Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro Prism Flash takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro Prism Flash edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (79.8 vs 74.7), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
71 vs 70
Spin
84 vs 66
Control
86 vs 78
Forgiveness
Too close to call
85 vs 84
Hand speed
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
104 vs 109 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
$60 at IQ 74.7 vs $74 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: Vatic Pro Prism Flash · $74 · IQ 79.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 70Power71
- 78Control86
- 66Spin84
- 84Forgiveness85
- 86Sweet spot82
- 72Stability78
- 86Maneuverability83
- 74Pop72
- 72Touch80
- 76Consistency83
- 46Swing weight48
- 64Twist weight72
- 69Launch angle62
- 54Plow through60
- 78Softness84
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro | Vatic Pro Prism Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $60 — better | $74 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 74.7 | 79.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 13 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 6 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.8 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.9 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polymer honeycomb |
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro verdict
A starter paddle with a famous name on it. Perfectly serviceable for the first few months of play, and easy to hand down once you upgrade.
Vatic Pro Prism Flash verdict
Raw carbon spin numbers usually cost twice this much. The elongated shape is slightly less forgiving, so pick this only if you already make consistent contact.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 84 against 66 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro — an 18-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, pop, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($60 vs $74) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 18 points (84 vs 66).
Control
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Touch
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Twist weight
Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 8 points (72 vs 64).
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
Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Vatic Pro Prism Flash is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 72 vs 64, consistency 83 vs 76, stability 78 vs 72. Twist weight 6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Consistency
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Vatic Pro Prism Flash is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 66, control 86 vs 78, touch 80 vs 72. At 109 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Vatic Pro Prism Flash is the clearer pick at this level — spin 84 vs 66, touch 80 vs 72, plow through 60 vs 54. Swing weight 109 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Vatic Pro Prism Flash is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 78, twist weight 72 vs 64, forgiveness 85 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro
Take Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro if you want launch angle (+7), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 13 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro review →Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash if you want spin (+18), control (+8), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Prism Flash review →Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.8 vs 74.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro, at 104 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 71 for power against 70 for Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 109 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash at 86 versus 78. 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?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash scores 84 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon fiber face, against 66 for the Textured fiberglass face on Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro. In practice an 18-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 84). Its 6 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $14 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro: 13 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face. Vatic Pro Prism Flash: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, at 5.3 in of handle against 4.9 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro at 7.7 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro to the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Prism Flash leads on spin by 18 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $60 vs $74, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Ben Johns Signature Pro and Vatic Pro Prism Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.