Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 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
- 88Power84
- 89Control95
- 90Spin91
- 86Forgiveness82
- 88Sweet spot84
- 90Stability88
- 72Maneuverability74
- 83Pop79
- 86Touch93
- 88Consistency92
- 76Swing weight72
- 86Twist weight86
- 55Launch angle52
- 86Plow through83
- 80Softness78
Specs
| $275 | Price | $240 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 116 | Swing weight | 116 |
| 6.8 | Twist weight | 6.4 |
| elongated | Shape | hybrid |
| Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture | Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 verdict
Gearbox's rib-suspended SSTCore feels unlike any honeycomb paddle: firmer through contact, quieter on resets, and unusually consistent shot to shot. You pay $275 for that engineering.
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 verdict
The most complete tournament paddle we have measured. Control numbers sit at the top of the field without giving up the drive speed you need to finish points.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 scores 93 against 86 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, plow through, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 is $35 cheaper at $240.
Touch
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).
Control
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 6 points (95 vs 89).
Power
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Forgiveness
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want power (+4), forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →JOOLA Perseus CFS 16
Take JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 if you want touch (+7), control (+6), consistency (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 measures 88 on power against 84 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. That comes from a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 at 95 versus 89. 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 CFS 16 scores 91 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face on Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 costs $240, $35 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16: 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core with a Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture face. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads on touch by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $275 vs $240, 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.
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Infinity Ruby 16
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs Nova R1
- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.