JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and value on Paddle DNA against the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14, which costs $299.95.
Power
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
84 vs 80
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
85 vs 76
Hand speed
111 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
$249.99 at IQ 85.1 vs $299.95 at IQ 81.9
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm · $249.99 · IQ 85.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
Estimated scores: the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm Paddle DNA is our estimate from published specs, not a sourced profile.
- 94Power93
- 80Control84
- 90Spin90
- 76Forgiveness85
- 78Sweet spot87
- 82Stability84
- 84Maneuverability76
- 94Pop91
- 74Touch80
- 80Consistency85
- 70Swing weight76
- 76Twist weight80
- 60Launch angle62
- 82Plow through85
- 56Softness70
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 | RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $249.99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81.9 | 85.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 6.1 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| 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 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction surface | Carbon fiber surface |
| Core material | Propulsion core with foam walls | Gen 4 full-foam core |
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 verdict
The 14 mm Pro V trades the 16 mm model's dwell time for the highest pop score in the Perseus line. It is a speed-up paddle for players who already have hands.
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm verdict
RPM's Gen 4 full-foam Q2 trades the Friction Pro's honeycomb feel for a firmer, more powerful response. The published 114 swing weight is lighter than most elongated power paddles, while the 6.1 twist weight is on the low side for the shape.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm scores 70 against 56 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, plow through, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm is $49.95999999999998 cheaper at $249.99.
Softness
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 14 points (70 vs 56).
Forgiveness
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 9 points (85 vs 76).
Sweet spot
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 9 points (87 vs 78).
Maneuverability
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
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
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 85 vs 76, sweet spot 87 vs 78, consistency 85 vs 80. Twist weight 6.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm and keep the $49.95999999999998.
- Forgiveness
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.8 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Take RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm and keep the $49.95999999999998.
- Touch
- Plow through
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm is the clearer pick at this level — softness 70 vs 56, forgiveness 85 vs 76, twist weight 80 vs 76. Its 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core at 7.8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 if you want maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 review →RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
Take RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm if you want softness (+14), forgiveness (+9), sweet spot (+9). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm review →Where to Buy
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 or the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.1 vs 81.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 or the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 scores 94 for power against 93 for RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. That comes from a 14 mm Propulsion core with foam walls core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm at 84 versus 80. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (85 vs 76). JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.7 vs 6.1), but RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm makes it back on sweet spot (87) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm costs $249.99, $49.95999999999998 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 V 14: 14 mm Propulsion core with foam walls core with a Raw carbon friction surface. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm: 16 mm Gen 4 full-foam core with a Carbon fiber surface.
- 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?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm at 7.8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (114 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 to the RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm leads on softness by 14 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $299.95 vs $249.99, 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.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Perseus Pro V 16
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Pro XS 16
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Jade Elongated 16mm
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs J6CR
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Pressure X 8E Elongated 16mm
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Power Pro X 14
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Warrior Edge 14
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Perseus Pro V 14 vs Vantage Power 16
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs R4 Pulsar
- Q2 Elongated 16mm vs Spitfire Elongated 16mm
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 and RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 and RPM Pickleball Q2 Elongated 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.