RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power and spin on Paddle DNA against the Vatic Pro Oni 16, which costs $130.
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
92 vs 88
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
94 vs 89
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
115 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$130 at IQ 84.6 vs $249.99 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 · $249.99 · IQ 86.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power88
- 86Control86
- 94Spin89
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot85
- 88Stability86
- 72Maneuverability74
- 88Pop85
- 82Touch82
- 86Consistency84
- 80Swing weight78
- 86Twist weight83
- 60Launch angle60
- 88Plow through84
- 74Softness82
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 | Vatic Pro Oni 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $249.99 | $130 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 84.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 115 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.125 | 4.25 |
| Surface | CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring | Foam-edged thermoformed polymer |
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 verdict
The James Ignatowich signature build is an unapologetic attack paddle: 16.5 in of reach, a grippy CarbonBite face and a tri-density core that launches drives without giving up the sweet spot the first V2 lacked.
Vatic Pro Oni 16 verdict
Vatic's answer to the $250 foam paddles at roughly half the price. It gives up some polish in finish quality, not in scored performance.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 82 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on pop, twist weight, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Oni 16 is $119.99000000000001 cheaper at $130.
Softness
Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Spin
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 5 points (94 vs 89).
Power
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (92 vs 88).
Plow through
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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 (85.8 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Oni 16 and keep the $119.99000000000001.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 83.7 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Oni 16 and keep the $119.99000000000001.
- Spin
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 94 vs 89, power 92 vs 88, plow through 88 vs 84. Swing weight 117 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro Oni 16
Vatic Pro Oni 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 74. Its 16 mm Foam-edged thermoformed polymer core at 8.2 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2
Take RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 if you want spin (+5), power (+4), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 review →Vatic Pro Oni 16
Take Vatic Pro Oni 16 if you want softness (+8). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Oni 16 review →RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 84.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, at 115 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 or the Vatic Pro Oni 16?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 92 for power against 88 for Vatic Pro Oni 16. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 86 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 scores 94 for spin off its CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face, against 89 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro Oni 16. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.5 and 6.6.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 costs $130, $119.99000000000001 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2: 16 mm Tri-Density honeycomb core with EVA foam ring core with a CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup face. Vatic Pro Oni 16: 16 mm Foam-edged thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro Oni 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 7.9 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 115) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vatic Pro Oni 16 to the RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro Oni 16 leads on softness by 8 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $249.99 vs $130, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- CRBN⁴ TruFoam Barrage vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- 11SIX24 Ultré Power 2 vs RPM Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Oni 16 vs V7 Hybrid
- Oni 16 vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs J2CR
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs TruFoam Genesis 1
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Agassi Pro 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Vatic Pro Oni 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 and Vatic Pro Oni 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.