Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Radius CGS 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
- 80Power79
- 88Control91
- 86Spin88
- 86Forgiveness90
- 86Sweet spot92
- 84Stability86
- 80Maneuverability78
- 76Pop74
- 86Touch89
- 86Consistency88
- 70Swing weight68
- 80Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle50
- 78Plow through78
- 80Softness82
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.1 | 86.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.8 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.3 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Charged Surface Technology carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | Reactive Polymer Core |
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 verdict
Holbrook's first genuinely competitive control paddle. The hybrid shape and 110 swing weight make it an easy switch from a standard build without losing kitchen-line speed.
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest measured sweet spots in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is sweet spot: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 scores 92 against 86 for Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 is $70 cheaper at $160.
Sweet spot
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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 Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 92 vs 86, forgiveness 90 vs 86, stability 86 vs 84. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.5 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.9 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $70.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 80, forgiveness 90 vs 86, twist weight 82 vs 80. Its 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16
Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.3 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Radius CGS 16.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 review →JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want sweet spot (+6), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 or the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 84.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — sweet spot — JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 or the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 measures 80 on power against 79 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 91 versus 88. 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 Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 costs $160, $70 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?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face. JOOLA Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16, 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?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads on sweet spot by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $160 vs $230, 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.
- Crush Control 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Crush Control 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Crush Control 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Crush Control 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- Radius CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Radius CGS 16 vs Atlas 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and JOOLA Radius CGS 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.