Electrum Model E Max V3 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 82Power79
- 88Control91
- 86Spin88
- 86Forgiveness90
- 88Sweet spot92
- 86Stability86
- 72Maneuverability78
- 74Pop74
- 86Touch89
- 88Consistency88
- 78Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle50
- 82Plow through78
- 78Softness82
Electrum Model E Max V3 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Electrum Model E Max V3 | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 86.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.8 |
| Shape | elongated | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Charged Surface Technology carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter | Reactive Polymer Core |
Electrum Model E Max V3 verdict
The Max is the widest-body Electrum yet, and the numbers show it: sweet spot 88 and twist weight 84 are both top-quartile. It is a forgiving elongated paddle, which is not a common combination.
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest measured sweet spots in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Electrum Model E Max V3 scores 78 against 68 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Electrum Model E Max V3 is $30 cheaper at $200.
Swing weight
Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 6 points (78 vs 72).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.6 vs 88.4 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 78 vs 72, control 91 vs 88, forgiveness 90 vs 86. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Electrum Model E Max V3 and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 78, forgiveness 90 vs 86. Its 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Electrum Model E Max V3
Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want swing weight (+10), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want maneuverability (+6), forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Electrum Model E Max V3 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Electrum Model E Max V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 measures 82 on power against 79 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 91 versus 88. 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 Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 86 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Electrum Model E Max V3. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Electrum Model E Max V3 costs $200, $30 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?
- Electrum Model E Max V3: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeter core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. JOOLA Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Electrum Model E Max V3, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Electrum Model E Max V3 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Electrum Model E Max V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Electrum Model E Max V3 leads on swing weight by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $230, 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.
- Model E Max V3 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Model E Max V3 vs Mach 1 Forza 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Model E Max V3 vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Radius CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Radius CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and JOOLA Radius CGS 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.