Compare up to 3 paddles side by side
Specs, weight and swing weight, all 15 Paddle DNA™ traits, and price plus availability built only from the retailer offers we actually track — never estimated.
Specs & weight
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | JOOLA Essentials 16 |
|---|---|---|
| IQ score | 79.8/100 | 82.2/100 |
| MSRP | $110 | $89 |
| Best tracked price | $110 | $89 |
| Weight | 8 oz | 7.9 oz |
| Swing weightlower = faster hands | 110 | 108 |
| Twist weighthigher = more forgiving | 6 | 5.8 |
| Core | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Textured fiberglass |
| Handle | 5 in | 5 in |
| Released | 2025 | 2025 |
Price & availability
Sourced from stored retailer offers and their recorded price history. Paddles with no tracked offer show MSRP only.
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
- Tracked range
- $110 – $114
- Typical (median)
- $112
- All-time low
- $110
- Availability
- 2 / 2 in stock
JOOLA Essentials 16
- Tracked range
- $89 – $93
- Typical (median)
- $91
- All-time low
- $89
- Availability
- 2 / 2 in stock
Paddle DNA™
- Power7674
- Control8389
- Spin8078
- Forgiveness8591
- Sweet spot8692
- Stability7879
- Maneuverability8284
- Pop7676
- Touch7982
- Consistency8186
- Swing weight5446
- Twist weight7271
- Launch angle6366
- Plow through6462
- Softness8288
Bars listed in the order Franklin Signature Carbon STR · JOOLA Essentials 16
Verdicts
Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
JOOLA Essentials 16
The widest sweet-spot score in our sub-$100 group. Mishits off the top third still clear the net, which is exactly what a new player needs while their contact point is inconsistent.