Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and control on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
88 vs 76
Spin
92 vs 80
Control
96 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Hand speed
110 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $300 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 · $300 · IQ 89.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power88
- 83Control96
- 80Spin92
- 85Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot88
- 78Stability90
- 82Maneuverability73
- 76Pop80
- 79Touch94
- 81Consistency93
- 54Swing weight74
- 72Twist weight88
- 63Launch angle51
- 64Plow through86
- 82Softness80
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 Perseus Pro V 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $300 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 89.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | KineticFrame foam-injected polymer |
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 Perseus Pro V 16 verdict
The 2026 control flagship. The KineticFrame build stiffens the perimeter without adding face pop, so resets land shorter and drives stay predictable — at the highest price in the database.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 86 against 64 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — a 22-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, softness, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $190 cheaper at $110.
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 22 points (86 vs 64).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 20 points (74 vs 54).
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 16 points (88 vs 72).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 15 points (94 vs 79).
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 Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 72, stability 90 vs 78, consistency 93 vs 81. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — control 96 vs 83, spin 92 vs 80, touch 94 vs 79. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 86 vs 64, power 88 vs 76, spin 92 vs 80. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 72, forgiveness 86 vs 85. Its 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+12), maneuverability (+9). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want plow through (+22), swing weight (+20), twist weight (+16). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 22 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 88 for power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 at 96 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 12-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 85). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $190 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 Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16: 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 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?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on plow through by 22 points; everything else is within 20 points. At $110 vs $300, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Signature Carbon STR vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature Carbon STR vs BALLR+ 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Signature 16 Composite
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs 2X Power Series
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
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 Carbon STR and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.