Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ProXR Signature 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ProXR Signature 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ProXR Signature 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and control on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature 16 Composite, which costs $70.
Power
Too close to call
81 vs 78
Spin
90 vs 68
Control
91 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
75 vs 72
Hand speed
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
110 vs 113 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$70 at IQ 79.7 vs $70 at IQ 73.5
Overall pick: ProXR Signature 16 · $70 · IQ 79.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power78
- 83Control91
- 68Spin90
- 72Forgiveness75
- 70Sweet spot73
- 67Stability76
- 80Maneuverability73
- 76Pop70
- 84Touch92
- 74Consistency81
- 66Swing weight71
- 50Twist weight62
- 52Launch angle46
- 75Plow through82
- 86Softness90
Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ProXR Signature 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature 16 Composite | ProXR Signature 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $70 | $70 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 73.5 | 79.7 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.6 | 6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.3 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.5 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Composite/Fiberglass | Carbon Fiber |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Honeycomb Polypropylene |
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 16 verdict
ProXR's angled handle geometry is the point here: it sets the wrist in a neutral position, and the 16 mm core keeps launch low enough to make the ergonomics usable at speed.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: ProXR Signature 16 scores 90 against 68 for Franklin Signature 16 Composite — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on power, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $70, so price cannot break the tie.
Spin
ProXR Signature 16 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Twist weight
ProXR Signature 16 leads by 12 points (62 vs 50).
Stability
ProXR Signature 16 leads by 9 points (76 vs 67).
Control
ProXR Signature 16 leads by 8 points (91 vs 83).
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
ProXR Signature 16
ProXR Signature 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 62 vs 50, stability 76 vs 67, consistency 81 vs 74. Twist weight 6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
ProXR Signature 16
ProXR Signature 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, control 91 vs 83, touch 92 vs 84. At 113 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ProXR Signature 16
ProXR Signature 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 90 vs 68, touch 92 vs 84, plow through 82 vs 75. Swing weight 113 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProXR Signature 16
ProXR Signature 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 90 vs 86, twist weight 62 vs 50, forgiveness 75 vs 72. Its 16 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature 16 Composite
Take Franklin Signature 16 Composite if you want maneuverability (+7), pop (+6), launch angle (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature 16 Composite review →ProXR Signature 16
Take ProXR Signature 16 if you want spin (+22), twist weight (+12), stability (+9). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProXR Signature 16 review →Franklin Signature 16 Composite vs ProXR Signature 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature 16 Composite or the ProXR Signature 16?
- ProXR Signature 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.7 vs 73.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — ProXR Signature 16 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for ProXR Signature 16. 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 16?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite scores 81 for power against 78 for ProXR Signature 16. 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?
- ProXR Signature 16 at 91 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 16 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?
- ProXR Signature 16, with the higher forgiveness score (75 vs 72). 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?
- Both list at $70. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Composite/Fiberglass face. ProXR Signature 16: 16 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProXR Signature 16, 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 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- ProXR Signature 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 75 and sweet spot 73 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature 16 Composite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Signature 16 Composite at 8.1 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature 16 Composite to the ProXR Signature 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProXR Signature 16 leads on spin by 22 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $70 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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- Signature 16 Composite vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature 16 Composite vs Flare Graphite
- Signature 16 Composite vs Evoke Premier
- Signature 16 Composite vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
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- Signature 16 Composite vs Signature 13
- Signature 16 Composite vs J6CR
- Signature 16 vs V1100 16
- Signature 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Signature 16 vs BALLR+ 16
- Signature 16 vs Omni Elongated 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Franklin Signature 16 Composite and ProXR Signature 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature 16 Composite and ProXR Signature 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.