🏓 JOOLA Perseus vs Paddletek Bantam TKO
Ben Johns' weapon against the Paddletek camp's flagship. Two of the most-played paddles on tour — and they're built for genuinely different hands.
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If you're an improving amateur who isn't sure, the Perseus is the safer buy — its forgiveness and control translate to more players. Pick the Bantam TKO only if power is genuinely your game and your contact is already clean.
These are the two paddles you'll see most across the top of the pro draw, and the two most amateurs cross-shop when they're ready to spend on a real flagship. Both are thermoformed, raw-carbon-faced control paddles — so the marketing reads almost identically. The differences that matter are in the feel and the shape, not the spec sheet.
Short version: the Perseus is the softer, more connected, control-first paddle; the Bantam TKO is the firmer, more explosive power paddle. Here's how to tell which one is actually for you.
Head-to-head
| JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm | Paddletek Bantam Honeyfoam TKO-X | |
|---|---|---|
| Best known for | Spin + control with a soft, plush response | Raw power and a firm, fast pop off the face |
| Core feel | Softer, more 'connected' — the ball sits on the face longer | Firmer and more rigid — energy comes back fast |
| Forgiveness | Very forgiving on touch shots and resets | Rewards a clean strike more than it forgives a mishit |
| Shape | Elongated — reach and leverage, slightly smaller sweet spot | Available elongated/standard — generally a chunkier, stable feel |
| Played by | Ben Johns (World #1) | JW Johnson, Christian Alshon |
| Best for | Control players, dinkers, resetters who win at the kitchen | Bangers and drivers who want put-away power |
Which one is for you?
- You win points at the kitchen with resets, dinks and touch — control is your game.
- You want the most forgiving flagship feel and a paddle that's easy to be consistent with.
- You like a softer, plush response that lets you shape spin rather than just hit through the ball.
- You're a driver/banger who wants the ball coming off the face hot.
- You already strike the ball cleanly and want raw power rewarded, not dampened.
- You prefer a firmer, more direct feel and a stable, planted paddle in hand.
FAQ
Is the JOOLA Perseus or Paddletek TKO better for beginners?
Neither is really a beginner paddle — both are tour flagships. But if you're an improving amateur stepping up, the Perseus is more forgiving and easier to be consistent with. A true beginner is better served by a mid-tier paddle first.
What paddle does Ben Johns use?
Ben Johns plays the JOOLA Perseus (Pro-series 16mm) — a raw-carbon, thicker-core control paddle. See his full setup on our Ben Johns page.
Which paddle has more power?
The Paddletek Bantam TKO is the firmer, more explosive paddle and generally returns more raw power. The Perseus trades some of that pop for a softer, more controllable feel.
Still deciding? See the full buying guide or every pro's setup.