JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
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
- 83Power85
- 90Control88
- 92Spin95
- 89Forgiveness82
- 91Sweet spot84
- 88Stability83
- 80Maneuverability84
- 78Pop82
- 89Touch86
- 90Consistency88
- 71Swing weight68
- 88Twist weight82
- 57Launch angle57
- 76Plow through78
- 83Softness80
Specs
| $230 | Price | $175 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 15 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 7.9 oz |
| 110 | Swing weight | 110 |
| 7 | Twist weight | 6.3 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Raw carbon friction | Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.375 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.
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 89 against 82 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, touch, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $55 cheaper at $175.
Forgiveness
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points (91 vs 84).
Twist weight
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Stability
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 5 points (88 vs 83).
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want forgiveness (+7), sweet spot (+7), twist weight (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want maneuverability (+4), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.6 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). 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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) measures 85 on power against 83 for JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. That comes from a 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb 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 88. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 92 for the Raw carbon friction face on JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. In practice a 3-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 6.3. 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $55 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. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads on forgiveness by 7 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $230 vs $175, 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
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V7 Hybrid
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby
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 Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.