Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid 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
- 76Power82
- 83Control85
- 80Spin89
- 85Forgiveness83
- 86Sweet spot84
- 78Stability83
- 82Maneuverability78
- 76Pop80
- 79Touch81
- 81Consistency84
- 54Swing weight66
- 72Twist weight80
- 63Launch angle57
- 64Plow through74
- 82Softness79
Specs
| $110 | Price | $99 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.1 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 113 |
| 6 | Twist weight | 6.3 |
| standard | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw carbon | Surface | Raw T700 carbon |
| 5 in | Handle | 5.3 in |
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.
Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid verdict
Thermoformed construction at a mid-tier price. It gives up very little to paddles at twice the cost and is the value pick of the 2026 releases.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid scores 66 against 54 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, softness, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($110 vs $99) that it should not break the tie.
Swing weight
Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads by 12 points (66 vs 54).
Plow through
Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads by 10 points (74 vs 64).
Spin
Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads by 9 points (89 vs 80).
Twist weight
Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Which one should you buy?
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+6), maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid
Take Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+10), spin (+9). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid FAQ
- Which is better, the Franklin Signature Carbon STR or the Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid. 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 Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid measures 82 on power against 76 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid at 85 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?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 80 for the Raw carbon face on Franklin Signature Carbon STR. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid, with 6.3 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Franklin Signature Carbon STR carries the higher forgiveness score (85) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $11 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face. Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid, at 5.3 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR at 8 oz against 8.1 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 Carbon STR to the Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid leads on swing weight by 12 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $110 vs $99, 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.
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- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Tempest Wave V3
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.