded version is drawing attention.
As a guide to choosing a shape, dink-centered control players are candidates for the Hyperion, players who want to attack with power drives for the Perseus, and players who want to make hands battles at the net their weapon for the Scorpeus.
Ripple effects on the industry—the “around 100 dollars” range becomes a fierce battleground
JOOLA’s Vision line is a move to enter the paddle market’s around-100-dollar price range in earnest. Until now JOOLA has shown its presence in the 150–250-dollar upper market, but with Vision it has made clear its stance of targeting the intermediate market.
In the same price range sit Selkirk’s SLK Halo series,CPXthe entry models, and Engage’s mid-line, among others. The “second-line strategy” of bringing down a top brand’s technology is a standard tactic in the tennis racquet market, and it could accelerate in pickleball too.
In particular,The birth of the Paddletek GroupAmid the wave of brand consolidation, it is significant that JOOLA, as an independent brand, has extended its reach into the mid-price range as well.
Practical information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brands | JOOLA (German, table tennis + pickleball) |
| Line name | Vision (Play With Vision campaign) |
| Number of models | 7 models |
| Price range | $89.95–$119.95 (about 13,500–18,000 yen) |
| Shape | Hyperion / Perseus / Scorpeus / Agassi |
| Purchase | joolausa.com(Vision is exclusive to the official website) |
| Information source | The Kitchen |
Summary—ideal as an “entry ticket to try the higher-end shapes”
JOOLA’s Vision line is an “entry ticket” that lets you experience, for around 100 dollars, the three shapes—Hyperion, Perseus, and Scorpeus—that the company refined in its higher-end models. Technologies such as thermoforming, SK Film, and aramid face material are adopted in stages, and options suited to budget and play style are in place.
Intermediate players looking for their “next paddle” would do well to first sort out their own play style (control, power, or defensive) and then rationally choose the matching shape. Consider the Vision line as a paddle for checking the feel before stepping up to a higher-end model.
- Q. What is the difference between the Vision line and the higher-end CGS line?
- The CGS line consists of competitor-oriented models adopting a Carbon grit surface or full-carbon construction, priced over 200 dollars. The Vision line adopts the same shapes while cutting costs on the face material and core structure, aimed at intermediate players.
- Q. Can I buy it in Japan?
- At this point, purchases are mainly from the official JOOLA USA website (joolausa.com). Please check the official website for its shipping availability to Japan. For personal import, a guide is around 15,000 to 20,000 yen including shipping.
- Q. Is it recommended for beginners too?
- The Vision line is designed with intermediate players’ step-up in mind. For beginners, the 89.95-dollar Vision (Hyperion shape) is the easiest to handle, but we recommend learning the basics with a rental paddle first before buying.
