Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Franklin Signature Carbon STR, which costs $110.
Power
76 vs 72
Spin
86 vs 80
Control
90 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 85
Hand speed
103 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $200 at IQ 83.5
Overall pick: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight · $200 · IQ 83.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power72
- 83Control90
- 80Spin86
- 85Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot88
- 78Stability78
- 82Maneuverability92
- 76Pop74
- 79Touch90
- 81Consistency86
- 54Swing weight52
- 72Twist weight74
- 63Launch angle60
- 64Plow through64
- 82Softness90
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 83.5 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 103 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6 |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Carbon with Diamond Frost texture |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system |
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.
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight verdict
The arm-comfort paddle. ProKennex's Kinetic mass system and the light 7.5 oz build make this the paddle we point players toward when elbow or shoulder pain is the limiting factor, not skill.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 90 against 79 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, launch angle, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $90 cheaper at $110.
Touch
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 11 points (90 vs 79).
Maneuverability
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Softness
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Control
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 7 points (90 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
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is a narrow pick at this level — consistency 86 vs 81, forgiveness 88 vs 85, control 90 vs 83. Twist weight 6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 92 vs 82, touch 90 vs 79, control 90 vs 83. At 103 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 79, spin 86 vs 80, maneuverability 92 vs 82. Swing weight 103 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the clearer pick at this level — softness 90 vs 82, forgiveness 88 vs 85, twist weight 74 vs 72. Its 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core at 7.5 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want power (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight
Take ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight if you want touch (+11), maneuverability (+10), softness (+8). Its swing weight of 103 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.5 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight, at 103 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 Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 for power against 72 for ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 90 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight scores 86 for spin off its Carbon with Diamond Frost texture face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 85). Twist weight is identical at 6, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $90 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. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight: 14 mm Cloud Cell poly honeycomb with Kinetic mass system core with a Carbon with Diamond Frost texture 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 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?
- ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight at 7.5 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (103 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Franklin Signature Carbon STR to the ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight leads on touch by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $110 vs $200, 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
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Tempest Wave V3
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Black Ace LG
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Blaze Pro 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
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 Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Radical Tour Ultra 16
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Tempest Wave V3
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Essentials 16
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Encore Pro EX
- Kinetic Pro Flight vs Prism Flash
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 ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.