JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 V 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the ONIX Z5 Graphite, which costs $70.
Power
88 vs 73
Spin
92 vs 62
Control
96 vs 76
Forgiveness
86 vs 82
Hand speed
102 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 73.6 vs $300 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 · $300 · IQ 89.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power73
- 96Control76
- 92Spin62
- 86Forgiveness82
- 88Sweet spot84
- 90Stability70
- 73Maneuverability88
- 80Pop80
- 94Touch70
- 93Consistency74
- 74Swing weight44
- 88Twist weight62
- 51Launch angle70
- 86Plow through56
- 80Softness74
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 | ONIX Z5 Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $300 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 89.1 — better | 73.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 11 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 102 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 — better | 5.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Graphite composite |
| Core material | KineticFrame foam-injected polymer | Nomex honeycomb |
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 verdict
The 2026 control flagship. The KineticFrame build stiffens the perimeter without adding face pop, so resets land shorter and drives stay predictable — at the highest price in the database.
ONIX Z5 Graphite verdict
The paddle that introduced a generation to pickleball. It is fast and cheap, but the thin Nomex core is loud and dated next to modern polymer builds.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 92 against 62 for ONIX Z5 Graphite — a 30-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ONIX Z5 Graphite is $230 cheaper at $70.
Spin
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 30 points (92 vs 62).
Swing weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 30 points (74 vs 44).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 30 points (86 vs 56).
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 26 points (88 vs 62).
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 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 62, stability 90 vs 70, consistency 93 vs 74. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 92 vs 62, control 96 vs 76, touch 94 vs 70. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — spin 92 vs 62, plow through 86 vs 56, touch 94 vs 70. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 62, softness 80 vs 74, forgiveness 86 vs 82. Its 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want spin (+30), swing weight (+30), plow through (+30). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 review →ONIX Z5 Graphite
Take ONIX Z5 Graphite if you want launch angle (+19), maneuverability (+15). Its swing weight of 102 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ONIX Z5 Graphite review →Where to Buy
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
ONIX Z5 Graphite
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs ONIX Z5 Graphite FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 73.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 30 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite, at 102 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 or the ONIX Z5 Graphite?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 88 for power against 73 for ONIX Z5 Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm KineticFrame 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 V 16 at 96 versus 76. 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 V 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 62 for the Graphite composite face on ONIX Z5 Graphite. In practice a 30-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 82). Its 6.7 twist weight against 5.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite costs $70, $230 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 16: 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. ONIX Z5 Graphite: 11 mm Nomex honeycomb core with a Graphite composite face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. ONIX Z5 Graphite rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ONIX Z5 Graphite at 7.8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (102 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ONIX Z5 Graphite to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on spin by 30 points; everything else is within 30 points. At $300 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Top alternatives to both
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Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 and ONIX Z5 Graphite. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.