JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, which costs $280.
Power
90 vs 83
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Control
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Forgiveness
89 vs 85
Hand speed
110 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$230 at IQ 87.6 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 · $230 · IQ 87.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 83Power90
- 90Control93
- 92Spin93
- 89Forgiveness85
- 91Sweet spot87
- 88Stability90
- 80Maneuverability71
- 78Pop85
- 89Touch90
- 90Consistency92
- 71Swing weight79
- 88Twist weight85
- 57Launch angle55
- 76Plow through88
- 83Softness84
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 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 Pro IV 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.6 | 88.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| 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 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer |
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 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 88 against 76 for JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on control, twist weight, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is $50 cheaper at $230.
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 12 points (88 vs 76).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 9 points (80 vs 71).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 8 points (79 vs 71).
Power
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 7 points (90 vs 83).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (89.4 vs 87.9 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.4 vs 87.3 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 88 vs 76, power 90 vs 83, control 93 vs 90. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and keep the $50.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want maneuverability (+9), forgiveness (+4), sweet spot (+4). 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 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want plow through (+12), swing weight (+8), power (+7). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →Where to Buy
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 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 Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 83 for JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 versus 90. 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 Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 93 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 92 for the Raw carbon friction face on JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. In practice a 1-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 85). 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?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 costs $230, $50 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 Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, 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 16 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 Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on plow through by 12 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $230 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs CRBN-1X
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Coral Pro
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs OMNI 16
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.