JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA's two widebody options, compared by players who want sweet spot over reach. 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
- 83Power79
- 90Control91
- 92Spin88
- 89Forgiveness90
- 91Sweet spot92
- 88Stability86
- 80Maneuverability78
- 78Pop74
- 89Touch89
- 90Consistency88
- 71Swing weight68
- 88Twist weight82
- 57Launch angle50
- 76Plow through78
- 83Softness82
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs JOOLA Radius CGS 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $230 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.6 — better | 86.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.8 |
| Shape | standard | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Charged Surface Technology carbon |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Reactive Polymer 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 Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest measured sweet spots in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is launch angle: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 57 against 50 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($230 vs $230) that it should not break the tie.
Launch angle
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points (57 vs 50).
Twist weight
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Power
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 4 points (83 vs 79).
Spin
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
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 (88.4 vs 89.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — widebody on the Radius CGS 16, standard on the Magnus 3S 16.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 87.4 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — widebody on the Radius CGS 16, standard on the Magnus 3S 16.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.8 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — widebody on the Radius CGS 16, standard on the Magnus 3S 16.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 85.5 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — widebody on the Radius CGS 16, standard on the Magnus 3S 16.
- Twist weight
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you prefer a widebody face and a 5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Magnus 3S 16.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want launch angle (+7), twist weight (+6), power (+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 Radius CGS 16 vs JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.6 vs 86.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — launch angle — JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, 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 Radius CGS 16 or the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 measures 83 on power against 79 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. 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 Radius CGS 16 at 91 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 Magnus 3S 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 88 for the Charged Surface Technology carbon face on JOOLA Radius CGS 16. In practice a 4-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 6.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon 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 Magnus 3S 16, at 5.25 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 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 Magnus 3S 16 at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 to the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads on launch angle by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $230 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
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 Radius CGS 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.