Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus R1 Pulsar wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, which costs $333.
Power
78 vs 71
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 88
Control
Too close to call
94 vs 92
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 82
Hand speed
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
98 vs 104 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$120 at IQ 83.5 vs $333 at IQ 84.1
Overall pick: Ronbus R1 Pulsar · $120 · IQ 83.5
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 78Power71
- 92Control94
- 88Spin90
- 84Forgiveness82
- 84Sweet spot81
- 80Stability84
- 84Maneuverability97
- 70Pop70
- 90Touch92
- 86Consistency87
- 62Swing weight47
- 74Twist weight77
- 46Launch angle46
- 72Plow through59
- 84Softness90
Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Ronbus R1 Pulsar | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $120 — better | $333 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.5 | 84.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 104 | 98 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.1 | 6.5 — better |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.95 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Multistrata T700 Carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb | BoomCore™ |
Ronbus R1 Pulsar verdict
The value benchmark for an elongated control paddle. It gives up thermoformed power, but the swing weight is low enough that fast hands stay fast into the third game.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Ronbus R1 Pulsar scores 62 against 47 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on sweet spot, twist weight, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R1 Pulsar is $213 cheaper at $120.
Swing weight
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 15 points (62 vs 47).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 13 points (97 vs 84).
Plow through
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 13 points (72 vs 59).
Power
Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 7 points (78 vs 71).
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 (82.8 vs 83 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar and keep the $213.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 97 vs 84, control 94 vs 92, spin 90 vs 88. At 98 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Spin
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 82.6 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar and keep the $213.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 90 vs 84, twist weight 77 vs 74. Its 16 mm BoomCore™ core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Ronbus R1 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R1 Pulsar if you want swing weight (+15), plow through (+13), power (+7). Its swing weight of 104 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R1 Pulsar review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want maneuverability (+13), softness (+6), stability (+4). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →Ronbus R1 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 104 for Ronbus R1 Pulsar. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Ronbus R1 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar scores 78 for power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 104 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 94 versus 92. 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 90 for spin off its Multistrata T700 Carbon face, against 88 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Ronbus R1 Pulsar. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 82). Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.1), but Ronbus R1 Pulsar makes it back on sweet spot (84) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar costs $120, $213 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?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R1 Pulsar at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (104 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R1 Pulsar to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus R1 Pulsar leads on swing weight by 15 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $120 vs $333, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Ronbus R1 Pulsar and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.