JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16, which costs $220.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Spin
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Forgiveness
86 vs 74
Hand speed
118 vs 122 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$220 at IQ 81.7 vs $280 at IQ 85.2
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 · $280 · IQ 85.2
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 89Power90
- 84Control84
- 88Spin86
- 74Forgiveness86
- 76Sweet spot88
- 82Stability90
- 66Maneuverability72
- 87Pop86
- 82Touch78
- 84Consistency84
- 82Swing weight80
- 80Twist weight88
- 58Launch angle58
- 90Plow through90
- 70Softness70
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81.7 | 85.2 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 122 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| 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 | Foam-injected polymer |
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.
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 86 against 74 for JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, swing weight, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 is $60 cheaper at $220.
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 12 points (86 vs 74).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Stability
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 8 points (88 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
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 74, sweet spot 88 vs 76, stability 90 vs 82. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.7 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 and keep the $60.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.3 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 and keep the $60.
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 74, twist weight 88 vs 80. Its 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16
Take JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 if you want touch (+4). Its swing weight of 122 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 review →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want forgiveness (+12), sweet spot (+12), stability (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.2 vs 81.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, at 118 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 89 for JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 74). Its 7 twist weight against 6.1 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 costs $220, $60 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. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core with a Raw carbon fiber 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?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.4 oz, though swing weight differs (122 vs 118) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 to the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads on forgiveness by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $220 vs $280, 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.
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
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Labs 008 Project 16 vs Ultré Power 2
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 Hyperion CFS 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.