I tried out the Joola  Ben Johns Journey Pickleball paddle. I compared it to my Gamma Mirage paddle that was double the price and it performed well. The Joola is thinner and lighter than my paddle but still delivers a strong hit.  The core seemed quite sturdy & dense giving me adequate control & power in dinking & serving. The handle is slimmer so thinking, either a female, or someone with smaller hands would like this grip. Performed well in a game. I would recommend this paddle to your beginner & average ability player, especially at this price point.