JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Generation shopping inside JOOLA's flagship line — buyers want to know whether the newer Pro V is a real upgrade or a refresh. Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 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 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, which costs $299.95.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Control
Too close to call
96 vs 93
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
118 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$249.95 at IQ 88.3 vs $299.95 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $249.95 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power88
- 93Control96
- 93Spin92
- 85Forgiveness86
- 87Sweet spot88
- 90Stability90
- 71Maneuverability73
- 85Pop80
- 90Touch94
- 92Consistency93
- 79Swing weight74
- 85Twist weight88
- 55Launch angle51
- 88Plow through86
- 84Softness80
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 | JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 — better | $300 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.3 | 89.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer | KineticFrame foam-injected polymer |
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.
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 verdict
The 2026 control flagship. The KineticFrame build stiffens the perimeter without adding face pop, so resets land shorter and drives stay predictable — at the highest price in the database.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 85 against 80 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on control, twist weight, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is $50 cheaper at $249.95.
The single most common upgrade question from existing Perseus owners.
Pop
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points (85 vs 80).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points (79 vs 74).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 4 points (94 vs 90).
Launch angle
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (55 vs 51).
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 (87.9 vs 89.2 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.3 vs 88.4 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and keep the $50.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.3 vs 88.6 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and keep the $50.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.5 vs 83.1 on the weighted index). Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and keep the $50.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want pop (+5), swing weight (+5), launch angle (+4). 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 Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want touch (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 88.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 118 kg·cm², and 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 Pro V 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 88 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 Pro V 16 at 96 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 92 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 85). Its 6.7 twist weight against 6.5 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 Pro IV 16 costs $249.95, $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 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16: 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon 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 V 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 Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz with the same 118 kg·cm² swing weight.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on pop by 5 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $249.95 vs $299.95, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a touch vs pop decision
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.