JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Six Zero Sapphire 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus CFS 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
- 84Power80
- 95Control93
- 91Spin91
- 82Forgiveness86
- 84Sweet spot88
- 88Stability84
- 74Maneuverability80
- 79Pop72
- 93Touch91
- 92Consistency88
- 72Swing weight64
- 86Twist weight82
- 52Launch angle48
- 83Plow through76
- 78Softness86
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 | Six Zero Sapphire 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $240 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 85.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.4 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Toray T700 raw carbon |
| Core material | Propulsion polymer | Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene |
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.
Six Zero Sapphire 16 verdict
Six Zero's standard-shape Gen 3 build. It trades the Coral Pro's reach for a wider face, and the result is one of the most forgiving control paddles in the $200 bracket.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 scores 72 against 64 for Six Zero Sapphire 16 — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Sapphire 16 is $50 cheaper at $190.
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 8 points (72 vs 64).
Softness
Six Zero Sapphire 16 leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Pop
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 7 points (79 vs 72).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 7 points (83 vs 76).
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 (86.4 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 and keep the $50.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.1 vs 87 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.1 vs 86.9 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 and keep the $50.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 86 vs 78, forgiveness 86 vs 82. Its 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 if you want softness (+8), maneuverability (+6), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Sapphire 16 review →JOOLA Perseus CFS 16
Take JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 if you want swing weight (+8), pop (+7), plow through (+7). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 review →Six Zero Sapphire 16 vs JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Sapphire 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Six Zero Sapphire 16 or the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 measures 84 on power against 80 for Six Zero Sapphire 16. That comes from a 16 mm Propulsion polymer core swinging at 116 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?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 scores 91 for spin off its Toray T700 raw carbon face, against 91 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Perseus CFS 16. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Sapphire 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 costs $190, $50 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?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16: 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core with a Toray T700 raw 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 CFS 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Sapphire 16 to the JOOLA Perseus CFS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 leads on swing weight by 8 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $190 vs $240, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a forgiveness vs power decision
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus CFS 16 and Six Zero Sapphire 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.