JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 scores 84 against 78 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is $20 cheaper at $280.

• Touch

  JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).

• Control

  JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).

• Spin

  JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).

• Forgiveness

  Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 leads by 4 points (86 vs 82).

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.

Which one should you buy?

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ

Which is better, the JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 85.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads by 6 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 124 for JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.

Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 scores 93 for power against 90 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. That comes from a 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core swinging at 124 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.

Which one gives more control and touch?

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 at 88 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?

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 scores 90 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 4-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 82). Its 7 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 costs $280, $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 Pro V 16: 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon 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 Pro V 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 (124 vs 118) and that is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 to the JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 leads on touch by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $300 vs $280, 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 Pro V 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
• Hyperion Pro V 16 vs TruFoam Genesis X
• Hyperion Pro V 16 vs Agassi Pro 16
• Hyperion Pro V 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16

• 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.

Read the full reviews: JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 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.