11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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 measured 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 measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, 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. Price is close enough ($200 vs $200) that it should not 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). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vantage Power 16, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- 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). Pick on shape — elongated on the Vantage Power 16, elongated on the Series One Project Black.
- 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 measures 92 on 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?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 0-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $0 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- 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?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16, 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 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 avoids.
- 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. 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- 11SIX24 Vantage Power 16 at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 117) 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.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Vantage Power 16 vs Black Diamond Power 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs Pro XS 16
- Vantage Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Vantage Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Mod TA-15 3S 16
- Series One Project Black vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Series One Project Black vs Edge 18K V2
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
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.