Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Ronbus R3 Pulsar
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Ronbus R3 Pulsar takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Diadem Vice V2 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Ronbus R3 Pulsar, which costs $150.
Power
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Spin
92 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Hand speed
108 vs 111 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$150 at IQ 84.8 vs $170 at IQ 84.2
Overall pick: Diadem Vice V2 16 · $170 · IQ 84.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power84
- 86Control86
- 92Spin88
- 84Forgiveness86
- 84Sweet spot86
- 82Stability86
- 82Maneuverability80
- 80Pop80
- 84Touch84
- 86Consistency86
- 66Swing weight72
- 78Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle52
- 78Plow through80
- 78Softness76
Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Ronbus R3 Pulsar specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Diadem Vice V2 16 | Ronbus R3 Pulsar |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $150 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 | 84.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.2 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | 18K gritted carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb |
Diadem Vice V2 16 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave is the grippiest face under $200. Spin 92 with a 108 swing weight is a rare pairing — you can rip topspin and still win hands battles.
Ronbus R3 Pulsar verdict
Ronbus keeps doing the same trick: flagship construction at mid-tier money. Nothing in the R3's DNA drops below 72, and spin 88 matches paddles costing $100 more.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Ronbus R3 Pulsar scores 72 against 66 for Diadem Vice V2 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R3 Pulsar is $20 cheaper at $150.
Swing weight
Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Spin
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Stability
Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Twist weight
Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).
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
Ronbus R3 Pulsar
Ronbus R3 Pulsar is a narrow pick at this level — stability 86 vs 82, twist weight 82 vs 78, forgiveness 86 vs 84. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.7 vs 83.9 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.6 vs 79.8 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar and keep the $20.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Diadem Vice V2 16
Take Diadem Vice V2 16 if you want spin (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Diadem Vice V2 16 review →Ronbus R3 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar if you want swing weight (+6), stability (+4), twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R3 Pulsar review →Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Ronbus R3 Pulsar FAQ
- Which is better, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Ronbus R3 Pulsar?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.8 vs 84.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Ronbus R3 Pulsar. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Ronbus R3 Pulsar?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 92 for spin off its 18K gritted carbon face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Ronbus R3 Pulsar. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 84). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar costs $150, $20 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with an 18K gritted carbon face. Ronbus R3 Pulsar: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.4 in handle.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Diadem Vice V2 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Diadem Vice V2 16 to the Ronbus R3 Pulsar?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads on swing weight by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $170 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Diadem Vice V2 16 and Ronbus R3 Pulsar in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Diadem Vice V2 16 and Ronbus R3 Pulsar. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.