JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. JOOLA Radius CGS 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
- 79Power74
- 91Control88
- 88Spin82
- 90Forgiveness88
- 92Sweet spot86
- 86Stability82
- 78Maneuverability78
- 74Pop70
- 89Touch90
- 88Consistency88
- 68Swing weight70
- 82Twist weight78
- 50Launch angle48
- 78Plow through76
- 82Softness92
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | JOOLA Radius CGS 16 | ProKennex Black Ace LG |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.1 — better | 83.1 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.4 |
| Shape | widebody | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Charged Surface Technology carbon | Textured carbon |
| Core material | Reactive Polymer Core | Kinetic core with damping chambers |
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 verdict
JOOLA's widebody answer to the elongated arms race. The extra face width buys one of the largest measured sweet spots in the lineup, and the twist weight is high enough that mishits still come back deep.
ProKennex Black Ace LG verdict
The most arm-friendly build in the database. Softness 92 comes from ProKennex's Kinetic damping, and it is the one paddle we recommend without hesitation for players managing tendon pain.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: ProKennex Black Ace LG scores 92 against 82 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on control, forgiveness, swing weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. ProKennex Black Ace LG is $30 cheaper at $200.
Softness
ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points (92 vs 82).
Spin
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Sweet spot
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Power
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 5 points (79 vs 74).
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 Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 92 vs 86, stability 86 vs 82, twist weight 82 vs 78. Twist weight 6.8 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 82, power 79 vs 74, control 91 vs 88. At 108 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 88 vs 82, power 79 vs 74, control 91 vs 88. Swing weight 108 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
ProKennex Black Ace LG
ProKennex Black Ace LG is a narrow pick at this level — softness 92 vs 82. Its 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want spin (+6), sweet spot (+6), power (+5). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →ProKennex Black Ace LG
Take ProKennex Black Ace LG if you want softness (+10). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the ProKennex Black Ace LG review →JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs ProKennex Black Ace LG FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 83.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — ProKennex Black Ace LG leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 109 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the ProKennex Black Ace LG?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 measures 79 on power against 74 for ProKennex Black Ace LG. That comes from a 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core swinging at 108 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 at 91 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 Radius CGS 16 scores 88 for spin off its Charged Surface Technology carbon face, against 82 for the Textured carbon face on ProKennex Black Ace LG. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.4. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG costs $200, $30 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 Radius CGS 16: 16 mm Reactive Polymer Core core with a Charged Surface Technology carbon face. ProKennex Black Ace LG: 16 mm Kinetic core with damping chambers core with a Textured carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG, 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 ProKennex Black Ace LG avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Radius CGS 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- ProKennex Black Ace LG at 8 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the ProKennex Black Ace LG to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. ProKennex Black Ace LG leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $230 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.
- Radius CGS 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Radius CGS 16 vs Atlas 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Sapphire 16
- Black Ace LG vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Black Ace LG vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Ace LG vs Atlas 16
- Black Ace LG vs Crush Control 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: JOOLA Radius CGS 16 and ProKennex Black Ace LG. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.