Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs JOOLA Perseus 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Babolat BALLR+ 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 75Power80
- 94Control86
- 90Spin90
- 76Forgiveness72
- 75Sweet spot70
- 77Stability66
- 86Maneuverability86
- 70Pop76
- 92Touch88
- 82Consistency75
- 58Swing weight63
- 65Twist weight53
- 46Launch angle49
- 70Plow through69
- 90Softness85
Specs
| $120 | Price | $120 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.3 oz | Weight | 7.8 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 108 |
| 6.1 | Twist weight | 5.7 |
| hybrid | Shape | elongated |
| Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit | Surface | Carbon Fiber |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Babolat BALLR+ 16 verdict
Babolat brings its RPM tennis grit to pickleball on a 16 mm hybrid. The face texture is the story — it spins like a raw carbon paddle without the chalky wear pattern.
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Babolat BALLR+ 16 scores 65 against 53 for JOOLA Perseus 14 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, plow through, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($120 vs $120) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 12 points (65 vs 53).
Stability
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 11 points (77 vs 66).
Control
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Consistency
Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 7 points (82 vs 75).
Which one should you buy?
Babolat BALLR+ 16
Take Babolat BALLR+ 16 if you want twist weight (+12), stability (+11), control (+8). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Babolat BALLR+ 16 review →JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want pop (+6), power (+5), swing weight (+5). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →Babolat BALLR+ 16 vs JOOLA Perseus 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (80.9 vs 76.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for JOOLA Perseus 14. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Babolat BALLR+ 16 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 measures 80 on power against 75 for Babolat BALLR+ 16. That comes from a 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 at 94 versus 86. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 scores 90 for spin off its Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face, against 90 for the Carbon Fiber face on JOOLA Perseus 14. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, with 6.1 twist weight against 5.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Babolat BALLR+ 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (76) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16: 16 mm X5™ Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a Biaxial 3K Woven Carbon Fiber w/RPM Max Grit face. JOOLA Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Babolat BALLR+ 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Babolat BALLR+ 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 76 and sweet spot 75 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 7.8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 105) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus 14 to the Babolat BALLR+ 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Babolat BALLR+ 16 leads on twist weight by 12 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $120 vs $120, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- BALLR+ 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
- BALLR+ 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- BALLR+ 16 vs GX2 Integra XL
- BALLR+ 16 vs Coral Hybrid 16
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs GX2 Integra XL
- Perseus 14 vs Signature 13
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Babolat BALLR+ 16 and JOOLA Perseus 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.