JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
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 control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Control
96 vs 86
Forgiveness
86 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series One Project Black
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $300 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 · $300 · IQ 89.1
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 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 scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, 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 an elongated face and a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core — 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 scores 88 for 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?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.7), but JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 makes it back on sweet spot (88) and overall face stability.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (118 vs 117) and that 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.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Perseus Pro V 16 vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Perseus Pro V 16 vs CRBN-3X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
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 16 and Proton Series One Project Black in context against the rest of the database.
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.