Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus 14 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
- 81Power80
- 83Control86
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness72
- 70Sweet spot70
- 67Stability66
- 80Maneuverability86
- 76Pop76
- 84Touch88
- 74Consistency75
- 66Swing weight63
- 50Twist weight53
- 52Launch angle49
- 75Plow through69
- 86Softness85
Specs
| $70 | Price | $120 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8.1 oz | Weight | 7.8 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 108 |
| 5.6 | Twist weight | 5.7 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Composite/Fiberglass | Surface | Carbon Fiber |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Franklin Signature 16 Composite verdict
A fiberglass-faced elongated paddle at a rec-league price. Composite faces give up spin to carbon, but they hand back free pop that beginners actually benefit from.
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on control, swing weight, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature 16 Composite is $50 cheaper at $70.
Spin
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Plow through
Franklin Signature 16 Composite leads by 6 points (75 vs 69).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want spin (+22), maneuverability (+6), touch (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs JOOLA Perseus 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (76.8 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Perseus 14 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite measures 81 on power against 80 for JOOLA Perseus 14. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 86 versus 83. Its 14 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 14 scores 90 for spin off its Carbon Fiber face, against 68 for the Composite/Fiberglass face on Franklin Signature 16 Composite. In practice a 22-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, with 5.7 twist weight against 5.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Franklin Signature 16 Composite carries the higher forgiveness score (72) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite costs $70, $50 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?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face. JOOLA Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Franklin Signature 16 Composite avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 72 and sweet spot 70 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature 16 Composite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 7.8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus 14 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $70 vs $120, 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.
- Signature 16 Composite vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs GX2 Integra XL
- Perseus 14 vs Signature 13
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and JOOLA Perseus 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.