JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is spin: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 against 90 for JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 — a 5-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, control, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $75 cheaper at $175.

• Spin

  Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 5 points (95 vs 90).

• Launch angle

  Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 5 points (57 vs 52).

• Maneuverability

  Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).

• Plow through

  JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).

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.

Which one should you buy?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ

Which is better, the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 5 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 112 for JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.

Which paddle has more power, the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 scores 86 for power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 16 mm Propulsion Core 4 core swinging at 112 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.

Which one gives more control and touch?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 at 90 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?

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 90 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 82). Its 6.6 twist weight against 6.3 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $75 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 Scorpeus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Propulsion Core 4 core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with an Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.

Which is better for a two-handed backhand?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.375 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.

Which one is better for beginners?

JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.

Which is lighter in the hand?

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) at 7.9 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 112) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on spin by 5 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $250 vs $175, 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.

• Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs Series Two Project Flash
• Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
• Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
• Scorpeus Pro IV 16 vs R3 Pulsar

• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Series Two Project Flash
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby Hybrid 16
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Vice V2 16

Top alternatives to both

Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.

Read the full reviews: JOOLA Scorpeus Pro IV 16 and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.