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The Selkirk Omni was released this week, and it looks very similar to the Selkirk Boomstick, so I wanted to compare the two paddles then share how they are similar/different to the new Joola Pro V.
When Selkirk announced the Omni, my first thought was simple: where does it fit between the Boomstick and the JOOLA Pro V?
I’ve spent quite a bit of time with the Boomstick over the last year, and recently I’ve been getting court time with both the Omni and the JOOLA Pro V lineup. Since all three paddles sit in the premium category, this comparison felt like a natural one.
You could honestly call this the battle of the $300 paddles.
All three paddles come from some of the biggest brands in pickleball, and each one takes a slightly different approach. The Boomstick leans toward controlled power, the Omni focuses on all-court versatility, and the JOOLA Pro V attempts to improve on the sometimes wild nature of the Pro IV.
After several sessions of doubles, singles, drills, and way too many side-spin serves, here are my thoughts. I’ll cover playability, cost considerations and how you can use the best Selkirk discount code INF-PBALLER to get bonus bucks back and which paddle I would choose.
First Impressions
The first thing that stood out to me was just how similar the Omni feels to the Boomstick.
Not only do they share a similar overall design philosophy, but they also have a similar presence in your hand. The Omni comes in three colors, and I ended up with the blue version. It looks fantastic in person and has a clean premium appearance that immediately feels like a flagship paddle.
One feature I found particularly interesting is Selkirk’s MOI tuning system. Unlike the Boomstick, the Omni allows you to remove the tuning mechanism if you want to experiment with different setups. Whether most players will actually do that remains to be seen, but I appreciate having the option.
The Boomstick still wins the overall unboxing experience for me. From the black wrapping paper to the premium paddle cover, everything feels thoughtfully designed. It honestly feels more like opening a high-end gift than a piece of sports equipment.
Check out the pickleball bag, which is the most premium paddle out there.
The JOOLA Pro V also looks great out of the box. I tested the Perseus, Hyperion, and Kosmos versions, and all three had a very polished appearance. JOOLA has clearly improved its packaging over the years, although I still wish a $300 paddle came with a paddle cover.
Overall, if I had to rank first impressions:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
- JOOLA Pro V
The gap isn’t huge, but Selkirk simply does a better job creating that premium experience.
Playability Comparisons
At this price point, performance matters more than anything else.
Nobody spends $300 on a paddle because the box looked nice. Once you step onto the court, all that matters is how the paddle performs during drops, drives, resets, counters, and serves.
Control
The biggest surprise for me was how much control both Selkirk paddles offered.
When I first picked up the Boomstick, I expected a pure power paddle. Instead, I found a surprisingly balanced paddle that gave me excellent feedback and stability. Even when I contacted the ball slightly off-center, the paddle remained stable and predictable.
The Omni takes that concept even further.
Compared to the Boomstick, the Omni feels softer, more muted, and noticeably more forgiving. The paddle still has a slightly hollow sensation, but it feels less hollow than the Boomstick and much more cushioned at contact.
Where I really noticed this was on drop shots.
Some paddles require constant adjustments to keep the ball from floating too high. With the Omni, my drops consistently landed where I wanted them to. Time after time, the ball settled comfortably into the middle of the kitchen, making it difficult for opponents to attack.
The JOOLA Pro V deserves credit here as well.
One of my biggest criticisms of the Pro IV was that it occasionally felt like trying to ride a wild horse. The power was incredible, but there were times when it felt like I was constantly managing the paddle rather than simply playing pickleball.
The Pro V improves significantly in this area. The feel is more muted, the paddle is easier to control, and resets feel more manageable.
My control rankings:
- Selkirk Omni
- JOOLA Pro V
- Selkirk Boomstick
The differences aren’t massive, but if your game revolves around drops, resets, and precision placement, the Omni gets the edge.
Spin
Spin is where all three paddles shine.
The Boomstick has already earned a reputation as one of the better spin paddles available, and in my experience, that reputation is deserved. Whether I was hitting topspin drives, slices, or my favorite knuckle serve, I could generate significant movement on the ball.
The Omni surprised me here.
Selkirk’s updated grit feels excellent. It reminded me of some of the newer generation paddles that have pushed spin performance forward over the last year.
While I still think paddles like the RPM Friction Pro V2 and the Honolulu J2CR Crystal Blue have a slight advantage in raw spin potential, the Omni absolutely belongs in the conversation.
There were multiple serves where the ball bounced and immediately jumped sideways after landing. Opponents definitely noticed.
The JOOLA Pro V also offers excellent spin. I was able to create plenty of topspin and slice, but I found myself generating slightly less offensive pressure because the paddle simply doesn’t produce as much pace as the Boomstick.
For spin:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
- JOOLA Pro V
Again, we’re splitting hairs here. All three paddles generate more than enough spin for competitive play.
Power
Power is where the separation becomes more obvious.
The Boomstick remains the most dangerous paddle of the group.
From serves to drives to speedups, the paddle produces effortless power. What I appreciate most, however, is that the power feels controlled. I never felt like the paddle was launching balls unpredictably.
The JOOLA Pro V sits on the opposite end of the spectrum.
There’s still plenty of power available when you need it, but JOOLA clearly sacrificed some explosiveness to improve consistency and control. For many players, that’s probably the right decision.
The Omni lands somewhere in the middle.
Compared to the Boomstick, the Omni feels noticeably softer and less explosive. That’s not necessarily a criticism. In fact, many players will likely prefer that balance. The paddle still has enough power to finish points, but it doesn’t constantly tempt you into overhitting.
For power:
- Selkirk Boomstick
- Selkirk Omni
- JOOLA Pro V
If your game revolves around attacking, driving, and putting pressure on opponents, the Boomstick remains the strongest option.
Cost Considerations
Unfortunately, none of these paddles are budget-friendly.
The Boomstick currently sits around $333. That said, you can use the code INF-PBALLER and get $40 bonus bucks on your purchase. Just a note that the code helps support my site, but no expectations ever that you use it.
$40 Bonus Bucks Discount Code: INF-PBALLER
The Selkirk Omni comes in at approximately $300. With the code INF-PBALLER, you will get $30 bonus bucks back on this purchase.
$30 Bonus Bucks Discount Code: INF-PBALLER
The JOOLA Pro V is also around $300 depending on the model. Please note that I purchase all my Joola paddles off Amazon given the 30 day easy return.
No Code Available: :0(
At first glance, that pricing makes them appear very similar. However, there are a few differences worth mentioning.
Selkirk also offers one of the best warranty programs in pickleball. I’ve heard multiple positive stories from players who needed support, and that warranty adds meaningful value to the purchase.
JOOLA doesn’t currently offer the same Bonus Bucks program, although many players appreciate being able to purchase through Amazon and take advantage of the straightforward return process.
If value is part of your decision, I think Selkirk deserves the edge here.
Which Paddle Should You Choose?
After spending time with all three paddles, I think the answer depends on your playing style more than anything else.
Choose the Selkirk Boomstick if you want the best combination of spin, controlled power, and premium build quality. It’s the paddle that consistently puts the most pressure on opponents while still remaining manageable.
Choose the Selkirk Omni if you value control, placement, and all-court versatility. For players who win through consistency rather than raw power, the Omni is incredibly appealing.
Choose the JOOLA Pro V if you liked the Pro IV but wished it were easier to control. JOOLA did a great job making the Pro V more approachable without completely sacrificing performance.
If I had to rank them today, my personal order:
- Selkirk Omni
- Selkirk Boomstick
- JOOLA Pro V
The Boomstick remains my favorite because it offers the best balance of power, spin, and confidence when attacking. The Omni is extremely close behind and may actually be the better option for players who prioritize control.
The JOOLA Pro V is still a very good paddle, but when all three are sitting near the same price point, I find myself reaching for the Selkirk options more often.
That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give them.