Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and value on Paddle DNA against the Diadem Vice V2 16, which costs $170.
Power
Too close to call
84 vs 84
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 89
Control
90 vs 86
Forgiveness
Too close to call
87 vs 84
Hand speed
Too close to call
107 vs 108 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$99 at IQ 85.8 vs $170 at IQ 84.2
Overall pick: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 · $99 · IQ 85.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 84Power84
- 86Control90
- 92Spin89
- 84Forgiveness87
- 84Sweet spot87
- 82Stability84
- 82Maneuverability80
- 80Pop80
- 84Touch88
- 86Consistency88
- 66Swing weight68
- 78Twist weight82
- 50Launch angle55
- 78Plow through76
- 78Softness84
Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Diadem Vice V2 16 | Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.2 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 108 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.3 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | 18K gritted carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Diadem Vice V2 16 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave is the grippiest face under $200. Spin 92 with a 108 swing weight is a rare pairing — you can rip topspin and still win hands battles.
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 verdict
The $99 paddle that keeps embarrassing $200 ones. The V-Sol Pro will not out-drive the foam flagships, but on control, spin and consistency it is genuinely competitive.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is softness: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 84 against 78 for Diadem Vice V2 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $71 cheaper at $99.
Softness
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Launch angle
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 5 points (55 vs 50).
Control
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Touch
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
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
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 87 vs 84, sweet spot 87 vs 84, twist weight 82 vs 78. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.6 vs 86.5 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $71.
- Control
- Touch
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.7 vs 84.6 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $71.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 78, forgiveness 87 vs 84, twist weight 82 vs 78. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Diadem Vice V2 16
Take Diadem Vice V2 16 if you prefer a 5.4 in handle and a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core — it gives up nothing measurable to Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16.
Read the Diadem Vice V2 16 review →Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want softness (+6), launch angle (+5), control (+4). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 review →Diadem Vice V2 16 vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.8 vs 84.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 108 for Diadem Vice V2 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Diadem Vice V2 16 or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 84 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at 90 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 scores 92 for spin off its 18K gritted carbon face, against 89 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, with the higher forgiveness score (87 vs 84). Twist weight is identical at 6.5, so the gap comes from sweet-spot size and face stability rather than resistance to twisting.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 costs $99, $71 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?
- Diadem Vice V2 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with an 18K gritted carbon face. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 87 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Diadem Vice V2 16 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 7.9 oz, though swing weight differs (108 vs 107) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Diadem Vice V2 16 to the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads on softness by 6 points; everything else is within 5 points. At $170 vs $99, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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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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- Vice V2 16 vs R3 Pulsar
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Scorpeus Pro IV 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Series Two Project Flash
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Read the full reviews: Diadem Vice V2 16 and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.