11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series One Project Black takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series One Project Black edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 82.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
92 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Control
Proton Series One Project Black
86 vs 78
Forgiveness
Too close to call
82 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $200 at IQ 82.3
Overall pick: Proton Series One Project Black · $200 · IQ 83.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 92Power86
- 78Control86
- 90Spin90
- 82Forgiveness80
- 82Sweet spot82
- 84Stability86
- 74Maneuverability72
- 90Pop82
- 72Touch82
- 80Consistency84
- 76Swing weight76
- 80Twist weight86
- 60Launch angle54
- 88Plow through86
- 60Softness68
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 82.3 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw carbon fiber | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 verdict
A pure drive paddle. Power 92, pop 90 and plow-through 88 put it in the top tier for pace, and spin 90 means those drives still dip inside the baseline.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is touch: Proton Series One Project Black scores 82 against 72 for 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, stability, maneuverability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $200, so price cannot break the tie.
Touch
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points (82 vs 72).
Control
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (86 vs 78).
Pop
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 leads by 8 points (90 vs 82).
Softness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (68 vs 60).
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
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 80, consistency 84 vs 80, control 86 vs 78. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Consistency
- Control
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.1 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Control
- Touch
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Neither has an advantage here — buy on availability, colourway or whichever grip feels better in hand.
- Touch
- Control
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — softness 68 vs 60, twist weight 86 vs 80. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
11SIX24 Vantage Power 16
Take 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 if you want pop (+8), power (+6), launch angle (+6). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want touch (+10), control (+8), softness (+8). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 82.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — touch — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for Proton Series One Project Black. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 scores 92 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 78. 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?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for spin off the same Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, with the higher forgiveness score (82 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.6), but 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 makes it back on sweet spot (82) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Both list at $200. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber 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?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (116 vs 117) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on touch by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $200 vs $200, 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.
- Vantage Power 16 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Series One Project Black vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Vantage Power 16 vs Vanguard Power Air
- Vantage Power 16 vs Loco 16mm Elongated
- Vantage Power 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Vantage Power 16 vs Perseus Pro V 14
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Series One Project Black vs Agassi Pro 16
- Series One Project Black vs Mach 2 Forza 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs R4 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and Proton Series One Project Black in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.