Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs JOOLA Essentials 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Essentials 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Essentials 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
Too close to call
76 vs 74
Spin
Too close to call
80 vs 78
Control
89 vs 83
Forgiveness
91 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$89 at IQ 82.2 vs $110 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: JOOLA Essentials 16 · $89 · IQ 82.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power74
- 83Control89
- 80Spin78
- 85Forgiveness91
- 86Sweet spot92
- 78Stability79
- 82Maneuverability84
- 76Pop76
- 79Touch82
- 81Consistency86
- 54Swing weight46
- 72Twist weight71
- 63Launch angle66
- 64Plow through62
- 82Softness88
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs JOOLA Essentials 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | JOOLA Essentials 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 | $89 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 82.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 — better | 5.8 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Textured fiberglass |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
JOOLA Essentials 16 verdict
The widest sweet-spot score in our sub-$100 group. Mishits off the top third still clear the net, which is exactly what a new player needs while their contact point is inconsistent.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 54 against 46 for JOOLA Essentials 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, launch angle, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Essentials 16 is $21 cheaper at $89.
Swing weight
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points (54 vs 46).
Control
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 6 points (89 vs 83).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 6 points (91 vs 85).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Essentials 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 91 vs 85, sweet spot 92 vs 86, consistency 86 vs 81. Twist weight 5.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is a narrow pick at this level — control 89 vs 83, forgiveness 91 vs 85, consistency 86 vs 81. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (77.3 vs 77 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Essentials 16 and keep the $21.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 82, forgiveness 91 vs 85. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Essentials 16
Take JOOLA Essentials 16 if you want control (+6), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Essentials 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want swing weight (+8). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →JOOLA Essentials 16 vs Franklin Signature Carbon STR FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.2 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Essentials 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 for power against 74 for JOOLA Essentials 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 at 89 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 80 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 78 for the Textured fiberglass face on JOOLA Essentials 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Essentials 16, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 85). Franklin Signature Carbon STR actually carries the higher twist weight (6 vs 5.8), but JOOLA Essentials 16 makes it back on sweet spot (92) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 costs $89, $21 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?
- JOOLA Essentials 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face. Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature Carbon STR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 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 Carbon STR to the JOOLA Essentials 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on swing weight by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $89 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and JOOLA Essentials 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.