JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series One Project Black 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
- 81Power86
- 86Control86
- 90Spin90
- 72Forgiveness80
- 70Sweet spot82
- 70Stability86
- 83Maneuverability72
- 76Pop82
- 88Touch82
- 76Consistency84
- 64Swing weight76
- 56Twist weight86
- 49Launch angle54
- 73Plow through86
- 85Softness68
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77.5 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.8 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Charged Carbon Surface Technology | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Propulsion Core | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 verdict
Gen 4 propulsion core in the thinner 14 mm shell. You get the Pro IV's spin and pop without the swing weight that slows the 16 mm version in fast exchanges.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Proton Series One Project Black scores 86 against 56 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 — a 30-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $50 cheaper at $200.
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 30 points (86 vs 56).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 17 points (85 vs 68).
Stability
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 16 points (86 vs 70).
Plow through
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 13 points (86 vs 73).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 56, sweet spot 82 vs 70, stability 86 vs 70. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.1 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.2 vs 74.5 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $50.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 if you want softness (+17), maneuverability (+11), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+30), stability (+16), plow through (+13). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 77.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 30 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black measures 86 on power against 81 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 86 versus 86. Its 14 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 14 scores 90 for spin off its Charged Carbon Surface Technology face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 5.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher forgiveness score (80) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14: 14 mm Propulsion Core core with a Charged Carbon Surface Technology face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, 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 14 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on twist weight by 30 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $250 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.