JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk OMNI 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
- 90Power89
- 93Control92
- 93Spin88
- 85Forgiveness90
- 87Sweet spot91
- 90Stability90
- 71Maneuverability74
- 85Pop84
- 90Touch90
- 92Consistency91
- 79Swing weight76
- 85Twist weight89
- 55Launch angle54
- 88Plow through85
- 84Softness86
Specs
| $280 | Price | $280 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.3 oz | Weight | 8.1 oz |
| 118 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 6.9 |
| hybrid | Shape | hybrid |
| Raw Toray T700 carbon | Surface | Raw carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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 OMNI 16 verdict
Selkirk's answer to the foam era, and the most balanced paddle they have built. The OMNI refuses to specialize: power and control both sit in the top decile, which is rare and expensive.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 93 against 88 for Selkirk OMNI 16 — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, swing weight, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($280 vs $280) that it should not break the tie.
Spin
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points (93 vs 88).
Forgiveness
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 5 points (90 vs 85).
Sweet spot
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 4 points (91 vs 87).
Twist weight
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 4 points (89 vs 85).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk OMNI 16
Take Selkirk OMNI 16 if you want forgiveness (+5), sweet spot (+4), twist weight (+4). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk OMNI 16 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want spin (+5). 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 OMNI 16 vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk OMNI 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 88.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 5 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk OMNI 16 or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 measures 90 on power against 89 for Selkirk OMNI 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 IV 16 at 93 versus 92. 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 88 for the Raw carbon face on Selkirk OMNI 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk OMNI 16: 16 mm Full EVA foam core core with a Raw carbon face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, 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 Selkirk OMNI 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 to the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on spin by 5 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $280 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
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Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Selkirk OMNI 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.