JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 89Power86
- 84Control86
- 88Spin90
- 74Forgiveness80
- 76Sweet spot82
- 82Stability86
- 66Maneuverability72
- 87Pop82
- 82Touch82
- 84Consistency84
- 82Swing weight76
- 80Twist weight86
- 58Launch angle54
- 90Plow through86
- 70Softness68
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81.7 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 122 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.9 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Reactive polymer | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 verdict
An elongated drive machine. The extra reach and plow-through win baseline exchanges, but you pay for it every time you have to reset a fast hands battle.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Proton Series One Project Black scores 80 against 74 for JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $20 cheaper at $200.
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (80 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Maneuverability
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
Swing weight
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 80 vs 74, sweet spot 82 vs 76, twist weight 86 vs 80. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 72 vs 66, forgiveness 80 vs 74, control 86 vs 84. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.3 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (72.9 vs 74.5 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16
Take JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 if you want swing weight (+6), pop (+5), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 122 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6), maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 81.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 122 for JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 measures 89 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Reactive polymer core swinging at 122 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 88 for the Raw carbon friction face on JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.1. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $20 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 Hyperion CFS 16: 16 mm Reactive polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Hyperion CFS 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 JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 122) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on forgiveness by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $220 vs $200, 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.
- Hyperion CFS 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Hyperion CFS 16 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Hyperion CFS 16 vs Labs Project 006
- Hyperion CFS 16 vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.