Diadem Edge 18K V2 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
- 84Power86
- 86Control86
- 90Spin90
- 82Forgiveness80
- 84Sweet spot82
- 84Stability86
- 76Maneuverability72
- 78Pop82
- 84Touch82
- 86Consistency84
- 74Swing weight76
- 80Twist weight86
- 52Launch angle54
- 80Plow through86
- 72Softness68
Diadem Edge 18K V2 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 | Diadem Edge 18K V2 | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.7 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 113 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.4 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured 18K raw carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam edge fill | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
Diadem Edge 18K V2 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave measures at the top end for spin without the harsh feedback most thermoformed elongated paddles carry. It is the balanced option in a category full of specialists.
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 twist weight: Proton Series One Project Black scores 86 against 80 for Diadem Edge 18K V2 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on power, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Diadem Edge 18K V2 is $20 cheaper at $180.
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Plow through
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Diadem Edge 18K V2 leads by 4 points (76 vs 72).
Pop
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 4 points (82 vs 78).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.4 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Edge 18K V2 and keep the $20.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 83.9 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Edge 18K V2 and keep the $20.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 83.8 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Edge 18K V2 and keep the $20.
- Plow through
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (74.5 vs 76.2 on the weighted index). Take Diadem Edge 18K V2 and keep the $20.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+6), plow through (+6), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →Diadem Edge 18K V2
Take Diadem Edge 18K V2 if you want maneuverability (+4), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Diadem Edge 18K V2 review →Proton Series One Project Black vs Diadem Edge 18K V2 FAQ
- Which is better, the Proton Series One Project Black or the Diadem Edge 18K V2?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 83.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Diadem Edge 18K V2, at 113 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 Proton Series One Project Black or the Diadem Edge 18K V2?
- Proton Series One Project Black measures 86 on power against 84 for Diadem Edge 18K V2. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core swinging at 117 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black scores 90 for spin off its Raw carbon fiber face, against 90 for the Textured 18K raw carbon face on Diadem Edge 18K V2. 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 Diadem Edge 18K V2 carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Diadem Edge 18K V2 costs $180, $20 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face. Diadem Edge 18K V2: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam edge fill core with a Textured 18K raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series One Project Black, 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 Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Diadem Edge 18K V2 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Diadem Edge 18K V2 at 8.1 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Diadem Edge 18K V2 to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on twist weight by 6 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $180, 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.
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Diadem Edge 18K V2 and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.