Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ProXR Signature 13
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. ProXR Signature 13 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
- 81Power84
- 83Control83
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness70
- 70Sweet spot69
- 67Stability73
- 80Maneuverability78
- 76Pop78
- 84Touch85
- 74Consistency75
- 66Swing weight68
- 50Twist weight59
- 52Launch angle51
- 75Plow through77
- 86Softness83
Specs
| $70 | Price | $70 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 13 mm |
| 8.1 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 111 |
| 5.6 | Twist weight | 5.9 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Composite/Fiberglass | Surface | 3K Carbon Fiber Weave with Grit Finish |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 6 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.
ProXR Signature 13 verdict
The thin-core ProXR. Same angled handle, 13 mm core, noticeably more pop and faster hands than the 16 mm at the same price.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: ProXR Signature 13 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on power, softness, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($70 vs $70) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
ProXR Signature 13 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Twist weight
ProXR Signature 13 leads by 9 points (59 vs 50).
Stability
ProXR Signature 13 leads by 6 points (73 vs 67).
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.6 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to ProXR Signature 13.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →ProXR Signature 13
Take ProXR Signature 13 if you want spin (+22), twist weight (+9), stability (+6). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 13 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProXR Signature 13 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ProXR Signature 13 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the ProXR Signature 13?
- ProXR Signature 13 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (77.2 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — ProXR Signature 13 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for ProXR Signature 13. 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 ProXR Signature 13?
- ProXR Signature 13 measures 84 on power against 81 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite. That comes from a 13 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 83 versus 83. 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?
- ProXR Signature 13 scores 90 for spin off its 3K Carbon Fiber Weave with Grit Finish 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?
- ProXR Signature 13, with 5.9 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?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face. ProXR Signature 13: 13 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core core with a 3K Carbon Fiber Weave with Grit Finish face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProXR Signature 13, at 6 in of handle against 5.6 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which ProXR Signature 13 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. ProXR Signature 13 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 8.1 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the ProXR Signature 13?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProXR Signature 13 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $70 vs $70, 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 Perseus 14
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and ProXR Signature 13. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.