JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air, which costs $250.
Power
92 vs 81
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
86 vs 78
Forgiveness
Too close to call
72 vs 71
Hand speed
109 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$250 at IQ 78.4 vs $250 at IQ 77.5
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 · $250 · IQ 77.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 81Power92
- 86Control78
- 90Spin88
- 72Forgiveness71
- 70Sweet spot73
- 70Stability76
- 83Maneuverability79
- 76Pop93
- 88Touch74
- 76Consistency79
- 64Swing weight68
- 56Twist weight62
- 49Launch angle61
- 73Plow through84
- 85Softness58
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 | Selkirk Vanguard Power Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $250 | $250 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 77.5 | 78.4 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 109 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 5.8 — better | 5.6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Charged Carbon Surface Technology | Quadcarbon face |
| Core material | Propulsion Core | X5 polypropylene |
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.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air verdict
Explosive acceleration and crisp feedback for players who create their own control. The air-dynamic throat cuts drag noticeably on fast swings.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 scores 85 against 58 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 27-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, consistency, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $250, so price cannot break the tie.
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 27 points (85 vs 58).
Pop
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air leads by 17 points (93 vs 76).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 14 points (88 vs 74).
Launch angle
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air leads by 12 points (61 vs 49).
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
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air is a narrow pick at this level — stability 76 vs 70, twist weight 62 vs 56, sweet spot 73 vs 70. Twist weight 5.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 88 vs 74, control 86 vs 78, maneuverability 83 vs 79. At 109 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8 oz on the Perseus Pro IV 14, 7.9 oz on the Vanguard Power Air.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 85 vs 58, forgiveness 72 vs 71. Its 14 mm Propulsion Core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 if you want softness (+27), touch (+14), control (+8). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you want pop (+17), launch angle (+12), power (+11). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (78.4 vs 77.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads by 27 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14, at 109 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air scores 92 for power against 81 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14. That comes from a 14 mm X5 polypropylene core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 at 86 versus 78. 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 88 for the Quadcarbon face on Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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 14, with the higher forgiveness score (72 vs 71). Its 5.8 twist weight against 5.6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $250. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14: 14 mm Propulsion Core with a Charged Carbon Surface Technology face. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 72 and sweet spot 70 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 109) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 to the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 leads on softness by 27 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $250 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- Vanguard Power Air vs Luxx Control Air
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
- Perseus Pro IV 14 vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Vanguard Power Air vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Vanguard Power Air vs Perseus Pro V 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs Warrior Edge 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs Bantam TKO-C 14
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 14 and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.