Proton Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm vs Proton Series 4
The Proton Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm is a 15 mm elongated paddle; the Proton Series 4 is a 16 mm elongated one. Across the 6 specs with a clearly better direction the Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm takes 5 and the Series 4 takes 1. The Series 4 swings lighter (111.0 vs 135.0) — quicker hands at the net, where the Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm plows through the ball instead. That is a preference, not a win. The Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm is $20.00 cheaper at $280.00.
Two paddles from the same brand, so the differences are the ones the maker chose. Every number below is lab-measured, not a manufacturer claim.
Spec by spec
| Spec | ProtonSeries 1 Type A Elongated 15mm | ProtonSeries 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280.00 | $300.00 |
| Core thickness | 15 mm | 16 mm |
| Static weightNeither is better — it's a feel preference. | 8.6 oz | 7.8 oz |
| Swing weightHigher = more power and plow-through; lower = quicker hands. | 135.0 | 111.0 |
| Twist weightHigher is more forgiving on off-center hits. | 6.52 | 5.51 |
| Balance pointHigher = more head-heavy. | 25.1 cm | 23.7 cm |
| Spin | 1,938 RPM | 1,944 RPM |
| Power | 55.9 MPH | 54.9 MPH |
| Pop | 35.9 MPH | 34.6 MPH |
| Firepower | 47 | 11 |
| Handle length | 5.5 in | 5.3 in |
| Grip size | 4.250 in | 4.250 in |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Build | Gen 1 | Gen 2/Edgeless |
| Surface | Nanotak | Raw Texture/Peel Ply |
| Face material | Carbon | Kevlar/Carbon |
| Spin rating | Low | Low |
| Certification | USAP | USAP |
Highlighted cells win a spec that has an unambiguously better direction (6 of them here). Swing weight, static weight and balance point are never highlighted — neither direction is better, they are feel preferences.
Where each one ranks
Proton Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm
Proton Series 4
Percentiles are ranks against paddles measured by the same lab, never blended across labs.
Keep going
Open this in the interactive comparison to add up to two more paddles, or tune either one with lead tape on its own page: Series 1 Type A Elongated 15mm · Series 4.
Static weight 8.6 oz vs 7.8 oz — a few grams of tape moves swing weight far more than static weight, so either can be pushed toward the other.