JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power86
- 96Control86
- 92Spin90
- 86Forgiveness80
- 88Sweet spot82
- 90Stability86
- 73Maneuverability72
- 80Pop82
- 94Touch82
- 93Consistency84
- 74Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 51Launch angle54
- 86Plow through86
- 80Softness68
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black 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 16 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $300 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 89.1 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 7 — better |
| 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 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | KineticFrame foam-injected polymer | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
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.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 94 against 82 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, power, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $100 cheaper at $200.
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 12 points (94 vs 82).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 12 points (80 vs 68).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 10 points (96 vs 86).
Consistency
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 9 points (93 vs 84).
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 — forgiveness 86 vs 80, sweet spot 88 vs 82, consistency 93 vs 84. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- 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 — control 96 vs 86, touch 94 vs 82, forgiveness 86 vs 80. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — touch 94 vs 82, control 96 vs 86, power 88 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Power
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 — softness 80 vs 68, forgiveness 86 vs 80, twist weight 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm KineticFrame 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?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want touch (+12), softness (+12), control (+10). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 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 Proton Series One Project Black?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 measures 88 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. 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 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 V 16 scores 92 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $100 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. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 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 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. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on touch by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $300 vs $200, 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 16 vs Perseus CFS 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
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 16 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.