JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 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
- 83Power81
- 90Control86
- 92Spin90
- 89Forgiveness72
- 91Sweet spot70
- 88Stability70
- 80Maneuverability83
- 78Pop76
- 89Touch88
- 90Consistency76
- 71Swing weight64
- 88Twist weight56
- 57Launch angle49
- 76Plow through73
- 83Softness85
Specs
| $230 | Price | $250 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 14 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 109 |
| 7 | Twist weight | 5.8 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Raw carbon friction | Surface | Charged Carbon Surface Technology |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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 Pro IV 14 verdict
Gen 4 propulsion core in the thinner 14 mm shell. You get the Pro IV's spin and pop without the swing weight that slows the 16 mm version in fast exchanges.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 88 against 56 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 — a 32-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, plow through, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is $20 cheaper at $230.
Twist weight
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 32 points (88 vs 56).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 21 points (91 vs 70).
Stability
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 18 points (88 vs 70).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 17 points (89 vs 72).
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Magnus 3S 16.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 review →JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want twist weight (+32), sweet spot (+21), stability (+18). 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 Pro IV 14 vs JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 or the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.6 vs 77.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 32 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, at 109 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 Perseus Pro IV 14 or the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 measures 83 on power against 81 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Charged Carbon Surface Technology face on JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 7 twist weight against 5.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (89) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 costs $230, $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 Perseus Pro IV 14: 14 mm Propulsion Core core with a Charged Carbon Surface Technology face. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16: 16 mm Propulsion polymer core with a Raw carbon friction face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Pro IV 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 Magnus 3S 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 to the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads on twist weight by 32 points; everything else is within 21 points. At $250 vs $230, 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.
- Magnus 3S 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Magnus 3S 16 vs Tenon
- Magnus 3S 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Magnus 3S 16 vs Coral Pro
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Perseus 14
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Signature 13
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Pursuit Pro MX 12.7
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.