Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 V 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 86.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Control
96 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
$275 at IQ 86.8 vs $300 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 · $300 · IQ 89.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power88
- 89Control96
- 90Spin92
- 86Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 90Stability90
- 72Maneuverability73
- 83Pop80
- 86Touch94
- 88Consistency93
- 76Swing weight74
- 86Twist weight88
- 55Launch angle51
- 86Plow through86
- 80Softness80
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 V 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $275 — better | $300 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.8 | 89.1 — 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 | 6.7 |
| 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 | KineticFrame 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 V 16 verdict
The 2026 control flagship. The KineticFrame build stiffens the perimeter without adding face pop, so resets land shorter and drives stay predictable — at the highest price in the database.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 94 against 86 for Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, spin, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 is $25 cheaper at $275.
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 7 points (96 vs 89).
Consistency
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 5 points (93 vs 88).
Launch angle
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 leads by 4 points (55 vs 51).
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 89.2 on the weighted index). Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and keep the $25.
- Consistency
- Control
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — control 96 vs 89, touch 94 vs 86, consistency 93 vs 88. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 94 vs 86, control 96 vs 89, spin 92 vs 90. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.7 vs 83.1 on the weighted index). Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and keep the $25.
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Take Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 if you want launch angle (+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 Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want touch (+8), control (+7), consistency (+5). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 review →Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 86.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 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 V 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 V 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 at 96 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 V 16 scores 92 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 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.8 and 6.7.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 costs $275, $25 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 Pro V 16: 16 mm KineticFrame 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (86) and sweet spot (88) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- 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 V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on touch by 8 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $275 vs $300, 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.
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- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs 2X Power Series
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Coral Pro
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Prism Flash
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
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
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 Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.