RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Vatic Pro Oni 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 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
- 92Power88
- 86Control86
- 94Spin89
- 84Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot85
- 88Stability86
- 72Maneuverability74
- 88Pop85
- 82Touch82
- 86Consistency84
- 80Swing weight78
- 86Twist weight83
- 60Launch angle60
- 88Plow through84
- 74Softness82
Specs
| $250 | Price | $130 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8 oz | Weight | 8.2 oz |
| 117 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 6.6 |
| elongated | Shape | hybrid |
| CarbonBite raw carbon with Axial Carbon Layup | Surface | Raw T700 carbon |
| 5.5 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
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 measured performance.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Vatic Pro Oni 16 scores 82 against 74 for RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 — a 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 $120 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 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 measures 92 on power against 88 for Vatic Pro Oni 16. That comes from a 16 mm Tri-Density 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 86 versus 86. 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?
- 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?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16, with 6.6 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Oni 16 costs $130, $120 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 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?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 avoids.
- 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. RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2 at 8 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 $250 vs $130, 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.
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Ultré Power 2
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs Pegasus Gen 3
- Friction Pro Elongated V2 vs CRBN-1X
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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.