JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 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
- 94Power92
- 80Control78
- 90Spin88
- 76Forgiveness71
- 78Sweet spot73
- 82Stability76
- 84Maneuverability79
- 94Pop93
- 74Touch74
- 80Consistency79
- 70Swing weight68
- 76Twist weight62
- 60Launch angle61
- 82Plow through84
- 56Softness58
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 | Selkirk Vanguard Power Air |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $280 | $250 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 81.9 — better | 78.4 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 14 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 114 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 5.6 |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.4 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon friction surface | Quadcarbon face |
| Core material | Propulsion core with foam walls | X5 polypropylene |
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 verdict
The 14 mm Pro V trades the 16 mm model's dwell time for the highest pop we have measured in the Perseus line. It is a speed-up paddle for players who already have hands.
Selkirk Vanguard Power Air verdict
Explosive acceleration and crisp feedback for players who create their own control. The air-dynamic throat cuts drag noticeably on fast swings.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 scores 76 against 62 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air is $30 cheaper at $250.
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads by 14 points (76 vs 62).
Stability
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads by 6 points (82 vs 76).
Forgiveness
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads by 5 points (76 vs 71).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads by 5 points (78 vs 73).
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 V 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 76 vs 62, forgiveness 76 vs 71, sweet spot 78 vs 73. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 79, forgiveness 76 vs 71, control 80 vs 78. At 111 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.8 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air and keep the $30.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 76 vs 62, forgiveness 76 vs 71. Its 14 mm Propulsion core with foam walls core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 if you want twist weight (+14), stability (+6), forgiveness (+5). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 review →Selkirk Vanguard Power Air
Take Selkirk Vanguard Power Air if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air review →JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 vs Selkirk Vanguard Power Air FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 or the Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (81.9 vs 78.4), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 measures 94 on power against 92 for Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 at 80 versus 78. Its 14 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 V 14 scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon friction surface face, against 88 for the Quadcarbon face face on Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14, with 6.7 twist weight against 5.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (76) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air costs $250, $30 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 face. Selkirk Vanguard Power Air: 14 mm X5 polypropylene core with a Quadcarbon face face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14, 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 JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 76 and sweet spot 78 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Power Air at 7.9 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 Selkirk Vanguard Power Air to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 leads on twist weight by 14 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $280 vs $250, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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 Bantam TKO-C 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs CX14H Ultimate Power
- Vanguard Power Air vs Warrior Edge 14
- Vanguard Power Air vs Bantam TKO-C 14
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 14 and Selkirk Vanguard Power Air. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.