Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.

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Quick answer

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Electrum Model E Max V3, which costs $200.

Overall pick: Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm · $109.99 · IQ 87.4

Paddle DNA head-to-head

Estimated scores: the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.

  • 82Power88
  • 88Control86
  • 86Spin88
  • 86Forgiveness89
  • 88Sweet spot90
  • 86Stability89
  • 72Maneuverability86
  • 74Pop88
  • 86Touch85
  • 88Consistency87
  • 78Swing weight65
  • 84Twist weight87
  • 50Launch angle59
  • 82Plow through81
  • 78Softness80

Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm specs

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

Head-to-head specification comparison of the Electrum Model E Max V3 and the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm.
SpecElectrum Model E Max V3Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm
Street price(USD)$200$109.99 — better
IQ score(/ 100)84.787.4 — better
Weight(oz)8.37.9
Core thickness(mm)1616
Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster118107
Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable6.97.4 — better
Shapeelongatedwidebody
Face length(in)16.516
Face width(in)7.58
Handle length(in)5.55.3
Grip circumference(in)4.254.125
SurfaceRaw Toray T700 carbonQuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano
Core materialPolypropylene honeycomb with foam perimeterGeneration 4 Turbo Foam (EPP)

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.

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm verdict

The 16 × 8-inch Standard/Widebody offers a broader face and lower manufacturer-listed swingweight than the Elongated. Choose its geometry for compact handling and off-center coverage; choose Elongated for extra reach. Estimated Paddle DNA is not a measured power, control or spin result.

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 86 against 72 for Electrum Model E Max V3 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is $90.01 cheaper at $109.99.

  • Maneuverability

    Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).

  • Pop

    Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).

  • Swing weight

    Electrum Model E Max V3 leads by 13 points (78 vs 65).

  • Launch angle

    Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 9 points (59 vs 50).

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 (86.6 vs 88.4 on the weighted index). Take Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm and keep the $90.01.

  • Forgiveness
  • Sweet spot
  • Stability

Intermediate

3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments

Narrow

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 86 vs 72, power 88 vs 82, forgiveness 89 vs 86. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.

  • Maneuverability
  • Power
  • Forgiveness
See the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm →

Advanced / tournament

4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles

Narrow

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 86 vs 72, power 88 vs 82, spin 88 vs 86. Swing weight 107 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.

  • Maneuverability
  • Power
  • Spin
See the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm →

Arm-sensitive players

Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load

Narrow

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is a narrow pick at this level — softness 80 vs 78, forgiveness 89 vs 86, twist weight 87 vs 84. Its 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.

  • Softness
  • Forgiveness
  • Twist weight
See the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm →

Which one should you buy?

Electrum Model E Max V3

Take Electrum Model E Max V3 if you want swing weight (+13). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.

Read the Electrum Model E Max V3 review →

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Take Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm if you want maneuverability (+14), pop (+14), launch angle (+9). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.

Read the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm review →

Where to Buy

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

Electrum Model E Max V3 vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm FAQ

Which is better, the Electrum Model E Max V3 or the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.4 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 14 points.
Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, at 107 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 Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 88 for power against 82 for Electrum Model E Max V3. That comes from a 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
Which one gives more control and touch?
Electrum Model E Max V3 at 88 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?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 88 for spin off its QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano 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?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 86). Its 7.4 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
Is the price difference worth it?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm costs $109.99, $90.01 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. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm: 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core with a QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano face.
Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
Electrum Model E Max V3, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.3 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?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Electrum Model E Max V3 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
Which is lighter in the hand?
Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at 7.9 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
Is it worth upgrading from the Electrum Model E Max V3 to the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?
Only if you need what it actually adds. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 14 points. At $200 vs $109.99, 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 Electrum Model E Max V3 and Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm in context against the rest of the database.

Read the full reviews: Electrum Model E Max V3 and Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.