Ronbus R3 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 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
- 84Power95
- 86Control84
- 88Spin91
- 86Forgiveness88
- 86Sweet spot89
- 86Stability92
- 80Maneuverability66
- 80Pop90
- 84Touch80
- 86Consistency85
- 72Swing weight82
- 82Twist weight92
- 52Launch angle58
- 80Plow through93
- 76Softness72
Ronbus R3 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Ronbus R3 Pulsar | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $150 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.8 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 111 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.7 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Ronbus R3 Pulsar verdict
Ronbus keeps doing the same trick: flagship construction at mid-tier money. Nothing in the R3's DNA drops below 72, and spin 88 matches paddles costing $100 more.
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Ronbus R3 Pulsar scores 80 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, sweet spot, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R3 Pulsar is $182.99 cheaper at $150.
Maneuverability
Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 14 points (80 vs 66).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 13 points (93 vs 80).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 11 points (95 vs 84).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 82, stability 92 vs 86, sweet spot 89 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.8 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar and keep the $182.99.
- Maneuverability
- Touch
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 95 vs 84, plow through 93 vs 80, spin 91 vs 88. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (79.8 vs 80 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar and keep the $182.99.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Ronbus R3 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R3 Pulsar if you want maneuverability (+14), touch (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R3 Pulsar review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+13), power (+11), pop (+10). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Ronbus R3 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Ronbus R3 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 84.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Ronbus R3 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 84 for Ronbus R3 Pulsar. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar at 86 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 88 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Ronbus R3 Pulsar. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar costs $150, $182.99 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 R3 Pulsar: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.4 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus R3 Pulsar at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R3 Pulsar to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus R3 Pulsar leads on maneuverability by 14 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $150 vs $332.99, 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.
- R3 Pulsar vs Edge 18K V2
- R3 Pulsar vs Crush Control 16
- R3 Pulsar vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
- R3 Pulsar vs Ruby
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Ronbus R3 Pulsar and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.