JOOLA Essentials 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Essentials 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, which costs $332.99.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 74
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 78
Control
89 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
91 vs 88
Hand speed
108 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$89 at IQ 82.2 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Essentials 16 · $89 · IQ 82.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power95
- 89Control84
- 78Spin91
- 91Forgiveness88
- 92Sweet spot89
- 79Stability92
- 84Maneuverability66
- 76Pop90
- 82Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 46Swing weight82
- 71Twist weight92
- 66Launch angle58
- 62Plow through93
- 88Softness72
JOOLA Essentials 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Essentials 16 | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $89 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.2 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.8 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured fiberglass | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
JOOLA Essentials 16 verdict
The widest sweet-spot score in our sub-$100 group. Mishits off the top third still clear the net, which is exactly what a new player needs while their contact point is inconsistent.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 82 against 46 for JOOLA Essentials 16 — a 36-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Essentials 16 is $243.99 cheaper at $89.
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 36 points (82 vs 46).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 31 points (93 vs 62).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points (95 vs 74).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points (92 vs 71).
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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 71, stability 92 vs 79. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.3 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Essentials 16 and keep the $243.99.
- Power
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 93 vs 62, power 95 vs 74, spin 91 vs 78. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Essentials 16
JOOLA Essentials 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 88 vs 72, forgiveness 91 vs 88. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Essentials 16
Take JOOLA Essentials 16 if you want maneuverability (+18), softness (+16), launch angle (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Essentials 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want swing weight (+36), plow through (+31), power (+21). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →JOOLA Essentials 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 82.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 36 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Essentials 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Essentials 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 74 for JOOLA Essentials 16. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 at 89 versus 84. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 78 for the Textured fiberglass face on JOOLA Essentials 16. In practice a 13-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Essentials 16, with the higher forgiveness score (91 vs 88). Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (7.2 vs 5.8), but JOOLA Essentials 16 makes it back on sweet spot (92) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 costs $89, $243.99 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?
- JOOLA Essentials 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 91 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Essentials 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Essentials 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on swing weight by 36 points; everything else is within 31 points. At $89 vs $332.99, 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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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Coral Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16
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 JOOLA Essentials 16 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Essentials 16 and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.