JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, which costs $150.
Power
80 vs 72
Spin
90 vs 80
Control
92 vs 86
Forgiveness
86 vs 72
Hand speed
Too close to call
108 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 76.8 vs $150 at IQ 82.9
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus 14 · $120 · IQ 76.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power72
- 86Control92
- 90Spin80
- 72Forgiveness86
- 70Sweet spot87
- 66Stability82
- 86Maneuverability81
- 76Pop68
- 88Touch91
- 75Consistency89
- 63Swing weight56
- 53Twist weight76
- 49Launch angle58
- 69Plow through66
- 85Softness88
JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus 14 | Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $150 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 76.8 | 82.9 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.7 | 6.1 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Carbon Fiber | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Honeycomb Polypropylene Core | Tempest control core |
JOOLA Perseus 14 verdict
The 14 mm Perseus trades the 16 mm's plow-through for a firmer, faster response. It is the version to buy if you counter-attack rather than grind out drops.
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 verdict
The reference control paddle for players who do not want the weight of a 20 mm build. Touch scores trail only the Luxx.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 scores 76 against 53 for JOOLA Perseus 14 — a 23-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, plow through, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Perseus 14 is $30 cheaper at $120.
Twist weight
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 23 points (76 vs 53).
Sweet spot
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 17 points (87 vs 70).
Stability
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 16 points (82 vs 66).
Forgiveness
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
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
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — sweet spot 87 vs 70, twist weight 76 vs 53, forgiveness 86 vs 72. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.4 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Perseus 14 and keep the $30.
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus 14
JOOLA Perseus 14 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 90 vs 80, power 80 vs 72, maneuverability 86 vs 81. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 76 vs 53, forgiveness 86 vs 72, softness 88 vs 85. Its 16 mm Tempest control core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus 14
Take JOOLA Perseus 14 if you want spin (+10), power (+8), pop (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus 14 review →Paddletek Tempest Wave V3
Take Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 if you want twist weight (+23), sweet spot (+17), stability (+16). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 review →JOOLA Perseus 14 vs Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.9 vs 76.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads by 23 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus 14, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus 14 or the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 scores 80 for power against 72 for Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. That comes from a 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 at 92 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 Perseus 14 scores 90 for spin off its Carbon Fiber face, against 80 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. In practice a 10-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 72). Its 6.1 twist weight against 5.7 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 costs $120, $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 Perseus 14: 14 mm Honeycomb Polypropylene Core with a Carbon Fiber face. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3: 16 mm Tempest control core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus 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 14 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus 14 at 7.8 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus 14 to the Paddletek Tempest Wave V3?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 leads on twist weight by 23 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $120 vs $150, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus 14 and Paddletek Tempest Wave V3. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.