JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16
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
- 79Power78
- 91Control88
- 88Spin86
- 90Forgiveness90
- 92Sweet spot90
- 86Stability84
- 78Maneuverability82
- 74Pop74
- 89Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 68Swing weight66
- 82Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle48
- 78Plow through74
- 82Softness82
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 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 | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $230 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.1 — better | 84.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.8 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | widebody | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 15.9 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Charged Surface Technology carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Reactive Polymer Core | Polypropylene honeycomb |
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.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Vatic Pro Atlas 16 scores 82 against 78 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16 — a 4-point gap. They are effectively level on control, touch, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $120 cheaper at $110.
Maneuverability
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).
Plow through
JOOLA Radius CGS 16 leads by 4 points (78 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.4 vs 87.1 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $120.
- Sweet spot
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $120.
- Control
- Touch
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.8 vs 82.1 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $120.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $120.
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
JOOLA Radius CGS 16
Take JOOLA Radius CGS 16 if you want plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 review →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want maneuverability (+4). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →JOOLA Radius CGS 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the JOOLA Radius CGS 16 or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.1 vs 84.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 4 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16, at 106 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for JOOLA Radius CGS 16. 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16 measures 79 on power against 78 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16. 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 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro Atlas 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, with 6.8 twist weight against 6.7. 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $120 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. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Radius CGS 16, at 5 in of handle against 5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 108) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 to the JOOLA Radius CGS 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads on maneuverability by 4 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $230 vs $110, 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 Crush Control 16
- Radius CGS 16 vs Sapphire 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.