JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
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
- 83Power84
- 90Control88
- 92Spin92
- 89Forgiveness84
- 91Sweet spot86
- 88Stability84
- 80Maneuverability80
- 78Pop80
- 89Touch86
- 90Consistency88
- 71Swing weight70
- 88Twist weight80
- 57Launch angle50
- 76Plow through80
- 83Softness80
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash 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 | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.6 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
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 Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 88 against 80 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, softness, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Two Project Flash is $30 cheaper at $200.
Twist weight
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Launch angle
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 7 points (57 vs 50).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 5 points (89 vs 84).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 5 points (91 vs 86).
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 a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 80, forgiveness 89 vs 84, sweet spot 91 vs 86. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.4 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.2 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $30.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 83 vs 80, twist weight 88 vs 80, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Its 16 mm Propulsion polymer core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Magnus 3S 16
Take JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 if you want twist weight (+8), launch angle (+7), forgiveness (+5). 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 Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.6 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. 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 Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash measures 84 on power against 83 for JOOLA Magnus 3S 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 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?
- JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw carbon friction face, against 92 for the Gritted raw carbon face on Proton Series Two Project Flash. In practice a 0-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 6.7. 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 Two Project Flash costs $200, $30 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 Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 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 Two Project Flash 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 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the JOOLA Magnus 3S 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Magnus 3S 16 leads on twist weight by 8 points; everything else is within 7 points. At $230 vs $200, 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 Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
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 Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.