JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Six Zero Ruby
Mid-price control against premium power — the classic upgrade question. 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 power, spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Six Zero Ruby, which costs $160.
Power
90 vs 85
Spin
93 vs 88
Control
93 vs 86
Forgiveness
85 vs 81
Hand speed
114 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$160 at IQ 83.5 vs $249.95 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $249.95 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power85
- 93Control86
- 93Spin88
- 85Forgiveness81
- 87Sweet spot82
- 90Stability85
- 71Maneuverability76
- 85Pop83
- 90Touch82
- 92Consistency85
- 79Swing weight70
- 85Twist weight83
- 55Launch angle56
- 88Plow through80
- 84Softness74
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 vs Six Zero Ruby 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 | Six Zero Ruby |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $160 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 88.3 — better | 83.5 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| 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.
Six Zero Ruby verdict
Six Zero's answer to the hybrid trend, and the most balanced paddle in our 2026 database. Very few weaknesses at this price.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 84 against 74 for Six Zero Ruby — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, twist weight, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Ruby is $89.94999999999999 cheaper at $160.
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 9 points (79 vs 70).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
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 a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 87 vs 82, consistency 92 vs 85, forgiveness 85 vs 81. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — control 93 vs 86, touch 90 vs 82, spin 93 vs 88. 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 the clearer pick at this level — plow through 88 vs 80, touch 90 vs 82, power 90 vs 85. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Power
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 81, twist weight 85 vs 83. 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?
Six Zero Ruby
Take Six Zero Ruby if you want maneuverability (+5). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Ruby review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want softness (+10), swing weight (+9), touch (+8). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →Six Zero Ruby vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Six Zero Ruby or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Ruby, at 114 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 Six Zero Ruby or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 85 for Six Zero Ruby. 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 86. 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 T700 carbon face on Six Zero Ruby. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 81). Six Zero Ruby actually carries the higher twist weight (6.6 vs 6.5), but JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 makes it back on sweet spot (87) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Six Zero Ruby costs $160, $89.94999999999999 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?
- Six Zero Ruby: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 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. Six Zero Ruby rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Six Zero Ruby at 8.2 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Ruby to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $160 vs $249.95, 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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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Six Zero Ruby in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 and Six Zero Ruby. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.