JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
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 spin and control on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16, which costs $280.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Spin
92 vs 86
Control
96 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Hand speed
Too close to call
118 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$280 at IQ 85.2 vs $300 at IQ 89.1
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 · $300 · IQ 89.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 88Power90
- 96Control84
- 92Spin86
- 86Forgiveness86
- 88Sweet spot88
- 90Stability90
- 73Maneuverability72
- 80Pop86
- 94Touch78
- 93Consistency84
- 74Swing weight80
- 88Twist weight88
- 51Launch angle58
- 86Plow through90
- 80Softness70
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 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 | Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $300 | $280 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 89.1 — better | 85.2 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 118 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| 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 | Foam-injected polymer |
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.
Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 verdict
A Labs release built for plow-through. Twist weight 88 and stability 90 are among the highest pairings in the database — it simply does not twist on off-center hits.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 scores 94 against 78 for Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on power, maneuverability, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 is $20 cheaper at $280.
Touch
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 16 points (94 vs 78).
Control
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 12 points (96 vs 84).
Softness
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
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 a narrow pick at this level — consistency 93 vs 84, control 96 vs 84. Twist weight 6.7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Consistency
- Control
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 84, touch 94 vs 78, spin 92 vs 86. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Touch
- Spin
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 78, control 96 vs 84, spin 92 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Touch
- Control
- Spin
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 70. Its 16 mm KineticFrame foam-injected polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 if you want touch (+16), control (+12), softness (+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 →Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16
Take Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 if you want launch angle (+7), pop (+6), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 review →JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 vs Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 or the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (89.1 vs 85.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both swing at 118 kg·cm², and 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 Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 scores 90 for power against 88 for JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16. That comes from a 16 mm 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 84. 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 86 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.7 and 7.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 costs $280, $20 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. Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16: 16 mm Foam-injected polymer 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (86) and sweet spot (88) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight is identical at 118 kg·cm², so they will feel the same mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 to the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 leads on touch by 16 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $300 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 and Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.