JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 006
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin, control, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project 006, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Spin
93 vs 87
Control
93 vs 84
Forgiveness
85 vs 80
Hand speed
118 vs 124 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$280 at IQ 88.3 vs $280 at IQ 83.7
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $280 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power92
- 93Control84
- 93Spin87
- 85Forgiveness80
- 87Sweet spot82
- 90Stability89
- 71Maneuverability65
- 85Pop90
- 90Touch80
- 92Consistency83
- 79Swing weight86
- 85Twist weight82
- 55Launch angle63
- 88Plow through92
- 84Softness74
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 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 | Selkirk Labs Project 006 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.3 — better | 83.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.5 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 124 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.75 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat |
| Core material | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer | Thermoformed 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.
Selkirk Labs Project 006 verdict
Selkirk's limited-run Labs build is unapologetically a power paddle. Plow-through and pop lead the field; touch play asks for a deliberate slower swing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 against 80 for Selkirk Labs Project 006 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on twist weight, power, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $280, so price cannot break the tie.
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 9 points (93 vs 84).
Consistency
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 9 points (92 vs 83).
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
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — consistency 92 vs 83, forgiveness 85 vs 80, sweet spot 87 vs 82. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — control 93 vs 84, touch 90 vs 80, spin 93 vs 87. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 90 vs 80, spin 93 vs 87, control 93 vs 84. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Spin
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 84 vs 74, forgiveness 85 vs 80, twist weight 85 vs 82. Its 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want touch (+10), softness (+10), control (+9). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project 006
Take Selkirk Labs Project 006 if you want launch angle (+8), swing weight (+7), pop (+5). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project 006 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Selkirk Labs Project 006 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 or the Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 124 for Selkirk Labs Project 006. 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 Selkirk Labs Project 006?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 92 for power against 90 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 124 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 versus 84. 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 87 for the Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face on Selkirk Labs Project 006. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 80). Its 6.5 twist weight against 6.2 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 $280. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- 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. Selkirk Labs Project 006: 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project 006, at 5.75 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project 006 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. Selkirk Labs Project 006 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project 006 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on touch by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $280 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- Labs Project 006 vs GX2 Power Elongated
- Labs Project 006 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
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- Labs Project 006 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Selkirk Labs Project 006. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.