Choosing between two high-performance pickleball paddles can feel overwhelming. The Facolos Elite X and the Joola Ben Johns are two of the most talked-about paddles in the sport right now. One carries the name of pickleball's biggest star; the other is turning heads with premium construction at a price that undercuts the competition. So which one actually deserves a spot in your bag?
We put these paddles side by side across every metric that matters. Here is our honest Facolos vs Joola comparison.
Price Point: Where Your Dollar Goes Further
Let's address the elephant in the room first. The Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS typically retails between $199 and $230, positioning it firmly in the premium tier. The Facolos Elite X, on the other hand, comes in significantly lower -- often between $89 and $120 -- while packing materials and engineering that rival paddles twice its price.
That price gap is not trivial. For recreational players moving into competitive play, or even tournament-level athletes who want a backup paddle, the Facolos Elite X vs Ben Johns price difference could mean the difference between owning one paddle or two. You can explore the full lineup in the Elite X Series collection.
Face Material: Carbon Fiber Showdown
Both paddles use carbon fiber face technology, which is the gold standard for spin, durability, and consistent ball response. The Joola Ben Johns uses their proprietary Carbon Friction Surface (CFS), designed to maximize texture and grip on the ball.
The Facolos Elite X features a raw T700 carbon fiber face with a grit texture that generates excellent spin without sacrificing feel. T700 carbon is an aerospace-grade material known for its stiffness-to-weight ratio, and it gives the Elite X a responsive, crisp contact point that many players prefer over coated surfaces.
In practice, both faces deliver outstanding spin potential. The key difference is longevity: raw carbon fiber textures like the Elite X's tend to maintain their grit longer than coated surfaces, which can smooth out over months of heavy play.
Core Technology: Power Meets Precision
The core is the engine of any paddle, and both manufacturers chose polymer honeycomb -- the industry standard for balancing power and control.
- Joola Ben Johns: Uses a reactive polymer core with a 14mm thickness, tuned for a softer feel and extended dwell time on the ball. This gives touch players excellent drop shot and dink control.
- Facolos Elite X: Features a polypropylene honeycomb core at 16mm thickness, providing a larger sweet spot and a bit more pop on drives. The thicker core absorbs more vibration, reducing fatigue during long matches.
If you prioritize soft hands at the kitchen line, the Joola's thinner core may appeal to you. If you want a more forgiving paddle that can still deliver power from the baseline, the Elite X's thicker core has a clear edge.
Sweet Spot Size: Forgiveness on Off-Center Hits
A larger sweet spot means more consistent shots, even when you don't catch the ball perfectly in the center. The Facolos Elite X's 16mm core and wider body shape create a noticeably generous sweet spot. Off-center hits still carry decent pace and direction, which is a major advantage during fast exchanges at the net.
The Joola Ben Johns has a slightly narrower sweet spot due to its thinner core and elongated shape. Skilled players can work with this -- Ben Johns himself proves it every tournament -- but for most competitive players, a larger sweet spot translates directly into fewer unforced errors.
Spin Potential: Both Deliver, One Lasts Longer
Spin is arguably the most important performance metric in modern pickleball. Both paddles generate high-RPM spin thanks to their textured carbon fiber faces. In side-by-side testing, initial spin numbers are comparable, with both paddles producing excellent bite on serves, third-shot drops, and roll volleys.
The differentiator here is durability of the spin surface. The Facolos Elite X's raw carbon texture tends to retain its roughness through hundreds of hours of play. Coated surfaces, including the Joola's CFS, can lose some of their texture over time. For players who don't want to replace their paddle every season, this is worth considering.
Power vs Control Balance
This is where the two paddles diverge most clearly.
Joola Ben Johns: Control-First Design
The Joola is engineered for players who want to place every shot with surgical precision. Its thinner core, elongated shape, and slightly head-heavy balance point reward technique and finesse. At the professional level, this kind of control is paramount. However, players who rely on power -- big serves, aggressive drives -- may find themselves working harder to generate pace.
Facolos Elite X: Balanced Versatility
The Elite X strikes a middle ground that suits a wider range of playing styles. Its thicker core provides natural pop on drives without sacrificing too much touch at the net. The balanced weight distribution means you can transition smoothly between offensive and defensive play. For players who like to mix up their game -- dinking one point, driving the next -- this versatility is a genuine asset.
Browse the Elite X Series to see the full range of configurations available.
Weight: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Both paddles fall in the mid-weight category, which is the most popular range among competitive players.
- Joola Ben Johns: Approximately 8.2 - 8.6 oz, depending on the version. The Hyperion CFS 16 sits on the heavier side, while the 14mm version is slightly lighter.
- Facolos Elite X: Approximately 7.8 - 8.3 oz, giving players a slightly lighter option that reduces wrist strain during extended play while still providing enough mass for powerful shots.
Lighter paddles offer faster hand speed at the net -- critical during rapid exchanges. Heavier paddles deliver more inherent power on groundstrokes. The Elite X's weight range gives most players the best of both worlds, and you can always add lead tape if you want extra mass.
USAPA Approval: Tournament-Ready
Both the Facolos Elite X and the Joola Ben Johns are USAPA approved for sanctioned tournament play. You can take either paddle into any official competition with confidence. This confirms both paddles meet strict standards for surface roughness, dimensions, and materials.
The Verdict: Premium Performance, Smart Investment
The Joola Ben Johns is an exceptional paddle. It earned its reputation through the dominance of its namesake player, and its control-oriented design rewards skilled hands. If money is no object and you play a finesse-heavy game, it's a worthy choice.
But the Facolos Elite X makes a compelling case as the smarter buy. You get aerospace-grade T700 carbon fiber, a forgiving 16mm polypropylene core, a larger sweet spot, and durable spin texture -- all at roughly half the price of the Joola. For the vast majority of players, from intermediate to advanced, the Elite X delivers performance that matches or exceeds paddles in a much higher price bracket.
You are not compromising on quality -- you are simply paying less for it.
Ready to Upgrade Your Game?
If you are serious about stepping up your paddle game without overpaying, the Facolos Elite X deserves a close look. Check out the full Elite X Series collection at Tamforma and find the configuration that matches your playing style. Your next win is one paddle away.