Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 IV 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 78), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
90 vs 73
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Forgiveness
85 vs 73
Hand speed
105 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$170 at IQ 78 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $280 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 73Power90
- 94Control93
- 90Spin93
- 73Forgiveness85
- 71Sweet spot87
- 68Stability90
- 89Maneuverability71
- 70Pop85
- 92Touch90
- 78Consistency92
- 58Swing weight79
- 53Twist weight85
- 46Launch angle55
- 67Plow through88
- 90Softness84
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Gearbox GX2 Integra XL | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 78 | 88.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.7 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.375 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer |
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL verdict
Gearbox's solid-span construction removes the traditional honeycomb core, which is why the GX2 feels dense and quiet where thermoformed rivals feel hollow and loud.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 85 against 53 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL — a 32-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, touch, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL is $110 cheaper at $170.
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 32 points (85 vs 53).
Stability
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 22 points (90 vs 68).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 21 points (79 vs 58).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 21 points (88 vs 67).
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 IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 85 vs 53, sweet spot 87 vs 71, stability 90 vs 68. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 90 vs 73, forgiveness 85 vs 73, consistency 92 vs 78. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Power
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — power 90 vs 73, plow through 88 vs 67, spin 93 vs 90. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 85 vs 53, forgiveness 85 vs 73. Its 16 mm Gen 4 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?
Gearbox GX2 Integra XL
Take Gearbox GX2 Integra XL if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want twist weight (+32), stability (+22), swing weight (+21). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →Gearbox GX2 Integra XL vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 78), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 32 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 73 for Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL at 94 versus 93. 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 IV 16 scores 93 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 90 for the TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face on Gearbox GX2 Integra XL. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 73). Its 6.5 twist weight against 5.7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL costs $170, $110 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?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL: 16 mm 140 FAW-Toray T-700 Mid Modulus Carbon Fiber core with a TXR Surface Grip Technology (3K Woven Carbon Fiber) face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox GX2 Integra XL rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox GX2 Integra XL at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox GX2 Integra XL to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on twist weight by 32 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $170 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox GX2 Integra XL and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.