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CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid 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.

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CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid

CRBN

CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid

87$270
Full review →
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16

JOOLA

Perseus Pro IV 16

88$280
Full review →

Paddle DNA head-to-head

  • 90Power90
  • 86Control93
  • 90Spin93
  • 88Forgiveness85
  • 90Sweet spot87
  • 90Stability90
  • 74Maneuverability71
  • 86Pop85
  • 82Touch90
  • 86Consistency92
  • 76Swing weight79
  • 88Twist weight85
  • 56Launch angle55
  • 88Plow through88
  • 70Softness84

CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 specs

Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.

Head-to-head specification comparison of the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid and the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16.
SpecCRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam HybridJOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Street price(USD)$270 — better$280
IQ score(/ 100)86.988.3 — better
Weight(oz)8.38.3
Core thickness(mm)1416
Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster115118
Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable7 — better6.5
Shapehybridhybrid
Face length(in)16.316.5
Face width(in)7.67.5
Handle length(in)5.55.5
Grip circumference(in)4.254.25
SurfaceRaw T700 carbonRaw Toray T700 carbon
Core materialFull TruFoam injected coreGen 4 foam-injected polymer

CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid verdict

The widest sweet spot we have measured in the TruFoam line. Twist weight 88 with sweet spot 90 means off-center contact barely changes the ball, which is why foam paddles keep winning tournaments.

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 70 for CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($270 vs $280) that it should not break the tie.

  • Softness

    JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 14 points (84 vs 70).

  • Touch

    JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).

  • Control

    JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).

  • Consistency

    JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).

Which one is right for your level?

Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.

Beginner

New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point

Toss-up

Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.3 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — hybrid on the CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, hybrid on the Perseus Pro IV 16.

  • Forgiveness
  • Sweet spot
  • Twist weight

Intermediate

3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments

Narrow

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — control 93 vs 86, touch 90 vs 82, spin 93 vs 90. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.

  • Control
  • Touch
  • Spin
See the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 →

Advanced / tournament

4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles

Narrow

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 82, control 93 vs 86, spin 93 vs 90. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.

  • Touch
  • Control
  • Spin
See the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 →

Arm-sensitive players

Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load

Clear win

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 70. Its 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.

  • Softness
See the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 →

Which one should you buy?

CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid

Take CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16.

Read the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid review →

JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16

Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want softness (+14), touch (+8), control (+7). 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-5 TruFoam Hybrid vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ

Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 86.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 14 points.
Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid measures 90 on power against 90 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. That comes from a 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
Which one gives more control and touch?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 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?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 93 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw T700 carbon face on CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid, with 7 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
Is the price difference worth it?
They are within $10 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
Do they use the same core and face?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid: 14 mm Full TruFoam injected core core with a Raw 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-5 TruFoam Hybrid, 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-5 TruFoam Hybrid avoids.
Which one is better for beginners?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
Which is lighter in the hand?
CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $270 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-5 TruFoam Hybrid and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.