JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power90
- 95Control93
- 91Spin93
- 82Forgiveness85
- 84Sweet spot87
- 88Stability90
- 74Maneuverability71
- 79Pop85
- 93Touch90
- 92Consistency92
- 72Swing weight79
- 86Twist weight85
- 52Launch angle55
- 83Plow through88
- 78Softness84
Specs
| $240 | Price | $280 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.2 oz | Weight | 8.3 oz |
| 116 | Swing weight | 118 |
| 6.4 | Twist weight | 6.5 |
| hybrid | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 verdict
The most complete tournament paddle we have measured. Control numbers sit at the top of the field without giving up the drive speed you need to finish points.
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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 79 against 72 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 — a 7-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 is $40 cheaper at $240.
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 7 points (79 vs 72).
Power
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Pop
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (85 vs 79).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want swing weight (+7), power (+6), pop (+6). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →JOOLA Perseus CFS 16
Take JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16.
Read the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 7 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16, at 116 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 Perseus Pro IV 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 measures 90 on power against 84 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 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 CFS 16 at 95 versus 93. 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 91 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (85) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 costs $240, $40 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 Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16: 16 mm Propulsion 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 5.5 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 Perseus Pro IV 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on swing weight by 7 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $280 vs $240, 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.
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs TruFoam Genesis X
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Nova R1
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Pegasus Gen 3
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus CFS 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.