Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 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 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control on Paddle DNA against the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, which costs $275.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
93 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$275 at IQ 86.8 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $280 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power90
- 89Control93
- 90Spin93
- 86Forgiveness85
- 88Sweet spot87
- 90Stability90
- 72Maneuverability71
- 83Pop85
- 86Touch90
- 88Consistency92
- 76Swing weight79
- 86Twist weight85
- 55Launch angle55
- 86Plow through88
- 80Softness84
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $275 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.8 | 88.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Toray T700 raw carbon with TXR grip texture | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer |
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 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 control: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 93 against 89 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, swing weight, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($275 vs $280) that it should not break the tie.
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (93 vs 89).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Consistency
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.6 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, hybrid on the Perseus Pro IV 16.
- Consistency
- Control
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 — control 93 vs 89, spin 93 vs 90, touch 90 vs 86. 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 IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 86, spin 93 vs 90, control 93 vs 89. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.7 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, hybrid on the Perseus Pro IV 16.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you prefer an elongated face and a 16 mm SSTCore carbon-fibre ribs with Smart Dampen foam core — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16.
Read the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want control (+4), touch (+4), consistency (+4). 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — control — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, at 116 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 Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 88 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16. 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 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 Pro IV 16 scores 93 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 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 85). Its 6.8 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $5 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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 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?
- 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. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on control by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $275 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.