CRBN CRBN-1X vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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
- 89Power90
- 89Control93
- 94Spin93
- 86Forgiveness85
- 88Sweet spot87
- 89Stability90
- 71Maneuverability71
- 83Pop85
- 87Touch90
- 89Consistency92
- 79Swing weight79
- 88Twist weight85
- 57Launch angle55
- 88Plow through88
- 78Softness84
Specs
| $220 | Price | $280 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.3 oz | Weight | 8.3 oz |
| 119 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.6 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| elongated | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
CRBN CRBN-1X verdict
The spin-first elongated build for players who care about how a paddle is made. Foam-injected edge walls widen the sweet spot on a shape that usually punishes off-center contact.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 84 against 78 for CRBN CRBN-1X — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, consistency, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN CRBN-1X is $60 cheaper at $220.
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (93 vs 89).
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-1X
Take CRBN CRBN-1X if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16.
Read the CRBN CRBN-1X review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want softness (+6), control (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →CRBN CRBN-1X vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for CRBN CRBN-1X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 measures 90 on power against 89 for CRBN CRBN-1X. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 versus 89. 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X scores 94 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 93 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-1X carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN CRBN-1X costs $220, $60 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN CRBN-1X: 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, 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 CRBN CRBN-1X avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN-1X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (119 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN CRBN-1X to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on softness by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $220 vs $280, 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.
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-1X and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.