JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
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
- 88Power84
- 96Control88
- 92Spin92
- 86Forgiveness84
- 88Sweet spot86
- 90Stability84
- 73Maneuverability80
- 80Pop80
- 94Touch86
- 93Consistency88
- 74Swing weight70
- 88Twist weight80
- 51Launch angle50
- 86Plow through80
- 80Softness80
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash 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 Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $300 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 89.1 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 6.7 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | KineticFrame foam-injected polymer | Thermoformed polymer 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.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is control: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 96 against 88 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 8-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Two Project Flash is $100 cheaper at $200.
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 points (96 vs 88).
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 points (94 vs 86).
Twist weight
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 points (88 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 7 points (80 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 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 80, stability 90 vs 84, consistency 93 vs 88. 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 a narrow pick at this level — control 96 vs 88, touch 94 vs 86, power 88 vs 84. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Power
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 86, plow through 86 vs 80, control 96 vs 88. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Plow through
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 80, forgiveness 86 vs 84. Its 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want control (+8), touch (+8), twist weight (+8). 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 Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want maneuverability (+7). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — control — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 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 Two Project Flash?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 measures 88 on power against 84 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. 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 88. 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 92 for the Gritted raw carbon face on Proton Series Two Project Flash. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, with 6.7 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 Two Project Flash 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 Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.4 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?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on control by 8 points; everything else is within 8 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 Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Crush Control 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
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 Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.