JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus 14
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus 14, which costs $120.
Power
Too close to call
83 vs 80
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Control
90 vs 86
Forgiveness
89 vs 72
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 76.8 vs $230 at IQ 87.6
Overall pick: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 · $230 · IQ 87.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 83Power80
- 90Control86
- 92Spin90
- 89Forgiveness72
- 91Sweet spot70
- 88Stability66
- 80Maneuverability86
- 78Pop76
- 89Touch88
- 90Consistency75
- 71Swing weight63
- 88Twist weight53
- 57Launch angle49
- 76Plow through69
- 83Softness85
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus 14 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 | JOOLA Perseus 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $120 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.6 — better | 76.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 5.7 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Carbon Fiber |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Honeycomb Polypropylene Core |
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 verdict
The widebody in the JOOLA range. Sweet spot and twist weight are the story here — it is the easiest premium JOOLA to hit clean, and hands battles are noticeably quicker.
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 88 against 53 for JOOLA Perseus 14 — a 35-point gap. They are effectively level on power, spin, pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Perseus 14 is $110 cheaper at $120.
Twist weight
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 35 points (88 vs 53).
Stability
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 22 points (88 vs 66).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 21 points (91 vs 70).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 17 points (89 vs 72).
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 Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 53, sweet spot 91 vs 70, forgiveness 89 vs 72. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 89 vs 72, consistency 90 vs 75, control 90 vs 86. At 110 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 76 vs 69, power 83 vs 80, control 90 vs 86. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 53, forgiveness 89 vs 72. Its 16 mm Propulsion polymer core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want twist weight (+35), stability (+22), sweet spot (+21). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 review →JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus 14 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.6 vs 76.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 35 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 or the JOOLA Perseus 14?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 83 for power against 80 for JOOLA Perseus 14. That comes from a 16 mm Propulsion polymer core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 at 90 versus 86. 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 Magnus 3S 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 90 for the Carbon Fiber face on JOOLA Perseus 14. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 72). Its 7 twist weight against 5.7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 costs $120, $110 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 Magnus 3S 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face. JOOLA Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core with a Carbon Fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus 14 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 7.8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus 14 to the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads on twist weight by 35 points; everything else is within 22 points. At $230 vs $120, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Magnus 3S 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Perseus 14 vs Perseus Pro IV 14
- Perseus 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus 14 vs GX2 Integra XL
- Perseus 14 vs Signature 13
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and JOOLA Perseus 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.