Ronbus R4 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
- 88Power95
- 82Control84
- 88Spin91
- 82Forgiveness88
- 84Sweet spot89
- 86Stability92
- 78Maneuverability66
- 86Pop90
- 78Touch80
- 84Consistency85
- 76Swing weight82
- 80Twist weight92
- 56Launch angle58
- 86Plow through93
- 68Softness72
Ronbus R4 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 R4 Pulsar | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $332.99 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.5 | 87.1 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.25 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 7.2 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.45 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring |
Ronbus R4 Pulsar verdict
Ronbus swings for pace with a 14 mm foam-walled build. Power 88 and pop 86 at $160 is the best price-to-punch ratio we have measured this year.
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 R4 Pulsar scores 78 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus R4 Pulsar is $172.99 cheaper at $160.
Maneuverability
Ronbus R4 Pulsar leads by 12 points (78 vs 66).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 7 points (95 vs 88).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 7 points (93 vs 86).
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 the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 82, sweet spot 89 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 83.6 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus R4 Pulsar and keep the $172.99.
- Power
- Forgiveness
- Spin
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 88, plow through 93 vs 86, 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
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 72 vs 68, twist weight 92 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 82. Its 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core at 8.25 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Ronbus R4 Pulsar
Take Ronbus R4 Pulsar if you want maneuverability (+12). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus R4 Pulsar review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want twist weight (+12), power (+7), plow through (+7). 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 R4 Pulsar vs Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Ronbus R4 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 83.5), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Ronbus R4 Pulsar leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus R4 Pulsar, at 113 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 R4 Pulsar or the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 88 for Ronbus R4 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?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 84 versus 82. 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 R4 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 6.5. 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 R4 Pulsar costs $160, $172.99 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 R4 Pulsar: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls 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 5.5 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 R4 Pulsar at 8.1 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus R4 Pulsar to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus R4 Pulsar leads on maneuverability by 12 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $160 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.
- R4 Pulsar vs Black Diamond Power 16
- R4 Pulsar vs Series One Project Black
- R4 Pulsar vs Extreme Tour 16
- R4 Pulsar vs Evoke Premier Pro
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Ronbus R4 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.